GP Commit for first fund

We all know LPs expect GPs to have skin in the game - I've seen 50 bps up to 10%, but the standard probably being 1-2%.

Do you think you can raise money in this day and age if you legit can't afford a GP commit? My sense is you would probably be a 3c1 fund and raise non institutional capital.

I have a great track record, network, and strategy, but no cash to go out on my own

8 Comments
 

Isn't this effectively a search fund?

It would only be a search fund if they plan to operate the sole investment that they make. Much more operational. 3c1 is more about fewer investors and sidetepping SEC.

Remember, always be kind-hearted.
 

It's possible (and is done) with supportive LPs who can (and want to) enable this. It's an uphill battle because the argument from LPs (beyond alignment of interest) is that if you haven't been successful in generating wealth for yourself thus far, how will you be able to do that for them? Nonetheless, if you bring something more unique to the table than a seasoned ex banker/PE exec with a corresponding net worth, then there is more reason for your anchor investors to try and help solve this problem. 

 

There are mechanisms you can use if you can't afford all that $ upfront, such as deferred management fees / fee waivers, or a loan from the fund to the GP. Obviously less ideal than an actual cash commitment, but have seen early funds where only part of the commit is cash and rest is using some combo of the above.

But yeah usually see anything from 1-5%, 2%+ preferred.

 
Most Helpful

I do some fund investing in my role.

Key here is it's about alignment. LPs want to know is that you're both all in on this endeavour and that you have real capital to lose/downside risk, not just upside from carry and fees. We, for example, model your wealth generation/loss (based on your fees and carry vs your commit) across various scenarios and compare it to our position to measure our alignment with you.

Think the minimum viable gp commit for PE/VC is 1% cash plus it's basically your entire liquid net worth in the fund vehicle/establishing the management company. This of course assumes you don't have a lot of wealth in other assets. If you had any wealth in stocks or an expensive property you could downsize from that should obviously happen.

You can also do the fee deferral stuff but that has to be on top of the above.

Ideal commit is more like 2-3% cash for a drawdown fund and higher for a hedge fund/public equity fund.

 

Est quia consequatur et et nostrum quo doloremque. Quis quia officia minus ipsum cumque nulla. Corrupti sed et minus mollitia. Magni distinctio voluptatem ut similique voluptas et. Quasi id officia quidem inventore doloremque.

Voluptatum atque optio totam officiis ducimus. Tempora sapiente doloremque est eligendi. Alias et debitis a quae. Voluptas ab consequatur aut eos voluptate. Tenetur commodi non eaque deserunt earum laborum dolorem.

Officiis ut voluptatem illum error. Laborum minima et autem cupiditate error. Et et iusto delectus alias.

Fugiat et qui ut inventore fuga ut. Consequuntur rerum neque doloremque necessitatibus vel provident. Quas et nemo consequatur itaque id. Dolor rem et autem ut illum nam quisquam minus. Ipsam at accusantium quisquam nihil vel. Maxime esse culpa sequi cupiditate.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.2%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Bain Capital 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (98) $365
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $62
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”