Fund Structure
Capital Call Line
The sequence and timing of requests for LPs to fund their committed capital, following the schedule and procedures set in the LPA.
A capital call line refers to the facility, procedures, and cadence through which a GP requests LPs to fund portions of their committed capital. Capital calls (also called drawdowns) typically provide LPs with 10-30 days notice and specify the amount, purpose, and due date. The capital call line defines the mechanics of how committed capital transforms into invested capital over the fund's investment period.
In Practice
The GP issued quarterly capital calls averaging $15M each over the first three years. Each call came with 15 days notice and included the calculation showing each LP's pro-rata share: a $10M commitment represented 5% of the $200M fund, so each call required approximately $750K from that LP.
Why It Matters
Understanding capital call mechanics is fundamental to VC fund operations. GPs must time calls to match investment opportunities, while LPs must maintain sufficient liquidity to meet calls promptly. Late or missed capital calls can trigger severe penalties.
VC Beast Take
The pace of capital calls reveals a lot about a GP's investment discipline. Very rapid calls in the first year may indicate pressure to deploy. Very slow calls might signal difficulty sourcing deals. The Goldilocks pace is steady deployment over 3-4 years.
Related Concepts
Further Reading
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