Latest news with #LPs
Axios
11 hours ago
- Business
- Axios
It's a bad time to launch first-time funds, but that isn't stopping investors
Conventional wisdom is that now is a terrible time for private market investors to launch first-time funds. But that isn't stopping a slew of folks from trying. The big picture: Limited partners are seeing a wave of general partners spinouts, and many expect that the trend will outpace industry consolidation, according to a recent Coller Capital survey. One major reason, they say, is that firms have done a lousy job nurturing homegrown talent. Coller's questionnaire didn't go a level deeper, but it's not too hard to read "tilted fund economics" in that response. Everyone inside a firm knows who brings in the home run deals, and if that rainmaker doesn't get compensated like one. By the numbers: 38% of LP respondents said they expect the number of new managers to increase over the next three to five years, compared to just 33% who say they expect it to decrease. The "increase" cohort was particularly strong among Asia-Pacific respondents (64%). Coller also found that 36% of LPs report the number of spinout funds within their portfolio has increased within the past few years, while only 3% said it's decreased. The majority said it's remained flat. Zoom out: Raising a first-time fund is never easy, and many believe the process has become even more challenging as LPs have sought to shrink their manager rosters — preferring to plug larger amounts into multi-strategy firms. Plus the VC/PE distribution drought that's reduced the amount of available LP capital. On the other hand, LPs also worry that too much mega-fund exposure won't allow them to beat industry benchmarks — which means many are willing to bet on a few emerging managers to provide alpha. What they're saying: "It's like the old phrase: people hate Congress but love their congressperson," a veteran LP tells me. "A lot of people are super risk averse (and liquidity crunched) right now, making emerging funds a challenge to raise, but known quantities de-risk the decision for those who are able to put out capital."
Forbes
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
New Doc ‘The Tallest Dwarf' Shows Power Of Body Acceptance
Some of the cast of The Tallest Dwarf (left to right) Mark Povinelli, Matthew Jeffers, Sofiya ... More Cheyenne, Aubrey Smalls, Julie Wyman and Sarah Folkins Filmmaker and director Julie Wyman went into creating her newest documentary, The Tallest Dwarf, with the ambition of telling the stories of little people in a totally different way. Early on, the film points out that little people (LPs) exist at the intersection of hypervisibility and invisibility. It's hard to imagine the American history of film and television without LPs, for instance, but this community often faces social ostracization and a medical field that sees their bodies as problems that need to be fixed. As a plus-size woman whose been peddled weight-loss medications and procedures her entire life, this part was exceedingly relatable. In the film, Wyman explores the diverse experiences of LPs through both in-depth interviews and movement-based workshops captured on film. The Tallest Dwarf asks the viewer to consider important questions, like, 'What if the culture created pathways for LPs to love and accept their bodies?' and 'What if LPs don't want medical interventions that make them or their children closer to the norm?' We begin these inquiries as an audience through Wyman, who is on her own journey into an identity as an LP. Filmmaker, Julie Wyman Wyman tells the story of lifelong sense of feeling different. She suspects that she is from a long line of LPs on her father's side, but no one in her family has ever been genetically tested. Wyman has short limbs and a long torso, a trait her father also possesses. Standing at five feet today, she's been tall enough throughout her life to be under the radar for an immediate medical diagnosis of dwarfism. This, however, didn't stop her from being subjected to bullying. She says that part of coping with her limb size difference was turning to the pressures to lose weight and diet. "As a kid, I felt the culture's and my family's drive to change my body in the way I supposedly could, (like) becoming thinner or avoiding fatness," shares Wyman. 'The film intentionally shows both my own past and present questions about my body and the struggles with (my body). I also wanted to punch up at the much larger forces that make people want to be 'normal' rather than take the risk of being in the zone of difference.' Dwarfism is recognized as a disability by the Americans with Disabilities Act. This has offered needed legal protections, but also has opened up the LP community to the pressures of medical interventions that can be contentious. One of these interventions is a procedure called 'limb lengthening." Wyman herself was offered the option to undergo limb lengthening as a child by her father, but ultimately did not pursue it. Through interviews in the film it becomes clear that for some LPs, biotechnological innovations designed to lengthen limbs are well-received. For others, however, these types of procedures are interpreted as erasure that ultimately delegitimizes disabled bodies. Behind the scenes of The Tallest Dwarf, Aubrey Smalls (left) and Katrina Kemp At one point in the film, Wyman receives the results of genetic testing she underwent in hopes of confirming her dwarfism. Of that moment she shares, 'I felt goosebumps, and a big smile popped onto my face. There's something incredibly vindicating about finding out that in each cell in my body, in my DNA, there is a mutation that makes my limbs grow more slowly than average height people. It explains decades of having to work a bit differently than average proportioned people to figure out dance moves, yoga poses, and as a kid in gymnastic routines.' We learn that Wyman and her father have hypochondroplasia. Basically, Wyman is a tall dwarf, as the film's name suggests. 