Let’s be real: private fund investing can feel like herding cats while juggling chainsaws. You’re trying to track funds, evaluate strategies, and still somehow stay sane.
We’ve been there – knee-deep in spreadsheets, scribbling frantic notes, and Googling fund contacts like a detective on a caffeine high.
But private markets don’t have to be this way.
At Dakota, we’ve built a platform designed to save you time, reduce headaches, and - dare we say - make private fund research almost enjoyable. (Ok, maybe enjoyable is a stretch, but you get the idea.) This platform is called Dakota Research and is your go to intelligent platform for private fund Investing.
In this article we are reviewing five challenges in private markets. By the end of this, you'll have a better understanding on how Dakota Research can help streamline your due diligence process.
1. Time-Consuming Research Process
You know the drill: your boss drops a new fund name in your lap, and suddenly you’re playing detective.
Who’s managing this thing? What’s their strategy? Where are they based?
Five hours later, you’ve combed through every LinkedIn profile and obscure press release you could find, and you’re no closer to scheduling that intro call.
Investment allocators and analysts spend countless hours gathering and verifying data on fund managers, strategies, and performance. Tracking down contact information, setting up introductory calls, and compiling notes for every opportunity is a labor-intensive process.
Dakota Research consolidates the entire research process into one centralized platform. We cut through the noise; everything you need – fund profiles, manager details, strategy insights – is in one place. From comprehensive manager profiles to real-time fundraising data, we provide all the information you need. Our CRM functionality allows users to take notes and track updates seamlessly, saving hours of work for each fund.
2. Lack of Qualitative Insights
Most existing platforms focus heavily on quantitative data like fund performance, leaving out qualitative insights that provide critical context for investment decisions. Understanding a fund manager’s team, investment philosophy, and unique approach is often left to time-consuming meetings or consultant reports.
So, you’ve got the numbers: fund size, performance history, maybe even a vintage year. But when it comes to qualitative data – the who, what, and why behind a fund – it’s crickets. You’re left scrambling to figure out whether this manager is the real deal or just someone who looks great in a fancy pitch deck.
Our platform goes beyond the numbers. We deliver detailed qualitative assessments of fund managers, including their people, processes, and philosophies. By offering insights into what makes each manager unique – whether it’s industry expertise or a proven investment strategy – Dakota Research empowers users to make more informed decisions without endless calls and meetings.
3. Fragmented and Incomplete Market Coverage
The private fund landscape is massive, but somehow it always feels like you’re looking at the same handful of big names. Meanwhile, smaller, niche funds are slipping through the cracks because they’re not in the usual databases.
Dakota Research’s open-source subscription model ensures broad market coverage, including curated lists of emerging funds. Our platform highlights newer and niche opportunities, helping users discover funds that competitors overlook. This visibility into the full landscape ensures no stone is left unturned.
4. Difficulty Tracking Fundraising Timelines
Funds open. Funds close. Timelines shift. If you’re not paying attention, you might miss the chance to get in on something great. Staying updated on which funds are open, closed, or about to launch can feel like chasing moving targets. Missing a fundraising window can result in lost opportunities for both allocators and fund managers.
Our platform offers real-time fundraising data, allowing users to track open and closed funds effortlessly. Filters by size, strategy, and fundraising timeline make it easy to align investment opportunities with your specific needs. You’ll never miss an opportunity because of outdated information.
5. Inefficient Workflow
Investment teams rely on disjointed tools: spreadsheets, CRMs, and third-party databases. These don’t communicate effectively. This fragmented approach slows down workflows and creates information silos. Between all these miscellaneous trackers, it feels like your workflow is being held together by duct tape and prayers.
Built on Salesforce, Dakota Research integrates seamlessly into existing workflows. Users can add notes, track updates, and generate comprehensive reports directly within the platform. This not only streamlines operations but also ensures that critical information is always at your fingertips.
Making Private Market Research Less Painful
Private markets and private funds are complicated enough without all the extra noise. That’s why we built Dakota Research: to help you cut through the chaos, find the right opportunities, and stay ahead of the game.
Whether you’re tracking fundraising timelines or diving into qualitative insights, we’ve got your back. Start streamlining your processes, uncover hidden opportunities, and focus on what matters most: making informed investment decisions. By addressing these five key challenges, we’re not just saving you time; we’re giving you a competitive edge in a fast-moving industry.
For more information on how Dakota Research can streamline your research process, book a demo!
