LP Insight

Rising valuations and other factors have boosted the alternative strategy in recent years as more venture firms consider adding them to their repertoire. So far, LPs are responding positively.

The UK-based firm, which predicts an uptick in private markets tech valuations, has launched a new vehicle dedicated to investing in the world’s top-performing venture firms.

Corporate LPs can bring unique advantages as investors, with their sector-specific knowledge and potential as customers for portfolio companies.

Teachers’ Innovation Platform has grown to amass a C$3.7bn portfolio since it was launched in 2019 and made its first agtech investment in mid-June when it led a $226m Series B for Motif FoodWorks.

First-time VC investors took a hit amid covid-19 lockdowns, but the re-opening of much of the economy this summer is expected to result in more face-to-face meetings with LPs, according to placement agent Kelly DePonte of Probitas Partners.

The fundraise is part of total capital commitments of $1.5bn across the most recent series in the firm's family of funds.

With an eye on VC, the $12.2bn public pension is particularly interested in women-owned and minority-owned venture firms, according to CIO Angela Miller-May.

Backed with $1.35m in seed funding, newly launched Revere VC aims to expose more LPs to the venture asset class, beginning with its curated VC platform called The Portal.

British Patient Capital aims to accelerate investment into UK venture capital and encourage more institutional buyers to join in, writes Nick Reeve.