N-2/A 1 a18-14249_1n2a.htm N-2/A

 

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 17, 2018

 

Securities Act File No. 333-225212

1940 Act File No. 811-23352

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM N-2

 

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1

x

 

 

and

 

 

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

 

 

Amendment No. 1

x

 

Cresset Private Equity Opportunity Fund

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

444 W. Lake Street, Ste 4700

Chicago, IL 60606-0010

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(312) 429-2405

(Registrant’s Telephone Number)

 

Scott Conners

Cresset SPG, LLC

444 W. Lake Street, Ste 4700

Chicago, IL 60606-0010

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

Copy to:

Joshua D. Deringer, Esq.

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

215-988-2700

 

APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING:
AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE
OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT.

 

If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box. x

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

 

o when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c)

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

TITLE OF
SECURITIES
BEING
REGISTERED

 

PROPOSED
AMOUNT BEING
REGISTERED(1)

 

PROPOSED
MAXIMUM
OFFERING
PRICE PER
SHARE(1)

 

PROPOSED
MAXIMUM
AGGREGATE
OFFERING PRICE(1)

 

AMOUNT OF
REGISTRATION
FEE

 

Shares

 

100,000

 

$

10.00

 

$

1,000,000

 

$

124.50(

2)

 


(1)         Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933.

(2)         Previously paid.

 

THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.

 

 

 



 

The information in this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 17, 2018

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

 

Cresset Private Equity Opportunity Fund

 

SHARES

 

Cresset Private Equity Opportunity Fund (the “Fund”) is a newly organized Delaware statutory trust that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund’s primary investment objective will be to generate appropriate risk-adjusted long-term returns by investing in a diversified portfolio of private equity investments. The Fund’s investments are expected to consist primarily of: (i) secondary investments in private equity funds managed by third-party managers; (ii) primary investments in private equity funds managed by third-party managers; and (iii) direct co-investments in the equity and/or debt of operating companies. The Fund cannot guarantee that it will meet its investment objective. Investing in the Fund involves a high degree of risk. See “GENERAL RISKS,” “INVESTMENT RELATED RISKS,” “BUSINESS AND STRUCTURE RELATED RISKS,” “MANAGEMENT RELATED RISKS,” and “LIMITS OF RISKS DISCLOSURE” beginning on page [16].

 

 

 

Per Share

 

Total

 

Public Offering Price(1)

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

Sales Load

 

None

 

None

 

Proceeds to the Fund (Before Expenses)(2)

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

 


(1) Generally, the stated minimum investment by an investor in the Fund is $100,000, which stated minimum may be reduced for certain investors. Investors purchasing Shares (as defined herein) will not be charged a sales load. Accordingly, the table assumes that no sales load is charged.

(2) Assumes all shares currently registered are sold in the offering. Shares will be offered in a continuous offering at the Fund’s then current net asset value, plus any applicable sales load, as described herein. Cresset SPG, LLC (“Cresset” or the “Adviser”) has borne the Fund’s organizational costs of approximately [·]. The Fund has additionally incurred offering costs of approximately [·]. The Fund’s offering costs, whether borne by the Adviser or the Fund, are being [capitalized and amortized over the 12-month period beginning on the Initial Closing Date (as defined below). The Fund will also bear certain ongoing offering costs associated with the Fund’s continuous offering of Shares. See “FUND EXPENSES.”

 

This prospectus (the “Prospectus”) applies to the offering of shares of Class [·], which are shares of beneficial interests (“Shares”) in the Fund. The Fund has applied to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for an exemptive order that would permit the Fund to offer additional classes of Shares. The Fund’s Shares will generally be offered on the first business day of each calendar quarter at the net asset value per Share on that day. No person who is admitted as a shareholder of the Fund (a “Shareholder”) will have the right to require the Fund to redeem its Shares. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell Shares and is not soliciting an offer to buy Shares in any state or jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted. Investments in the Fund may be made only by “Eligible Investors” as defined herein. See “ELIGIBLE INVESTORS.

 

If you purchase Shares of the Fund, you will become bound by the terms and conditions of the agreement and declaration of trust of the Fund (the “Agreement and Declaration of Trust”). A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust is attached as Appendix A to this Prospectus.

 

Shares are speculative and illiquid securities involving substantial risk of loss.

 

·      Shares are not listed on any securities exchange and it is not anticipated that a secondary market for Shares will develop.

 

·      Shares are subject to substantial restrictions on transferability and resale and may not be transferred or resold except as permitted under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust. Although the Fund may offer to repurchase Shares from time to time, Shares will not be redeemable at a Shareholder’s option nor will they be exchangeable for Shares or shares of any other fund. As a result, an investor may not be able to sell or otherwise liquidate his or her Shares.

 

·      Shares are appropriate only for those investors who can tolerate a high degree of risk and do not require a liquid investment and for whom an investment in the Fund does not constitute a complete investment program.

 

There are risks associated with the Fund’s distribution sources.

 

·      The amount of distributions that the Fund may pay, if any, is uncertain.

 

·      The Fund may pay distributions in significant part from sources that may not be available in the future and that are unrelated to the Fund’s performance, such as offering proceeds, borrowings, and amounts from the Fund’s affiliates that are subject to repayment by investors.

 

This Prospectus concisely provides information that you should know about the Fund before investing. You are advised to read this Prospectus carefully and to retain it for future reference. Additional information about the Fund, including the Fund’s statement of additional information (the “SAI”), dated [·], has been filed with the SEC. You can request a copy of the SAI and annual and semi-annual reports of the Fund without charge by writing to the Fund, c/o Cresset SPG, LLC (“Cresset”), 444 W. Lake Street, Ste 4700 Chicago, IL 60606, by calling the Fund at (312) 429-2405 [or by accessing the Fund’s “Prospectus” page on Cresset’s website at [             ]. The information on Cresset’s website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and should not consider it a part of this prospectus. The SAI is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus in its entirety. The table of contents of the SAI appears on page 63 of this Prospectus. You can obtain the SAI, and other information about the Fund, on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). The address of the SEC’s internet site is provided solely for the information of prospective investors and is not intended to be an active link.

 

You should not construe the contents of this Prospectus as legal, tax or financial advice. You should consult with your own professional advisors as to legal, tax, financial, or other matters relevant to the suitability of an investment in the Fund.

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this Prospectus and the SAI. The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information provided by this Prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date shown below. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

THE FUND’S PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER IS FORESIDE FUND SERVICES, LLC.

 

The date of this Prospectus is [·]

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 

SUMMARY

1

SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES

8

USE OF PROCEEDS

10

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES

10

PRIVATE EQUITY MARKET OVERVIEW

12

INVESTMENT PROCESS OVERVIEW

13

DUE DILIGENCE AND SELECTION OF INVESTMENTS

14

INVESTMENT POLICIES

15

GENERAL RISKS

16

BUSINESS AND STRUCTURE RELATED RISKS

20

MANAGEMENT RELATED RISKS

22

INVESTMENT RELATED RISKS

23

RISKS SPECIFIC TO SECONDARY INVESTMENTS

33

LIMITS OF RISKS DISCLOSURE

34

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

34

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEE

37

DISTRIBUTOR

38

ADMINISTRATION

38

CUSTODIAN

39

FUND EXPENSES

39

VOTING

41

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

41

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

42

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

43

OUTSTANDING SECURITIES

44

REPURCHASES OF SHARES

44

TRANSFERS OF SHARES

48

CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE; VALUATION

49

CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS

50

ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

58

ELIGIBLE INVESTORS

58

PURCHASING SHARES

59

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

59

SUMMARY OF THE AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST

60

REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS

62

FISCAL YEAR

62

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM; LEGAL COUNSEL

62

INQUIRIES

62

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF SAI

63

 



 

SUMMARY

 

This is only a summary and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the Fund. Before investing in the Fund, you should carefully read the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus, the SAI, and the Agreement and Declaration of Trust.

 

The Fund

 

The Fund is a newly organized Delaware statutory trust that is registered under the Investment Company Act as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund was organized as a Delaware trust on May 23, 2018.

 

The Fund is an appropriate investment only for those investors who can tolerate a high degree of risk and do not require a liquid investment.

 

Investment Objective and Strategies

 

The Fund’s investment objective is to generate appropriate risk-adjusted long-term returns by investing in a diversified portfolio of private equity investments.

 

The Fund’s investments (the “Fund Investments”) are expected to consist primarily of: (i) secondary investments in private equity funds (“Portfolio Funds”) managed by third-party managers (“Portfolio Fund Managers”); (ii) primary investments in Portfolio Funds managed by Portfolio Fund Managers; and (iii) direct co-investments in the equity and/or debt of operating companies (“Direct Investments”). In addition, the Fund may invest in other alternative investment strategies that are intended to generate the cash flow, risk and return profiles of traditional private equity investments.

 

Portfolio Funds acquired on the secondary market (“Secondary Investments”) are expected to be 50% to 100% of the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund will seek Secondary Investments that are mature (typically four to eight years old at the time of purchase) and are in or approaching harvest phase. Secondary Investments are expected to include: (i) leveraged buyout; (ii) venture capital; (iii) mezzanine financing; (iv) infrastructure; and (v) natural resources. Secondary Investments in leveraged buyout funds may comprise up to 80% of the Fund’s total assets. In evaluating Secondary Investments, the Adviser will focus on acquiring quality assets at or below its estimate of intrinsic value, based upon a detailed due diligence and valuation process.

 

Primary Investments in Portfolio Funds (“Primary Investments”) may comprise up to 40% of the Fund’s portfolio. The Adviser intends to make Primary Investments with high-quality managers that have an established track record of value creation and above-average risk-adjusted rates of return. The Fund’s Primary Investments are not limited by asset class.

 

Direct Investments may comprise up to 20% of the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund intends to co-invest with high-quality private equity-backed companies in parallel with other top-tier private equity fund managers. The Adviser intends to leverage the due diligence process and transactional expertise of other private equity fund managers and will also conduct its own due diligence before making an investment decision. Co-investments are expected to be completed on an unpromoted basis, which may result in lower overall costs to the Fund versus the cost of investing through a traditional private equity fund structure. The Adviser expects that co-investing with other private equity managers will generate appropriate risk-adjusted returns that are

 

1



 

 

 

accretive to the Fund’s Secondary Investments and Primary Investments. See “INVESTMENT PROCESS OVERVIEW—Portfolio Planning.”

 

To enhance the Fund’s liquidity, particularly in times of possible net outflows through the tender of Shares by investors, the Adviser may sell certain of the Fund’s assets on the Fund’s behalf.

 

The Fund is expected to hold liquid assets to the extent required for purposes of liquidity management and compliance with the Investment Company Act. Over time, during normal market conditions, it is generally not expected that the Fund will hold more than 20% of its net assets in cash or cash equivalents for extended periods of time. To the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act, the Fund may borrow for investment purposes.

 

There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Fund will be achieved or that the Fund’s portfolio design and risk monitoring strategies will be successful. See “INVESTMENT POLICIES.

 

Risk Factors

 

An investment in the Fund involves substantial risks and special considerations. A discussion of the risks associated with an investment in the Fund can be found under “GENERAL RISKS,” “INVESTMENT RELATED RISKS,” “BUSINESS AND STRUCTURE RELATED RISKS,” “MANAGEMENT RELATED RISKS,” and “LIMITS OF RISKS DISCLOSURE.”

 

Management

 

The Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has overall responsibility for the management and supervision of the business operations of the Fund. See “MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND—The Board of Trustees.” To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board may delegate any of its rights, powers and authority to, among others, the officers of the Fund, any committee of the Board or the Adviser.

 

The Adviser

 

Pursuant to an investment management agreement (the “Investment Management Agreement”), Cresset SPG, LLC, an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), serves as the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”). The Adviser was organized as a limited liability company under the Laws of the State of Delaware on April 25, 2018.

 

Fund Administration

 

The Fund has retained UMB Fund Services Inc. (the “Administrator”) to provide it with certain administrative services. The Fund compensates the Administrator for these services and reimburses the Administrator for certain of its out-of-pocket expenses. See “Fees and Expenses” below.

 

Fees and Expenses

 

The Fund’s expenses incurred and to be incurred in connection with the initial offering of Shares will be amortized by the Fund over the 12-month period beginning on the Initial Closing Date (as defined below) and are not expected to exceed [·]. The Fund will also bear directly certain ongoing offering costs associated with any periodic offers of Shares, which will be expensed as they are incurred. Offering costs cannot be deducted by the Fund or the Shareholders.

 

On an ongoing basis, the Fund bears its own operating expenses (including, without limitation, its offering expenses). A more detailed discussion of the Fund’s expenses can be found under “FUND EXPENSES.

 

Investment Management Fee. The Fund pays the Adviser an investment management fee (the “Investment Management Fee”) in consideration of

 

2



 

 

 

the advisory and other services provided by the Adviser to the Fund. The Fund pays the Adviser a quarterly Investment Management Fee equal to 1.25% on an annualized basis of the greater of (i) the Fund’s net asset value and (ii) the Fund’s net asset value less cash and cash equivalents plus the total of all commitments made by the Fund that have not yet been drawn for investment. In no event will the Investment Management Fee payable by the Fund exceed 1.75% as a percentage of the Fund’s net asset value. The Investment Management Fee is paid to the Adviser out of the Fund’s assets, and therefore decreases the net profits or increases the net losses of the Fund. For purposes of determining the Investment Management Fee payable to the Adviser for any quarter, net asset value is calculated prior to any reduction for any fees and expenses of the Fund for that quarter, including, without limitation, the Investment Management Fee payable to the Adviser for that quarter. See “INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEE.”

 

Incentive Fee. At the end of each calendar quarter (and at certain other times), the Adviser will be entitled to receive an amount (the “Incentive Fee”) equal to 10% of the excess, if any, of (i) the net profits of the Fund for the relevant period over (ii) the then balance, if any, of the Loss Recovery Account (as defined below). For the purposes of the Incentive Fee, the term “net profits” shall mean the amount by which the net asset value of the Fund on the last day of the relevant period exceeds the net asset value of the Fund as of the commencement of the same period, including any net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments and realized income and gains or losses and expenses (including offering and organizational expenses).

 

The Fund will maintain a memorandum account (the “Loss Recovery Account”), which will have an initial balance of zero and will be (i) increased upon the close of each calendar quarter of the Fund by the amount of the net losses of the Fund for the quarter, and (ii) decreased (but not below zero) upon the close of each calendar quarter by the amount of the net profits of the Fund for the quarter. Shareholders of the Fund will benefit from the Loss Recovery Account in proportion to their holdings of Shares.

 

Any Incentive Fee payable by the Fund that relates to an increase in the value of Fund Investments is based, in part, on unrealized appreciation, which could result in the Fund paying an Incentive Fee even if the value of the underlying investment decreases and the gain is never realized.

 

Administration Fee. The Administrator provides the Fund certain administration and accounting services. In consideration for these services, the Administrator is paid a quarterly fee calculated based upon the average net asset value of the Fund, subject to a minimum quarterly fee (the “Administration Fee”). The Administration Fee is paid to the Administrator out of the assets of the Fund and therefore decreases the net profits or increases the net losses of the Fund. The Fund also reimburses the Administrator for certain out-of-pocket expenses and pays the Administrator a fee for transfer agency and custodian services. See “ADMINISTRATION.”

 

Distributions

 

Subject to the Board’s discretion and applicable legal restrictions, it is expected that the Fund will authorize and declare quarterly dividends beginning no later than the first calendar quarter after the one-year anniversary of the Fund’s commencement of operations. Nevertheless, the Board may cause the payment of special interim distributions in cash or in kind to the Shareholders at the sole discretion of the Board.

 

Because the Fund intends to qualify annually as a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Fund intends to distribute at least 90% of its annual net taxable income to its Shareholders. Nevertheless, there can be

 

3



 

 

 

no assurance that the Fund will pay distributions to Shareholders at any particular rate. Each year, a statement on Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form 1099-DIV identifying the amount and character of the Fund’s distributions will be mailed to Shareholders. See “Taxes” below.

 

Eligible Investors

 

Each prospective investor in the Fund will be required to certify that it is a “qualified client” within the meaning of Rule 205-3 under the Advisers Act and an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The criteria for qualifying as a “qualified client” and an “accredited investor” are set forth in the subscription documents that must be completed by each prospective investor.

 

In addition, Shares are generally being offered only to investors that are either (i) U.S. persons for U.S. federal income tax purposes or (ii) non-U.S. persons that meet eligibility standards as defined by the Fund pursuant to applicable law in the relevant jurisdictions. Investors who meet such qualifications are referred to in this Prospectus as “Eligible Investors.” The qualifications required to invest in the Fund will appear in subscription documents that must be completed by each prospective investor. Existing Shareholders who request to purchase additional Shares will be required to qualify as “Eligible Investors” and to complete an additional investor certification prior to any additional purchase.

 

Prospective investors that are non-U.S. persons for U.S. federal income tax purposes must request a copy of supplemental offering materials without charge by writing to [·]. See “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS—Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders.”

 

To the extent the Fund identifies any Shareholder holding Shares that was not an Eligible Investor at the time of acquiring such Shares, the Fund reserves the right to (i) cause a mandatory redemption of all or some of the Shares of such Shareholder, or any person acquiring Shares from or through such Shareholder, (ii) retain any unrealized gains or profits associated with Shares held by such Shareholder and/or (iii) take any other action the Board determines to be appropriate in light of the circumstances.

 

Purchasing Shares

 

The minimum initial investment in the Fund by any investor is $100,000 and the minimum additional investment in the Fund by any investor is $10,000 except for additional purchases pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan. However, the Fund, in its sole discretion, may accept investments below these minimums. Investors subscribing through a given broker/dealer or registered investment adviser may have interests aggregated to meet these minimums, so long as denominations are not less than $25,000 and incremental contributions to those interests are not less than [·].

 

Shares will generally be offered for purchase as of the first business day of each calendar quarter, except that Shares may be offered more or less frequently as determined by the Board in its sole discretion.

 

Subscriptions are generally subject to the receipt of cleared funds on or prior to the acceptance date set by the Fund and notified to prospective investors. Pending any closing, funds received from prospective investors will be placed in an account with UMB Fund Services, Inc., the Fund’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”). On the date of any

 

4



 

 

 

closing, the balance in the account with respect to each investor whose investment is accepted will be invested in the Fund on behalf of such investor. Any interest earned with respect to such account will be paid to the Fund and allocated pro rata among Shareholders.

 

A prospective investor must submit a completed subscription document on or prior to the acceptance date set by the Fund and notified to prospective investors. The Fund reserves the right to accept or reject, in its sole discretion, any request to purchase Shares at any time. The Fund also reserves the right to suspend or terminate offerings of Shares at any time. Additional information regarding the subscription process is set forth under “PURCHASING SHARES.

 

The Initial Closing

 

It is anticipated that the initial closing will occur on or around [·] (the “Initial Closing Date”). The purchase price of the Shares on the Initial Closing Date will be [$10.00] per Share. Thereafter, the purchase price Shares will be based on the net asset value per Share as of the date such Shares are purchased. Fractions of Shares will be issued to one one-thousandth of a Share.

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

 

The Fund intends to adopt an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan (the “DRIP”). Investors that wish to participate in the DRIP will not be required to take any action. A participating investor’s distribution amount will purchase Shares at the net asset value of the Fund. Investors that wish to receive their distributions in cash may do so by making a written election to not participate in the DRIP on the investor’s subscription agreement or by notifying the Administrator in writing at [·]. Such written notice must be received by the Administrator 60 days prior to the record date of the distribution or the Shareholder will receive such distribution in shares through the DRIP.

