Despite widespread griping from hedge fund managers regarding the difficulty of fundraising in 2005, the largest funds launched last year accumulated $33 billion in assets. Though dropping off from 2004's historically high intake, last year's 73 largest launches still managed to raise only $7 billion less than the $40 billion taken in by the 81 largest funds launched in 2004. Last year's funds also exceeded handily the $21.8 billion raised by the 73 biggest startups of 2003.
The year 2005 was difficult, especially given the fundraising success achieved in the first half, as 43 funds greater than $50 million raised nearly $15 billion, exceeding the $10 billion raised in the first half of 2004 (for which we counted all funds with assets of $25 million and greater). Funds that launched in the first half, and that went on to raise $50 million or more, took in a total of...