Company Overview
About KKR & Co.
KKR & Co. is one of the world's leading global investment firms, founded in 1976 by Jerome Kohlberg, Henry Kravis, and George Roberts in New York City—pioneers of the leveraged buyout era. The firm trades on NYSE (KKR) and manages approximately $638 billion in assets under management as of late 2024, spanning private equity, credit and liquid strategies, real assets, infrastructure, and real estate. KKR's 2021 conversion from a partnership to a corporation simplified its ownership structure and broadened its investor base, driving significant stock appreciation as AUM growth compounded.
Business Model & Competitive Advantage
KKR's competitive architecture rests on its global deal sourcing network, operational value creation capabilities through KKR Capstone, and its growing permanent capital base through Global Atlantic—the insurance company acquired in 2021 for approximately $4.7 billion that provides long-duration capital for KKR's credit strategies. This insurance-to-alternatives model, also pursued by competitors Apollo and Blackstone, creates a self-reinforcing capital flywheel: insurance premiums fund alternative investments that generate higher returns than traditional fixed income. KKR's infrastructure platform, managing over $80 billion, has become a critical allocator to data centers, energy transition, and telecom towers.
Competitive Landscape 2025–2026
In 2025-2026, KKR competes intensely with Blackstone (BX), Apollo Global Management (APO), and Carlyle Group (CG) for institutional and retail capital. The democratization of alternatives through wealth management channels—Evergreen funds accessible to accredited investors—represents a major growth frontier. KKR has made significant AI infrastructure investments, committing capital to data center development and power infrastructure needed for hyperscaler GPU buildouts. The firm's Asia Pacific platform, particularly in Japan and India, has become an outsized contributor to deal flow as Western private equity markets face higher interest rate headwinds.
The KKR & Co. Story
Founders
Company Timeline
Major milestones in KKR & Co.'s journey
Leadership Team
Meet the leaders behind KKR & Co.
Joseph Y. Bae
Joe Bae became Co-CEO of KKR in October 2021 alongside Scott Nuttall, succeeding founders Henry Kravis and George Roberts. He joined KKR in 1996 and previously served as Co-President and Co-Chief Operating Officer from July 2017. Bae, 52, was the architect of KKR's expansion in Asia, building one of the largest and most successful private equity platforms in the region. Under his leadership as Co-CEO, KKR announced ambitious goals at the 2024 investor day to raise assets under management to over $1 trillion within five years and achieve nearly a fivefold gain in earnings per share to $15.00 within 10 years.
Scott C. Nuttall
Scott Nuttall became Co-CEO of KKR in October 2021 alongside Joe Bae. He joined KKR in 1996 and previously served as Co-President and Co-Chief Operating Officer from July 2017. Nuttall, 51, was the architect of KKR's major strategic development initiatives, including leading the firm's 2010 public listing, developing the balance sheet strategy, and overseeing the development of KKR's public markets businesses in credit and hedge funds. He has been instrumental in transforming KKR from a traditional buyout firm into a diversified global investment powerhouse.
Henry R. Kravis
Henry Kravis co-founded KKR in 1976 with Jerome Kohlberg Jr. and cousin George Roberts. Born January 6, 1944, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Kravis earned a degree in economics from Claremont McKenna College (1967) and an MBA from Columbia Business School (1969). After working at Bear Stearns where he pioneered early leveraged buyouts, he co-founded KKR at age 32. Under his leadership, KKR became the preeminent private equity firm globally, most notably completing the legendary $25 billion acquisition of RJR Nabisco in 1988. He transitioned to Co-Executive Chairman in 2021 after serving as Co-CEO since 1987.
George R. Roberts
George Roberts co-founded KKR in 1976 with Jerome Kohlberg Jr. and first cousin Henry Kravis. Born September 14, 1943, in Houston, Texas, Roberts graduated from Claremont McKenna College (1966) and the University of California's Hastings College of Law (1969). After pioneering leveraged buyouts at Bear Stearns alongside Kravis, he co-founded KKR at age 33. Roberts has been instrumental in building KKR's investment approach focused on operational improvement and long-term value creation. He transitioned to Co-Executive Chairman in 2021 after decades as Co-CEO.
Robert H. Lewin
Robert Lewin serves as Chief Financial Officer of KKR, overseeing the firm's financial strategy, reporting, capital allocation, and investor relations. He plays a critical role in managing KKR's balance sheet, capital markets activities, and financial performance reporting as the firm pursues its goal of reaching $1 trillion in assets under management by 2030.
Open Positions
Reddit Discussions
Key Differentiators
Market Leader
KKR & Co. is recognized as a market leader in the Consumer Finance sector, demonstrating strong industry presence and customer trust.
Enterprise Scale
With $638000M in revenue, KKR & Co. operates at enterprise scale with proven market validation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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