 

Repurchases of Shares

 

The Fund is not a liquid investment. No Shareholder will have the right to require the Fund to redeem its Shares. The Fund from time to time may offer to repurchase Shares pursuant to written tenders by the Shareholders.

 

The Adviser anticipates recommending to the Board that, under normal market circumstances, the Fund conduct repurchase offers of no more than 5% of the Fund’s net assets on or about the first day of the calendar quarter immediately following the first anniversary of the Initial Closing Date (the “Initial Repurchase Date”), and thereafter quarterly on or about each January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1.

 

Any repurchases of Shares will be made at such times and on such terms as may be determined by the Board from time to time in its sole discretion. The Fund may also elect to repurchase less than the full amount that a Shareholder requests to be repurchased. In determining whether the Fund should offer to repurchase Shares from Shareholders of the Fund pursuant to repurchase requests, the Board may consider, among other things, the recommendation of the Adviser as well as a variety of other operational, business and economic factors.

 

Under certain circumstances, the Board may offer to repurchase Shares at a discount to their prevailing net asset value. In addition, the Board may under certain circumstances elect to postpone, suspend or terminate an offer to repurchase Shares. See “REPURCHASES OF SHARES.”

 

A Shareholder who tenders some but not all of its Shares for repurchase will be required to maintain a minimum account balance of $25,000

 

5



 

 

 

worth of Shares. Such minimum ownership requirement may be waived by the Board, in its sole discretion. The Fund reserves the right to reduce the amount to be repurchased from a Shareholder so that the required capital balance is maintained.

 

A 2.00% early repurchase fee will be charged by the Fund with respect to any repurchase of Shares from a Shareholder at any time prior to the day immediately preceding the one-year anniversary of the Shareholder’s purchase of the Shares. Shares tendered for repurchase will be treated as having been repurchased on a “first in-first out” basis. An early repurchase fee payable by a Shareholder may be waived by the Fund in circumstances where the Board determines that doing so is in the best interests of the Fund. See “REPURCHASES OF SHARES.”

 

Transfer Restrictions

 

A Shareholder may assign, transfer, sell, encumber, pledge or otherwise dispose of (each, a “transfer”) Shares only (i) by operation of law pursuant to the death, divorce, insolvency, bankruptcy, or adjudicated incompetence of the Shareholder; or (ii) under other limited circumstances, with the consent of the Board (which may be withheld in its sole discretion and is expected to be granted, if at all, only under extenuating circumstances). Notice to the Fund of any proposed transfer must include evidence satisfactory to the Board that the proposed transferee, at the time of the transfer, meets any requirements imposed by the Fund with respect to investor eligibility and suitability. See “ELIGIBLE INVESTORS.” Such notice of a proposed transfer of Shares must also be accompanied by properly completed subscription documents in respect of the proposed transferee. In connection with any request to transfer Shares, the Fund may require the Shareholder requesting the transfer to obtain, at the Shareholder’s expense, an opinion of counsel selected by the Fund as to such matters as the Fund may reasonably request.

 

Each transferring Shareholder and transferee may be charged reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ and accountants’ fees, incurred by the Fund in connection with the transfer. See “TRANSFERS OF SHARES.”

 

Taxes

 

The Fund intends to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and it further intends to elect to be treated, and expects each year to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As such, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax, provided that it distributes all of its net taxable income and gains each year. It is anticipated that the Fund will principally recognize ordinary interest income each year and therefore dividends paid to Shareholders in respect of such income generally will be taxable to Shareholders at ordinary U.S. federal income tax rates, and not at the reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax that are applicable to individuals for “qualified dividends” and long-term capital gains.

 

For a discussion of certain tax risks and considerations relating to an investment in the Fund see “Tax Reports” below and “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS.”

 

Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the specific U.S. federal, state, local, U.S. and non-U.S. tax consequences, including applicable tax reporting requirements.

 

Tax Reports

 

The Fund will distribute to its Shareholders, after the end of each

 

6



 

 

 

calendar year, IRS Forms 1099-DIV detailing the amounts includible in such investor’s taxable income for such year as ordinary income, qualified dividend income and long-term capital gains. Dividends and other taxable distributions are taxable to the Fund’s Shareholders even if they are reinvested in additional Shares pursuant to the DRIP.

 

Reports to Shareholders

 

Shareholders will receive an unaudited semi-annual and an audited annual report within 60 days after the close of the period for which the report is being made, or as otherwise required by the Investment Company Act. Shareholders also will be sent reports regarding the Fund’s operations each quarter. See “REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS.”

 

Fiscal and Tax Year

 

The Fund’s first fiscal year will conclude on [·]. Thereafter, the Fund’s fiscal year will be the 12-month period ending on March 31. The Fund’s first taxable year will conclude on [·]. Thereafter, the Fund’s taxable year will be the 12-month period ending on [·].

 

Term

 

The Fund’s term is perpetual unless the Fund is otherwise terminated under the terms of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust.

 

7



 

SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES

 

The following table illustrates the expenses and fees that the Fund expects to incur and that Shareholders can expect to bear directly or indirectly.

 

SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES

 

 

 

Maximum Early Repurchase Fee (as a percentage of repurchased amount) (1)

 

2.00

%

 

 

 

 

ANNUAL EXPENSES (as a percentage of net assets attributable to Shares)

 

 

 

Investment Management Fee (2)

 

1.25

%

Interest Payments on Borrowed Funds (3)

 

[·]

 

Other Expenses (4)

 

[·]

 

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses (5)

 

[·]

 

Total Annual Expenses (6)

 

[·]

 

 


(1)              A 2.00% early repurchase fee payable to the Fund will be charged with respect to the repurchase of a Shareholder’s Shares at any time prior to the day immediately preceding the one-year anniversary of a Shareholder’s purchase of the Shares (on a “first in-first out” basis). An early repurchase fee payable by a Shareholder may be waived by the Fund, in circumstances where the Board determines that doing so is in the best interests of the Fund and in a manner as will not discriminate unfairly against any Shareholder. In addition, under certain circumstances the Board may offer to repurchase Shares at a discount to their prevailing net asset value.  See “REPURCHASES OF SHARES.”

(2)              The Investment Management Fee is equal to 1.25% on an annualized basis of the greater of (i) the Fund’s net asset value and (ii) the Fund’s net asset value less cash and cash equivalents plus the total of all commitments made by the Fund that have not yet been drawn for investment. In no event will the Investment Management Fee payable by the Fund exceed 1.75% as a percentage of the Fund’s net asset value. For purposes of determining the Investment Management Fee payable to the Adviser for any month, the net asset value will be calculated prior to any reduction for any fees and expenses of the Fund for that month, including, without limitation, the Investment Management Fee payable to the Adviser for that month. See “INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEE” for additional information. In addition, at the end of each calendar quarter of the Fund (and at certain other times), the Adviser (or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, an affiliate of the Adviser) will be entitled to receive an Incentive Fee equal to 10% of the excess, if any, of (i) the net profits of the Fund for the relevant period over (ii) the then balance, if any, of the Loss Recovery Account. For the purposes of the Incentive Fee, the term “net profits” shall mean the amount by which the net asset value of the Fund on the last day of the relevant period exceeds the net asset value of the Fund as of the commencement of the same period, including any net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments and realized income and gains or losses and expenses (including offering and organizational expenses).

(3)              The expenses represent estimated interest payments the Fund expects to incur in connection with its credit facility during the current fiscal year. See “INVESTMENT POLICIES—Borrowing by the Fund.”

(4)              Other Expenses are estimated for the Fund’s current fiscal year.

(5)              Shareholders also indirectly bear a portion of the asset-based fees, performance or incentive fees or allocations and other expenses incurred by the Fund as an investor in the Portfolio Funds. Generally, asset-based fees payable in connection with Portfolio Fund investments will range from 1% to 2.5% (annualized) of the commitment amount of the Fund’s investment, and performance or incentive fees or allocations are typically 20% of a Portfolio Fund’s net profits annually, although it is possible that such amounts may be exceeded for certain Portfolio Fund Managers. Historically, a substantial majority of the direct investments made by the Adviser and its affiliates on behalf of their clients have been made without any “acquired fees” (i.e., free of the management fees and performance/incentive fees or allocations that are typically charged by Portfolio Fund Managers). The “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” disclosed above, however, do not reflect any performance-based fees or allocations paid by the Portfolio Funds that are calculated solely on the realization and/or distribution of gains, or on the sum of such gains and unrealized appreciation of assets distributed in kind, as such fees and allocations for a particular period may be unrelated to the cost of investing in the Portfolio Funds.

(6)              The Adviser intends to enter into an expense limitation agreement (the “Expense Limitation Agreement”) with the Fund, whereby the Adviser has agreed to waive fees that it would otherwise be paid, and/or to assume expenses of the Fund (a “Waiver”), if required to ensure the Total Annual Expenses (excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, certain transaction-related expenses, extraordinary expenses, and the Incentive Fee)

 

8



 

do not exceed [·]  on an annualized basis (the “Expense Limit”). For a period not to exceed three years from the date on which a Waiver is made, the Adviser may recoup amounts waived or assumed, provided it is able to effect such recoupment and remain in compliance with the Expense Limit. The Expense Limitation Agreement may be terminated by the Adviser or the Fund upon thirty days’ written notice to the other party.

 

The purpose of the table above is to assist prospective investors in understanding the various fees and expenses Shareholders will bear directly or indirectly. “Other Expenses,” as shown above, includes, among other things, professional fees and other expenses that the Fund will bear, including initial and ongoing offering costs and fees and expenses of the Administrator, Transfer Agent and Custodian. For a more complete description of the various fees and expenses of the Fund, see “INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEE,” “ADMINISTRATION,” “CUSTODIAN,” “FUND EXPENSES,” “REPURCHASES OF SHARES” and “PURCHASING SHARES.

 

The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The example assumes that all distributions are reinvested at net asset value and that the percentage amounts listed under annual expenses remain the same in the years shown. The assumption in the hypothetical example of a 5% annual return is required by regulation of the SEC applicable to all registered investment companies. The assumed 5% annual return is not a prediction of, and does not represent, the projected or actual performance of Shares.

 

EXAMPLE

 

You Would Pay the Following Expenses Based on a $1,000
Investment in the Fund, Assuming a 5% Annual Return:

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

The example is based on the annual fees and expenses set out on the table above and should not be considered a representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. Moreover, the rate of return of the Fund may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return used in the example. A greater rate of return than that used in the example would increase the dollar amount of the asset-based fees paid by the Fund, as well as the effect of the Incentive Fee.

 

9



 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

The proceeds from the sale of Shares of the Fund, not including the amount of any placement fees and the Fund’s fees and expenses (including, without limitation, offering expenses), will be invested by the Fund in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and strategies as soon as practicable after receipt of such proceeds, consistent with market conditions and the availability of suitable investments. Such proceeds will be invested together with any interest earned in the Fund’s account with the Custodian prior to the closing of the applicable offering. See “PURCHASING SHARES—Purchase Terms.” Delays in investing the Fund’s assets may occur (i) because of the time typically required to complete private equity transactions (which may be considerable), (ii) because certain Portfolio Funds selected by the Adviser may provide infrequent opportunities to purchase their securities, and/or (iii) because of the time required for the Portfolio Fund Managers to invest the amounts committed by the Fund.

 

A portion of the amount of proceeds of the offering of Shares or any other available funds may be invested in short-term debt securities or money market funds pending investment pursuant to the Fund’s investment objective and strategies. In addition, subject to applicable law, the Fund may maintain a portion of its assets in cash or such short-term securities or money market funds to meet operational needs, for temporary defensive purposes, or to maintain liquidity. The Fund may be prevented from achieving its objective during any period in which the Fund’s assets are not substantially invested in accordance with its principal investment strategies.

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES

 

Investment Objective

 

The Fund seeks to provide investors with appropriate risk-adjusted long-term returns by investing in a diversified portfolio of private equity investments. The Fund may purchase primary or secondary interests in Portfolio Funds managed by Portfolio Fund Managers and make direct co-investments in the equity of operating companies. In addition, the Fund may invest in other alternative investment strategies that are intended to generate the cash flow, risk and return profiles of traditional private equity investments. Finally, the Fund will endeavour to hold Portfolio Funds that have a shorter duration and nearer-term cash flows than investing directly in private equity funds or a traditional private equity fund-of-funds.

 

The Fund intends to provide Shareholders with access to high-quality private equity asset classes that are typically only available to larger institutional investors.

 

The Fund may borrow as market conditions permit and at the discretion of the Adviser in order to seek enhancement of the Fund’s returns. See “INVESTMENT RELATED RISKS—Borrowing by the Fund” for a discussion of the risks inherent in borrowing.

 

The investment objective of the Fund is not a fundamental policy of the Fund and may be changed by the Board without the vote of a majority (as defined by the Investment Company Act) of the Fund’s outstanding Shares. The Fund’s fundamental policies, which are listed in the SAI, may only be changed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.

 

Investment Strategies

 

The portfolio construction will consist of: (i) secondary investments in Portfolio Funds managed by Portfolio Fund Managers (“Secondary Investments”); (ii) primary investments in Portfolio Funds managed by Portfolio Fund Managers (“Primary Investments”); and (iii) direct co-investments in private-equity backed operating companies (“Direct Investments”). In addition, the Fund may invest in other alternative investment strategies that the Adviser expects to exhibit cash flow, risk, and returns profiles similar to traditional private equity investments.

 

Secondary Investments in Portfolio Funds are expected to comprise 50% to 100% of the Fund’s portfolio. Secondary Investments are interests in existing private equity funds that are acquired in privately negotiated transactions, typically after the end of the private equity fund’s fundraising period.  Typically, these funds have portfolios of existing investments, as well as capital available for new or follow-on investments. The Adviser will acquire interests in private equity limited partnerships that are mature (typically four to eight years old at the time of purchase) and that are in or approaching the harvest phase.

 

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The “harvest phase” is the stage in a private equity fund’s life cycle when the fund’s manager begins to liquidate the fund’s assets through the public and/or private capital markets. This stage typically begins in years 4-6 of a fund’s life, as the investments have matured, and the investment manager has built value above cost in the individual company investments.

 

The Adviser will endeavor to construct a Secondary Investment portfolio highly diversified by investment strategy, global geography, vintage year, industry sector, and fund manager. Vintage year refers to the year in which a private equity fund was established. This date is typically the year in which a private equity fund holds the final closing on its fundraising activities. For example, a fund that held its final closing in December, 2018, after an 18-month fundraising period would be deemed a 2018 Vintage Year Fund. Secondary Investments in which the Fund may invest include, but are not limited to, Portfolio Funds with the following investment strategies.

 

·    Buyout. Control investments in established, cash flow positive companies are generally classified as buyouts. Buyout investments may focus on small-, mid- or large-capitalization companies, and such investments collectively represent a majority of the capital deployed in the overall private equity market. The use of debt financings, or leverage, is prevalent in buyout transactions — particularly in the large-cap segment.

 

·    Venture capital. Investments in new and emerging companies are usually classified as venture capital. Such investments are often in technology and healthcare related industries. Companies financed by venture capital are generally not cash flow positive at the time of investment and may require several rounds of financing before the company can be sold privately or taken public. Venture capital investors may finance companies along the full path of development or focus on certain sub-stages in partnership with other investors.

 

·    Mezzanine. Mezzanine is a private equity industry term referring to subordinated debt investments made directly in operating companies. Investee companies are often private-equity backed. Mezzanine debt is junior to most forms of debt and liabilities in the capital structure but is senior to all forms of equity. In compensation for the risk profile, mezzanine debt generally requires a higher level of interest payment to the investor, typically in some combination of cash and in-kind payments. Often, the mezzanine investor will also require equity warrants to be associated with the debt security.

 

·    Infrastructure. Infrastructure is a private equity industry term that refers to investments made directly in infrastructure projects, such as energy production plans, dams, pipelines, bridges, or other income producing facilities. These investments may be made in the form of equity, debt, revenue or profit sharing participations, or in some combination.

 

·    Natural resources. Natural resources is a private equity industry term that refers to investments made directly in assets such as oil and gas exploration and production, oil and gas distribution, or timber. These investments may be made in the form of equity, debt, revenue or profit sharing participations, or some combination.

 

Secondary Investments in Portfolio Funds in the leveraged buyout private equity asset class are expected to comprise up to 80% of the Fund’s portfolio. Secondary Investments in other private equity asset classes may comprise up to 20% of the Fund’s portfolio. In evaluating Secondary Investments, the Adviser will focus on acquiring what it considers to be high-quality assets that are undervalued relative to the Adviser’s estimate of intrinsic value and/or have significant value creation potential.  In addition, the Adviser will prioritize opportunities involving distressed sellers seeking liquidity, non- or less-competitive opportunities, and situations where innovative transaction structures may be applied.  Through the application of this strategy, Secondary Investments may mitigate or avoid the traditional private equity J-curve (the “J-curve” is a value development pattern in which the net asset value of a private-equity fund typically declines moderately during the early years of the private-equity fund’s life as investment related fees and expenses are incurred before investment gains have been realized. As the fund matures and portfolio companies are sold, the pattern typically reverses with increasing net asset value and distributions).  The Adviser will employ an investment selection process that involves detailed bottom-up due diligence and valuation methodologies, as well as discounted cash flow modeling to determine transaction pricing.  These methodologies will generally include, but not be limited to: conversations with prospective Portfolio Fund Managers; a review of available information on Portfolio Fund Managers, Portfolio Funds, and the Portfolio Funds’ underlying assets; comparable company analysis; capital structure analysis; and forward-looking financial performance analysis.

 

Primary Investments are investments in newly established private equity partnerships where the underlying portfolio companies are not known as of the time of investment.  Primary Investments are characterized by a gradual deployment of capital.  Primary Investments in Portfolio Funds are expected to comprise 0% to 40% of the Fund’s portfolio. In identifying and selecting Primary Investments, the Fund will seek to invest in Portfolio Funds run by high-quality Portfolio Fund Managers with a track record of consistent value creation and top-tier risk-adjusted rates of return. Primary Investments will be invested across all private equity asset types, consistent with the Fund’s Secondary Investment objective.  In addition, the Advisor will employ targeted portfolio construction to build a portfolio diversified by global geography, manager, vintage year exposure, and industry sector.  The Advisor will utilize top-down due diligence processes to evaluate each fund and its manager, including, but not limited to, conversations with the manager, detailed historical track record evaluation, peer and investor references, and other quantitative and qualitative analyses, as available.

 

Direct Investments are private investments made directly into the equity or debt of selected operating companies in parallel with a Portfolio Fund and/or Portfolio Fund Manager, often together with the management of the company.  Direct Investments are expected to comprise 0% to 20% of the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund intends to co-invest in high-quality private equity-backed companies in parallel with top-tier private equity fund managers. The Adviser will prioritize Direct Investments in small and mid-cap companies with strong growth potential, reasonable valuations, market leading positions, strong margins and cash flow generation, experienced management teams, conservative and sustainable capital structures, and clearly identified follow-on investment milestones.  The Adviser intends to leverage the due diligence process and transactional expertise of other private equity Fund Managers and will also conduct its own due diligence before making an investment decision. Direct Investments are expected to be completed on an unpromoted basis, which may result in lower overall costs to the Fund versus the cost of investing through a traditional private equity fund structure. The Adviser expects that co-investing with other private equity fund managers will generate appropriate risk-adjusted returns that are accretive to the Fund’s Secondary Investments and Primary Investments.

