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Alternative Fund Managers optimistic about fund launches and capital raising over next 18 months

Alternative Fund Managers optimistic about fund launches and capital raising over next 18 months

17 May, 2023

New research* from Ocorian, a specialist provider of alternative fund services and leader in entity administration, corporate and fiduciary services, shows alternative fund managers are optimistic about launches and fund raising over the next 18 months.

Eight in ten alternative fund managers expect fund raising will be higher in the next 18 months compared to the previous 18 months

More than eight in ten (81%) say levels of fund raising will be higher over the next 18 months compared to the previous 18-month period. 69% of fund managers are cautiously optimistic stating they are expecting to see a slightly higher level of fundraising, whereas 12% believe it will be dramatically higher. Just 18% say it will be about the same and 1% say it will be lower.

98% are confident about launching new funds in the next 18 months

These results are reflected in the confidence of fund managers to launch new funds.  Almost all (98%) are confident in the ability of alternative fund managers to successfully launch new funds in the next 18 months, with 52% being very confident and 46% being quite confident. 

91% predict there will be more alternative asset funds launched in 2023 compared to 2022

The research from the team at Ocorian Fund Services, which specialises in administrating alternative asset funds globally shows that 91% of alternative fund managers predict there will be more alternative asset fund launches this year compared to 2022. Of these, 28% predict there will be significantly more alternative asset fund launches while 63% predict launches will be slightly higher. Around one in 12 (8%) predict it will be about the same, and just 1% think it will be lower.

And it’s not just about a rise in confidence to successfully launch new funds, the statistics are reflected in the ability to raise capital with 96% predicting that more capital will be raised in 2023 compared to last year. Around two out of five (40%) of those surveyed think there will be over 25% more capital raised this year compared to last year, and a further 39% think there will be between 10% and 25% more.  Around 17% believe there will be up to 10% more.

Private equity, infrastructure and real estate are the top three asset classes expected to benefit the most from fund raising over the next 18 months

When asked to pick the top five asset classes that alternative fund managers expect to benefit the most from fundraising over the next 18 months, 73% selected private equity, followed by infrastructure (68%), real estate (65%), private debt (59%), and hedge funds (49%). 

When specifically asked how fund raising will change in the next 18 months for certain alternative asset classes when compared to the last 18 months, real estate, private equity and private debt are expected to increase the most.

Table to show how fund raising will change for certain alternative asset classes in the next 18 months, compared to the last 18 months

 Increase dramaticallyIncrease slightlyStay the sameFall slightlyFall dramatically
Real estate36%48%16%0%0%
Private equity43%32%13%9%1%
Renewable energy31%33%33%3%0%
Venture capital18%43%31%7%0%
Private debt26%40%26%8%0%
Infrastructure24%36%33%5%1%

Paul Spendiff, Head of Business Development, Fund Services at Ocorian, said: “2022 was a tough year for the fund management industry, with the number of funds launched and amount of capital raised hitting the lowest levels we’ve seen for many years. While it’s still a challenging economic environment and with a number of geopolitical issues making fund raising more difficult in some markets, it’s encouraging to see how positive alternative fund managers are feeling about the year ahead, predicting both higher levels of fund launches and more capital being raised overall. Despite not being out of the woods yet, we expect to see high performing fund managers with the right strategy, good governance and a transparent approach around ESG will benefit from the improving sentiment in the market.”

About Ocorian Fund Services

Ocorian’s fund services team delivers operational excellence across fund administration, AIFM, depositary and accounting services to the world’s largest financial institutions along with dynamic start-up fund managers and boutique houses. Its team of over 300 funds specialists work across all major asset classes of alternative investment funds such as private equity, real estate, infrastructure, debt and venture capital, whilst its specialist Islamic Finance team is a leading provider of Sharia-compliant investment structures.

* Ocorian commissioned independent research company PureProfile to interview 100 alternative fund managers across real estate, private debt, private equity and infrastructure, residing across the UK, US, France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland and Norway during April 2023. 

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