What is a "fund of funds" in private equity?

A "fund of funds" in private equity is a specific investment strategy that pools capital to invest in multiple private equity funds rather than investing directly in securities or individual companies. This approach allows investors access to a diversified array of investment opportunities across different funds, which can cover a range of sectors, stages of development, and geographic locations. By investing in several funds, investors can mitigate risk and potentially enhance returns through the varied performance of the underlying funds.

This structure is particularly beneficial for investors who may either lack the resources or expertise to select individual private equity investments directly. Additionally, by providing broad exposure to different strategies and fund managers, a fund of funds can offer a level of diversification that is more challenging to achieve through direct investments alone. The collective expertise and management of the underlying funds help to navigate the complexities of private equity investing.