Ticket Size
Ticket size is the typical amount an allocator invests in a single fund, deal, or commitment.
Allocator relevance: Core for mandate fit and outreach precision—ticket size filters who can actually participate at your check size.
Expanded Definition
Ticket size varies by allocator type (SFO vs pension vs endowment), strategy (venture vs buyout vs credit), and vehicle (fund vs co-investment). Understanding ticket size prevents mis-targeting (pitching $50M minimum investors a $1M round, or vice versa). It also influences fundraising strategy: number of targets, pacing, and expected close probability.
Ticket size should be treated as a range, not a single number, and tied to evidence with recency.
How It Works in Practice
Teams infer ticket size from past commitments, disclosures, and observed behavior. For outreach, ticket size helps rank targets and tailor messaging.
Decision Authority and Governance
Governance should ensure ticket size fields are evidence-backed and not speculative. Misstating ticket size causes pipeline noise and credibility loss.
Common Misconceptions
- Ticket size equals AUM.
- Ticket size is stable across strategies.
- You can infer ticket size without historical commitment signals.
Key Takeaways
- Ticket size is a primary fit filter.
- Use ranges + evidence + last verified.
- Combine with mandate and liquidity preference.