Beyond the J Curve: Managing a Portfolio of Venture Capital and Private Equity Funds

"...an interesting book on a fascinating subject" (Professional Investor, Dec/Jan 05/06)

"This is the first work I have seen that comprehensively covers the important subject of valuing, evaluating and measuring the performance of private equity funds. Much has been published on individual aspects of this controversial subject by various segments of the stakeholder universe—usually putting forward partisan viewpoints. this is the first time that a holistic, integrated and disciplined framework has been adopted. the approach taken has yielded a rich crop of useful results including an innovative methodology for determining fair value for private equity funds during the course of their long lives; portfolio design and benchmarking methods; a prototype grading and fund scoring system. Essential reading for investors and a useful state-of-the-art reference manual for private equity managers."
—Christopher K.B. Brotchie, Formerly Chief Executive of the Baring Private Equity Group and Member of the ING Management Council

"Congratulations to both Thomas Meyer and Pierre-Yves Mathonet for their publication Beyond the J Curve. They should be highly commended for breaking a long-standing taboo—investing in private equity can now be modelled. Beyond the J Curve not only reveals a theoretical approach to Fair Value for private equity funds but also proposes a complete approach for investors to build up a comprehensive and effective programme for private equity investments. I am personally convinced that our industry should become more involved with this type of approach in order to best explain the interest of investing in private equity."
—Pierre Herve, General Secretary of Natexis Private Equity, Chairman of AFIC's Basel II and IFRS working groups, and Member of EFRAG's Venture Capital working group

"Beyond the J Curve is a timely guide for investors in private equity, with an elegant balance of analysis and practical suggestions. Its emphasis on Monitoring and active portfolio Management should promote more effective stewardship of private equity assets in the future."
—Brenlen Jinkens, Director, Cogent Partners Europe