Fund Economics
VC Fund Return Calculator
Model how fund size, fees, carry, and return multiples flow through to GP and LP economics.
Fund Parameters
Fund Economics
LP net multiple
2.50x
Net IRR (est.)
9.6%
GP Economics
Fund size minus $7.00M in fees
$43.00M x 3x multiple
Returns above committed capital
8% annual preferred return over 10 years
Capital back + profit minus carry
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How to Use This Tool
Enter your fund size, fee structure, carry terms, and expected gross return multiple. The calculator models how returns flow through the fund waterfall to show GP earnings (fees + carry) and LP net returns after all costs.
Fund Return Waterfall
LP Net Return = Gross Returns - Management Fees - GP Carry
A $50M fund at 2/20 with a 3x gross return on deployable capital: management fees total ~$7M, leaving $43M to deploy. At 3x that is $129M gross. After returning the $50M committed capital and paying ~$16M in carry (20% of profit above the hurdle), LPs receive ~$113M, or a 2.26x net multiple.
Why This Matters
The difference between gross and net returns in venture capital is substantial. A fund that returns 3x gross may only deliver 2.2x net to LPs after fees and carry. Understanding this math is essential for LPs evaluating fund managers and for GPs setting realistic return targets.
Industry Benchmarks
Top Quartile VC Net Multiple
2.5x+
Net to LPs after fees and carry
Median VC Net Multiple
1.5-1.8x
Most funds underperform
Standard Fee Structure
2% / 20%
Management fee / carried interest
Target Net IRR
15-25%
For institutional LP allocations
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good return multiple for a VC fund?
Top-quartile VC funds return 2.5x+ net to LPs. A 3x net return is excellent and puts a fund in the top decile historically. However, most VC funds fail to return even 1x to LPs after fees. The power law nature of venture means a small number of funds generate the vast majority of industry returns.
How do management fees affect returns?
Management fees typically consume 15-20% of total committed capital over a fund's life. On a $50M fund at 2% for 10 years, that is $7-10M that never gets invested. This creates a meaningful drag — a fund needs to return roughly 1.2x gross just to break even for LPs after fees, before any carry is paid.
What is a hurdle rate in venture capital?
A hurdle rate (or preferred return) is the minimum annual return LPs must receive before the GP earns carried interest. Typically 8% per year. This means on a 10-year fund, LPs need to get back roughly 2.16x their money before the GP starts earning carry. Not all VC funds have hurdle rates, but they are becoming more common as LPs negotiate harder.
How does carried interest work?
Carried interest is the GP's share of profits above the hurdle, typically 20%. On a $50M fund that returns $150M gross ($100M profit), after clearing the hurdle the GP might earn $16-20M in carry. Carry is usually paid on a whole-fund basis (not deal-by-deal) and may include clawback provisions if early distributions exceed final entitlements.
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