Fund Vintage

Quick Definition

The year a venture fund began investing, used to compare performance across different market cycles.

What is Fund Vintage?

Vintage year is when a fund started deploying capital. It matters because market conditions vary dramatically year to year. A 2009 vintage fund had different opportunities than a 2021 vintage fund.

Why Vintage Matters

You can't compare raw returns across vintages. A 2020 fund showing 3x might underperform a 2015 fund showing 2.5x because of market timing. Industry benchmarks are always vintage-adjusted.

Vintage Effect

Early-cycle vintages (after market corrections) often outperform. Late-cycle vintages (at market peaks) often struggle. The best VCs generate returns across vintages through disciplined investing.

Formula

Vintage performance comparison:

• 2010 vintage average TVPI: 2.5x
• 2015 vintage average TVPI: 1.8x
• 2020 vintage average TVPI: 1.4x (still early)

Compare within vintage, not across.

Example

Evaluating a VC's track record:

• Fund I (2012 vintage): 4.2x - Top quartile
• Fund II (2015 vintage): 2.8x - Top quartile
• Fund III (2018 vintage): 1.9x - Second quartile
• Fund IV (2021 vintage): 1.2x - Too early to judge

Consistent top-quartile across vintages indicates skill, not luck.

Related Terms

[Most Favored Nation (MFN) A provision guaranteeing an investor will receive terms at least as favorable as any subsequent investor receives.]

[Qualified Financing The minimum raise amount that triggers automatic conversion of convertible notes or SAFEs.]

[Maturity Date The deadline by which a convertible note must be repaid or converted to equity.]