AEA Private Debt, AEA Investors’ private credit platform, and Carlyle AlpInvest, a leading global private equity investor, have held the successful closing of an approximately $550m credit continuation vehicle.
The transaction was led by Carlyle AlpInvest, which is also providing additional capital to support new loans originated by AEA Private Debt.
The continuation vehicle was established to acquire a diversified, income-generating portfolio of first-lien senior secured loans from AEA Private Debt’s 2016 vintage direct lending fund – AEA Middle Market Debt Fund III – primarily consisting of loans to sponsor-backed US middle market companies.
Further enhancing long-term alignment between AEA Private Debt and its LPs, the vehicle provided existing investors with an attractive liquidity option or the opportunity to reinvest in a high-quality pool of private credit assets that will continue to be managed by a proven, deeply experienced team. Building on the existing relationship between Carlyle AlpInvest and AEA, the transaction also underscores Carlyle AlpInvest’s leadership in credit secondaries and validates AEA Private Debt’s differentiated origination and underwriting capabilities.
PJT Partners LP served as financial adviser on the transaction. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP acted as legal counsel for AEA Private Debt. Ropes & Gray LLP acted as legal counsel for Carlyle AlpInvest. Wells Fargo provided certain financing for the transaction.