 

Other alternative investment strategies in which the Fund may invest include structured purchases of private equity investment managers.  These purchases may include secondary purchases of existing securities or new securities in such managers.  The Fund may also make investments in funds specializing in the aggregation of royalty cash flows or insurance contracts.  In general, the Fund will look for atypical private investment opportunities that provide the excess return potential of traditional private equity investments with a risk profile that reduces the overall risk when introduced into the portfolio.  These non-standard private investments are expected to comprise 0% to 20% of the Fund’s portfolio.

 

The Fund’s non-U.S. investments are expected to reside primarily in the United Kingdom and Western Europe and, to a lesser extent, Asia. It is expected that little to no portfolio exposure will reside in in developing or emerging markets. It is expected that no more than 20% of the Fund’s portfolio will be comprised of non-U.S. investments.

 

No guarantee or representation is made that the investment program of the Fund will be successful, that the various Portfolio Funds selected will produce positive returns, or that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

 

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PRIVATE EQUITY MARKET OVERVIEW

 

Private Equity Asset Class

 

Private equity is a common term for investments that are typically made in non-public companies through privately negotiated transactions. Private equity investments may be structured using a range of financial instruments, including common and preferred equity, convertible securities, senior debt, subordinated debt and warrants or other derivatives, depending on the strategy of the investor and the financing requirements of the company.

 

Private equity funds, often organized as limited partnerships, are the most common vehicles for making private equity investments. In such funds, investors usually commit to contribute up to a certain amount of capital as and when requested by the fund’s manager or general partner. The general partner then makes private equity investments on behalf of the fund, typically according to a pre-defined investment strategy and time horizon. The fund’s investments are usually realized, or “exited” after a two- to six-year holding period through a private sale, an initial public offering (IPO) or a recapitalization, and the proceeds are distributed to the fund’s investors. The funds themselves typically have a duration of ten to twelve years.

 

The private equity market is diverse and can be divided into several different segments, each of which may exhibit distinct characteristics based on combinations of various factors. These include the type and financing stage of the investment, the geographic region in which the investment is made and the vintage year.

 

Investments in private equity have increased significantly over the last 35 years, driven principally by large institutional investors seeking increased returns and portfolio efficiency. It is now common for large pension funds, endowments and other institutional investors to dedicate several percentage points of their overall portfolios to private equity.

 

Private Equity Investment Types

 

·             Secondary Investments.  Secondary Investments are interests in existing private equity funds that are acquired in privately negotiated transactions, typically after the end of the private equity fund’s fundraising period. Secondary Investments play an important role in a diversified private equity portfolio. Because Secondary Investments allow investors to avoid some of the fees charged by private equity fund managers and are often (but not always) purchased at a discount from a private equity fund’s Net Asset Value, Secondary Investments may exhibit little or none of the “J-curve” characteristics associated with primary investments. In addition, Secondary Investments typically provide earlier distributions than Primary Investments, and may also provide valuable arbitrage opportunities for sophisticated investors. The ability to source and value potential investments is crucial for success in secondary investing, and the nature of the process typically requires significant resources and expertise. As a result, generally only very large and experienced investors are active secondary market participants.

 

·             Primary Investments. Primary investments (primaries) are interests or investments in newly established private equity funds. Most private equity groups raise new funds only every two to four years, and many top-performing funds may be closed to new investors. Because of the limited windows of opportunity for making primary investments in particular funds, strong relationships with leading firms are highly important for primary investors.

 

Primary investors subscribe for interests during an initial fundraising period, and their capital commitments are then used to fund investments in several individual operating companies (typically ten to thirty) during a defined investment period. The investments of the fund are usually unknown at the time of commitment, and investors typically have little or no ability to influence the investments that are made during the fund’s life. Because primary investors must rely on the expertise of the fund manager, an accurate assessment of the manager’s capabilities is essential for investment success.

 

Primary investments typically exhibit a value development pattern, commonly known as the “J-curve”, in which the net asset value typically declines moderately during the early years of the fund’s life as

 

12



 

investment related fees and expenses are incurred before investment gains have been realized. As the fund matures and portfolio companies are sold, the pattern typically reverses with increasing net asset value and distributions.

 

·             Direct Investments. Direct investments generally involve taking an interest in securities issued by an operating company, whether equity or debt. Direct equity investments generally involve new owners taking a material stake in the target company, frequently a controlling interest, and exercising significant influence on the growth and development of the company through work with the company’s management and board of directors. Direct debt investments typically represent financing for buyout or growth investments and may have various features and covenants designed to protect the lender’s interests. Direct investments may vary in duration, but usually are exited within two to six years.

 

In contrast to private equity fund investments (which require a commitment to a largely unknown portfolio), direct investments involve specific situations and particular companies. Accordingly, this style of investing offers the greatest degree of transparency and control in portfolio construction and most directly reflects the investor’s sourcing, underwriting, negotiation and structuring skills. In addition, investing directly is generally the most cost-effective way to make private equity investments, by avoiding the fees and expenses generally associated with investing indirectly through underlying private equity funds.

 

Private Equity Financing Stages

 

In the private equity asset class, the term “financing stage” is used to describe investments (or funds that invest) in companies at a certain stage of development. The different financing stages have distinct risk, return and correlation characteristics, and play different roles within a diversified private equity portfolio. Broadly speaking, private equity investments can be broken down into three financing stages: buyout, venture capital and special situations. These categories may be further subdivided based on the investment strategies that are employed.

 

·             Buyouts. Control investments in established, cash flow positive companies are usually classified as buyouts. Buyout investments may focus on small-, mid- or large-capitalization companies, and such investments collectively represent a substantial majority of the capital deployed in the overall private equity market. The use of debt financing, or leverage, is prevalent in buyout transactions — particularly in the large-cap segment. Overall, debt financing typically makes up 50-70% of the price paid for a company.

 

·             Venture capital. Investments in new and emerging companies are usually classified as venture capital. Such investments are often in technology and healthcare related industries. Companies financed by venture capital are generally not cash flow positive at the time of investment and may require several rounds of financing before the company can be sold privately or taken public. Venture capital investors may finance companies along the full path of development or focus on certain sub-stages (usually classified as seed, early and late stage) in partnership with other investors.

 

·             Special situations. A broad range of investments including private debt instruments, infrastructure investments and distressed debt/turnarounds may be classified as special situations. Many of the Fund’s special situations investments will be in senior and subordinated direct debt investments, such as mezzanine direct investments, which are typically comprised of subordinated debt or preferred stock, possibly in combination with warrants on the company’s common stock. The value drivers and cash flow characteristics of special situations investments are frequently distinct from those of other private equity investments, complementing a buyout and venture capital portfolio.

 

INVESTMENT PROCESS OVERVIEW

 

Portfolio Planning

 

The investment process begins with portfolio planning, which is designed to provide a framework for the Fund’s long-term diversification across various dimensions of the global private equity market, such as: (i) direct, secondary, and primary; (ii) buyout, venture capital, mezzanine, energy, infrastructure, distressed investments and

 

13



 

other special situations; and (iii) investments focused in North America, Western Europe, and Foreign or Emerging Markets.

 

Relative Value Analysis

 

The second step of the investment process is to analyze changing market conditions and their effect on the relative attractiveness of different segments within the overall private equity and/or credit markets. This relative value analysis is based on general economic developments, such as business cycles, credit spreads, equity multiples, interest rates, IPO opportunities, deregulation, and changes in tax or securities law. In addition, variables specific to particular industry sectors and the overall private and/or credit markets are typically evaluated. Based on the outcome of this review, the Adviser will attempt to identify the market segments that it believes offer the most attractive investment opportunities at the relevant time.

 

The Adviser’s relative value analysis is intended to serve as a guide for tactical capital allocation decisions within the framework of the portfolio plan. Due to the long-term nature and illiquidity of private equity and credit investments, it is generally not practical to dramatically re-allocate a portfolio over a short period of time. Accordingly, the actual allocation of the Fund Investments may deviate significantly from the general relative value views of the Adviser at a particular point in time.

 

Investment Selection

 

In the final step of the investment process, the Adviser seeks to invest the Fund’s capital allocated to each segment in the highest quality investments available at the relevant time. Opportunities are typically sourced through a network of existing relationships with private equity sponsors, private lenders, and other investors across the globe, and then individually evaluated by the Adviser’s and its affiliates’ investment professionals using a structured selection process. See “DUE DILIGENCE AND SELECTION OF INVESTMENTS.” As investment opportunities are analyzed, investment professionals seek to evaluate them in relation to historical benchmarks, current information from the Adviser’s and its affiliates’ existing private equity portfolios, and against each other. This comparative analysis can provide insight into the specific investments that offer the greatest value at different points in time in the various segments of the private equity market.

 

DUE DILIGENCE AND SELECTION OF INVESTMENTS

 

The Adviser follows a structured process to source, evaluate, select and monitor investments for the Fund. The Adviser’s investment professionals are involved throughout the process and draw on the significant investment resources and insight available through the Adviser’s affiliates. See “MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND—Cresset SPG, LLC.” The Adviser’s investment committee is responsible for the portfolio plan and for final investment decisions.

 

(1) Deal generation. The Adviser typically identifies prospective investments from multiple sources, the most important of which is a global network of relationships across the private equity and private credit industries. Built through the investment activities of the Adviser, its senior members, and its affiliated companies, this network has a historically proven track record of generating high volumes of deal flow.

 

(2) Pre-selection. The initial screening process for investment opportunities is typically based on a confidential information memorandum, investment banker’s presentation, existing Adviser knowledge of the assets included in the investment opportunity, and/or an introductory meeting with the seller, Portfolio Fund Manager, or co-investors in Direct Investments (“Co-Investors”). Investment screens include, but are not limited to: transaction size, asset quality, asset type, industry sector representation, asset geography, initial estimates of intrinsic value, transaction type, and level of transaction competition. For opportunities that pass the Adviser and its affiliates’ minimum requirements, a due diligence deal team is assigned to evaluate the opportunity in detail.

 

(3) Due diligence. The due diligence process involves a detailed analysis of various aspects of each opportunity, including both qualitative and quantitative assessments. Various proprietary tools and databases are used to better understand market trends, potential return scenarios and/or the historical or anticipated sources of value creation for an investment and its anticipated holding term. Evaluations are generally based on information such as conversations with Portfolio Fund Managers, Co-Investors and/or peers; industry dynamics; competitive

 

14



 

positioning; financial analysis and modeling; comparable analysis; precedent transaction analysis; asset performance forecasting; sensitivity analysis; interviews with key personnel; on-site visits; reference calls; third-party consultant reports; and/or track record analysis. The investment committee reviews the conclusions of the due diligence analysis and may decline the opportunity, request additional information, or approve subject to tax and legal due diligence.

 

(4) Tax and legal assessment. In conjunction with the commercial due diligence process, the tax treatment and legal terms of the investment are considered. Based on this analysis and the findings of external professional advisers, the Adviser’s and/or its affiliates’ internal legal and investment teams seek to negotiate the terms and conditions of the investment. After resolving all open issues and negotiating terms, a final “investment recommendation” is prepared and presented to the investment committee, which finally approves or declines the investment.

 

(5) Portfolio monitoring. Post-investment, the Adviser seeks to monitor the Fund’s portfolio through regular interaction with the Portfolio Fund Managers, Co-Investors, and, where relevant, the management of Direct Investments represented in the portfolio. This interaction facilitates on-going portfolio analysis and a proactive approach to addressing any new opportunities or issues that may arise.

 

INVESTMENT POLICIES

 

Portfolio and Liquidity Management

 

The Adviser intends to use a range of techniques to reduce the risk associated with the Fund’s investment strategy. These techniques may include, without limitation:

 

·             Diversifying investments across funds, investment managers, investment types and strategies, geographies, industries, sectors, capital structures, vintage years and maturity dates; and

 

·             Actively managing cash and liquid assets.

 

The Adviser intends to manage the Fund’s portfolio with a view towards managing liquidity and maintaining a high investment level. Accordingly, the Adviser may make investments based, in part, on anticipated future distributions from Fund Investments. The Adviser also takes other anticipated cash flows into account, such as those relating to new subscriptions, the tender of Shares by Shareholders and any distributions made to Shareholders. To forecast portfolio cash flows, the Adviser utilizes quantitative and qualitative factors, including historical private equity and private credit data, actual portfolio observations and qualitative forecasts by the Adviser’s and its affiliates’ investment professionals. See INVESTMENT PROCESS OVERVIEW—Portfolio Planning.”

 

The Adviser intends to use a range of techniques to reduce the risk associated with the Fund’s investment strategy. These techniques may include, without limitation:

 

·             Diversifying investments and commitments across several vintage years;

 

·             Actively managing cash and liquid assets; and

 

·             Establishing a credit line to provide liquidity for drawdowns by underlying Portfolio Funds, to satisfy tender requests and to satisfy the requirements of the Investment Company Act.

 

The Fund is expected to hold liquid assets to the extent required for purposes of liquidity management and compliance with the Investment Company Act. Over time, during normal market conditions, it is generally not expected that the Fund will hold more than 20% of its net assets in cash or cash equivalents for extended periods of time. To enhance the Fund’s liquidity, particularly in times of possible net outflows through the tender of Shares by Shareholders, the Adviser may sell certain of the Fund’s assets on the Fund’s behalf.

 

There can be no assurance that the objectives of the Fund with respect to liquidity management will be achieved or that the Fund’s portfolio design and risk management strategies will be successful. Prospective investors should refer to the discussion of the risks associated with the investment strategy and structure of the Fund found under “GENERAL RISKS,” INVESTMENT RELATED RISKS,” and “LIMITS OF RISKS DISCLOSURE.”

 

15



 

Borrowing by the Fund

 

The Fund may borrow money to pay operating expenses, including, without limitation, investment management fees, or to purchase portfolio securities, to fund repurchase of Shares or for other portfolio management purposes. Such borrowing may be accomplished through credit facilities or derivative instruments or by other means. The use of borrowings for investment purposes involves a high degree of risk. Under the Investment Company Act, the Fund is not permitted to borrow for any purposes if, immediately after such borrowing, the Fund would have asset coverage (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of less than 300% with respect to indebtedness or less than 200% with respect to preferred stock. The Investment Company Act also provides that the Fund may not declare distributions or purchase its Shares (including through repurchase offers) if, immediately after doing so, it will have an asset coverage of less than 300% or 200%, as applicable. The foregoing requirements do not apply to Portfolio Funds in which the Fund invests unless such Portfolio Funds are registered under the Investment Company Act. The Board may modify the borrowing policies of the Fund, including the purposes for which borrowings may be made, and the length of time that the Fund may hold portfolio securities purchased with borrowed money. The rights of any lenders to the Fund to receive payments of interest or repayments of principal will be senior to those of the Shareholders and the terms of any borrowings may contain provisions that limit certain activities of the Fund.

 

Hedging Techniques

 

From time to time in its sole discretion, the Adviser may employ various hedging techniques in an attempt to reduce certain potential risks to which the Fund’s portfolio may be exposed. These hedging techniques may involve the use of derivative instruments, including swaps and other arrangements such as exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options, rate caps, floors and collars, and futures and forward contracts. The Fund may also purchase and write (sell) options contracts on swaps, commonly referred to as swaptions.

 

To the extent that the Fund’s potential exposure in a transaction involving options, rate caps, floors or collars, or futures or forward contracts is covered by the segregation of cash or liquid assets or otherwise, the Fund believes that such instruments do not constitute senior securities under the Investment Company Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to the borrowing restrictions of the Fund.

 

There are certain risks associated with the use of such hedging techniques. See “INVESTMENT RELATED RISKS—Derivative Instruments” and “INVESTMENT RELATED RISKS—Currency Risk.”

 

Temporary and Defensive Strategies

 

The Fund may, from time to time in its sole discretion, take temporary or defensive positions in cash, cash equivalents, other short-term securities or money market funds to attempt to reduce volatility caused by adverse market, economic, or other conditions. Any such temporary or defensive positions could prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. In addition, subject to applicable law, the Fund may, in the Adviser’s sole discretion, hold cash, cash equivalents, other short-term securities or investments in money market funds pending investment, in order to fund anticipated repurchases, expenses of the Fund or other operational needs, or otherwise in the sole discretion of the Adviser. See “USE OF PROCEEDS.”

 

GENERAL RISKS

 

The following are certain risk factors that relate to the operations and terms of the Fund. These considerations, which do not purport to be a complete description of any of the particular risks referred to or a complete list of all risks involved in an investment in the Fund, should be carefully evaluated before determining whether to invest in the Fund.

 

The Shares are speculative and illiquid securities involving substantial risk of loss. An investment in the Fund is appropriate only for those investors who do not require a liquid investment, for whom an investment in the Fund does not constitute a complete investment program, and who fully understand and can assume the risks of an investment in the Fund.

 

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No Operating History

 

The Fund was formed on May 23, 2018. The Fund is subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business, including the risk that the Fund will not achieve its investment objectives and that the value of Shares could decline substantially.

 

Closed-End Fund; Liquidity Limited to Periodic Repurchases of Shares

 

The Fund has been organized as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company and designed primarily for long-term investors. An investor should not invest in the Fund if the investor needs a liquid investment. Closed-end funds differ from open-end management investment companies (commonly known as mutual funds) in that investors in a closed-end fund do not have the right to redeem their shares on a daily basis. Unlike most closed-end funds, which typically list their shares on a securities exchange, the Fund does not intend to list the Shares for trading on any securities exchange, and the Fund does not expect any secondary market to develop for the Shares. Although the Board may, in its sole discretion, cause the Fund to offer to repurchase outstanding Shares at their net asset value (after all applicable fees), or, in certain circumstances, at a discount, and the Adviser intends to recommend that, in normal market circumstances, the Board conduct repurchase offers of no more than 5% of the Fund’s net assets on or about the Initial Repurchase Date, and thereafter quarterly on or about each January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1, Shares are considerably less liquid than Shares of funds that trade on a stock exchange, or Shares of open-end registered investment companies. It is possible that the Fund may be unable to repurchase all of the Shares that an investor tenders due to the illiquidity of the Fund Investments or if the Shareholders request the Fund to repurchase more Shares than the Fund is then offering to repurchase. There can be no assurance that the Fund will conduct repurchase offers in any particular period and Shareholders may be unable to tender Shares for repurchase for an indefinite period of time.

 

There will be a substantial period of time between the date as of which Shareholders must submit a request to have their Shares repurchased and the date they can expect to receive payment for their Shares from the Fund. Shareholders whose Shares are accepted for repurchase bear the risk that the Fund’s net asset value may fluctuate significantly between the time that they submit their repurchase requests and the date as of which such Shares are valued for purposes of such repurchase. Shareholders will have to decide whether to request that the Fund repurchase their Shares without the benefit of having current information regarding the value of Shares on a date proximate to the date on which Shares are valued by the Fund for purposes of effecting such repurchases.

 

In considering whether to repurchase Shares during periods of financial market stress, the Board may offer to repurchase Shares at a discount to their prevailing net asset value that appropriately reflects market conditions, subject to applicable law. Further, repurchases of Shares, if any, may be suspended, postponed or terminated by the Board under certain circumstances. See “REPURCHASES OF SHARES—Periodic Repurchases.” An investment in the Fund is suitable only for investors who can bear the risks associated with the limited liquidity of Shares and the underlying investments of the Fund. Also, because Shares are not listed on any securities exchange, the Fund is not required, and does not intend, to hold annual meetings of its Shareholders unless called for under the provisions of the Investment Company Act.

