The Carlyle Group is a principal investment firm that specializes in management-led buyouts, strategic minority equity investments, equity private placements, consolidations and buildups, leveraged finance, and growth capital financings. The firm typically invests in aerospace, defense, automotive, consumer, retail, industrial, infrastructure, energy, power, healthcare, technology, real estate, transportation, business services, telecommunications, and media. It seeks to invest in companies based in Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. The firm originates, structures, and acts as lead equity investor in the transactions. The Carlyle Group was founded in 1987 by Mr. William E. Conway, Jr., Mr. Daniel A. D’Aniello, and Mr. David M. Rubenstein and is based in Washington, DC, with additional offices throughout North America, Asia, and Europe.