What LPs look for in a PE fund (fundraising advice)

I had gotten a lot of questions about fundraising. LPs are very straightforward actually. There are some unwritten rules to this game you have to understand and follow.

They care about decent returns and a repeatable and consistent strategy. LPs are happier with a consistent 20% return, as opposed to an inconsistent 40% fund. LPs want a fund manager that is a "wild stallion" that has high performance, but inconsistency in strategy, returns, etc.

LPs want to see that you have a stable team, a consistent strategy, a structure and disciplined method to how you do things. It also helps if you have a secret sauce to how you get great results - are you great at understanding deep tech, do you have access to deals others don't, are you able to uniquely add value.

Some examples I've seen of a secret sauce is 1) a Chinese firm that can actually execute state-owned-enterprise take-privates, and thus can grab value that others can't, 2) a VC fund that came out of systems integrator, and leverages their access to CTOs in Fortune 100s to get their portolio companies their first big corporate contract, 3) funds that bring technology cross-border, thus introducing totally new tech to a promising market.

I'll add more thoughts in the thread, in response to questions.

2 Comments
 

Great thread! Work at an LP in Asia, and would add that the SWFs/Large Pensions of the world also like to see more co-investment, especially given increasing levels of sophistication and dedicated direct investment teams; it seems that a number of first-time funds have been offering co-investments to potential LPs to kickstart fundraising momentum.
Also know which Chinese SOE-take-private firm you're talking about and agree wholeheartedly on their secret sauce, although it probably has evolved a bit over the years.

 
Most Helpful

Dolorem adipisci ex et quo vitae et. Exercitationem libero id et error tempora laborum. Vero voluptas cum cupiditate voluptatibus perferendis molestiae.

Accusantium assumenda quisquam autem est et. Fuga quis adipisci aspernatur enim. Quos sint mollitia in. Quia eveniet dolorum inventore omnis eum ab totam. Expedita et nobis totam dolorum.

Exercitationem eum temporibus consequatur ut voluptas dignissimos veniam. Delectus rerum provident repellat rerum officiis. Voluptas itaque beatae quos sint voluptas est itaque. Voluptatum voluptatem voluptate sequi asperiores nam voluptatem soluta.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 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) $61
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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”