 

Payment In-Kind For Repurchased Shares

 

The Fund generally expects to distribute to the holder of Shares that are repurchased a promissory note entitling such holder to the payment of cash in satisfaction of such repurchase. See “REPURCHASES OF SHARES—Periodic Repurchases.” However, there can be no assurance that the Fund will have sufficient cash to pay for Shares that are being repurchased or that it will be able to liquidate investments at favorable prices to pay for repurchased Shares. The Fund has the right to distribute securities as payment for repurchased Shares in unusual circumstances, including if making a cash payment would result in a material adverse effect on the Fund. For example, it is possible that the Fund may receive securities from a Fund Investment that are illiquid or difficult to value. In such circumstances, the Adviser would seek to dispose of these securities in a manner that is in the best interests of the Fund, which may include a distribution in-kind to the Fund’s Shareholders. In the event that the Fund makes such a distribution of securities, Shareholders will bear any risks of the distributed securities and may be required to pay a brokerage commission or other costs in order to dispose of such securities.

 

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Non-Diversified Status

 

The Fund is a “non-diversified” management investment company. Thus, there are no percentage limitations imposed by the Investment Company Act on the Fund’s assets that may be invested, directly or indirectly, in the securities of any one issuer. Consequently, if one or more Fund Investments are allocated a relatively large percentage of the Fund’s assets, losses suffered by such Fund Investments could result in a higher reduction in the Fund’s capital than if such capital had been more proportionately allocated among a larger number of investments. The Fund may also be more susceptible to any single economic or regulatory occurrence than a diversified investment company. However, the Fund will be subject to diversification requirements applicable to RICs under the Code. See “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS.”

 

Legal, Tax and Regulatory Risks

 

Legal, tax and regulatory changes could occur during the term of the Fund which may materially adversely affect the Fund. For example, the regulatory and tax environment for leveraged investors and for private equity funds generally is evolving, and changes in the direct or indirect regulation or taxation of leveraged investors or private equity funds may materially adversely affect the ability of the Fund to pursue its investment strategies or achieve its investment objective. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was signed into law on July 21, 2010 and significantly revises and expands the rulemaking, supervisory and enforcement authority of U.S. federal bank, securities and commodities regulators. The implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act requires the adoption of various regulations and the preparation of reports by various agencies over a period of time. It is unclear how these regulators will exercise these revised and expanded powers and whether they will undertake rulemaking, supervisory or enforcement actions that would adversely affect the Fund or investments made by the Fund. There can be no assurance that future regulatory actions authorized by the Dodd-Frank Act will not significantly reduce the profitability of the Fund. The implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act could adversely affect the Fund by increasing transaction and/or regulatory compliance costs. On December 11, 2015, the SEC proposed a regulation that, if adopted, would change the regulation of the use of derivatives and financial commitment transactions by registered investment companies. The nature of any final regulations is uncertain at this time, but the Fund may have difficulty adjusting its investment portfolio and strategy in order to comply with such regulations. In addition, greater regulatory scrutiny may increase the Fund’s and the Adviser’s exposure to potential liabilities. Increased regulatory oversight can also impose administrative burdens on the Fund and the Adviser, including, without limitation, responding to examinations or investigations and implementing new policies and procedures.

 

Certain tax risks associated with an investment in the Fund are discussed in “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS.”

 

Substantial Repurchases

 

Substantial requests for the Fund to repurchase Shares could require the Fund to liquidate certain of its investments more rapidly than otherwise desirable in order to raise cash to fund the repurchases and achieve a market position appropriately reflecting a smaller asset base. This could have a material adverse effect on the value of the Shares. See “GENERAL RISKS—Closed-End Fund; Liquidity Limited to Periodic Repurchases of Shares.

 

Temporary Investments

 

Delays in investing the proceeds of the offering of Shares may impair the Fund’s performance. The Fund cannot assure you it will be able to identify any investments that meet its investment objective or that any investment that the Fund makes will produce a positive return. The Fund may be unable to invest proceeds on acceptable terms within the time period that the Fund anticipates or at all, which could harm the Fund’s financial condition and operating results.

 

Before making investments, the Fund may invest proceeds to the Fund in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, money market funds, repurchase agreements, and other high-quality debt instruments maturing in one year or less from the time of investment (“Temporary Investments”). This will produce returns that are significantly lower than the returns which the Fund expects to achieve when the Fund’s portfolio is fully invested in securities meeting the Fund’s investment objective. As a result, any distributions that the Fund pays while the Fund’s portfolio

 

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is not fully invested in securities meeting its investment objective may be lower than the distributions that the Fund may be able to pay when the Fund portfolio is fully invested in securities meeting the Fund’s investment objective.

 

Dilution from Subsequent Offerings of Shares

 

The Fund may accept additional subscriptions for Shares as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion.  Additional purchases will dilute the indirect interests of existing Shareholders in the Fund Investments prior to such purchases, which could have an adverse impact on the existing Shareholders’ interests in the Fund if subsequent Fund Investments underperform the prior investments. Further, in certain cases Portfolio Fund Managers may structure performance-based compensation similarly to the Fund, with such compensation being paid only if gains exceed prior losses (i.e., if the value surpasses a previous “high-water mark”). New purchases of Shares will dilute the benefit of such compensation structures to existing Shareholders.

 

Valuations Subject to Adjustment

 

The valuations reported by the Portfolio Fund Managers, based upon which the Fund determines its quarter-end net asset value and the net asset value per Share may be subject to later adjustment or revision. For example, fiscal year-end net asset value calculations of the Portfolio Funds may be revised as a result of audits by their independent auditors. Other adjustments may occur from time to time. Because such adjustments or revisions, whether increasing or decreasing the net asset value of the Fund at the time they occur, relate to information available only at the time of the adjustment or revision, the adjustment or revision may not affect the amount of the repurchase proceeds of the Fund received by Shareholders who had their Shares repurchased prior to such adjustments and received their repurchase proceeds, subject to the ability of the Fund to adjust or recoup the repurchase proceeds received by Shareholders under certain circumstances as described in REPURCHASES OF SHARES Periodic Repurchases.” As a result, to the extent that such subsequently adjusted valuations from the Portfolio Fund Managers or revisions to the net asset value of a Portfolio Fund or direct private equity investment adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value, the outstanding Shares may be adversely affected by prior repurchases to the benefit of Shareholders who had their Shares repurchased at a net asset value higher than the adjusted amount. Conversely, any increases in the net asset value resulting from such subsequently adjusted valuations may be entirely for the benefit of the outstanding Shares and to the detriment of Shareholders who previously had their Shares repurchased at a net asset value lower than the adjusted amount. The same principles apply to the purchase of Shares. New Shareholders may be affected in a similar way.

 

The valuations of Shares may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond the Fund’s control and may not be directly related to the Fund’s operating performance. These factors include:

 

·                  changes in regulatory policies or tax guidelines;

 

·                  changes in earnings or variations in operating results;

 

·                  changes in the value of the Fund Investments;

 

·                  changes in accounting guidelines governing valuation of the Fund Investments;

 

·                  any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors;

 

·                  departure of the Adviser or certain of its respective key personnel;

 

·                  general economic trends and other external factors; and

 

·                  loss of a major funding source.

 

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Cybersecurity Risk

 

As part of its business, the Adviser processes, stores and transmits large amounts of electronic information, including information relating to the transactions of the Fund and personally identifiable information of the Shareholders. Similarly, service providers of the Adviser or the Fund, especially the Fund’s Administrator, may process, store and transmit such information. The Adviser has procedures and systems in place that it believes are reasonably designed to protect such information and prevent data loss and security breaches. However, such measures cannot provide absolute security. The techniques used to obtain unauthorized access to data, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently and may be difficult to detect for long periods of time. Hardware or software acquired from third parties may contain defects in design or manufacture or other problems that could unexpectedly compromise information security. Network connected services provided by third parties to the Adviser may be susceptible to compromise, leading to a breach of the Adviser’s networks. The Adviser’s systems or facilities may be susceptible to employee error or malfeasance, government surveillance, or other security threats. Online services provided by the Adviser to the Shareholders may also be susceptible to compromise. Breach of the Adviser’s information systems may cause information relating to the transactions of the Fund and personally identifiable information of the Shareholders to be lost or improperly accessed, used or disclosed.

 

Reporting Requirements

 

Shareholders who beneficially own Shares that constitute more than 5% or 10% of the Fund’s Shares are subject to certain requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder. These include requirements to file certain reports with the SEC. The Fund has no obligation to file such reports on behalf of such Shareholders or to notify Shareholders that such reports are required to be made. Shareholders who may be subject to such requirements should consult with their legal advisors.

 

BUSINESS AND STRUCTURE RELATED RISKS

 

Newly Formed Adviser

 

The Fund is dependent upon the services and resources provided by the Adviser. The Adviser is a newly formed entity and has not previously served as an investment adviser to a registered investment company. As a result, the Adviser will be addressing certain operational and compliance requirements of the 1940 Act for the first time in connection with the commencement of operations of the Fund.

 

Reliance on the Adviser

 

The Adviser has full discretionary authority to identify, structure, allocate, execute, administer, monitor and liquidate Fund Investments and, in doing so, has no responsibility to consult with any Shareholder. Accordingly, an investor in the Fund must rely upon the abilities of the Adviser, and no person should invest in the Fund unless such person is willing to entrust all aspects of the investment decisions of the Fund to the Adviser.

 

Reliance on the Key Personnel

 

The Fund will depend on the investment expertise, skill and network of business contacts of the Adviser. The Adviser will evaluate, negotiate, structure, execute, monitor and service Fund Investments. The Fund’s future success will depend to a significant extent on the continued service and coordination of the Adviser and its investment management team. The departure of certain key personnel of the Adviser or its affiliates could have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objectives.

 

The Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objectives depends on the Adviser’s ability to identify, analyze, invest in, finance and monitor Portfolio Funds and portfolio companies that meet the Fund’s investment criteria. The Adviser’s capabilities in structuring the investment process, providing competent, attentive and efficient services to the Fund, and facilitating access to financing on acceptable terms depend on the employment of investment professionals in an adequate number and of adequate sophistication to match the corresponding flow of transactions. To achieve the Fund’s investment objectives, the Adviser may need to hire, train, supervise and manage new investment professionals to participate in the Fund’s investment selection and monitoring process. The Adviser may not be able to find investment professionals in a timely manner or at all. Failure to support the Fund’s investment process could have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

It is anticipated that the Adviser will depend on the relationships of it and of its affiliates with private equity sponsors, investment banks and commercial banks, and the Fund will rely to a significant extent upon these

 

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relationships to provide the Fund with potential investment opportunities. If the Adviser or its affiliates fail to maintain their existing relationships or develop new relationships with other sponsors or sources of investment opportunities, the Fund may not be able to grow its investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom the Adviser and its affiliates have relationships are not obligated to provide the Fund, the Adviser or any of their affiliates with investment opportunities, and, therefore, there is no assurance that such relationships will generate investment opportunities for the Fund.

 

Competition for Investment Opportunities

 

The Fund will compete for investments with other investment funds (including registered investment companies, private equity funds, mezzanine funds and collateralized loan obligation (CLO) funds), as well as traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks, finance companies, business development companies (BDCs), small business investment companies (SBICs) and other sources of funding. Moreover, alternative investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, have begun to invest in areas in which they have not traditionally invested, including making investments in private U.S. companies. As a result of these new entrants, competition for investment opportunities in private U.S. companies may strengthen. Many of the Fund’s competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than the Fund. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that are not available to the Fund. In addition, some of the Fund’s competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than the Fund. These characteristics could allow competitors to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships and offer better pricing and more flexible structuring than the Fund is able to do. As a result, the Fund may lose investment opportunities if it does not match its competitors’ pricing, terms and structure.

 

If the Fund is forced to match its competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, it may not be able to achieve acceptable returns on its investments or may bear substantial risk of capital loss. A significant part of the Fund’s competitive advantage stems from the fact that the market for investments in privately held companies is underserved by traditional commercial banks and other financial sources. A significant increase in the number and/or the size of the Fund’s competitors in this target market could force the Fund to accept less attractive investment terms. Furthermore, many of the Fund’s competitors are not subject to the source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution requirements the Fund must satisfy to maintain its qualification as a RIC.

 

Valuation for Fund Investments Uncertain

 

Under the Investment Company Act, the Fund is required to carry Fund Investments at market value or, if there is no readily available market value, at fair value as determined by the Adviser, in accordance with the Fund’s valuation procedures, which have been approved by the Board. There is not a public market or active secondary market for many of the securities of the privately-held companies in which the Fund intends to invest. Rather, many of the Fund Investments may be traded on a privately negotiated over-the-counter secondary market for institutional investors. As a result, the Fund will value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser in accordance with the valuation procedures that have been approved by the Board.

 

The determination of fair value, and thus the amount of unrealized losses the Fund may incur in any year, is to a degree subjective, and the Adviser has a conflict of interest in making the determination. The Fund values these securities monthly at fair value determined in good faith by the Adviser in accordance with the valuation procedures that have been approved by the Board. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, the Fund’s determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these non-traded securities existed. Due to this uncertainty, the Fund’s fair value determinations may cause the Fund’s net asset value on a given date to understate or overstate materially the value that the Fund may ultimately realize upon the sale of one or more Fund Investments. See “CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE; VALUATION.”

 

Amount or Frequency of Distributions Not Guaranteed

 

The Fund expects to pay distributions out of assets legally available for distribution from time to time, at the sole discretion of the Board. Nevertheless, the Fund cannot assure you that the Fund will achieve investment results that

 

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will allow the Fund to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. The Fund’s ability to pay distributions may be adversely affected by the impact of the risks described in this Prospectus. All distributions will depend on the Fund’s earnings, its net investment income, its financial condition, and such other factors as the Board may deem relevant from time to time.

 

In the event that the Fund encounters delays in locating suitable investment opportunities, the Fund may return all or a substantial portion of the proceeds from the offering of Shares in anticipation of future cash flow, which may constitute a return of your capital and will lower your tax basis in your Shares. A return of capital generally is a return of your investment rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from the Fund’s investment activities and will be made after deduction of the fees and expenses payable in connection with the proceeds from the offering of Shares, including any fees payable to the Adviser.

 

Uncertain Source and Quantity of Funding

 

Proceeds from the sale of Shares will be used for the Fund’s investment opportunities, operating expenses and for payment of various fees and expenses such as the Investment Management Fee and other fees. Any working capital reserves the Fund maintains may not be sufficient for investment purposes, and it may require debt or equity financing to operate. Accordingly, in the event that the Fund develops a need for additional capital in the future for investments or for any other reason, these sources of funding may not be available to the Fund. Consequently, if the Fund cannot obtain debt or equity financing on acceptable terms, the ability to acquire investments and to expand operations will be adversely affected. As a result, the Fund would be less able to achieve portfolio diversification and the investment objectives, which may negatively impact the Fund’s results of operations and reduce the Fund’s ability to make distributions to Shareholders.

 

Fluctuations in Performance

 

The Fund could experience fluctuations in its performance due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the Fund’s ability or inability to make investments in companies that meet the Fund’s investment criteria, the interest rate payable on the debt securities the Fund acquires, the level of the Fund’s expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which the Fund encounters competition in its markets and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any previous period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.

 

MANAGEMENT RELATED RISKS

 

Incentive Fee and Investment Management Fee

 

Any Incentive Fee payable by the Fund that relates to an increase in value of Fund Investments may be computed and paid on gain or income that is unrealized. If a Fund Investment decreases in value, it is possible that the unrealized gain previously included in the calculation of the Incentive Fee will never become realized. The Adviser is not obligated to reimburse the Fund for any part of the Incentive Fee it received that was based on unrealized gain never realized as a result of a sale or other disposition of a Fund Investment at a lower valuation in the future, and such circumstances would result in the Fund paying an Incentive Fee on income or gain the Fund never received.

 

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Fund is required to recognize taxable income (such as deferred interest that is accrued as original issue discount) in some circumstances in which the Fund does not receive a corresponding payment in cash and to make distributions with respect to such income to maintain its qualification as a RIC. Under such circumstances, the Fund may have difficulty meeting the annual distribution requirement necessary to maintain its qualification as a RIC. As a result, the Fund may have to sell some of its investments at times and/or at prices that the Adviser would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital, or forgo new investment opportunities. If the Fund is not able to obtain cash from other sources, the Fund may fail to qualify as a RIC and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.

 

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In addition, the Incentive Fee payable by the Fund to the Adviser may create an incentive for the Adviser to make investments on the Fund’s behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. The way in which the Incentive Fee payable to the Adviser is determined may encourage the Adviser to use leverage to increase the return on Fund Investments. The fact that the Investment Management Fee is payable based upon the Fund’s gross assets, which would include any borrowings for investment purposes, may encourage the Adviser to borrow to make additional investments. Under certain circumstances, the use of borrowing may increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor the Fund and Shareholders. Such a practice could result in the Fund investing in more speculative securities than would otherwise be in the Fund’s best interests, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during cyclical economic downturns.

 

Divergence of Resources

 

Neither the Adviser nor its affiliates, including individuals employed by the Adviser or its affiliates, are prohibited from raising money for and managing another investment entity that makes the same types of investments as those the Fund will target. As a result, the time and resources that these individuals may devote to the Fund may be diverted. In addition, the Fund may compete with any such investment entity for the same investors and investment opportunities. Affiliates of the Adviser, whose primary businesses include the origination of investments, engage in investment advisory business with accounts that compete with the Fund. Affiliates of the Adviser have no obligation to make their originated investment opportunities available to the Adviser or to the Fund.

 

Transactions with Affiliates

 

Affiliates of the Adviser engage in financial advisory activities that are independent from, and may from time to time conflict with, those of the Fund or Fund Investments. In the future, there might arise instances where the interests of such affiliates conflict with the interests of the Fund or Fund Investments. Affiliates of the Adviser may provide services to, invest in, advise, sponsor and/or act as investment manager to investment vehicles and other persons or entities (including prospective investors in the Fund Investments) which (i) may have structures, investment objectives and/or policies that are similar to (or different than) those of the Fund, (ii) may compete with the Fund for investment opportunities, and (iii) may co-invest with the Fund in certain transactions. In addition, affiliates of the Adviser and their respective clients may themselves invest in securities that would be appropriate for the Fund’s investments and may compete with the Fund Investments for investment opportunities. The Fund may invest in entities that are affiliates of or are managed by the Adviser, including in respect of which it or its affiliates may receive investment management, advisory or other fees, in addition to those payable by the Fund. The Adviser or its affiliates may earn fees from Fund Investments or the Fund for the provision of advice on mergers, acquisitions, add-on acquisitions, re-financings, public offerings, sales and similar transactions.

 

INVESTMENT RELATED RISKS

 

This section discusses the types of investments that may be made, directly or indirectly, by the Fund, and some of the risks associated with such investments. It is possible that the Fund will make an investment that is not described below, and any such investment will be subject to its own particular risks.

