Fund of Funds (FOF)
What is Fund of Funds (FOF)?
A Fund of Funds is a pooled investment vehicle that allocates capital to a portfolio of underlying private equity, venture capital, or other alternative investment funds rather than investing directly in companies. FOFs provide diversification across GPs, strategies, vintages, and geographies, and are commonly used by institutional investors and family offices seeking managed access to the PE/VC asset class.
Why It Matters
Fund of Funds structures enable investors to access a diversified portfolio of top-tier GPs through a single commitment. For LPs new to private markets or those without the resources for direct fund selection, FOFs offer a professionally managed entry point with built-in diversification.
Key Takeaways
- 1
Invests in a portfolio of underlying funds rather than directly in companies.
- 2
Provides diversification across GPs, strategies, vintages, and geographies.
- 3
Commonly used by institutional investors and family offices seeking managed PE/VC access.
Related Terms
More Fund Terms Terms
Explore related concepts from the same category to deepen your understanding.
General Partner (GP)
The General Partner is the entity (typically the fund management firm or its affiliate) responsible for managing a private equity or venture capital fund, making investment decisions, and handling day-to-day operations. The GP bears unlimited liability for the fund’s obligations and earns management fees and carried interest in exchange for managing LP capital.
Read MoreLimited Partner (LP)
A Limited Partner is an investor in a private equity or venture capital fund who contributes capital but does not participate in the fund’s management or investment decisions. LPs enjoy limited liability (their exposure is capped at their capital commitment) and include pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, insurance companies, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals.
Read MoreGP Commitment
GP Commitment is the capital that the General Partner (or its principals) commits to the fund alongside LPs, typically ranging from 1% to 5% of total fund size. This “skin in the game” aligns the GP’s economic interests with those of the LPs and is a standard term evaluated by institutional investors during fund due diligence.
Read MoreCapital Call / Drawdown
A capital call (also called a drawdown) is a formal demand issued by the GP to LPs requiring them to transfer a portion of their unfunded capital commitment to the fund, typically to finance new investments, pay fees, or cover fund expenses. LPs generally have 10 to 15 business days to fund a capital call after receiving a drawdown notice.
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