Seminar paper from the year 2021 in the subject Business economics - Investment and Finance, grade: 1,3, University of Applied Sciences Essen, course: International Investment, language: English, abstract: This term paper is split into five chapters. After the introduction, the theoretical framework of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and private equity (PE) is elaborated. Besides the explanatory definition of PE, an overview of PE types and the roles in PE investments is provided. Chapter three emphasizes the process of PE investments and their characteristics from the planning stage to exit strategies. Before the conclusion, opportunities and threats for SMEs and investors in PE investments are derived in section four.