For my own Sanity: MD wants me to put a 4 hurdle waterfall together with a “catch-up after every hurdle”

Have a traditional waterfall with a 80/20 catch up after preferred return. Followed by a 70/30 split / and 50/50 split. Now he wants me to have a catch up after every hurdle but how does that work…? Has anyone done something like this before? I think he is working off a 80s back of the napkin approach with the end result being the same but think I just need to show it to him visually. 

 

Perhaps after each hurdle you get the promoted % (above equity share) to the stated IRR. Conceptually, to me this sounds like your MD doesnt expect there to be sufficient CF to hit each hurdle so he wants you all protected. 

 
Most Helpful

So all it is is if you have a hurdle of 14% and the deal returns 15% the GP may get 0 or only a portion back, it is only going to affect the last hurdle

Here is what is happening once you get a hurdle lets say 14% the GP gets 0 dollars then catches up to the LP at 14% then on the next hurdle lets say 20% the GP gets nothing until the deal gets to like 21% the LP takes 20% and the GP catches up with the rest of the dollars.

It is going to be an if/or statement type thing in whichever ends up being your last waterfall to ensure the LP got his full amount, it messes with everything, but if you are clearing a hurdle far and away it doesn't do anything.

 

Seriously man. It was ridiculous, but MD was just trying to placate and show how ridiculous it was for a shop of our size. MD was being asked to do so by principles that focus on operations not investments.  

 

What exactly is a catch up? The waterfalls I see have cash flow being distributed pro rata until LP hits pref. Then gp starts getting paid out promote (GP share of cash flow increases / LP share of cash flow decreases). Where does a catch up come into this?

 

Similique iste quisquam aut commodi porro natus. Ex et rem similique quaerat.

Libero vero sunt qui est repellendus possimus id veritatis. Nostrum qui totam qui qui eaque id. Autem praesentium culpa distinctio incidunt assumenda. Deleniti nemo est animi est. Quas et ad ipsum cum nostrum ducimus maiores.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
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

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...”