 

Limited Operating History of Fund Investments

 

Fund Investments may have limited operating histories and the information the Fund will obtain about such investments may be limited. As such, the ability of the Adviser to evaluate past performance or to validate the investment strategies of such Fund Investment will be limited. Moreover, even to the extent a Fund Investment has a longer operating history, the past investment performance of any of the Fund Investments should not be construed as an indication of the future results of such investments or the Fund, particularly as the investment professionals responsible for the performance of such investments may change over time. This risk is related to, and enhanced by, the risks created by the fact that the Adviser relies upon information provided to it by the issuer of the securities that

 

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is not, and cannot be, independently verified. Further, the results of other funds or accounts managed by the Adviser, which have or have had an investment objective similar to or different from that of the Fund, may not be indicative of the results that the Fund achieves.

 

Unspecified Investments; Dependence on the Adviser

 

The Adviser has complete discretion to select the Fund Investments as opportunities arise. The Fund, and, accordingly, Shareholders, must rely upon the ability of the Adviser to identify and implement Fund Investments consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. Shareholders will not receive or otherwise be privy to due diligence or risk information prepared by or for the Adviser in respect of the Fund Investments. The Adviser has the authority and responsibility for asset allocation, the selection of Fund Investments and all other investment decisions for the Fund. The success of the Fund depends upon the ability of the Adviser to develop and implement investment strategies that achieve the investment objective of the Fund. Shareholders will have no right or power to participate in the management or control of the Fund or the Fund Investments, or the terms of any such investments. There can be no assurance that the Adviser will be able to select or implement successful strategies or achieve their respective investment objectives. See also “BUSINESS AND STRUCTURE RELATED RISKS-Newly Formed Adviser.

 

Failure to Qualify as a RIC or Satisfy Distribution Requirement

 

To qualify for and maintain RIC qualification under the Code, the Fund must meet the following annual distribution, source-of-income and asset diversification requirements. See “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS.”

 

·    The annual distribution requirement for a RIC will be satisfied if the Fund distributes to Shareholders on an annual basis at least 90% of the Fund’s net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. Because the Fund may borrow, it is subject to an asset coverage ratio requirement under the Investment Company Act and may in the future become subject to certain financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict the Fund from making distributions necessary to satisfy the distribution requirement. If the Fund is unable to obtain cash from other sources, it could fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.

 

·    The source-of-income requirement will be satisfied if the Fund obtains at least 90% of its income for each year from dividends, interest, gains from the sale of stock or securities or similar passive sources.

 

·    The asset diversification requirement will be satisfied if the Fund meets certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of the Fund’s tax year. To satisfy this requirement, (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets must consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) no more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s assets can be invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under the Code and its applicable regulations, by the Fund and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or of certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships.” Failure to meet these requirements may result in the Fund having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of its qualification as a RIC. Because most of the Fund’s investments will be in private companies, and therefore will be relatively illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses.

 

If the Fund fails to qualify for or maintain RIC tax treatment for any reason and is subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce the Fund’s net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of the Fund’s distributions.

 

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Difficulty Meeting RIC Distribution Requirement

 

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Fund may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which the Fund does not receive a corresponding payment in cash. For example, if the Fund holds debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or debt instruments that were issued with warrants), the Fund must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by the Fund in the same taxable year. The Fund may also have to include in income other amounts that the Fund has not yet received in cash, such as deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan or are paid in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock. Furthermore, the Fund may invest in non-U.S. corporations (or other non-U.S. entities treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that could be treated under the Code and U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Treasury Regulations”) as “passive foreign investment companies” and/or “controlled foreign corporations.” The rules relating to investment in these types of non-U.S. entities are designed to ensure that U.S. taxpayers are either, in effect, taxed currently (or on an accelerated basis with respect to corporate level events) or taxed at increased tax rates at distribution or disposition. In certain circumstances this could require the Fund to recognize income where the Fund does not receive a corresponding payment in cash.

 

The Fund anticipates that a portion of its income may constitute original issue discount or other income required to be included in taxable income prior to receipt of cash. Further, the Fund may elect to amortize market discounts and include such amounts in its taxable income in the current year, instead of upon disposition, as an election not to do so would limit the Fund’s ability to deduct interest expenses for tax purposes.

 

Because any original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in the Fund’s investment company taxable income for the year of the accrual, the Fund may be required to make a distribution to Shareholders in order to satisfy the annual distribution requirement, even though the Fund will not have received any corresponding cash amount. As a result, the Fund may have difficulty meeting the annual distribution requirement necessary to qualify for and maintain its qualification as a RIC under the Code. The Fund may have to sell some of its investments at times and/or at prices the Fund would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If the Fund is not able to obtain cash from other sources, the Fund may fail to qualify for or maintain RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax. For additional discussion regarding the tax implications of a RIC, see “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS.”

 

Restrictions on Raising Capital and Borrowing

 

As a result of the annual distribution requirement to qualify as a RIC under the Code, the Fund may need to periodically access the capital markets to raise cash to fund new investments of the Fund. The Fund may issue “senior securities,” as defined in the Investment Company Act (including borrowing money from banks or other financial institutions) only in amounts such that the Fund’s asset coverage, as defined in the Investment Company Act, equals at least 200% after such incurrence or issuance. Compliance with these requirements may unfavorably limit the Fund’s investment opportunities and reduce its ability in comparison to other companies to profit from favorable spreads between the rates at which it can borrow and the rates at which it can lend.

 

The Fund may borrow for investment purposes. If the value of the Fund’s assets declines, the Fund may be unable to satisfy the asset coverage test, which would prohibit the Fund from paying distributions and could prevent the Fund from qualifying as a RIC. If the Fund cannot satisfy the asset coverage test, the Fund may be required to sell a portion of its investments and, depending on the nature of the Fund’s debt financing, repay a portion of the Fund’s indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous. In addition, any amounts that the Fund uses to service its indebtedness would not be available for distribution by the Fund to Shareholders.

 

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Concentration of Investments

 

There are no limitations imposed by the Adviser as to the amount of Fund assets that may be invested in (i) any one Portfolio Fund, (ii) in Portfolio Funds managed by a particular Portfolio Fund Manager or its affiliates, (iii) indirectly in any single industry or (iv) in any issuer. In addition, a Portfolio Fund’s investment portfolio may consist of a limited number of companies and may be concentrated in a particular industry area or group. Accordingly, the Fund’s investment portfolio may at times be significantly concentrated, both as to managers, industries and individual companies. Such concentration could offer a greater potential for capital appreciation as well as increased risk of loss. Such concentration may also be expected to increase the volatility of the Fund’s investment portfolio. The Fund is, however, subject to the asset diversification requirements applicable to RICs. See “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS.”

 

Nature of Portfolio Companies

 

The Fund Investments will include direct and indirect investments in various companies, ventures and businesses (“Portfolio Companies”). This may include Portfolio Companies in the early phases of development, which can be highly risky due to the lack of a significant operating history, fully developed product lines, experienced management, or a proven market for their products. The Fund Investments may also include Portfolio Companies that are in a state of distress or which have a poor record, and which are undergoing restructuring or changes in management, and there can be no assurances that such restructuring or changes will be successful. The management of such Portfolio Companies may depend on one or two key individuals, and the loss of the services of any of such individuals may adversely affect the performance of such Portfolio Companies.

 

Defaulted Debt Securities and Other Securities of Distressed Companies

 

The Fund Investments may include low grade or unrated debt securities (“high yield” or “junk” bonds or leveraged loans) or investments in securities of distressed companies. Such investments involve substantial, highly significant risks. For example, high yield bonds are regarded as being predominantly speculative as to the issuer’s ability to make payments of principal and interest. Issuers of high yield debt may be highly leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of financing. Therefore, the risks associated with acquiring the securities of such issuers generally are greater than is the case with higher rated securities. In addition, the risk of loss due to default by the issuer is significantly greater for the holders of high yield bonds because such securities may be unsecured and may be subordinated to other creditors of the issuer. Similar risks apply to other private debt securities. Successful investing in distressed companies involves substantial time, effort and expertise, as compared to other types of investments. Information necessary to properly evaluate a distress situation may be difficult to obtain or be unavailable and the risks attendant to a restructuring or reorganization may not necessarily be identifiable or susceptible to considered analysis at the time of investment.

 

Mezzanine Investments

 

The Fund may invest in mezzanine debt instruments, which are expected to be unsecured and made in companies with capital structures having significant indebtedness ranking ahead of the investments, all or a significant portion of which may be secured. While the investments may benefit from the same or similar financial and other covenants as those applicable to the indebtedness ranking ahead of the investments and may benefit from cross-default provisions and security over the company’s assets, some or all of such terms may not be part of particular investments and the mezzanine debt will be subordinated in recovery to senior classes of debt in the event of a default. Mezzanine investments generally are subject to various risks, including: (i) a subsequent characterization of an investment as a “fraudulent conveyance;” (ii) the recovery as a “preference” of liens perfected or payments made on account of a debt in the 90 days before a bankruptcy filing; (iii) equitable subordination claims by other creditors; (iv) so-called “lender liability” claims by the issuer of the obligations; and (v) environmental liabilities that may arise with respect to any collateral securing the obligations.

 

Prepayment

 

The Fund is subject to the risk that the investments it makes in Portfolio Companies may be repaid prior to maturity (e.g., “prepayment risk”). When this occurs, the Fund will generally reinvest these proceeds in Temporary Investments, pending their future investment in new Portfolio Companies. These Temporary Investments will

 

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typically have substantially lower yields than the debt being prepaid and the Fund could experience significant delays in reinvesting these amounts. Any future investment in a new Portfolio Company may also be at lower yields than the debt that was repaid. As a result, the Fund’s results of operations could be materially adversely affected if one or more of the Fund’s Portfolio Companies elect to prepay amounts owed to the Fund. Additionally, prepayments, net of prepayment fees, could negatively impact the Fund’s return on equity.

 

Follow-on Investments

 

The Fund may not have the funds or ability to make additional investments in Portfolio Companies. After the Fund’s initial investment in a Portfolio Company, the Fund may be called upon from time to time to provide additional funds to such Portfolio Company or have the opportunity to increase its investment through the exercise of a warrant to purchase common stock. There is no assurance that the Fund will make, or will have sufficient funds to make, follow-on investments. Any decisions not to make a follow-on investment or any inability on the Fund’s part to make such an investment may have a negative impact on a Portfolio Company in need of such an investment, may result in a missed opportunity for the Fund to increase its participation in a successful operation or may reduce the expected return on the investment.

 

Control Positions

 

The Fund (in the case of direct investments) and the Portfolio Funds may take control positions in Portfolio Companies. The exercise of control over a company imposes additional risks of liability for environmental damage, product defects, failure to supervise management, violation of governmental regulations and other types of liability in which the limited liability characteristic of a corporation may be ignored, which would increase the Fund’s possibility of incurring losses.

 

Leverage

 

The Portfolio Fund Managers and (subject to applicable law) the Fund may employ leverage through borrowings or derivative instruments and are likely to directly or indirectly acquire interests in companies with highly leveraged capital structures. If income and appreciation on investments made with borrowed funds are less than the cost of the leverage, the value of the relevant portfolio or investment will decrease. Accordingly, any event that adversely affects the value of a Fund Investment will be magnified to the extent leverage is employed. The cumulative effect of the use of leverage by the Fund or the Portfolio Funds in a market that moves adversely to the relevant investments could result in substantial losses, exceeding those that would have been incurred if leverage had not been employed.

 

Derivative Instruments

 

Some or all of the Portfolio Fund Managers (subject to applicable law) and the Fund may use options, swaps, futures contracts, forward agreements and other derivatives contracts. Transactions in derivative instruments present risks arising from the use of leverage (which increases the magnitude of losses), volatility, the possibility of default by a counterparty, and illiquidity. Use of derivative instruments for hedging or speculative purposes by the Fund or the Portfolio Fund Managers could present significant risks, including the risk of losses in excess of the amounts invested. See “INVESTMENT RELATED RISKS—Hedging.

 

Economic, Political and Legal Risks

 

The Fund Investments will include investments in a number of countries, including less developed countries, exposing investors to a range of potential economic, political and legal risks, which could have an adverse effect on the Fund. These may include but are not limited to declines in economic growth, inflation, deflation, currency revaluation, nationalization, expropriation, confiscatory taxation, governmental restrictions, adverse regulation, social or political instability, negative diplomatic developments, military conflicts and terrorist attacks.

 

Prospective investors should note that the capital markets in countries where Fund Investments are made may be significantly less developed than those in the United States. Certain investments may be subject to extensive regulation by national governments and/or political subdivisions thereof, which could prevent the Fund or the Portfolio Funds from making investments they otherwise would make or cause them to incur substantial additional costs or delays that they otherwise would not suffer. Such countries may have different regulatory standards with

 

27


 


 

respect to insider trading rules, restrictions on market manipulation, shareholder proxy requirements and/or disclosure of information. In addition, the laws of various countries governing business organizations, bankruptcy and insolvency may make legal action difficult and provide little, if any, legal protection for investors, including the Fund and the Portfolio Funds. Any such laws or regulations may change unpredictably based on political, economic, social and/or market developments.

 

Natural Resources Risk

 

The Fund may invest in companies principally engaged in owning or developing non-energy natural resources (including timber and minerals) and industrial materials or supplying goods or services to such companies. The Fund’s investments in natural resources issuers will be subject to the risk that prices of these investments may fluctuate widely in response to the level and volatility of commodity prices; exchange rates; import controls; domestic and global competition; environmental regulation and liability for environmental damage; mandated expenditures for safety or pollution control; the success of exploration projects; depletion of resources; tax policies; and other governmental regulation. Investments in natural resources issuers can be significantly affected by changes in the supply of or demand for natural resources. The value of investments in natural resources issuers may be adversely affected by a change in inflation.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

The Fund is subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. General interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on Fund Investments and the investment opportunities and, accordingly, have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s investment objectives and their respective rates of return on invested capital. To mitigate such interest rate exposure, the Fund may invest a portion of its portfolio in investments with floating interest rates. In addition, an increase in interest rates would make it more expensive to use debt for the Fund and the Fund’s financing needs, if any.

 

In addition, in the event of a significant rising interest rate environment, the Fund’s Portfolio Companies with floating interest rate loans could see their payments increase and there may be a significant increase in the number of the Fund’s Portfolio Companies who are unable or unwilling to repay their loans. Fund Investments in companies with adjustable-rate loans may also decline in value in response to rising interest rates if the rates at which they pay interest do not rise as much, or as quickly, as market interest rates in general. Similarly, during periods of rising interest rates, Fund Investments with fixed rates may decline in value because they are locked in at below market yield.

 

The Fund may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit its exposure to interest rate fluctuations. These techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities and may limit the Fund’s ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to the hedged portfolio. Adverse developments resulting from changes in interest rates or hedging transactions could have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Currency Risk

 

Although the Fund intends to invest predominantly in the United States, the Fund’s portfolio is anticipated to include investments in a number of different currencies. Any returns on, and the value of such investments may, therefore, be materially affected by exchange rate fluctuations, local exchange control, limited liquidity of the relevant foreign exchange markets, the convertibility of the currencies in question and/or other factors. A decline in the value of the currencies in which the Fund Investments are denominated against the U.S. Dollar may result in a decrease the Fund’s net asset value. The Adviser may or may not elect to hedge the value of investments made by the Fund against currency fluctuations, and even if the Adviser deems hedging appropriate, it may not be possible or practicable to hedge currency risk exposure. Accordingly, the performance of the Fund could be adversely affected by such currency fluctuations.

 

Eurozone Risk

 

The Fund may invest directly or indirectly from time to time in European companies and assets and companies and assets that may be affected by the Eurozone economy. Ongoing concerns regarding the sovereign debt of various Eurozone countries, including the potential for investors to incur substantial write-downs, reductions in the face

 

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value of sovereign debt and/or sovereign defaults, as well as the possibility that one or more countries might leave the European Union (“EU”) or the Eurozone create risks that could materially and adversely affect the Fund Investments. Sovereign debt defaults and EU and/or Eurozone exits could have material adverse effects on the Fund’s investments in European companies and assets, including, but not limited to, the availability of credit to support such companies’ financing needs, uncertainty and disruption in relation to financing, increased currency risk in relation to contracts denominated in Euros and wider economic disruption in markets served by those companies, while austerity and/or other measures introduced to limit or contain these issues may themselves lead to economic contraction and resulting adverse effects for the Fund. Legal uncertainty about the funding of Euro-denominated obligations following any breakup or exits from the Eurozone, particularly in the case of investments in companies and assets in affected countries, could also have material adverse effects on the Fund.

 

Brexit Risk

 

The Fund may invest directly or indirectly from time to time in European companies and assets, including investments located in the United Kingdom (“UK”). The government of the UK held an “in-or-out” referendum on the UK’s membership in the EU on June 23, 2016. The referendum resulted in a vote in favor of the exit of the UK from the EU (“Brexit”). In March 2017, the UK formally notified the European Council that it intends to withdraw from the EU by invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which triggered a two-year period of negotiation on the terms of Brexit.  There is a significant degree of uncertainty about how negotiations relating to the UK’s withdrawal will play out, as well as the potential consequences and precise time frame of Brexit. This uncertainty could have a negative impact on both the UK economy and the economies of other countries in Europe. The Brexit process also may lead to greater volatility in the global currency and financial markets, which could adversely affect the Fund. In connection with investments in non-U.S. issuers, the Fund may engage in foreign currency exchange transactions but is not required to hedge its currency exposure. In addition, the Fund intends to make investments that may be denominated in British Pound Sterling or Euros. Because the Fund’s net asset value is determined in U.S. Dollars, the depreciation of the British Pound Sterling and/or the Euro in relation to the U.S. Dollar in anticipation of Brexit would adversely affect the Fund’s investments denominated in British Pound Sterling or Euros that are not fully hedged regardless of the performance of the underlying investment.

 

Hedging

 

The Fund may seek to hedge against interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations and credit risk by using structured financial instruments such as futures, options, swaps and forward contracts, subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act. Use of structured financial instruments for hedging purposes may present significant risks, including the risk of loss of the amounts invested. Defaults by the other party to a hedging transaction can result in losses in the hedging transaction. Hedging activities also involve the risk of an imperfect correlation between the hedging instrument and the asset being hedged, which could result in losses both on the hedging transaction and on the instrument being hedged. Use of hedging activities may not prevent significant losses and could increase losses. Further, hedging transactions may reduce cash available to pay distributions to Shareholders. See “INVESTMENT RELATED RISKSDerivative Instruments.”

 

Risks Relating to Accounting, Auditing and Financial Reporting, etc.

 

The legal, regulatory, disclosure, accounting, auditing and reporting standards in certain of the countries in which the Fund Investments may be made may be less stringent and may not provide the same degree of protection or information to investors as would generally apply in the United States. Although the Fund will be using U.S. GAAP, the assets, liabilities, profits and losses appearing in published financial statements of the Fund Investments may not reflect their financial position or operating results as they would be reflected under U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the net asset value of the Fund published from time to time may not accurately reflect a realistic value for any or all of the investments.

 

In addition, privately held companies may not have third-party debt ratings or audited financial statements. As a result, the Fund must rely on the ability of the Adviser to obtain adequate information through due diligence to evaluate the creditworthiness and potential returns from investing in a privately held company. These companies and their financial information will generally not be subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) and other rules and regulations that govern public companies. If the Fund is unable to uncover all material information about these companies, it may not make a fully informed investment decision, and the Fund may lose money on Fund Investments.

 

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Finally, certain Fund Investments may be in Portfolio Companies that do not maintain internal management accounts or adopt financial budgeting, internal audit or internal control procedures to standards normally expected of companies in the United States. Accordingly, information supplied to the Fund and the Portfolio Funds may be incomplete, inaccurate and/or significantly delayed. The Fund and the Portfolio Funds may therefore be unable to take or influence timely actions necessary to rectify management deficiencies in such Portfolio Companies, which may ultimately have an adverse impact on the net asset value of the Fund.

