Comparison
IRR vs MOIC
IRR (Internal Rate of Return) measures annualized returns accounting for timing, while MOIC (Multiple on Invested Capital) measures total cash returned relative to cash invested regardless of timing. Both are essential — together they tell the full story.
Key difference: IRR rewards speed (a 2x return in 2 years has a higher IRR than 2x in 5 years). MOIC measures absolute multiple regardless of how long it took. A fund can have high IRR but low MOIC, or vice versa.
What Is IRR?
IRR (Internal Rate of Return) is the annualized rate of return that makes the net present value of all cash flows equal to zero. It accounts for the timing and size of every capital call and distribution. A fund that returns 3x in 5 years has a different IRR than one returning 3x in 10 years.
What Is MOIC?
MOIC (Multiple on Invested Capital) is the ratio of total value (distributions + remaining NAV) to total capital invested. A 3x MOIC means every dollar invested returned $3 in total value. MOIC is simple and intuitive but ignores the time it took to generate returns.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Dimension | IRR | MOIC |
|---|---|---|
| What it measures | Annualized return rate | Total return multiple |
| Time sensitivity | Yes — penalizes slow returns | No — time-agnostic |
| Formula complexity | Complex (iterative calculation) | Simple (value / cost) |
| Manipulation risk | Can be inflated by early small exits | Hard to manipulate |
| LP preference | Primary metric for most LPs | Important secondary metric |
| Early fund life | Unreliable (J-curve distortion) | Low but accurate |
| Benchmark use | Industry standard for comparison | Used alongside IRR |
| Gross vs Net | Both reported (gross before fees, net after) | Both reported |
When to Choose IRR
- ✓Comparing funds of similar vintage and size
- ✓LP reporting to institutional investors
- ✓Evaluating time-weighted performance
- ✓Benchmarking against other asset classes
- ✓Fund is mature (7+ years) with meaningful distributions
When to Choose MOIC
- ✓Evaluating absolute wealth creation
- ✓Fund is early (under 5 years) — IRR is unreliable
- ✓Comparing funds of different durations
- ✓Communicating returns to non-institutional investors
- ✓Assessing whether a fund 'returned the fund' (1x+)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a fund have high IRR but low MOIC?
Yes — if a fund has one early quick exit (e.g., 3x in 1 year) but the rest of the portfolio underperforms, the IRR can look great while the overall MOIC is mediocre. This is why LPs look at both metrics together.
What's a good IRR for a VC fund?
Top quartile VC funds target 25-35% net IRR. Median is 12-18%. Bottom quartile can be flat or negative. These benchmarks vary by vintage year — 2020-2021 vintages face headwinds.
What's a good MOIC for a VC fund?
Top quartile targets 3x+ net MOIC. Median is around 1.5-2x. A fund that returns 1x has returned capital but generated no profit. The power law means top funds can achieve 5-10x+ on best investments.