Blackstone’s portfolio companies grew employment by 4.6% whereas US job growth only grew by 1.1%.
Blackstone Capital Partners VI announces it closed one of the largest private equity funds raised.
Blackstone launches its social media platform and is noted as an industry leader in the use of this medium to convey firm news.
GSO Capital Partners agrees to acquire Harbourmaster Capital in the U.K., to become one of the largest global leveraged loan investors.
The Blackstone Charitable Foundation commits $3.6 million to create the Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network, providing mentoring and support for young businesses in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, $3 million to fund innovation and entrepreneurship in Maine, as well as $3.2 million to extend the Blackstone LaunchPad program to Ohio.
Blackstone completes the first close of its Renminbi (RMB)-denominated fund for equity growth investments in China, the Shanghai Blackstone Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership).
Bank of America Merrill Lynch selects Blackstone to manage over $2 billion in Asian real estate assets and names Blackstone the new general partner for the Merrill Lynch Asian Real Estate Opportunity Fund.
Blackstone forms partnership with Pátria, Brazil’s leading alternative asset manager, and purchases a 40% stake in the firm, with a goal of jointly expanding business in Brazil and South America.
Blackstone is the main financial sponsor for Transmission Developers Inc. (TDI). TDI plans to develop an innovative power transmission line that will bring safe, secure, affordable and renewable power to New York and New England from the U.S.-Canadian border.
Dr. Axel Herberg joins Blackstone as a Senior Managing Director to the firm’s private equity business in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
GSO/Blackstone acquired the Collateral Management Agreements for nine CDO and CLO funds from Callidus.
Blackstone receives a Single ‘A’ rating from Standard and Poor's and an ‘A+’ rating from Fitch Ratings.
Blackstone sells senior notes of Blackstone Holdings Finance Co. LLC.
Fundraising for Blackstone Real Estate Partners Europe III (BREP III) closes with €3.1 billion raised, expanding the firm’s real estate platform in Europe.
Blackstone signs an agreement with the Government of Pudong, China, to establish the firm’s first Renminbi-denominated Blackstone Zhonghua Development Investment Fund.
As part of a group of investors, Blackstone acquires BankUnited out of receivership from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, with approximately $8 billion in deposits in over 85 branches in the United States.
GSO Capital Partners is acquired, firmly positioning Blackstone as one of the largest credit-oriented alternative asset managers.
Further strengthening its presence in China, Blackstone opens a representative office in Beijing.
The Blackstone Charitable Foundation is established, funded by the firm’s senior managing directors.
Blackstone completes its IPO listing on the NYSE. The total offering is $7.6 billion, including a $3 billion investment by the China Investment Company (CIC). At the time, it was the largest IPO of a U.S.-based issuer since 2002.
An office is established in Tokyo, strengthening Blackstone’s presence in the Asian markets.
The Park Hill Group, a fund placement business, is established. It has since served as a placement agent for corporate private equity, real estate, venture capital and hedge funds that have raised in excess of $108 billion to date.
Blackstone opens an office in Mumbai.
The firm’s expansion continues internationally and domestically, with the opening of offices in Paris, France and Atlanta, Georgia.
Blackstone announces a strategic partnership with Pátria-Banco de Negócios to develop corporate financing solutions for the Brazilian market.
The Blackstone Real Estate Partners (BREP) International Fund receives €800 million in commitments, expanding Blackstone’s resources for global real estate investments.
Increasing its proximity to the European hedge fund community, BAAM establishes a presence in Blackstone’s London office.
Blackstone opens its London office, establishing a physical presence after several years of investment activity in the U.K. and Europe.
The Corporate Debt group is formed and commits $1.1 billion to its first mezzanine fund.
Blackstone’s Real Estate group is established.
The Restructuring Advisory practice is formed; it has since handled restructuring assignments involving $1 trillion in liabilities.
Blackstone Alternative Asset Management (BAAM) is founded; it later evolves into a leading manager of hedge fund solutions, other institutional investment vehicles and publicly traded closed end mutual funds.
The firm launches Blackstone Capital Partners I, its first private equity fund.
Blackstone is founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter G. Peterson. They began with a balance sheet of $400,000 and a clear vision of an independent, conflict-free, client-focused firm whose interests would be closely aligned with those of its clients and investors.