Fundraising

Fundraising is taking longer but many LP institutions still have appetites for backing new shops.

The fund's limited partners include Prudential Financial Inc, the University of Chicago and Neuberger Berman.

Pacific Avenue Fund I's limited partners include insurance companies, consultants, endowments and foundations, funds of funds, family offices and individuals.

LinkedIn has become a crucial component of the fundraising process as LPs scrutinise social media in a bid to support decision-making.

As the PE investor base becomes increasingly global and diverse, GPs and LPs are harnessing data to mine more investment strategy and portfolio performance insights, says State Street’s Jesse Cole.

Private equity firms are having to adjust to a challenging fundraising environment, but there could be some interesting opportunities ahead for those with capital to deploy, says Markus Benzler at UBS.

Increasing portfolio diversity is just one approach GPs are taking to reverse last year's decrease in funding.

Falling valuations and increasing emphasis on efficient and sustainable growth by private companies are likely to make conditions ripe for growth capital investing, say Adams Street Partners’ Robin Murray, Tom Bremner and Fred Wang.

The lower middle-market manager invests in a wide array of consumer, services, distribution and niche manufacturing companies – including three geared toward DIY car enthusiasts.