Episode Overview

In this episode, Alex Rawlings welcomes Michael Von Bevern, Co-Managing Director for Sunterra Fund Services, to discuss the evolving landscape of fund administration in private equity. Michael shares nearly two decades of experience, working with over 500 fund managers, and offers invaluable insight into common mistakes first-time managers make, the growing role of fund administration, and why outsourcing has become the gold standard for operational efficiency and investor confidence.

🔑 Key Discussion Points

00:00 – Introduction
Michael Von Bevern introduces his role at Sunterra Fund Services and his extensive background in fund administration.

01:00 – Common Mistakes First-Time Managers Make

• Trying to be overly creative with fund terms and waterfall structures.
• The importance of staying aligned with industry-standard terms in the first fund.
• Complexity can hurt comparability for institutional investors.

03:00 – The State of Capital Raising

• Capital raising is particularly tough right now.
• Institutional investors require clarity, standardization, and comparability.
• Advice: Stick to well-known structures and build trust first.

04:00 – Why Outsourcing Fund Administration is Crucial

• Fund administration has evolved from an internalized process to a norm for outsourcing.
• Early resistance was based on trust and control issues.
• Outsourcing offers scalability, access to high-end tech, and cost advantages.

06:30 – In-House vs. Outsourced Fund Admin

• Outsourced teams can mirror internal teams in quality and responsiveness.
• Modern fund admin is more than just accounting—it's a strategic enabler.
• Today, ~80% of PE firms outsource, up from 50% in 2016.

09:00 – Why Private Equity Firms Hire from Fund Admin Firms

• Fund admin professionals gain holistic knowledge: legal docs, accounting, operations, strategy.
• They're “multi-tools” vs. siloed specialists.
• Michael celebrates when former team members go on to run their own funds—and even become clients.

12:00 – What Makes a Gold Standard Fund Admin?

• Real-time access to quality data and timely reporting.
• Transparent, responsive communication.
• Strong tech + strong people = winning formula.

13:30 – The Shift Toward Data Accessibility

• Gone are the days of black-box reporting.
• Modern fund admins provide daily access and reconciliations.
• The focus now is on improving affordability and automation.

14:30 – Michael’s Recommendations

• Reads: Preqin, PitchBook, newsletters.
• Follows thought leaders like Howard Marks (Oaktree).
• Active in ILPA and New York's PE ecosystem.

16:00 – Market Trends Observed Through Fund Admin

• Fundraising in 2023-24 has slowed, with private credit outperforming PE.
• Saturation from 2021–22 launches is causing fatigue.
• Prediction: Q4 2025 to Q1 2026 will see a strong rebound in fundraising.

18:30 – How to Reach Michael

• Website: sunterra.com
• Open to DMs and happy to refer prospective clients even if Sunterra isn’t the best fit.

 🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/) 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: [www.raw-selection.com](https://www.raw-selection.com) 

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