Where / How can I learn more about funds?
So, I’m finding it difficult to get specific details on which funds are best suited for me. I look at their websites but all of them basically say the same thing (lol). Is there any resource that gives a good breakdown? How would you guys reccomend learning about funds? I’ve tried readhjng out to associates but the response rate is p low (understandable). Would love any advice y’all may have!
Thanks:)
Obviously the best way is to learn from ppl in the fund itself, but as you say the response rate is p low. The truth is a lot of the funds will position themselves very similarly so you're likely to run into the same buzzwords. I would first start by reading into the different types of funds (VC, growth, buyout, credit, etc.) and identifying which 1 or 2 stick out to you the most. This approach narrows your search a lot IMO bc go into the search knowing the strategy you are looking at so you can start to parse through the buzz words. You can hopefully find a good sample of firms that fit that strategy and based on portfolio, seem to be a good fit. And then you can look online (reddit, WSO, etc.), articles, and each firm's website to identify common things they are saying abt the firm. As an example, I am pretty interested in buyout so I looked into Advent International and one thing all sources seemed to agree on was their specific focus on a good investment being one in which the organization they are investing in has the right people, which didn't seem to be the case with competitors in the space. Stuff like that.
Also if you're already working in finance, depending on the chillness of your colleagues you can casually bring up different firms casually like at a happy hour or somethin and get their opinion on it also (eg. "Hey Mr. MD I saw you worked with this fund on a deal - super interested to hear your insight on the fund and working w them.")
DISCLAIMER: I am going through the process myself rn so idk if this approach works 100%. This is just the process I used while recruiting for investment banking and am using as I look to pivot to PE. I am just a lowly 1st year IBD analyst so just my two cents.