Clearlake Capital has raised $14.8 billion for its eighth flagship private equity fund, signalling a strategic shift towards AI and digital transformation themes amid a period of market disruption and resilient investor backing.
Clearlake Capital has closed its eighth flagship private equity fund with $14.8 billion in capital commitments, bolstering its firepower at a time when large buyout firms are leaning harder into artificial intelligence and digital overhaul themes.
The new vehicle, Clearlake Capital Partners VIII, was raised together with related co-investment structures and separately managed accounts. The firm said it drew support from almost 300 investors across 35 countries on six continents, a sign that global limited partners continue to back its sector-led approach.
Founded in 2006, Clearlake now says it oversees more than $185 billion in assets across private equity, credit, infrastructure, secondaries and co-investments. The company has built its pitch around combining industry specialism with operational support and technology-led value creation, a model it says is increasingly attractive as businesses look to modernise software, improve efficiency and adapt to AI-driven change.
Clearlake said Fund VIII is already being deployed into companies that fit those themes, including Dun & Bradstreet, Qualus and ModMed. The firm has also been using Clearlake AI Labs and external partnerships to help portfolio businesses apply AI across product development, customer engagement, operations and decision-making.
The fundraising comes after a period in which Clearlake said it generated about $22 billion in realisations over the past five years from investments including Concert Golf Partners, Brightly, Janus International Group and Team Technologies. That track record is likely to help reassure investors who have become more selective as higher interest rates and slower dealmaking have reshaped private equity markets.
José E. Feliciano, co-founder and managing partner, said the firm was grateful for support from long-standing and new backers and argued that larger, more differentiated managers were increasingly attracting capital. Behdad Eghbali, also a co-founder and managing partner, said periods of disruption often create the most attractive value-creation opportunities.
Evercore Private Funds Group acted as lead fundraising adviser and global placement agent, while Kirkland & Ellis was legal adviser.
- https://pulse2.com/clearlake-capital-closes-14-8-billion-fund-to-invest-in-ai-driven-transformation-opportunities/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.citybiz.co/article/860979/clearlake-capital-raises-14-8-billion-fund-to-invest-in-ai-and-digital-transformation-opportunities/ – Clearlake Capital has successfully closed its eighth flagship private equity fund, Clearlake Capital Partners VIII, with $14.8 billion in capital commitments. This fund aims to invest in sectors benefiting from artificial intelligence, software modernization, digital transformation, and operational efficiency. The fundraising attracted nearly 300 investors from 35 countries across six continents, highlighting global confidence in Clearlake’s sector-focused investment strategy. The firm has already begun deploying capital into investments aligned with these themes, including Dun & Bradstreet, Qualus, and ModMed. Clearlake’s integrated approach combines deep sector expertise, operational capabilities, and technology-enabled value creation to capitalize on compelling opportunities for investors.
- https://www.streetinsider.com/Business+Wire/Clearlake+Capital+Closes+on+%2414.8+Billion+to+Capitalize+on+AI-Driven+Transformation+and+Continue+Sector-Focused+Investment+Strategy/26651444.html – Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. has announced the successful close of its eighth flagship fund, Clearlake Capital Partners VIII, alongside related co-investment vehicles and separately managed accounts, totaling $14.8 billion in capital commitments. This fund positions Clearlake to continue investing in sectors reshaping industries, including artificial intelligence, software modernization, digital transformation, and operational efficiency. The fundraising attracted nearly 300 investors from 35 countries across six continents, reflecting strong global support for Clearlake’s integrated platform and operational value-creation model. The firm has already begun deploying capital into investments aligned with these themes, including Dun & Bradstreet, Qualus, and ModMed.
- https://www.citybiz.co/article/860979/clearlake-capital-raises-14-8-billion-fund-to-invest-in-ai-and-digital-transformation-opportunities/ – Clearlake Capital has successfully closed its eighth flagship private equity fund, Clearlake Capital Partners VIII, with $14.8 billion in capital commitments. This fund aims to invest in sectors benefiting from artificial intelligence, software modernization, digital transformation, and operational efficiency. The fundraising attracted nearly 300 investors from 35 countries across six continents, highlighting global confidence in Clearlake’s sector-focused investment strategy. The firm has already begun deploying capital into investments aligned with these themes, including Dun & Bradstreet, Qualus, and ModMed. Clearlake’s integrated approach combines deep sector expertise, operational capabilities, and technology-enabled value creation to capitalize on compelling opportunities for investors.
- https://www.citybiz.co/article/860979/clearlake-capital-raises-14-8-billion-fund-to-invest-in-ai-and-digital-transformation-opportunities/ – Clearlake Capital has successfully closed its eighth flagship private equity fund, Clearlake Capital Partners VIII, with $14.8 billion in capital commitments. This fund aims to invest in sectors benefiting from artificial intelligence, software modernization, digital transformation, and operational efficiency. The fundraising attracted nearly 300 investors from 35 countries across six continents, highlighting global confidence in Clearlake’s sector-focused investment strategy. The firm has already begun deploying capital into investments aligned with these themes, including Dun & Bradstreet, Qualus, and ModMed. Clearlake’s integrated approach combines deep sector expertise, operational capabilities, and technology-enabled value creation to capitalize on compelling opportunities for investors.
