Private equity firms will be looking to raise more than €26bn ($31bn) next year, with a handful of top firms marketing multi-billion euro funds, according to a survey of investors and fundraising agents by Financial News.

Only €15bn has so far been raised in 2003, with firms still seeking a further €37bn, according to AltAssets, the private equity research firm. The most ever raised in Europe is €48bn in 2000. Investors and placement agents expect a number of players, including BC Partners, Apax, CVC, and perhaps Cinven, to brave the market seeking more than €4bn each.