How Private Equity Firms Can Finish Strong in 2025

In today’s market, private equity firms are being tested on multiple fronts, including rising interest rates, tighter capital, slower exits, and increased investor scrutiny. According to a recent EY article, firms that want to finish the year strong must shift their focus from strategy creation to strategy execution. It’s no longer just about identifying value, it’s about delivering it efficiently, transparently, and with precision.

Here are four key moves private equity firms can make now to end the year with momentum:

1. Put Value Creation at the Centre of Execution

Value creation has become more complex and time sensitive. It’s not enough to outline a growth strategy; firms need the operational capabilities and tools to track, measure, and iterate. Building structured value creation plans at the portfolio company level and tracking them closely ensures that initiatives are being executed, not just discussed.

2. Leverage Data to Make Faster, Better Decisions

Access to clean, connected data is one of the biggest performance differentiators today. From fund-level insights to individual asset KPIs, having a real-time view into financials, operational metrics, and ESG data allows firms to react quickly and course-correct before issues become problems. The use of AI and advanced analytics is becoming essential for decision-making.

3. Strengthen Communication with LPs

Limited partners want more visibility and faster. Streamlined reporting and clear communication help build trust, especially in uncertain markets. Moving from static quarterly PDFs to more interactive, real-time reporting formats can show LPs that you’re proactive, transparent, and performance-driven.

4. Prepare for the Exit, Even if It’s Delayed

Even if current market conditions push exits further out, preparing early can make all the difference. Firms should model multiple scenarios, understand potential IRR and carry outcomes, and build flexible plans that can adjust to shifting valuations or buyer appetite. Being exit-ready means being data-ready.

Final Thought

Private equity is no longer just about deals, it’s about discipline. Execution is where the winners separate themselves, especially in tougher environments. Firms that invest in better data, tighter operations, and clearer communication will be best positioned not just to finish strong, but to start the next cycle even stronger. At Untap, we’ve built our platform with those exact goals in mind.

It’s time to Untap your portfolio’s full potential! If you're ready to go beyond reporting and move into real-time value creation orchestration, get in touch.