Private equity fundraising is at its highest level since the boom years in the run-up to the financial crisis, leaving companies in a “precarious position” as they struggle to invest record sums. More than $240bn has been raised across private equity and venture capital funds in North America and Europe in the seven months to the start of August, according to a report from Pitchbook, a data provider. The company believes private market fundraising in 2017 could eclipse last year, when $344.8bn was raised. The last time private equity did this well was 2007, when managers attracted $419bn.