GP Economics
GP economics are the financial incentives and compensation mechanics for the GP across fees, carried interest, and any additional revenue streams.
Allocator relevance: Economics drive behavior—allocators evaluate whether GP incentives align with LP outcomes over the full fund life.
Expanded Definition
GP economics typically include management fees, carried interest (carry), and sometimes transaction/monitoring fees, fee offsets, and other arrangements. The structure affects risk-taking, holding periods, and how the GP prioritizes portfolio actions. Allocators care not only about headline carry, but about the full picture: fee drag, offsets, recycling, and whether economics are consistent with the strategy.
Economics should also be evaluated in context of GP commitment: meaningful GP capital alongside LPs improves alignment.
Decision Authority & Governance
Governance is encoded in the LPA and side letters: waterfall rules, clawback provisions, fee offsets, and disclosure of additional compensation. Decision authority considerations include who controls fee policies and whether LPAC approvals are required for certain conflicts.
Common Misconceptions
- Lower fees always mean better alignment.
- Carry terms alone define GP economics.
- Clawbacks make misalignment impossible.
Key Takeaways
- Economics must be evaluated as a full system, not a single number.
- Incentives shape risk and behavior.
- Governance terms protect LP outcomes when incentives diverge.