2025投资人真心话：这活，真不好干！

Core Viewpoint - The private equity investment industry is facing significant challenges, with a drastic reduction in the number of active private institutions, leading to a potential decline in the overall market landscape [4][5][7]. Group 1: Industry Overview - The private equity industry in China has evolved over nearly 25 years, with the number of registered institutions peaking at around 30,000, but now likely reduced to about 100 active firms [4][5]. - Most private equity firms are small or micro-sized, with very few exceeding a management scale of 10 billion yuan [6][7]. - The majority of private equity firms are in a "zombie" state, with many not actively managing funds or investments [7][12]. Group 2: Investment Stages and Valuation - The most suitable investment stage for private micro and small GP firms is in the seed, angel, and pre-A round projects, where competition is high and requires significant effort to identify viable opportunities [7][9]. - Early-stage investment valuations in China range from 30 million to 120 million yuan, often inflated due to high-profile founders and investor involvement, leading to potential future funding difficulties [9][10]. - High valuations can create a mismatch between financial performance and investor expectations, increasing the risk of project failures [9][10]. Group 3: Funding Dynamics - The current market dynamics show that while many funds are available, the willingness to lead investments is declining, with most funds preferring to follow rather than lead [12][23]. - The funding landscape is heavily influenced by state-owned and mixed-ownership funds, which dominate later-stage investments, making it challenging for private firms to secure funding [10][12]. Group 4: Survival Strategies for Small Firms - Small and micro private equity firms need to focus on their strengths and establish a strong presence in specific sectors to attract funding from local governments and listed companies [23][24]. - Building a local base of operations is crucial for small firms to secure funding and support from regional investors [24][26]. - The survival of these firms will depend on their ability to navigate the changing landscape and adapt to the evolving needs of the investment market [26][27].