 

Special Risks Pertaining to Investments in Portfolio Funds

 

This section discusses certain risks related to the fact that the Fund invests in Portfolio Funds.

 

Investments in the Portfolio Funds Generally; Dependence on the Portfolio Fund Managers

 

Because the Fund invests in Portfolio Funds, a Shareholder’s investment in the Fund will be affected by the investment policies and decisions of the Portfolio Fund Manager of each Portfolio Fund in direct proportion to the amount of Fund assets that are invested in each Portfolio Fund. The Fund’s net asset value may fluctuate in response to, among other things, various market and economic factors related to the markets in which the Portfolio Funds invest and the financial condition and prospects of issuers in which the Portfolio Funds invest. Certain risks related to the investment strategies and techniques utilized by the Portfolio Fund Managers are described under “INVESTMENT RELATED RISKS” above. The success of the Fund depends upon the ability of the Portfolio Fund Managers to develop and implement strategies that achieve their investment objectives. Shareholders will not have an opportunity to evaluate the specific investments made by the Portfolio Funds or the Portfolio Fund Managers, or the terms of any such investments. In addition, the Portfolio Fund Managers could materially alter their investment strategies from time to time without notice to the Fund. There can be no assurance that the Portfolio Fund Managers will be able to select or implement successful strategies or achieve their respective investment objectives.

 

Portfolio Funds Not Registered

 

The Fund is registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. The Investment Company Act is designed to afford various protections to investors in pooled investment vehicles. For example, the Investment Company Act imposes limits on the amount of leverage that a registered investment company can assume, restricts layering of costs and fees, restricts transactions with affiliated persons and requires that the investment company’s operations be supervised by a board of managers, a majority of whose members are independent of management. However, most of the Portfolio Funds in which the Fund invests are not subject to the provisions of the Investment Company Act. Many Portfolio Fund Managers may not be registered as investment advisers under the Advisers Act. As an indirect investor in the Portfolio Funds managed by Portfolio Fund Managers that are not registered as investment advisers, the Fund will not have the benefit of certain of the protections of the Advisers Act.

 

The Portfolio Funds generally are exempted from regulation under the Investment Company Act because they permit investment only by investors who meet very high thresholds of investment experience and sophistication, as measured by net worth. The Fund’s investment qualification thresholds are generally lower. As a result, the Fund provides an avenue for investing in Portfolio Funds that would not otherwise be available to certain investors. This means that investors who would not otherwise qualify to invest in largely unregulated vehicles will have the opportunity to make such an investment through the Fund.

 

In addition, the Portfolio Funds typically do not maintain their securities and other assets in the custody of a bank or a member of a securities exchange, as generally required of registered investment companies, in accordance with certain SEC rules. A registered investment company which places its securities in the custody of a member of a securities exchange is required to have a written custodian agreement, which provides that securities held in custody will be at all times individually segregated from the securities of any other person and marked to clearly identify such securities as the property of such investment company and which contains other provisions designed to protect the assets of such investment company. The Portfolio Funds in which the Fund will invest may maintain custody of their assets with brokerage firms which do not separately segregate such customer assets as would be required in the case of registered investment companies, or may not use a custodian to hold their assets. Under the provisions of the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970, as amended, the bankruptcy of any brokerage firm used to hold Portfolio Fund assets could have a greater adverse effect on the Fund than would be the case if custody of assets were

 

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maintained in accordance with the requirements applicable to registered investment companies. There is also a risk that a Portfolio Fund Manager could convert assets committed to it by the Fund to its own use or that a custodian could convert assets committed to it by a Portfolio Fund Manager to its own use. There can be no assurance that the Portfolio Fund Managers or the entities they manage will comply with all applicable laws and that assets entrusted to the Portfolio Fund Managers will be protected.

 

Prospective investors should understand that the Fund is an appropriate investment only for investors who can tolerate a high degree of risk, including lesser regulatory protections in connection with the Fund’s investments in Portfolio Funds than might normally be available through investments in registered investment company vehicles.

 

Portfolio Funds are Generally Non-diversified

 

While there are no regulatory requirements that the investments of the Portfolio Funds be diversified, some Portfolio Funds may undertake to comply with certain investment concentration limits. Portfolio Funds may at certain times hold large positions in a relatively limited number of investments. Portfolio Funds may target or concentrate their investments in particular markets, sectors or industries. Those Portfolio Funds that concentrate in a specific industry or target a specific sector will also be subject to the risks of that industry or sector, which may include, but are not limited to, rapid obsolescence of technology, sensitivity to regulatory changes, minimal barriers to entry and sensitivity to overall market swings. As a result, the net asset values of such Portfolio Funds may be subject to greater volatility than those of investment companies that are subject to diversification requirements and this may negatively impact the net asset value of the Fund.

 

Portfolio Funds’ Securities are Generally Illiquid

 

The securities of the Portfolio Funds in which the Fund invests or plans to invest will generally be illiquid. Subscriptions to purchase the securities of Portfolio Funds are generally subject to restrictions or delays. Similarly, the Fund may not be able to dispose of Portfolio Fund interests that it has purchased in a timely manner and, if adverse market conditions were to develop during any period in which the Fund is unable to sell Portfolio Fund interests, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than that which prevailed when it acquired or subscribed for such interests, and this may negatively impact the net asset values of the Fund.

 

Portfolio Fund Operations Not Transparent

 

The Adviser does not control the investments or operations of the Portfolio Funds. A Portfolio Fund Manager may employ investment strategies that differ from its past practices and are not fully disclosed to the Adviser and that involve risks that are not anticipated by the Adviser. Some Portfolio Fund Managers may have a limited operating history, and some may have limited experience in executing one or more investment strategies to be employed for a Portfolio Fund. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the information given to the Administrator and reports given to the Adviser with respect to the Fund Investments will not be fraudulent, inaccurate or incomplete.

 

Valuation of the Fund’s Interests in Portfolio Funds

 

The valuation of the Fund’s investments in Portfolio Funds is ordinarily determined based upon valuations provided by the Portfolio Fund Managers of such Portfolio Funds which valuations are generally not audited. A majority of the securities in which the Portfolio Funds invest will not have a readily ascertainable market price and will be valued by the Portfolio Fund Managers. In this regard, a Portfolio Fund Manager may face a conflict of interest in valuing the securities, as their value may affect the Portfolio Fund Manager’s compensation or its ability to raise additional funds. No assurances can be given regarding the valuation methodology or the sufficiency of systems utilized by any Portfolio Fund, the accuracy of the valuations provided by the Portfolio Funds, that the Portfolio Funds will comply with their own internal policies or procedures for keeping records or making valuations, or that the Portfolio Funds’ policies and procedures and systems will not change without notice to the Fund. As a result, valuations of the securities may be subjective and could prove in hindsight to have been wrong, potentially by significant amounts. The Adviser has established a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to oversee the valuation of the Fund Investments pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board. The members of the Valuation Committee may face conflicts of interest in overseeing the valuation of the Fund Investments, as the value of the Fund Investments will affect the Adviser’s compensation. Moreover, neither the Valuation Committee nor the Adviser

 

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will generally have sufficient information in order to be able to confirm or review the accuracy of valuations provided by Portfolio Fund Managers.

 

A Portfolio Fund Manager’s information could be inaccurate due to fraudulent activity, misvaluation or inadvertent error. In any case, the Fund may not uncover errors for a significant period of time. Even if the Adviser elects to cause the Fund to sell its interests in such a Portfolio Fund, the Fund may be unable to sell such interests quickly, if at all, and could therefore be obligated to continue to hold such interests for an extended period of time. In such a case, the Portfolio Fund Manager’s valuations of such interests could remain subject to such fraud or error, and the Valuation Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine to discount the value of the interests or value them at zero.

 

Shareholders should be aware that situations involving uncertainties as to the valuations by Portfolio Fund Managers could have a material adverse effect on the Fund if the Portfolio Fund Manager’s, the Adviser’s or the Fund’s judgments regarding valuations should prove incorrect. Prospective investors who are unwilling to assume such risks should not make an investment in the Fund.

 

Multiple Levels of Fees and Expenses

 

Although in many cases investor access to the Portfolio Funds may be limited or unavailable, an investor who meets the conditions imposed by a Portfolio Fund may be able to invest directly with the Portfolio Fund. By investing in Portfolio Funds indirectly through the Fund, the investor bears asset-based and performance-based fees charged by the Fund, in addition to any asset-based fees and performance-based fees and allocations at the Portfolio Fund level. Moreover, an investor in the Fund bears a proportionate share of the fees and expenses of the Fund (including, among other things and as applicable, offering expenses, operating costs, sales charges, brokerage transaction expenses, management fees, distribution fees, administrative and custody fees, and tender offer expenses) and, indirectly, similar expenses of the Portfolio Funds. Thus, an investor in the Fund may be subject to higher operating expenses than if he or she invested in a Portfolio Fund directly or in a closed-end fund which did not invest through Portfolio Funds.

 

Each Portfolio Fund generally will be subject to a performance-based fee or allocation irrespective of the performance of other Portfolio Funds and the Fund generally. Accordingly, a Portfolio Fund Manager to a Portfolio Fund with positive performance may receive performance-based compensation from the Portfolio Fund, and thus indirectly from the Fund and its Shareholders, even if the overall performance of the Fund is negative. Generally, asset-based fees payable to Portfolio Fund Managers of the Portfolio Funds will range from 1% to 2.5% (annualized) of the commitment amount of the Fund’s investment, and performance-based fees or allocations are typically 20%, although it is possible that such amounts may be exceeded for certain Portfolio Fund Managers. The performance-based compensation received by a Portfolio Fund Manager also may create an incentive for that Portfolio Fund Manager to make investments that are riskier or more speculative than those that it might have made in the absence of such performance-based compensation.

 

Investors that invest in the Fund through financial advisers or intermediaries may also be subject to account fees or charges levied by such parties. Prospective investors should consult with their respective financial advisers or intermediaries for information regarding any fees or charges that may be associated with the services provided by such parties.

 

Inability to Vote

 

To the extent that the Fund owns less than 5% of the voting securities of each Portfolio Fund, it may be able to avoid that any such Portfolio Fund is deemed an “affiliated person” of the Fund for purposes of the Investment Company Act (which designation could, among other things, potentially impose limits on transactions with the Portfolio Funds, both by the Fund and other clients of the Adviser). To limit its voting interest in certain Portfolio Funds, the Fund may enter into contractual arrangements under which the Fund irrevocably waives its rights (if any) to vote its interests in a Portfolio Fund. These voting waiver arrangements may increase the ability of the Fund and other clients of the Adviser to invest in certain Portfolio Funds. However, to the extent the Fund contractually forgoes the right to vote the securities of a Portfolio Fund, the Fund will not be able to vote on matters that require the approval of such Portfolio Fund’s investors, including matters which may be adverse to the Fund’s interests.

 

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There are, however, other statutory tests of affiliation (such as on the basis of control), and, therefore, the prohibitions of the Investment Company Act with respect to affiliated transactions could apply in certain situations where the Fund owns less than 5% of the voting securities of a Portfolio Fund. If the Fund is considered to be affiliated with a Portfolio Fund, transactions between the Fund and such Portfolio Fund may, among other things, potentially be subject to the prohibitions of Section 17 of the Investment Company Act notwithstanding that the Fund has entered into a voting waiver arrangement.

 

Consortium or Offsetting Investments

 

The Portfolio Fund Managers may invest in consortia, which could result in increased concentration risk where multiple Portfolio Funds in the Fund’s portfolio each invest in a particular underlying company. In other situations, Portfolio Funds may hold economically offsetting positions. To the extent that the Portfolio Fund Managers do, in fact, hold such offsetting positions, the Fund’s portfolio, considered as a whole, may not achieve any gain or loss despite incurring fees and expenses in connection with such positions. In addition, Portfolio Fund Managers are compensated based on the performance of their portfolios. Accordingly, there often may be times when a particular Portfolio Fund Manager may receive incentive compensation in respect of its portfolio for a period even though the Fund’s net asset values may have decreased during such period. Furthermore, it is possible that from time to time, various Portfolio Fund Managers selected by the Adviser may be competing with each other for investments in one or more markets.

 

Limitations on Ability to Invest in Portfolio Funds

 

Certain Portfolio Fund Managers’ investment approaches can accommodate only a certain amount of capital. Portfolio Fund Managers typically endeavor not to undertake to manage more capital than such Portfolio Fund Manager’s approach can accommodate without risking a potential deterioration in returns. Accordingly, each Portfolio Fund Manager has the right to refuse to manage some or all of the Fund’s assets that the Adviser may wish to allocate to such Portfolio Fund Manager. Further, continued sales of Shares would dilute the indirect participation of existing Shareholders with such Portfolio Fund Manager.

 

In addition, it is expected that the Fund will be able to make investments in particular Portfolio Funds only at certain times, and commitments to Portfolio Funds may not be accepted (in part or in their entirety). As a result, the Fund may hold cash or invest any portion of its assets that is not invested in Portfolio Funds in cash equivalents, short-term securities or money market securities pending investment in Portfolio Funds. To the extent that the Fund’s assets are not invested in Portfolio Funds, the Fund may be unable to meet its investment objective.

 

Indemnification of Portfolio Funds and Portfolio Fund Managers

 

The Fund may agree to indemnify certain of the Portfolio Funds and the Portfolio Fund Managers and their respective officers, directors, and affiliates from any liability, damage, cost, or expense arising out of, among other things, acts or omissions undertaken in connection with the management of Portfolio Funds or direct investments. If the Fund were required to make payments (or return distributions received from such Portfolio Funds or direct investments) in respect of any such indemnity, the Fund could be materially adversely affected.

 

Termination of the Fund’s Interest in a Portfolio Fund

 

A Portfolio Fund may, among other things, terminate the Fund’s interest in that Portfolio Fund (causing a forfeiture of all or a portion of such interest) if the Fund fails to satisfy any capital call by that Portfolio Fund or if the continued participation of the Fund in the Portfolio Fund would have a material adverse effect on the Portfolio Fund or its assets.

 

RISKS SPECIFIC TO SECONDARY INVESTMENTS

 

General Risks of Secondary Investments

 

The overall performance of the Fund’s secondary investments will depend in large part on the acquisition price paid, which may be negotiated based on incomplete or imperfect information. Certain secondary investments may be purchased as a portfolio, and in such cases the Fund may not be able to exclude from such purchases those investments that the Adviser considers (for commercial, tax, legal or other reasons) less attractive. Where the Fund

 

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acquires a Portfolio Fund interest as a secondary investment, the Fund will generally not have the ability to modify or amend such Portfolio Fund’s constituent documents (e.g., limited partnership agreements) or otherwise negotiate the economic terms of the interests being acquired. In addition, the costs and resources required to investigate the commercial, tax and legal issues relating to secondary investments may be greater than those relating to primary investments.

 

Contingent Liabilities Associated with Secondary Investments

 

Where the Fund acquires a Portfolio Fund interest as a secondary investment, the Fund may acquire contingent liabilities associated with such interest. Specifically, where the seller has received distributions from the relevant Portfolio Fund and, subsequently, that Portfolio Fund recalls any portion of such distributions, the Fund (as the purchaser of the interest to which such distributions are attributable) may be obligated to pay an amount equivalent to such distributions to such Portfolio Fund. While the Fund may be able, in turn, to make a claim against the seller of the interest for any monies so paid to the Portfolio Fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund would have such right or prevail in any such claim.

 

Risks Relating to Secondary Investments Involving Syndicates

 

The Fund may acquire secondary investments as a member of a purchasing syndicate, in which case the Fund may be exposed to additional risks including (among other things): (i) counterparty risk, (ii) reputation risk, (iii) breach of confidentiality by a syndicate member and (iv) execution risk.

 

LIMITS OF RISKS DISCLOSURE

 

The above discussions and the discussions in the SAI relating to various risks associated with the Fund, Fund Investments, and Shares are not, and are not intended to be, a complete enumeration or explanation of the risks involved in an investment in the Fund. Prospective investors should read this entire Prospectus, the SAI, and the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and should consult with their own advisers before deciding whether to invest in the Fund. In addition, as the Fund’s investment program or market conditions change or develop over time, an investment in the Fund may be subject to risk factors not currently contemplated or described in this Prospectus.

 

In view of the risks noted above, the Fund should be considered a speculative investment and prospective investors should invest in the Fund only if they can sustain a complete loss of their investment.

 

No guarantee or representation is made that the investment program of the Fund will be successful, that the various Portfolio Funds or Fund Investments selected will produce positive returns, or that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

 

The Board of Trustees

 

The Board has overall responsibility for the management and supervision of the business operations of the Fund on behalf of the Shareholders. A majority of Trustees of the Board are and will be persons who are not “interested persons,” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act (the “Independent Trustees”). To the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act and other applicable law, the Board may delegate any of its rights, powers and authority to, among others, the officers of the Fund, any committee of the Board, service providers or the Adviser. See “BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS” in the Fund’s SAI for the identities of the Trustees and executive officers of the Fund, brief biographical information regarding each of them, and other information regarding the election and membership of the Board.

 

The Adviser

 

Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, Cresset SPG, LLC, an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act, serves as the Fund’s Adviser.

 

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The Adviser and its affiliates serve as investment advisers to other funds that have investment programs which are similar to the investment program of the Fund and the Adviser and/or its affiliates may in the future serve as an investment adviser or otherwise manage or direct the investment activities of other registered and/or private investment companies with investment programs similar to the investment program of the Fund. See “CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.

 

Cresset

 

The Adviser is an affiliate of Cresset Wealth Advisors LLC (“CWA”), a registered investment advisor which is organized as a limited liability company under the Laws of the State of Delaware. CWA was founded in March 2017. Cresset is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cresset Capital Management LLC (“Cresset Capital”), a privately held Delaware limited liability company owned by Eric Becker and Avy Stein. As of [             ], 2018, CWA and its affiliates had $[             ] of assets under management.

 

Cresset Investment Team

 

Scott P. Conners, CFA — Managing Director

 

Scott joined CWA in 2017 and leads the Sponsor Products Group.  He is responsible for product development, fundraising, transaction origination, due diligence, structuring, and closing of secondary and primary transactions.  Since 1993, he has been directly involved with the fundraising or investment of nearly $10 billion in private equity secondary and primary capital.  Prior to joining Cresset, Scott spent 22 years at Landmark Partners, the oldest and one of the leading private equity and real estate secondary purchasers.  He joined Landmark in 1993 in the very early days of the private equity secondary market’s development.  Scott participated in the market’s growth from less than $500 million per year in transaction volume to over $40 billion a year.  He specialized in developing unique transaction structures and was an early-mover in asset lift-outs and fund restructurings. He retired in 2015 as a Partner with responsibility for co-managing Landmark’s private equity secondary activities, with over $11 billion in committed capital. Scott received his B.A. in Business Economics from the University of Maine at Farmington and his M.B.A. from The Pennsylvania State University.  He has been a Chartered Financial Analyst since 1996 and is a member of the Hartford Society of Financial Analysts.

