Strategies Secondary Investments

A shorter duration complement to an overall private markets portfolio

The secondary market has been an attractive place for investors to deploy capital as demonstrated by the growth in both transactions and fundraising. As this market has become increasingly mature and sophisticated, transaction structures have grown more complex. We believe today’s market conditions, characterized by the global growth of private markets and more active management of private market allocations, lend themselves to the strengths of our differentiated approach. With 24+ years of experience in this market, we remain focused on finding value in more complex and innovative secondary opportunities.

Our goal is to provide investors with significant capital appreciation by delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns. Through our unique approach and competitive positioning, we have implemented this strategy by focusing on:

  • Quality, mature assets
  • Partnering with quality general partners
  • Flexibility and expertise across the spectrum of secondary investments
  • J-curve mitigation and cash yield
$270B+

In Deal Flow in 2024

$22.2B

Committed Across 425+ Transactions

24+

Years of Secondaries Investing Experience

As of 12/31/2024


Deal Spotlights

Project Commander

Description

An LP portfolio consisting of five fund interests that hold 95+ companies, managed by GPs with strong Hamilton Lane relationships.

Why it matters

The portfolio is well-diversified across high-quality GPs, demonstrating strong valuation momentum, near-term liquidity potential and stable growth.

The HL advantage

This opportunity arose from our long-standing relationships with the underlying GPs. We were able to select funds in which we had a strong competitive angle and unique insights. Our relationship advantage and deep familiarity with the funds and assets, reinforced by our presence on two of the fund’s advisory boards, allowed us to approach the investment with strong conviction and positioned us as the ideal buyer.

Project Legend

Description

A multi-asset continuation vehicle involving the acquisition of three leading, lower-middle-market assets alongside a high-quality GP.

Why it matters

The companies operate in the industrial and business services sectors in which the GP has a history of successful investments. Merits of the companies include high recurring revenue, sticky customer relationships, attractive M&A platforms and impressive financial profiles. Conservative valuation multiples and near-term EBITDA momentum suggest meaningful embedded value at closing.

The HL advantage

The GP engaged us prior to launching the sale process due to our long-running dialogue via our GP coverage and proactive sourcing initiatives.

The bottom line

Our strategic value to the GP was influential in securing the sole lead role over five other suitors in a deal that was several times oversubscribed.

Project Atlantico

Who they are

An LP portfolio consisting of 17 fund interests that hold 300+ companies.

Why it matters

The portfolio is broadly diversified across high-quality GPs with which we have had long-standing relationships. We have previously invested alongside 100% of the GPs in the portfolio.

The HL advantage

We had full access to all GPs, having dedicated calls with each one, positioning the firm favorably in a process whereby some GPs prohibited the seller from disclosing some, if not all, information on their funds his competitive advantage allowed us to swiftly determine the most attractive combination of fund interests in the portfolio. As a result, we were able to preempt a broader competitive process as well as negotiate a 50% purchase price deferral, positively impacting returns.

The bottom line

The combination of high-quality GPs, an attractive split of fund vintages, underlying diversification, a strong purchase price deferral and our information advantage made this a highly compelling transaction.
Read our take on the current Secondaries landscape
The secondary market has seen exponential growth over the last several years. With our experience, scale and network, we believe we’re well positioned to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns to our clients.
Tom Kerr
Head of Secondary Investments, Co-Head of Investments

Utilizing our market-leading data to gain a greater level of insight

Our proprietary technology combined with our database of over 23,300 funds and 16,890 private companies provides a unique advantage to better understand the drivers of value within a deal. Our data advantage and extensive global primary platform represent a crucial competitive advantage and drive our ability to be a conviction buyer. We use our market-leading data to gain a greater level of insight, which is essential when the objective is to limit the downside and generate strong risk-adjusted returns.

As of 12/31/2024

Recent Content

News | 2 Min Read

Hamilton Lane Launches Private Secondary Fund

Hamilton Lane announced the launch of the secondary evergreen fund available to U.S. accredited investor clients.

Read the Press Release
News | 4 Min Read

HL Leads Continuation Fund Investment

Hamilton Lane announced a partnership with Levine Leichtman Capital Partners as lead investor in its $575M continuation fund.

Read the Press Release
Insights

Top Secondary Investment Trends with Keith Brittain

What's trending in the secondary market? Co-Head of Secondary Investments Keith Brittain answers questions that are top of mind for secondaries investors today.

Read the Research Article