'I really wanted to find connection for my dwarfism and had a sense that that could be possible even in the gray area that I fall in as a tall dwarf.' The film premiered at South by Southwest in March, and returned to be screened on its home turf at the San Francisco International Film Festival in April. Masashi Niwano is the Director of Artist Development for SFFILM, the non-profit organization that oversees the festival. Niwano shared, 'When Julie told us about her film as a grantee of the SFFILM Rainin Filmmakers with Disabilities program, we knew how vital and impactful it would be. Seeing it on the big screen, we were equally touched by its charm, humor, and heart.' Wyman points out that San Francisco is ground zero for the disability justice movement as well as the home of some of the biotechnology that impacts LPs the most. 'So the San Francisco International Film Festival (was) a perfect place to show the film,' says Wyman. "I (felt) really honored to be included in this year's festival program.' Sofiya Cheyenne, the Co-Chair of Dwarf Artist Coalition and one of the stars of The Tallest Dwarf, shared how intention and trust-building were baked into the process of filming and film preparation. Cheyenne shared, 'We did multiple exercises to build trust and ensemble with each other.' One of those exercises was something called 'flocking," an activity where a group follows a leader as if they were a flock of birds in sync. 'Our twist on that exercise (was) not only following our leader, but also encouraging (everyone) to move in whatever way (made) their body feel liberated.' Cheyenne said these explorations in liberated and joyful movement led to things like 'rolling or lying on the floor, sitting in stillness, and using arms and upper body more than our lower extremities.' Behind the Scenes of The Tallest Dwarf with Julie Wyman, filmmaker, and Sofiya Cheyenne 'I think it was a testament to the little people centered space we created,' shared Cheyenne. "When I watch that footage, I am in awe. The flocking represents more than an ensemble-building exercise. It also exemplifies the love that we were fostering in, with and for our bodies as we move in them.' Wyman says she hopes the documentary gives audiences a sense of her drive to find community. She describes this as a 'tentative and awkward process,' but one filled with joy and the satisfaction of a diagnosis she could share with her father. 'It feels gratifying to be within the little people community now, to have new friends with whom certain struggles and experiences are understood and never need to be explained. I feel a very strong and new sense of connection that delights me." The Tallest Dwarf will premier in New York City in July as a co-presentation of Rooftop Films and Reel Abilities.
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
'Pretty Little Baby' singer Connie Francis joins TikTok thanks to viral success
Legendary singer Connie Francis, who sings "Pretty Little Baby," has joined TikTok following the song's viral success. Since being featured on TikTok, the 1962 song has been used in more than 17 million videos, totaling more than 27 billion views globally on the app. To celebrate, Francis, 87, joined TikTok and shared a video over the weekend, in which she thanked her fans. "I'm flabbergasted and excited about the huge buzz my 1962 recording of 'Pretty Little Baby' is making all over the world," she said. "To think that a song I recorded 63 years ago is captivating new generations of audiences is truly overwhelming for me." "Thank you, TikTok," she added. In the caption of the post, she wrote, "My thanks to you all for the huge reception you have given to 'Pretty Little Baby'. I am delighted to join the TikTok Community and share this moment with you." "Pretty Little Baby" was released on Francis' 1962 album, "Connie Francis Sings 'Second Hand Love' & Other Hits," which peaked at No. 111 on the Billboard Top LPs chart. In May this year, "Pretty Little Baby" broke into Spotify's Global and U.S. charts for the first time. Tracy Gardner, TikTok's global head of music business development, said in a statement shared in a press release that the recent viral success of "Pretty Little Baby" is an "example of the power of music discovery on TikTok." "Thanks to the TikTok community, this little-known track from the 1960s has been given a new lease of life, and has introduced Connie Francis and her incredible legacy to a whole new audience, both on and off the platform," Gardner added. Since its newfound fame, the song has been remixed by German dance duo Lizot. The song is also available digitally for the first time in French, German, Italian, Spanish and Swedish. It was previously available in Japanese. Francis was also presented with a plaque by Bruce Resnikoff, president and CEO at Universal Music Enterprises, the global catalog division of Universal Music Group, recognizing her and celebrating her music moment. The song, which includes the infectious lyrics, "You can ask the flowers / I sit for hours / Telling all the bluebirds / The bill and coo birds / Pretty little baby, I'm so in love with you," has been used by creators on TikTok including, Kim Kardashian and North West, Kylie Jenner, Ariana Greenblatt and more.