- https://www.citybiz.co/article/860979/clearlake-capital-raises-14-8-billion-fund-to-invest-in-ai-and-digital-transformation-opportunities/ – Clearlake Capital has successfully closed its eighth flagship private equity fund, Clearlake Capital Partners VIII, with $14.8 billion in capital commitments. This fund aims to invest in sectors benefiting from artificial intelligence, software modernization, digital transformation, and operational efficiency. The fundraising attracted nearly 300 investors from 35 countries across six continents, highlighting global confidence in Clearlake’s sector-focused investment strategy. The firm has already begun deploying capital into investments aligned with these themes, including Dun & Bradstreet, Qualus, and ModMed. Clearlake’s integrated approach combines deep sector expertise, operational capabilities, and technology-enabled value creation to capitalize on compelling opportunities for investors.
- https://www.citybiz.co/article/860979/clearlake-capital-raises-14-8-billion-fund-to-invest-in-ai-and-digital-transformation-opportunities/ – Clearlake Capital has successfully closed its eighth flagship private equity fund, Clearlake Capital Partners VIII, with $14.8 billion in capital commitments. This fund aims to invest in sectors benefiting from artificial intelligence, software modernization, digital transformation, and operational efficiency. The fundraising attracted nearly 300 investors from 35 countries across six continents, highlighting global confidence in Clearlake’s sector-focused investment strategy. The firm has already begun deploying capital into investments aligned with these themes, including Dun & Bradstreet, Qualus, and ModMed. Clearlake’s integrated approach combines deep sector expertise, operational capabilities, and technology-enabled value creation to capitalize on compelling opportunities for investors.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on June 16, 2026, and has been reported by multiple reputable sources, including Business Wire and citybiz. ([via.ritzau.dk](https://via.ritzau.dk/pressemeddelelse/14992980/clearlake-capital-closes-on-dollar148-billion-to-capitalize-on-ai-driven-transformation-and-continue-sector-focused-investment-strategy?publisherId=90456&utm_source=openai)) The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is June 16, 2026. ([via.ritzau.dk](https://via.ritzau.dk/pressemeddelelse/14992980/clearlake-capital-closes-on-dollar148-billion-to-capitalize-on-ai-driven-transformation-and-continue-sector-focused-investment-strategy?publisherId=90456&utm_source=openai)) No significant discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. However, the presence of multiple sources reporting the same information suggests a press release origin, which typically warrants a high freshness score. ([via.ritzau.dk](https://via.ritzau.dk/pressemeddelelse/14992980/clearlake-capital-closes-on-dollar148-billion-to-capitalize-on-ai-driven-transformation-and-continue-sector-focused-investment-strategy?publisherId=90456&utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from José E. Feliciano and Behdad Eghbali, Co-Founders and Managing Partners at Clearlake Capital. ([via.ritzau.dk](https://via.ritzau.dk/pressemeddelelse/14992980/clearlake-capital-closes-on-dollar148-billion-to-capitalize-on-ai-driven-transformation-and-continue-sector-focused-investment-strategy?publisherId=90456&utm_source=openai)) These quotes appear in the Business Wire press release dated June 16, 2026. ([via.ritzau.dk](https://via.ritzau.dk/pressemeddelelse/14992980/clearlake-capital-closes-on-dollar148-billion-to-capitalize-on-ai-driven-transformation-and-continue-sector-focused-investment-strategy?publisherId=90456&utm_source=openai)) No earlier instances of these exact quotes were found, indicating they are original to this release. However, the lack of independent verification of these quotes raises some concerns about their authenticity.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The primary source is a Business Wire press release, which is a paid distribution service. ([via.ritzau.dk](https://via.ritzau.dk/pressemeddelelse/14992980/clearlake-capital-closes-on-dollar148-billion-to-capitalize-on-ai-driven-transformation-and-continue-sector-focused-investment-strategy?publisherId=90456&utm_source=openai)) While Business Wire is widely used for official announcements, its content is not independently verified, which may affect reliability. The article also references citybiz, a local business news outlet, which may have limited reach and resources compared to major news organisations. ([citybiz.co](https://www.citybiz.co/article/860979/clearlake-capital-raises-14-8-billion-fund-to-invest-in-ai-and-digital-transformation-opportunities/?utm_source=openai))
Plausibility check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about Clearlake Capital closing a $14.8 billion fund to invest in AI-driven transformation opportunities are plausible and align with industry trends. ([via.ritzau.dk](https://via.ritzau.dk/pressemeddelelse/14992980/clearlake-capital-closes-on-dollar148-billion-to-capitalize-on-ai-driven-transformation-and-continue-sector-focused-investment-strategy?publisherId=90456&utm_source=openai)) The article provides specific details about the fund’s size, investor participation, and strategic focus, which are consistent with Clearlake’s known investment approach. ([via.ritzau.dk](https://via.ritzau.dk/pressemeddelelse/14992980/clearlake-capital-closes-on-dollar148-billion-to-capitalize-on-ai-driven-transformation-and-continue-sector-focused-investment-strategy?publisherId=90456&utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article reports on Clearlake Capital’s recent fundraising efforts, but its reliance on a Business Wire press release and limited independent verification from other reputable news outlets raises concerns about the content’s reliability and independence. The lack of independent verification of direct quotes further diminishes confidence in the article’s accuracy. Given these issues, the content does not meet the necessary standards for publication under our editorial indemnity.