The Carlyle Group is a private equity firm and business development company that originates, structures and acts as lead equity and debt investor in leveraged buyouts, management-led buyouts, strategic minority equity investments, equity private placements, consolidations, buildups and growth capital financing. The firm focuses on a wide range of sectors which includes aerospace and defense, automotive and transportation, consumer and retail, energy and power, healthcare, industrial, technology and business services, and telecommunications and media. It was founded in 1987 and is based in Washington, District of Columbia with additional offices across North America, South America, Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa.