
PFRDA calls for perpetual funds, deeper AIF exit market
Mint. “There is no need for a manager to fold up a fund.
You are exiting an asset, and you are repaying and distributing capital to the LPs (limited partners) as pre-determined agreements. Why do you need to fold up the fund? LPs are happy to get the gains and the fund managers can approach them to give more money to invest further within the same fund.”PFRDA has approved reforms allowing National Pension System (NPS) funds to invest in AIFs, potentially unlocking more than ₹1.17 trillion for private equity and venture capital.The aim is to diversify pension portfolios into unlisted, long-term assets while establishing a framework for pension funds to act as LPs.
The regulator has permitted 1% of the total assets under management (AUM) to be invested in AIFs. As of 28 February, the AUM stood at ₹16.46 trillion.PE and VC funds are increasingly creating continuation funds in India to help with liquidity for LPs while enabling GPs to remain invested in their trophy assets.
Continuation funds allow limited partners to exit while enabling firms to stay invested in high-performing assets beyond the typical fund cycle.“We are seeing more instances of AIFs going back to their investors to seek longer periods of time for the fund. This has been a demand from the AIF for the last five years, and thankfully, the Sebi (Securities and Exchange Board of India) chairman has agreed to it this time because there is a realization that managers do not have control over the portfolio company's performance," he explained.Sometimes, the portfolio company needs a longer maturity period, he said.
"GPs (general partners) don't want to sell out of it as they make nothing from the investment. Therefore, we are looking at the creation of a
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