KKR to open its private equity funds to small investors

New York

ONLY the wealthiest and most sophisticated investors are allowed to put money into the leveraged buyouts done by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts. But that may be changing.

KKR is working with another firm to allow investors to commit a minimum of just US$10,000 for exposure to its private equity funds, according to a filing with regulators on Thursday. The new investment product, subject to approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission, would be the first time KKR takes smaller investors into its core business of buyouts.