Asset managers have diverse options when launching a fund, depending on their risk appetite, investment objectives and portfolio. Some examples are hedge funds, fund of funds, real estate funds, digital assets, private equity & venture capital funds and managed accounts, with managed accounts having the least risk associated (generally because of diversification) and digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies, having a higher risk level due to its volatility and (still) ongoing regulatory developments.  

Aside from the abovementioned differences associated with various funds, they can also have varying life spans. For instance, private equity funds have an average term span of ten years. Meanwhile, most hedge funds have a life span of about six to seven years, according to Goldman Sachs’ Hedge Fund Survivorship 2020 report. 

While the various investment funds have varying life spans, they commonly undergo similar life stages. Funds generally go through five stages in their life cycle, which comprise the consolidation of numerous funds, corporate and legal activities. 

Fund formation 

The fund formation stage creates the foundation of the numerous elements of a fund. The processes involved in the formation include:  

• Determining the fund strategy; 
• Navigating through the regulatory environment in which the fund will operate; 
• Drafting the offering documents; 
• Preparing and reviewing necessary documents for the fund; 
• Overseeing the fund application process; 
• Liaising with relevant legal authorities and service providers.  

Moreover, setting up the fund’s investment structure will be accomplished at this stage. Overall, the fund formation phase will set up the fundamental aspects of the fund to be made operational. 

To ensure a successful fund launch, fund managers can leverage the services of a fund service provider, like Bolder Group, in administering the middle- and back-office responsibilities to set up the fund successfully and in compliance with the laws. 

Raising capital 

At this stage, a fund’s operator will start to market and raise capital from investors in accordance with relevant regulations and the fund’s offering documents.  

Procedures to ensure an efficient and secure entrance of funds must be set in place: 

• Investor due diligence (e.g., Know-Your-Customer and Anti-Money-Laundering identification); 
• Investor onboarding;
• Preparation of investor reporting structure;
• Coordination with other service providers (e.g., auditors, banks, public notaries, etc.). 

The initial ‘call,’ also called the first closing, is often not the full amount the investors commit. Accordingly, it should be noted that further ‘calls’ for capital can be made at a later stage while the fund is still live. The fundraising period ends at the final closing, when the last investors in the fund commit to making their investments. Meanwhile, investment activities may already be entered between the first and final closing. 

Our funds solutions also include investor relations services, making it easier for asset managers to onboard, communicate with and collect documents from investors.  

Investment period 

In general, this period is the most active in a fund’s life cycle as the capital is “put to work” and is composed of the following fund and governance activities: 

• Recording and monitoring of investment activities; 
• Preparation of financial statements; 
• Provision of regulatory reports; 
• Facilitating tax reports; 
• Maintenance of registers and documents; 
• Distribution of investor statements; 
• Fund accounting and administration; and 
• Periodic Net Asset Value (NAV) calculation and reporting, among others. 

In the investment period, fund managers are also expected to execute portfolio management strategies to ensure the fund’s success. They typically seek new investment opportunities for the fund and call upon the capital that has been committed to by the investors in the previous stage. 

Fund managers can focus on managing funds and other value-creating responsibilities, as well as ensuring effective oversight of the fund by taking on the services of fund administrators. Bolder Group offers customised fund services that guarantee timely and accurate fulfillment of ongoing requirements and activities in the investment period. 

Divestment  

In the divestment stage, the fund can no longer acquire additional capital and may only continue to operate the investments. The fund manager may sell some funds or assets that have grown to a point where it has achieved a satisfactory rate of return or those that are not core to their portfolio. 

Following the sale of funds and investments, returns and profits are distributed to the investors, which carry over some reporting and accounting obligations, as well as other activities such as computation and disbursement of returns and distribution of dividends. 

Ultimately, the divestment period will be the transition period to liquidate the fund. 

Liquidation 

Though some liquidations are possible during the investment period, the liquidation stage marks the end of a fund’s life cycle. In this period, all investments are sold off and all proceeds are distributed.  

Fund managers are encouraged to take on the services of legal professionals to secure an orderly and compliant liquidation process. Some of the obligations to successfully close a fund include, but are not limited to: 

• Filing of all statutory returns; 
• Nomination of an external liquidator; 
• Investor communication; and 
• Book closure. 

Bolder Solutions 

As a global fund administrator, Bolder Group can facilitate the effective administration of a fund, regardless of where it is in its life cycle. Moreover, the professional assistance of an experienced fund administrator enables fund managers to focus on managing their funds, hence, providing opportunities for enhanced performance across the fund’s life cycle and the creation of effective portfolio return strategies. 

Bolder Group’s fund services are as follows: 

To know more about our fund services, click here or contact a Bolder representative near you. 

Investment Luncheon: Assessing Market Trends and Fund Strategies

Bolder Group, in partnership with DBS Hong Kong, is co-organising “Investment Luncheon: Assessing Market Trends and Fund Strategies” on 29 August 2023 at 12:00 – 14:30 HKT in Central, Hong Kong. 

Bolder Group’s Executive Director and Head of North Asia Alternative Investments, Michael Pang, will be one of the panelists at the event. The event will feature industry experts who will provide insights on fund life cycle; challenges and opportunities in the funds market; FATCA & CRS; and common tax issues under a typical fund structure, among others. 

Joining Michael Pang as speakers and panelists are: 

• Alvin Fan (Chief Executive Officer, OP Investment Management) 
• Benjamin Wong (Chief Investment Officer, Rockpool Capital) 
• Clara Chow (Senior Research Associate – Greater China Hedge Fund Data, Preqin) 
• Douglas Wong, CFA (Head of Property and Casualty, Chubb Insurance Hong Kong Limited) 
• Marc Parrott (Partner, Corporate | Investment Funds, Appleby) 
• Ortwin Gierhake (Director, TD Cowen) 
• Vanessa Chan (Financial Services Tax Partner, PwC Hong Kong) 
• Winnie Hon (Independent Director, Waystone) 

Registration for the event will be open until 11 August 2023, with limited seats available. Be a part of the conversation and register here: 29 Aug 2023 | Investment Luncheon: Assessing Market Trends and Fund Strategies (ac-page.com) 

We hope to see you there!