 

Eric Becker — Co-Chairman, Cresset Capital; Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, CWA

 

Eric has a long history of starting, backing and nurturing companies. He co-founded Sterling Partners (1983), a value-added, growth private equity firm that raised eight funds with over $5.7 billion of capital. At Sterling, Eric served for 32 years as Senior Managing Director and Co-Chairman of the Operating Committee, which monitors the firm’s 30 portfolio companies. Eric also founded: the Caretta Group (2015), a private investment firm that invests in and partners with customer-focused growth companies that have a compelling mission; Trilogy Investments/Vennpoint (2015), a real estate investment firm that invests in value-added real estate; Tango Communications (Co-Founder and CEO); and LifeCard International (Co-Founder), a healthcare technology company that automated claims processing and developed digital portable medical records. Eric is also keenly interested and active in a range of civic and philanthropic organizations including serving as the Co-Chairman of Chicago Ideas Week, a premier annual gathering of global thought leaders created to provoke new ideas and inspire actionable results, and as past Chapter Chairman DC/Baltimore YPO, CEO and Member YPO Gold Palm Beach.

 

Avy Stein — Co-Chairman, Cresset Capital Management; Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, CWA

 

Avy has been involved with starting, investing in and growing over 150 businesses and raising funds totaling over $8 billion.  Before launching Cresset in 2017, Avy served as Chief Executive Officer of Willis Stein & Partners, a private equity firm he co-founded in 1994, where he was responsible for managing the firm’s investments in the education, recycling, telecommunications, energy and consumer sectors. During that time, Avy also co-founded Lincoln Clean Energy, a developer, owner and operator of utility-scale clean energy projects later acquired by I Squared Capital in 2016.  From 1989 to 1994, Avy served as managing director for Continental Illinois Venture Corp (CIVC). Previously, he was President of Cook Energy Corporation, an oil and gas exploration and production

 

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company, and served as the parent company’s vice president of corporate planning and legal affairs. Avy began his career in 1980 as an attorney at Kirkland & Ellis. Avy is chairman of the board for Education Corporation of America and FDH Velocitel, and he is lead director for Interval Leisure Group (NYSE: IILG). He also serves on the board of directors for HilCo Global, a Chicago-based financial services company that specializes in asset valuation, monetization and advisory solutions. Avy received his law degree from Harvard Law School and holds a B.S. in accounting from the University of Illinois.

 

Jason Neal — Director, Business Development

 

Jason is Director of Business Development for Cresset Capital Management and is responsible for cultivating relationships across the private wealth universe including high-net worth individuals, family offices, registered investment advisors (“RIAs”), broker/dealers and other private wealth platforms.  Jason comes to Cresset with over 20 years of private market and business development experience.

 

Before joining Cresset Capital, Jason was a Vice President at Landmark Partners and led the business development and investor relations effort for independent private wealth investors across Landmark’s private equity and real estate secondary platforms.  Prior to Landmark, Jason was a Principal at Kendall Investments and was involved in business development, investor relations, deal sourcing & diligence, as well as oversight of fund operations.  Previous experience includes State Street’s PrivateEdge Group where Jason provided strategic research, due diligence and analytics to institutional investors and HarbourVest Partners were Jason was a manager in their analytics group that provided private market performance reporting and research for use in due diligence, investor relations, reporting and marketing.

 

Portfolio Manager of the Fund

 

The person who currently has primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund is:

 

Scott P. Conners, CFA

 

Scott joined CWA in 2017 and leads the Sponsor Products Group.  He is responsible for product development, fundraising, transaction origination, due diligence, structuring, and closing of secondary and primary transactions.  Since 1993, he has been directly involved with the fundraising or investment of nearly $10 billion in private equity secondary and primary capital.  Prior to joining Cresset, Scott spent 22 years at Landmark Partners, the oldest and one of the leading private equity and real estate secondary purchasers.  He joined Landmark in 1993 in the very early days of the private equity secondary market’s development.  Scott participated in the market’s growth from less than $500 million per year in transaction volume to over $40 billion a year.  He specialized in developing unique transaction structures and was an early-mover in asset lift-outs and fund restructurings. He retired in 2015 as a Partner with responsibility for co-managing Landmark’s private equity secondary activities, with over $11 billion in committed capital. Scott received his B.A. in Business Economics from the University of Maine at Farmington and his M.B.A. from The Pennsylvania State University.  He has been a Chartered Financial Analyst since 1996 and is a member of the Hartford Society of Financial Analysts.

 

The SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Manager, and the Portfolio Manager’s ownership of securities in the Fund.

 

Investment Management Agreement

 

The Investment Management Agreement became effective as of [·], and will continue in effect for an initial two-year term. Thereafter, the Investment Management Agreement will continue in effect from year to year provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or a majority of the Board, and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees of the Fund, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. See “VOTING.” The Investment Management Agreement will terminate automatically if assigned (as defined in the Investment Company Act) and is terminable at any time without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice to the Fund by either the Board or the Adviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Investment Management Agreement will be available in the Fund’s first report to Shareholders.

 

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The Investment Management Agreement provides that, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, reckless disregard or gross negligence of its obligations to the Fund, the Adviser and any partner, director, officer or employee of the Adviser, or any of their affiliates, executors, heirs, assigns, successors or other legal representatives, will not be liable for any error of judgment, for any mistake of law or for any act or omission by the person in connection with the performance of services to the Fund. The Investment Management Agreement also provides for indemnification, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by the Fund, of the Adviser, or any partner, director, officer or employee of the Adviser, and any of their affiliates, executors, heirs, assigns, successors or other legal representatives, against any liability or expense to which the person may be liable that arises in connection with the performance of services to the Fund, so long as the liability or expense is not incurred by reason of the person’s willful misfeasance or gross negligence of its obligations to the Fund. Such indemnification includes losses sustained by the Adviser or its affiliates as an indemnitor under any sub-servicing or other agreement entered into by the Adviser for the benefit of the Fund to the extent that such losses relate to the Fund and the indemnity giving rise to the losses is not broader than that granted by the Fund to the Adviser or its affiliates pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement. The Fund has the right to consent before the Adviser settles or consents to the settlement of a claim involving such indemnitor losses (but such consent right will not affect the Adviser’s entitlement to indemnification).

 

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEE

 

The Fund will pay the Adviser an investment management fee (the “Investment Management Fee”) in consideration of the advisory and other services provided by the Adviser to the Fund. Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Fund will pay the Adviser a monthly Investment Management Fee equal to 1.25% on an annualized basis of the greater of (i) the Fund’s net asset value or (ii) the Fund’s net asset value less cash and cash equivalents plus the total of all commitments made by the Fund that have not yet been drawn for investment. In no event will the Investment Management Fee payable by the Fund exceed 1.75% as a percentage of the Fund’s net asset value. For purposes of calculating the Investment Management Fee, a commitment is defined as a contractual obligation to acquire an interest in, or provide the total commitment amount over time to, a Portfolio Fund, when called by the Portfolio Fund. The Investment Management Fee is paid to the Adviser out of the Fund’s assets and decreases the net profits or increases the net losses of the Fund. “Net asset value” means the total value of all assets of the Fund, less an amount equal to all accrued debts, liabilities and obligations of the Fund; provided that, for purposes of determining the Investment Management Fee payable to the Adviser for any month, the net asset value will be calculated prior to any reduction for any fees and expenses of the Fund for that month, including, without limitation, the Investment Management Fee payable to the Adviser for that month. The Investment Management Fee will be computed as of the last day of each month and will be due and payable in arrears within fifteen business days after the end of the month.

 

During the current fiscal year, the basis for the Investment Management Fee could be larger than the Fund’s net asset value due to unfunded commitments to invest in Fund Investments. Investors are advised that the actual amount of unfunded commitments will be disclosed in the Fund’s published financial statements.

 

A portion of the Investment Management Fee may be paid to brokers or dealers that assist in the distribution of Shares, including brokers or dealers that may be affiliated with the Adviser.

 

In addition, at the end of each calendar quarter of the Fund (and at certain other times), the Adviser (or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, an affiliate of the Adviser) will be entitled to receive an Incentive Fee equal to 10% of the excess, if any, of (i) the net profits of the Fund for the relevant period over (ii) the then balance, if any, of the Loss Recovery Account.  For the purposes of the Incentive Fee, the term “net profits” shall mean the amount by which the net asset value of the Fund on the last day of the relevant period exceeds the net asset value of the Fund as of the commencement of the same period, including any net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments and realized income and gains or losses and expenses (including offering and organizational expenses). The Fund will maintain a memorandum account (the “Loss Recovery Account”), which will have an initial balance of zero and will be (i) increased upon the close of each calendar quarter of the Fund by the amount of the net losses of the Fund for the quarter, and (ii) decreased (but not below zero) upon the close of each calendar quarter by the amount of the net profits of the Fund for the quarter. Shareholders will benefit from the Loss Recovery Account in proportion to their holdings of Shares.]

 

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DISTRIBUTOR

 

Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Distributor”), whose principal business address is [Three Canal Plaza, Portland, Maine 04101], acts as Distributor to the Fund on a best-efforts basis, subject to various conditions, pursuant to a Distribution Agreement dated [·]  (the “Distribution Agreement”) between the Fund and the Distributor.

 

Neither the Distributor nor any other party is obligated to purchase any Shares from the Fund. There is no minimum aggregate number of Shares required to be purchased.

 

The Distributor may enter into agreements with selected broker-dealers, banks or other financial intermediaries for distribution of shares of the Fund. The Adviser and/or its affiliates may make payments to selected affiliated or unaffiliated third parties (including the parties who have entered into sub-distribution agreements with the Distributor) from time to time in connection with the sale of Shares and/or the services provided to Shareholders. These payments will be made out of the Adviser’s and/or its affiliates’ own assets and will not represent an additional charge to the Fund. The amount of such payments may be significant in amount and the prospect of receiving any such payments may provide such third parties or their employees with an incentive to favor sales of Shares over other investment options.

 

Investors who purchase shares through financial intermediaries will be subject to the procedures of those intermediaries through which they purchase shares, which may include charges, investment minimums, cutoff times and other restrictions in addition to, or different from, those listed herein. Information concerning any charges or services will be provided to customers by the financial intermediary through which they purchase shares. Investors purchasing shares of the Fund through financial intermediaries should acquaint themselves with their financial intermediary’s procedures and should read the Prospectus in conjunction with any materials and information provided by their financial intermediary. The Distributor does not receive compensation from the Fund for its distribution services, but may receive compensation for its distribution services from the Adviser.

 

Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor is solely responsible for the costs and expenses incurred in connection with (i) its qualification as a broker-dealer under state or federal laws and (ii) the promotion of the offering of Shares. The Distribution Agreement also provides that the Fund will indemnify the Distributor and its affiliates and certain other persons against certain liabilities. The indemnification will not apply to actions of the Distributor, its officers, or employees in cases of their an willful misconduct, bad faith, reckless disregard or gross negligence in the performance of their duties.

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

The Fund has retained the Administrator, UMB Fund Services Inc., whose principal business address is 223 Wilmington West Chester Pike, Suite 303, Chadds Ford, PA  19317, to provide administrative services, and to assist with operational needs.  The Administrator provides such services to the Fund pursuant to an administration agreement between the Fund and the Administrator (the “Administration Agreement”).  The Administrator is responsible directly or through its agents for, among other things, providing the following services to the Fund, as applicable;  (1) maintaining a list of Shareholders and generally performing all actions related to the issuance and repurchase of Shares, if any, including delivery of trade confirmations and capital statements; (2) providing certain administrative, clerical and bookkeeping services; (3) providing transfer agency services, services related to the payment of distributions, and accounting services; (4) computing the net asset value of the Fund in accordance with U.S. GAAP and procedures defined in consultation with the Adviser; (5) overseeing the preparation of semi-annual and annual financial statements of the Fund in accordance with U.S. GAAP, quarterly reports of the operations of the Fund and information required for U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax returns; (6) supervising regulatory compliance matters and preparing certain regulatory filings; and (7) performing additional services, as agreed upon, in connection with the administration of the Fund.  The Administrator may from time to time delegate its responsibilities under the Administration Agreement to one or more parties selected by the Administrator, including its affiliates or affiliates of the Adviser.

 

In consideration for these services, the Administrator is paid a monthly fee calculated based upon the average net asset value of the Fund, subject to a minimum monthly fee (the “Administration Fee”). The Administration Fee is paid to the Administrator out of the assets of the Fund and therefore decreases the net profits or increases the net losses of the Fund. The Administrator is also reimbursed by the Fund for out-of-pocket expenses relating to services provided to the Fund and receives a fee for transfer agency services.  The Administration Fee and the other terms of

 

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the Administration Agreement may change from time to time as may be agreed to by the Fund and the Administrator.

 

The Administration Agreement provides that the Administrator’s cumulative liability to the Fund for a calendar year will be limited in relation to the fees and expenses charged by the Administrator in the relevant calendar year. In addition, the Administrator shall have no liability for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss or damage resulting from the performance or nonperformance of its duties unless solely caused by or resulting from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Administrator, its officers or employees. In addition, the Administrator will not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, punitive or consequential damages, including lost profits, of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) under any provision of the Administration Agreement or for any such damages arising out of any act or failure to act thereunder.

 

The Administration Agreement also provides that the Fund shall indemnify and hold the Administrator and its directors, officers, agents, and employees harmless from all loss, cost, damage and expense, including reasonable fees and expenses for counsel, incurred by the Administrator resulting from any claim, demand, action or suit in connection with the Administrator’s acceptance of the Administration Agreement, any action or omission by the Administrator in the performance of its duties as administrator of the Fund, or as a result of acting upon instructions reasonably believed by it to have been duly authorized by the Fund or upon reasonable reliance on information or records given or made by the Fund or the Adviser. The indemnification will not apply to actions of the Administrator, its officers, or employees in cases of their own willful misconduct bad faith, reckless disregard or gross negligence in the performance of their duties.

 

CUSTODIAN

 

UMB Bank, N.A. (the “Custodian”) serves as the primary custodian of the assets of the Fund and may maintain custody of such assets with U.S. and non-U.S. sub-custodians (which may be banks and trust companies), securities depositories and clearing agencies in accordance with the requirements of Section 17(f) of the Investment Company Act and the rules thereunder. Assets of the Fund are not held by the Adviser or commingled with the assets of other accounts other than to the extent that securities are held in the name of the Custodian or U.S. or non-U.S. sub-custodians in a securities depository, clearing agency or omnibus customer account of such custodian. The Custodian’s principal business address is 1010 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

 

FUND EXPENSES

 

The Fund will pay all of its expenses and/or reimburse the Adviser or its affiliates to the extent they have previously paid such expenses on behalf of the Fund. The expenses of the Fund include, but are not limited to, any fees and expenses in connection with the offering and issuance of Shares; all fees and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the operation of the Fund such as direct and indirect expenses related to the assessment of prospective investments (whether or not such investments are consummated), investment structuring, corporate actions, travel associated with due diligence and monitoring activities and enforcing the Fund’s rights in respect of the Fund Investments; quotation or valuation expenses; the Investment Management Fee, the Incentive Fee and the Administration Fee; brokerage commissions; interest and fees on any borrowings by the Fund; professional fees (including, without limitation, expenses of consultants, experts and specialists); research expenses; fees and expenses of outside tax or legal counsel (including fees and expenses associated with the review of documentation for prospective investments by the Fund), including foreign counsel; accounting, auditing and tax preparation expenses; fees and expenses in connection with repurchase offers and any repurchases or redemptions of Shares; taxes and governmental fees (including tax preparation fees); fees and expenses of any custodian, sub-custodian, transfer agent, and registrar, and any other agent of the Fund; all costs and charges for equipment or services used in communicating information regarding the Fund’s transactions with any custodian or other agent engaged by the Fund, as applicable; bank service fees; costs and expenses relating to any amendment of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or other organizational documents of the Fund; expenses of preparing, amending, printing, and distributing the Prospectus, SAI, and any other sales material (and any supplements or amendments thereto), reports, notices, websites, other communications to Shareholders, and proxy materials; expenses of preparing, printing, and filing reports and other documents with government agencies; expenses of Shareholders’ meetings, including the solicitation of proxies in connection therewith; expenses of corporate data processing and related services; Shareholder recordkeeping and account services, fees, and disbursements; expenses relating to investor and public

 

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relations; fees and expenses of the members of the Board who are not employees of the Adviser or its affiliates; insurance premiums; Extraordinary Expenses (as defined below); and all costs and expenses incurred as a result of dissolution, winding-up and termination of the Fund. The Fund may need to sell portfolio securities to pay fees and expenses, which could cause the Fund to realize taxable gains.

 

“Extraordinary Expenses” means all expenses incurred by the Fund, as applicable, outside of the ordinary course of its business, including, without limitation, costs incurred in connection with any claim, litigation, arbitration, mediation, government investigation or dispute and the amount of any judgment or settlement paid in connection therewith, or the enforcement of the rights against any person or entity; costs and expenses for indemnification or contribution payable to any person or entity (including, without limitation, pursuant to the indemnification obligations described under “SUMMARY OF THE AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST —Limitation of Liability; Indemnification”); expenses of a reorganization, restructuring or merger, as applicable; expenses of holding, or soliciting proxies for, a meeting of Shareholders (except to the extent relating to items customarily addressed at an annual meeting of a registered closed-end management investment company); and the expenses of engaging a new administrator, custodian, transfer agent or escrow agent.

 

The Adviser will bear all of its own routine overhead expenses, including rent, utilities, salaries, office equipment and communications expenses. In addition, the Adviser is responsible for the payment of the compensation and expenses of those members of the Board and officers of the Fund affiliated with the Adviser, and making available, without expense to the Fund, the services of such individuals, subject to their individual consent to serve and to any limitations imposed by law.

 

The Adviser and its affiliates may be entitled to receive topping, break-up, monitoring, directors’ organizational, set-up, advisory, investment banking, syndication and other similar fees in connection with the purchase, monitoring or disposition of Fund Investments or from unconsummated transactions. Any such fees earned in respect of the Fund Investments shall be for the benefit of the Fund.

 

The Adviser intends to enter into an expense limitation agreement (the “Expense Limitation Agreement”) with the Fund, whereby the Adviser has agreed to waive fees that it would otherwise be paid, and/or to assume expenses of the Fund (a “Waiver”), if required to ensure the Total Annual Expenses (excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, certain transaction-related expenses, extraordinary expenses, the Incentive Fee and any acquired fund fees and expenses) do not exceed [·] on an annualized basis (the “Expense Limit”). For a period not to exceed three years from the date on which a Waiver is made, the Adviser may recoup amounts waived or assumed, provided it is able to effect such recoupment without causing the Fund’s expense ratio (after recoupment) to exceed the lesser of (a) the expense limit in effect at the time of the waiver, and (b) the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment. The Expense Limitation Agreement may be terminated by the Adviser or the Fund upon thirty days’ written notice to the other party.]

 

The Portfolio Funds will bear various fees and expenses in connection with their operations. These fees and expenses are similar to those incurred by the Fund. In addition, the Portfolio Funds will pay asset-based fees to their Portfolio Fund Managers and generally may pay performance-based fees or allocations to their Portfolio Fund Managers, which effectively reduce the investment returns of the Portfolio Funds. These expenses, fees, and allocations are in addition to those incurred by the Fund directly. As an investor in the Portfolio Funds, the Fund will bear a portion of the expenses and fees of the Portfolio Funds. Such indirect fees and expenses are borne by the Fund.

 

The Fund’s expenses incurred and to be incurred in connection with the initial offering of Shares will be amortized by the Fund over the 12-month period beginning on the Initial Closing Date and are not expected to exceed [·]. The Fund will also bear directly certain ongoing offering costs associated with any periodic offers of Shares, which will be expensed as they are incurred. Offering costs cannot be deducted by the Fund or the Shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

The Fund’s fees and expenses will decrease the net profits or increase the net losses of the Fund.

