Co-Investment Demands
Tier 1 LPs in the Middle East view funds primarily as deal-sourcing engines for their direct investment teams.
The Zero-Fee Squeeze
It is standard for an LP committing $100M to a fund to demand the right to invest another $50M-$100M directly into the fund's largest deals on a no-fee, no-carry basis.
Impact on GP Economics
While co-investments help managers take down larger deals without over-concentrating the main fund, managing these special purpose vehicles (SPVs) creates significant uncompensated legal and operational overhead.
Syndication Mechanics
GPs must establish a clear syndication protocol detailing how co-investment opportunities are allocated (e.g., pro-rata based on fund commitment) to avoid alienating other LPs.