National Post
13-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
GPs Rethink Operational Tactics Amid Rising SPV Complexity
Article content WILMINGTON, Del. — Faced with rising regulatory demands and operational pressures, general partners (GPs) are increasingly turning to outsourcing and technology to manage special purpose vehicles (SPVs) more efficiently. This trend is highlighted in a new report from CSC, the leading provider of global business administration and compliance solutions. Article content CSC surveyed 400 GPs across the Americas, Europe (including the U.K.), and Asia Pacific to uncover how today's market shifts and operational pressures are reshaping SPV management strategies. 1 The full findings are detailed in the report SPV Global Outlook 2025: How GPs are Shaping Strategies for Long-Term Success. Article content Regulatory compliance and risk mitigation are firmly at the top of GPs' agendas, with nearly three-quarters identifying the growing regulatory burden and the associated reputational and financial risks as key concerns. Navigating regulatory changes was cited as the single greatest challenge when setting up and running SPVs, followed closely by managing operational differences across multiple geographies. Article content These challenges come at a pivotal time as markets grow increasingly competitive, complex, and cross border. Despite inflation and geopolitical uncertainty, GPs remain focused on deploying dry powder and capitalizing on LP appetite for differentiated, long-term value. Article content Amid these shifts, GPs anticipate growing demand for more direct, customized, and flexible investment structures. Co-investment funds are expected to see the highest demand over the next three years, followed by sector-specific and evergreen funds. Article content 'Traditional funds are still very active, but LP demands are rising and will continue to grow,' notes Thijs van Ingen, global head of Corporate Solutions, CSC. 'LPs want access to special deals like club structures and separately managed accounts, pushing GPs to innovate with co-investments, evergreen funds, or special joint venture vehicles. While these structures aren't new, they're growing in volume and adding significant complexity to reporting and underlying operations.' Article content In response, 63% of GPs report they have already significantly increased outsourcing to external providers. Their operational priorities for the next phase of growth include centralized SPV portals (63%), improved cash management (58%), and enhanced entity management systems (45%). Article content 'The question for GPs is no longer how to manage change, but how to lead through it,' said Ram Chandrasekar, global head of Fund Solutions, CSC. 'What GPs need today is a connected ecosystem that provides a centralized view across their entire corporate portfolio. SPVs, funds, investments—each represents a distinct set of data points, and managers must connect these seamlessly to operate effectively. By investing in operational enhancements and building strategic partnerships, GPs are ensuring smoother SPV management, greater scalability, and stronger resilience.' Article content 1 CSC, in partnership with Pure Profile, surveyed 400 GPs across the Americas, Europe (including the U.K.), and Asia Pacific. 200 were active in private capital (defined as private equity and private credit) and 200 in real assets (defined as real estate and infrastructure). Article content CSC is the world's leading provider of business administration and compliance solutions, offering industry-leading expertise and unmatched global reach to alternative fund managers and capital markets participants. Leveraging deep institutional experience and a tailored approach, CSC delivers a comprehensive suite of fund administration, trust, agency, and compliance services to support a wide range of private and public market transactions, complex fund strategies, and scalable operations. Article content As the trusted partner of choice for more than 70% of the PEI 300 and 90% of the Fortune 500 ®, CSC helps clients navigate operational and transactional complexities across more than 140 jurisdictions and various asset classes. With extensive worldwide capabilities, our expert teams provide solutions tailored to each client's needs. Privately held and professionally managed since 1899, we combine global reach, local expertise, and innovative solutions to help our clients succeed. Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content For more information: Citigate Dewe Rogerson Thomas Dalton cscteam@ Article content Article content Article content
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Private Market Fund Managers Face Data, Technology, and Talent Challenges: CSC Study Reveals Key Insights
