Ardian (formerly Axa Private Equity) is an independent private equity investment firm based in France, founded and managed by Dominique Senequier.

It is one of the largest private equity funds based in Europe. The company was originally created by Dominique Senequier in 1996 as the private equity division of the AXA Group, but later gained independence in 2013 and was renamed Ardian (strength, boldness in an ancient European guide). Ardian manages assets worth $150 billion in Europe, North America, and Asia and has fifteen offices (Paris, London, Frankfurt, Milan, Madrid, Zurich, New York, San Francisco, Beijing, Singapore, Tokyo, Jersey, Luxembourg, Santiago, and Seoul).

The company offers fund of funds, direct funds, infrastructure, private debt, and real estate and manages a direct portfolio of over 150 companies. The fund of funds segment holds stakes in over 1500 funds. The 880 investors of Ardian include institutional investors, fund of funds, government agencies, sovereign funds, family offices, pension funds, and insurance companies. The company has been ranked among the largest firms by amount of capital raised in private equity by Private Equity International and was named "Company of the Year" 2013 by the readers of Private Equity International.