Want to know how the top firms do it? Here are a few of the firms that drive the venture capital industry.

You can learn a lot by looking at some of the top venture capital firms in Europe and other niche players. You never know they might even be the firm you need, if not now, someday.

Apax: Founded by Ronnie Cohen, a founding father of modern venture capital (now retired) 

BC partners: on 5.9bn Euro funds with BC Europe Capital VIII (2005) top men include Raymond Svider and Francesco Lorendan

Permira: with around 9.6bn Euro in Permira IV