Group 1 - Yale University is preparing to sell up to $2.5 billion in private equity assets in the secondary market as part of the "Gatsby Plan" [1] - The sale is expected to have an overall discount of less than 10%, although some asset valuations have seen discounts as high as 15% [1] - This transaction is a significant adjustment under CIO Matt Mendelsohn's leadership for the university's $41 billion endowment fund, marking one of the largest secondary market transactions of the year [1] Group 2 - The university's endowment fund is facing dual pressures: a lack of distributions from private equity funds and the prospect of rising investment income tax burdens [1] - Proposed tax rate increases for certain private school endowments by the Republican party could raise the tax rate from 1.4% to 21%, prompting elite institutions like Yale to reassess their investment strategies [1] Group 3 - The "Yale Model," pioneered by the late David Swensen, revolutionized endowment fund investment by increasing allocations to alternative assets such as hedge funds, venture capital, and private equity [2] - As of June 30, Yale holds over $10 billion in leveraged buyout and venture capital funds, with 56% of U.S. higher education endowment funds allocated to alternative investments for the 2024 fiscal year [2] - The ongoing asset sale discussions include a "mosaic transaction" allowing buyers to select specific investment funds, with several buyers, including Lexington Partners and HarbourVest Partners, evaluating the portfolio [2] Group 4 - The Mother Fund Research Center has officially launched the 2025 special list evaluation to encourage excellence in the private equity mother fund and fund industry [3] - The center will release the 2025 special list in July based on existing data and research analysis to promote healthy development in the equity investment industry [3]

Group 1 - Yale University is preparing to sell up to $2.5 billion in private equity assets in the secondary market as part of a significant reallocation of its $41 billion endowment fund under CIO Matt Mendelsohn's leadership [1] - The sale, referred to as the "Gatsby Plan," is expected to have an overall discount of less than 10%, despite some assets being valued with discounts as high as 15% [1] - This transaction is anticipated to be one of the largest secondary market deals of the year and could set a historical high for the market [1] Group 2 - The "Yale Model," pioneered by the late David Swensen, revolutionized endowment fund investment strategies by increasing exposure to illiquid and complex investments such as hedge funds, venture capital, and private equity [2] - As of June 30, Yale University held over $10 billion in both leveraged buyout and venture capital funds, reflecting a significant commitment to alternative investments [2] - The university has been considering asset sales for over a year, aiming to reduce holdings in dozens of funds and clear out older positions, with potential buyers including Lexington Partners and HarbourVest Partners [2]

Core Viewpoint - The liquidity crisis in private equity is highlighted by Yale University's significant sale of $60 billion in private equity assets, which has seen little interest from buyers despite being offered at a discount [1][2][3] Group 1: Yale University's Asset Sale - Yale University announced the sale of its private equity assets, marking a historic move as it is the largest LP-initiated sale globally [2] - The expected price for the assets was around 90% of face value, but reports indicate that the actual offers are significantly lower, with discounts reaching up to 15% [2][3] - The urgency to complete the sale before the fiscal year-end has led to a lack of competitive bids, reflecting a broader trend of liquidity challenges in the market [2][3] Group 2: Broader Market Trends - The trend of LPs selling assets at steep discounts is becoming more common, with recent reports indicating discounts of 10% to 20% on LP-led sales [3] - Harvard University and Texas Tech University are also looking to sell private equity assets, but face similar challenges with low offers [3] - The overall market for private equity exits is under pressure, with a significant number of funds entering extended periods without returns [5][6] Group 3: Impact on LPs and GPs - Many LPs are expressing frustration over the lack of returns, with reports indicating that a majority of funds established since 2015 have not returned more than half of the invested capital [5][6] - The liquidity crisis is prompting LPs to reassess their investment strategies, leading to a tightening of capital and increased scrutiny on fund performance [6][7] - The emergence of "zombie funds," which have not exited or raised new funds, is indicative of the challenges facing the industry [7][8] Group 4: Industry Adaptation - Some GPs are reducing fund sizes and returning capital to LPs as a strategy to navigate the current market conditions [9] - The shift away from traditional VC models is evident, with firms exploring alternative investment avenues to attract capital [8][9] - The industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with a focus on survival and profitability becoming paramount for both GPs and LPs [9]