> Has private equity ever done anything good for anyone outside of the investors?

This is a bit like asking if public equity has ever done anything good for anyone outside of its investors. It really depends on what is meant by "anything good."

Has any company that has taken venture capital (a variety of private equity) ever done anything good for anyone outside the VCs?

Private equity is more often associated with late stage takeovers and reorganizations than with startups, however. An example might be the privatization and refocus of Dell. Was a refreshed Dell good for its workforce and customers?

https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/private-equity/the-lea...