Daraja Capital

“It’s not an opportunity that comes very often in life, going from advisor to decision-maker at the third-largest public fund in the country with a sole fiduciary. That was lightning in a bottle.” ? We are so proud to see our Founder and CEO Raudline Etienne celebrated by the National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC) this Women’s History Month for paving the way for a more inclusive industry. Raudline discussed her career path, our mission here at Daraja, and her advice for young women in finance on embracing the power of your network. ? Read the exclusive feature here: https://lnkd.in/eJhS6P4v #WomenInAlternatives

“There’s force in numbers…it becomes a broader thematic narrative that’s not just about an individual plan.” ? For emerging investment firms with limited resources, any assistance in gaining visibility among allocators can make a significant impact. Our founder and CEO?Raudline Etienne?spoke to?Pensions & Investments?in the backdrop of Emerging Managers Week, a series of conferences held last month by New York’s largest public pension plans to promote the inclusion of emerging and diverse fund managers. ? Amid ongoing pushback against diversity, equity and inclusion programs across various industries, Raudline stressed the importance of giving emerging managers the exposure and insights they need to thrive, and how the growing momentum of Emerging Managers Week is becoming an invaluable experience for these entrepreneurs. ? Read more from Raudline’s interview:?https://lnkd.in/eECHQJrk #fundmanagement #investmentmanagement #EmergingManagerWeek

Momentum is building in the independent sponsor asset class. Citrin Cooperman’s 2024 Independent Sponsor Report surveyed 167 professionals in the sector, and their responses highlight key trends shaping the space. One standout insight? Independent sponsors who have successfully exited investments through liquidity events have achieved an impressive 3x return. While liquidity events slowed in the past year, the long-term trajectory remains strong. The study also found that nearly 25% of independent sponsors have partnered with another independent sponsor on a transaction – a promising trend signaling growth in collaboration between seasoned and emerging managers. As independent sponsors continue to innovate and drive strong returns, their impact on private markets is more evident than ever. Learn more from Citrin Cooperman here: https://lnkd.in/evBA_pgh #IndependentSponsors #PrivateEquity #EmergingManagers

As we welcome a new year, we want to take a moment to reflect on the past year – a year dedicated to living our mission of opening doors and fostering meaningful connections. ? To take our commitment a step further, we are proud to share that we have pledged a portion of our annual revenue to organizations that support a diversity cause. The first recipient of our charitable pledge is the Diverse Asset Managers' Initiative (DAMI), an organization dedicated to increasing the representation of diverse-owned asset management firms and the number of assets they manage.? ? We are thrilled to work with Robert Raben, Edgar Burch II, Marcus Sawyers and the DAMI team to support an initiative with a mission that aligns closely with our own efforts to facilitate meaningful change across the investment industry. ? #EmergingManagers #FundManagement #DiverseFundManagers

At Daraja Capital, we’re energized by the positive sentiment shift across private markets as investors are increasingly open to exploring innovative strategies. ? A recent Goldman Sachs survey of 235 LPs and GPs worldwide indicates a wave of optimism as investors move from caution to confidence, seeking fresh avenues in private credit, infrastructure and alternative liquidity solutions. With 39% of surveyed LPs reportedly increasing their capital deployment and the industry embracing new access points, private markets are primed for bold approaches. ? This move toward innovative strategies is exactly where Daraja excels – helping new fund managers capitalize on market momentum and creating value for investors. ? Learn more about these trends: https://lnkd.in/dMrepZjv ? #PrivateMarkets #InvestmentInnovation

“Diversity is a proven driver of innovation, smarter decision-making and stronger financial returns. Yet, despite these advantages, funds led by diverse managers remain critically underrepresented.” ? The?National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC)?recently found that over 95% of capital commitments from pension funds have flowed to non-diverse funds over roughly the past decade. ? NAIC’s study also reveals that diverse-managed funds receive 25.6% smaller commitments compared to their non-diverse counterparts. It’s clear there remains a missed opportunity for investors to unlock untapped potential.? ? That said, it was heartening to read that public pension funds have increased their investments in diverse-managed funds over this time, and that one of my previous organizations, the?NEW YORK STATE COMMON RETIREMENT FUND, holds the highest number of these commitments of any public pension fund.?? ? Here’s to collectively widening our aperture in 2025 and beyond.

“The value-add from our perspective is being a trusted advisor, helping diverse managers navigate this industry and build the foundation for the future.” Our CEO, Raudline Etienne recently spoke with Aoifinn Devitt for The Fiftyfaces Productions Ltd. Podcast to share her thoughts on our mission at Daraja as well as the importance of guiding talent and providing growth opportunities for those who are often sidelined to move the needle for diverse-owned firms. We invite you to listen to the episode: https://lnkd.in/esJbKeYj

“My most rewarding moment was when I was working with my client, the Honorable Denise Nappier, Treasurer of the State of Connecticut, to establish the state’s emerging manager program. We designed a process that was deliberately inclusive rather than one of elimination.” Our CEO Raudline Etienne recently spoke with Kirk Falconer for Buyouts’ ‘Off-Duty’ series about a range of topics, including how she has championed a culture of inclusion her entire career. From her role as an advisor to the Treasurer of the State of Connecticut to her tenure as CIO of New York State Common Retirement Fund, Raudline has consistently established avenues for diverse and emerging fund managers to get the capital and access they need – this serves as the foundation of Daraja Capital’s mission today. We invite you to read the full article below. #EmergingManagers

At Daraja Capital, we strive to foster meaningful relationships with the founders and fund managers we work with, recognizing that true success goes far beyond financial investment. Our goal lies in empowering entrepreneurs by not only providing capital but also guidance, strategic insight and an expansive network to thrive. ? One of the ways we’re bringing this commitment to life is through our partnership with Serac Ventures, where our collaboration transcends a typical investment and is deeply rooted in shared vision, personal connection and strategic collaboration. ? Our CEO, Raudline Etienne, reflected on the partnership stating: “It is gratifying to partner with a firm that approaches their space in a similar fashion as we do. We’re thrilled by Kevin Moore’s momentum since we began our relationship, from expanding the Serac team and portfolio to the visionary founders he’s supporting. The progress has been impressive, and we’re energized by what the future holds as we work together to create lasting impact.” ? #InstitutionalInvesting #FundManagement #VentureCapital

At Daraja Capital, we recognize the unique benefits that come with working with diverse and emerging fund managers. ? New research on the hedge fund industry from the AIMA - The Alternative Investment Management Association and Marex indicates that we are not alone in our optimism and willingness to engage with emerging managers. Across the industry, investors are showing a stronger interest in engaging with new talent. ? In fact, investors are more likely now to allocate capital to new hedge fund managers compared to 2022, with two-thirds of surveyed investors remaining open to allocating to managers with less than $100 million in AUM and half being willing to consider managers with less than a year of track record. ? That said, the AIMA also found that investors expect much more from emerging managers before greenlighting investments, with the average time to close on new deals rising to eight months in 2024, up from six months in 2022. ? While we focus on investment areas other than hedge funds, we applaud the increasing awareness toward emerging managers across the broader investment landscape. We believe that smaller funds play a crucial role in fostering innovation in the financial landscape and remain committed to equipping underrepresented managers with the resources, strategic guidance and operational support they need to thrive. ? Learn more about these trends from the AIMA: https://lnkd.in/eB2mmRxA #EmergingManagers #FundManagement