Nearly half of LPs are dissatisfied with current performance reporting levels. 74% of LPs expect live or daily portfolio performance updates. 50% of GPs plan to invest in AI to boost efficiency and decision making. WILMINGTON, Del., April 30, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Adopting advanced technology solutions, meeting rising data demands, and navigating talent shortages are among the top challenges faced by private market fund managers, according to a new study by CSC, the leading provider of global business administration and compliance solutions. CSC's study, Future Private Capital CFO 2025: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities, revealed that data quality and accessibility remain top concerns for limited partners (LPs). Almost half (44%) said that they are not receiving the level of detailed performance reporting, including investment-level data, necessary for informed decision-making. Nearly three-quarters of LPs expect daily or on-demand access to key fund data, with 74% calling for this level of reporting on portfolio performance, and 72% seeking it for operational SLAs like NAV deadlines. Technology is a major focus for LPs, with investor portal technology ranked globally as the biggest frustration when working with GPs (cited by 35%). This was closely followed by timely and accurate communication (27%) and data granularity and analytics (11%). Liam McHugh, managing director, European Fund Administration, CSC, commented, "There are many obstacles to the GP and LP relationship, but several can be avoided by working with the right platform and portal technology. Get the platform right, and you can get things like the data right. And if you get the data right, other areas, such as regulation, can become far easier to accommodate and capitalize on." The emphasis on technology is echoed by GPs, with both technology and operating systems identified as having the greatest impact on their day-to-day responsibilities. In response, almost two-thirds (63%) of GPs reported plans to expand their technology frameworks. Additionally, 50% are investing in AI to enhance efficiency, data management, and decision-making processes. Hiring and retaining skilled professionals is another widespread challenge, with 39% of GPs ranking it as their top concern over the next three years. The competition for experienced talent is particularly intense in fund management, compliance, and administration roles. Marshall Saffer, managing director, Funds and Capital Markets, CSC, notes, "One of the biggest hurdles encountered by fund managers is streamlining data management, including centralizing and rationalizing the data they need to store. Many firms struggle to find the internal resources to handle this effectively. That's where CSC steps in, offering seamless support for administration, governance, and reporting requirements in a fully integrated technology environment." With operational complexities increasing, outsourcing has emerged as a key strategic priority. More than half (51%) of GPs plan to expand outsourcing efforts to drive growth, and 70% of LPs indicated that working with reputable global service providers would positively influence their perception of fund GPs. McHugh adds, "Technology now plays a central role in discussions between GPs and LPs, far more than it did five or ten years ago. As regulatory complexities increase and investor expectations evolve, firms that integrate advanced technology solutions and strategic outsourcing will maintain a competitive edge in 2025 and beyond." To receive a copy of CSC's Future Private Capital CFO 2025: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities report, contact us at cscteam@ 1CSC, in partnership with Pure Profile, surveyed 300 GP and 200 LP senior fund professionals operating in Europe, the U.K., North America, and Asia Pacific to better understand their aspirations and challenges for 2025 and beyond. Respondents were equally split between North America, Asia Pacific, and Europe (inc. U.K.). About CSCCSC is the world's leading provider of business administration and compliance solutions, offering industry-leading expertise and unmatched global reach to alternative fund managers and capital markets participants. Leveraging deep institutional experience and a tailored approach, CSC delivers a comprehensive suite of fund administration, trust, agency, and compliance services to support a wide range of private and public market transactions, complex fund strategies, and scalable operations. As the trusted partner of choice for more than 70% of the PEI 300 and 90% of the Fortune 500®, CSC helps clients navigate operational and transactional complexities across more than 140 jurisdictions and various asset classes. With extensive worldwide capabilities, our expert teams provide solutions tailored to each client's needs. Privately held and professionally managed since 1899, we combine global reach, local expertise, and innovative solutions to help our clients succeed. We are the business behind business®. Learn more at View source version on Contacts For more information: Citigate Dewe Rogerson Thomas Daltoncscteam@ CSC Laura CrozierPR CSC News Room