 

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VOTING

 

Each Shareholder will have the right to cast a number of votes, based on the value of such Shareholder’s Shares, at any meeting of Shareholders called by the (i) Board or (ii) Shareholders holding at least a majority of the total number of votes eligible to be cast by all Shareholders. Except for the exercise of such voting privileges, Shareholders will not be entitled to participate in the management or control of the Fund’s business and may not act for or bind the Fund.

 

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

The Fund may be subject to a number of actual and potential conflicts of interest, including, but not limited to, those set forth in further detail below.

 

Affiliates

 

The Adviser and its affiliates engage in financial advisory activities that are independent from, and may from time to time conflict with, those of the Fund. In the future, there might arise instances where the interests of such affiliates conflict with the interests of the Fund. The Adviser and its affiliates may provide services to, invest in, advise, sponsor and/or act as investment manager to investment vehicles and other persons or entities (including prospective investors in the Fund) which may have structures, investment objectives and/or policies that are similar to (or different than) those of the Fund; which may compete with the Fund for investment opportunities; and which may, subject to applicable law, co-invest with the Fund in certain transactions. In addition, the Adviser, its affiliates and their respective clients may themselves invest in securities that would be appropriate for the Fund or the Portfolio Funds and may compete with the Portfolio Funds for investment opportunities. By acquiring Shares of the Fund, each Shareholder will be deemed to have acknowledged the existence of any such actual and potential conflicts of interest and to have waived any claim with respect to any liability arising from the existence of any such conflict of interest.

 

Although the Adviser and its affiliates will seek to allocate investment opportunities among the Fund and their other clients in a fair and reasonable manner, there can be no assurance that an investment opportunity which comes to the attention of the Adviser or its affiliates will be appropriate for the Fund or will be referred to the Fund. The Adviser and its affiliates are not obligated to refer any investment opportunity to the Fund.

 

The directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees of the Adviser and their affiliates may buy and sell securities or other investments for their own accounts (including through funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates). As a result of differing trading and investment strategies or constraints, investments may be made by directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees that are the same, different from or made at different times than investments made for the Fund. To reduce the possibility that the Fund will be materially adversely affected by the personal trading described above, each of the Fund and the Adviser have adopted codes of ethics (collectively, the “Codes of Ethics”) in compliance with Section 17(j) of the Investment Company Act that restricts securities trading in the personal accounts of investment professionals and others who normally come into possession of information regarding the portfolio transactions of the Fund. The Codes of Ethics can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-942-8090. The Codes of Ethics are also available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by email at publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102.

 

Expenses incurred with respect to the Fund Investments are generally allocated among the Fund and the Adviser’s and its affiliates’ other clients participating in such investments. With respect to each Fund Investment in which any co-investor of the Adviser or its affiliates co-invests with one or more funds (including the Fund) or separate accounts managed by the Adviser or its affiliates, investment expenses or indemnification obligations related to such investments are generally borne by such funds (including the Fund) or separate accounts and such co-investor(s) in proportion to the capital committed by each to such investment.

 

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Broken deal expenses are generally allocated entirely to funds (including the Fund) or separate accounts discretionarily managed by the Adviser or its affiliates that would be allocated the relevant potential, but ultimately unconsummated, investment and not to any co-investor of the Adviser or its affiliates allocated to such proposed investment. Discretionarily managed funds (including the Fund) or separate accounts managed by the Adviser or its affiliates typically have priority allocation rights to investments whilst co-investors have no such rights but typically participate to enable a transaction considered beneficial for the discretionarily managed funds (including the Fund) or separate accounts managed by the Adviser or its affiliates participating therein as such funds’ and separate accounts’ collective appetite alone is typically insufficient to consummate such transactions. Accordingly, amongst such discretionarily managed funds (including the Fund) or separate accounts managed by the Adviser or its affiliates, each shall bear the entire amount of broken deal expenses incurred, in proportion to the capital they would have committed to the contemplated unconsummated investment, save for certain initial stage broken deal expenses which may be allocated to funds (including the Fund) and separate accounts managed by the Adviser or its affiliates (and not to co-investors of the Adviser and its affiliates) based on such funds’ and accounts’ investment objectives rather than a planned allocation to an investment.

 

Notwithstanding the above, the Adviser or its affiliates may enter into separate arrangements with clients and co-investors in connection with the payment of investment related expenses (including broken deal expenses); such arrangements shall not disadvantage any discretionarily managed funds or separate accounts managed by the Adviser or its affiliates.

 

Allocation of the Adviser’s and its Affiliates’ Time

 

The Fund substantially relies on the Adviser to manage the day-to-day activities of the Fund and to implement the Fund’s investment strategy. The Adviser and certain of its affiliates are presently, and plan in the future to continue to be, involved with activities which are unrelated to the Fund. For example, the Adviser and its affiliates are not restricted from forming additional investment funds, from entering into other investment advisory relationships or from engaging in other business activities, even though such activities may be in competition with the Fund and/or may involve substantial time and resources of the Adviser. These activities could be viewed as creating a conflict of interest in that the time and effort of the Adviser, its affiliates and each of their officers and employees will not be devoted exclusively to the Fund’s business but will be allocated between the Fund and the management of the assets of other advisees of the Adviser and its affiliates. The Adviser and its employees will devote only as much of their time to the Fund’s business as the Adviser and its employees, in their judgment, determine is reasonably required, which may be substantially less than their full time. Therefore, the Adviser, its employees and certain affiliates may experience conflicts of interest in allocating management time, services and functions among the Fund and any other business ventures in which they or any of their key personnel, as applicable, are or may become involved. This could result in actions that are more favorable to other affiliated entities than to the Fund.

 

Nevertheless, the Fund believes that the members of the Adviser’s senior management and the other key professionals have sufficient time to fully discharge their responsibilities to the Fund and to the other businesses in which they are involved. The Fund believes that its affiliates and executive officers will devote the time required to manage the business and expect that the amount of time a particular executive officer or affiliate devotes to the Fund will vary during the course of the year and depend on the Fund’s business activities at the given time.

 

Compensation Arrangements

 

The Adviser will receive substantial fees from the Fund in return for its services, and these fees could influence the advice provided by the Adviser. Among other matters, the compensation arrangements could affect the Adviser’s judgment with respect to offerings of equity by the Fund, which allow the Adviser to earn increased Investment Management Fees.

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

Subject to the Board’s discretion and applicable legal restrictions, the Fund intends to authorize and declare quarterly dividends beginning no later than the first calendar quarter after the one-year anniversary of the Fund’s commencement of operations. The Fund will then calculate each Shareholder’s specific distribution amount for the

 

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period using record and declaration dates. From time to time, the Fund may also pay special interim distributions in the form of cash or Shares at the discretion of the Board. Unless Shareholders elect to receive distributions in the form of cash, the Fund intends to make its ordinary distributions in the form of additional Shares under the dividend reinvestment plan (the “DRIP”). Any distributions reinvested under the DRIP will nevertheless remain subject to U.S. federal (and applicable state and local) taxation to Shareholders. The Fund may finance its cash distributions to Shareholders from any sources of funds available to the Fund, including offering proceeds, borrowings, net investment income from operations, capital gains proceeds from the sale of assets (including Fund Investments), non-capital gains proceeds from the sale of assets (including Fund Investments), dividends or other distributions paid to the Fund on account of preferred and common equity investments by the Fund in Portfolio Companies and expense reimbursements from the Adviser. The Fund has not established limits on the amount of funds the Fund may use from available sources to make distributions.

 

Each year a statement on IRS Form 1099-DIV (or successor form), identifying the character (e.g., as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or long-term capital gain) of the distributions, will be mailed to Shareholders. The Fund’s distributions may exceed the Fund’s earnings, especially during the period before the Fund has substantially invested the proceeds from this offering. As a result, a portion of the distributions the Fund makes may represent a return of capital for U.S. federal tax purposes. A return of capital generally is a return of your investment rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from the Fund’s investment activities and will be made after deduction of the fees and expenses payable in connection with the offering, including any fees payable to the Adviser. See “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS.” There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to pay distributions at a specific rate or at all.

 

The Fund intends to elect to be treated, beginning with the taxable year ending [·], and intends to qualify annually, as a RIC under Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment, the Fund must, among other things, distribute at least 90% of its net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. A RIC may satisfy the 90% distribution requirement by distributing dividends (other than capital gain dividends) during the taxable year (including dividends declared in October, November or December of a taxable year that, if paid in the following January, are treated as paid by a RIC and received by its shareholders in the prior taxable year). In addition, a RIC may, in certain cases, satisfy the 90% distribution requirement by distributing dividends relating to a taxable year after the close of such taxable year under the “spillover dividend” provisions of the Code. If a RIC makes a spillover dividend the amounts will be included in IRS Form 1099-DIV for the year the spillover distribution is paid.

 

The Fund can offer no assurance that it will achieve results that will permit the Fund to pay any cash distributions. If the Fund issues senior securities, the Fund will be prohibited from making distributions if doing so causes the Fund to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the Investment Company Act or if distributions are limited by the terms of any of the Fund’s borrowings. See “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS.”

 

The Fund has adopted an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for Shareholders. As a result, if the Fund makes a distribution, then Shareholders have their distributions reinvested in additional Shares unless they specifically “opt out” of the DRIP so as to have their distributions paid in cash. See “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS.”

 

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

 

The Fund has adopted an “opt-out” dividend reinvestment plan (or “DRIP”) pursuant to which all Shareholders will have the full amount of their cash distributions reinvested in additional Shares unless a Shareholder elects otherwise. Any distributions of the Fund’s Shares pursuant to the DRIP are dependent on the continued registration of the Fund’s securities or the availability of an exemption from registration in the recipient’s home state. Participants in the DRIP are free to elect to participate or terminate participation in the DRIP within a reasonable time as specified below.

 

If you elect not to participate in the DRIP, you will receive any distributions the Fund declares in cash. For example, if the Board authorizes, and the Fund declares, a distribution, then unless you have “opted-out” of the DRIP, you will have your cash distributions reinvested in additional Shares, rather than receiving the cash distributions. The Fund expects to coordinate distribution payment dates so that the same net asset value that is used for the monthly closing date immediately preceding such distribution payment date will be used to calculate the purchase net asset

 

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value for purchasers under the DRIP. Shares issued pursuant to the DRIP will have the same voting rights as the Fund’s Shares acquired by subscription to the Fund.

 

If you wish to participate in the DRIP and receive your distribution in additional Shares, no action will be required on your part to do so. Investors that wish to receive their distributions in cash may do so by making a written election to not participate in the DRIP on the investor’s application or by notifying the Administrator in writing at [223 Wilmington West Chester Pike, Suite 303, Chadds Ford, PA  19317]. Such written notice must be received by the Administrator [60] days prior to the record date of the distribution or the Shareholder will receive such distribution in shares through the DRIP. If Shares are held by a broker or other financial intermediary, in some circumstances a Shareholder may “opt out” of the DRIP by notifying its broker or other financial intermediary of such election. Please check with your broker or other financial intermediary for more details.

 

There are no selling commissions, dealer manager fees or other sales charges to you as a result of your participation in the DRIP. The Fund pays the Administrator’s fees under the DRIP. If you receive your ordinary cash distributions in the form of Shares as part of the DRIP, you generally are subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences as you would be had you elected to receive your distributions in cash.

 

Your basis for determining gain or loss upon the sale of Shares received in a distribution from the Fund will be equal to the total dollar amount of the distribution payable in cash. Any Shares received in a distribution will have a holding period for tax purposes commencing on the day following the day on which the Shares are credited to your account. The Fund reserves the right to amend, suspend or terminate the DRIP. You may terminate your account under the DRIP by notifying the Administrator at [·], or by calling the Administrator at [·].

 

All correspondence concerning the DRIP should be directed to the Administrator by mail at Cresset Private Equity Opportunity Fund, c/o [·] or by calling the Administrator at [·].

 

OUTSTANDING SECURITIES

 

As of the date of this Prospectus, there were no outstanding Shares of the Fund.

 

REPURCHASES OF SHARES

 

No Right of Redemption

 

The Fund is not a liquid investment. No Shareholder (or other person holding Shares acquired from a Shareholder) will have the right to require the Fund to redeem or repurchase its Shares. No public market exists for Shares, and none is expected to develop. Consequently, Shareholders may not be able to liquidate their investment other than as a result of repurchases of Shares by the Fund, as described below.

 

Periodic Repurchases

 

The Board, from time to time and in its sole discretion, may determine to cause the Fund to offer to repurchase Shares from Shareholders, including the Adviser and its affiliates, pursuant to written tenders by Shareholders.

 

The Adviser anticipates recommending to the Board that, under normal market circumstances, the Fund conduct repurchase offers of no more than 5% of the Fund’s net assets on or about the Initial Repurchase Date, and thereafter quarterly on or about each January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1.

 

The Fund will make repurchase offers, if any, to all holders of Shares.A Shareholder who tenders some but not all of its Shares for repurchase will be required to maintain a minimum account balance of $25,000 worth of Shares. Such minimum ownership requirement may be waived by the Board, in its sole discretion. The Fund reserves the right to reduce the amount to be repurchased from a Shareholder so that the required capital balance is maintained.

 

A 2.00% early repurchase fee will be charged by the Fund with respect to any repurchase of Shares from a Shareholder at any time prior to the day immediately preceding the one-year anniversary of the Shareholder’s purchase of the Shares. Shares tendered for repurchase will be treated as having been repurchased on a “first in-first

 

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out” basis. An early repurchase fee payable by a Shareholder may be waived by the Fund in circumstances where the Board determines that doing so is in the best interests of the Fund.

 

Subject to the considerations described above, the aggregate value of Shares to be repurchased at any time will be determined by the Board in its sole discretion, and such amount may be stated as a percentage of the value of the Fund’s outstanding Shares. The Fund may also elect to repurchase less than the full amount that a Shareholder requests to be repurchased. If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed by Shareholders, the Fund will repurchase only a pro rata portion of the Shares tendered by each Shareholder.

 

In determining whether the Fund should offer to repurchase Shares thereof from its Shareholders pursuant to written requests, the Board will consider the recommendation of the Adviser. The Board also may consider the following factors, among others, in determining whether to repurchase Shares and the number of Shares to be repurchased:

 

·             whether any Shareholders of the Fund have requested to tender interests to the Fund;

 

·             the working capital and liquidity requirements of the Fund;

 

·             the relative sizes of the repurchase requests and the Fund;

 

·             the past practice of the Fund in repurchasing Shares in the Fund;

 

·             the condition of the securities markets and the economy generally, as well as political, national or international developments or current affairs;

 

·             the anticipated U.S. federal income tax consequences of any proposed repurchases of Shares in the Fund; and

 

·             the Fund’s investment plans, the liquidity of its assets (including fees and costs associated with liquidating Fund Investments), and the availability of information as to the value of its interests in underlying Portfolio Companies, Portfolio Funds and other Fund Investments.

 

As described above, in certain circumstances the Board may determine not to conduct a repurchase offer, or to conduct a repurchase offer of less than 5% of the Fund’s net assets. In particular, during periods of financial market stress, the Board may determine that some or all of the Fund Investments cannot be liquidated at their fair value, making a determination not to conduct repurchase offers more likely.

 

As an alternative, during such periods the Board may offer to repurchase Shares at a discount to their prevailing net asset value that appropriately reflects market conditions, subject to applicable law (a “Discount Repurchase Offer”). The benefit of any Shares repurchased at a discount will be for the account of the Fund.

 

Procedures for Repurchase of Shares

 

The following is a summary of the procedures expected to be employed by the Fund in connection with the repurchase of Shares.

 

The Board will determine that the Fund will offer to repurchase Shares pursuant to written tenders only on terms that the Board determines to be fair to the Fund and Shareholders. The amount due to any Shareholder whose Shares are repurchased will be equal to the value of the Shareholder’s Shares being repurchased, based on the Fund’s net asset value, as of the Valuation Date (as defined below), after reduction for all fees and expenses of the Fund for all periods through the Valuation Date (including, without limitation, the Investment Management Fee, Administration Fee, any Incentive Fee and any Early Repurchase Fee (as defined below)), any required U.S. federal tax withholding and other liabilities of the Fund to the extent accrued or otherwise attributable to the Shares being repurchased (including pursuant to a Discount Repurchase Offer, if applicable). If the Board determines that the Fund will offer to repurchase Shares, written notice will be provided to Shareholders that describes the commencement date of the repurchase offer, specifies the date on which repurchase requests must be received by the Fund, and contains other terms and information Shareholders should consider in deciding whether and how to participate in such repurchase opportunity. The expiration date of the repurchase offer (the “Expiration Date”) will be a date set by the Board occurring no sooner than 20 business days after the commencement date of the repurchase offer, provided that such

 

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Expiration Date may be extended by the Board in its sole discretion. The Fund generally will not accept any repurchase request received by it or its designated agent after the Expiration Date.

 

Payment by the Fund upon a repurchase of Shares will be made in the form of the Promissory Note (as defined below). The Fund does not generally expect to distribute securities (other than the Promissory Note) as payment for repurchased Shares except in unusual circumstances, including if making a cash payment would result in a material adverse effect on the Fund or the Shareholders, or if the Fund has received distributions from Portfolio Companies in the form of securities that are transferable to the Fund’s Shareholders. Securities which are distributed in kind in connection with a repurchase of Shares may be illiquid. Any in-kind distribution of securities will be valued in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and will be distributed to all tendering Shareholders on a proportional basis. See “CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE; VALUATION.

 

In light of liquidity constraints associated with many of the Fund Investments and the fact that the Fund may have to liquidate interests in such investments to fund the repurchase of Shares and due to other considerations applicable to the Fund, the Fund expects to employ the following additional repurchase procedures:

 

·             The value of Shares being repurchased will be determined as of a date, determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, which is approximately 65 days, but in no event earlier than 60 days, after the Expiration Date (the “Valuation Date”), and any such repurchase will be effected as of the day after the Valuation Date (the “Repurchase Date”). As discussed above, and subject to the considerations described above, it is expected that there will be a Repurchase Date on or about the Initial Repurchase Date, and thereafter on or about each January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1.

 

·             As promptly as practicable after the Expiration Date, the Fund will give to each Shareholder whose Shares have been accepted for repurchase a promissory note (the “Promissory Note”) entitling the Shareholder to be paid an amount equal to the value, determined as of the Valuation Date in the manner specified above, of the repurchased Shares. The Promissory Notes will be held by the Administrator on behalf of each such Shareholder. The determination of the value of Shares as of the Valuation Date is subject to adjustment based upon the results of the annual audit of the financial statements of the Fund for the fiscal year in which such Valuation Date occurred.

 

·             The Promissory Note, which will be non-interest bearing and non-transferable, is expected to contain terms providing for, among other things, the following payments. The initial payment in respect of the Promissory Note (the “Initial Payment”) will be in an amount equal to at least 90% of the estimated aggregate value of the repurchased Shares, determined as of the Valuation Date in the manner specified above. The Initial Payment will be made on or before the fifteenth business day after the Repurchase Date; provided that, if the Fund elects to liquidate Fund Investments in order to finance the repurchase of Shares, the Fund is entitled to postpone the payment in respect of any Promissory Note delivered thereto until ten business days after the Fund has received at least 90% of the aggregate amount anticipated to be received through pending liquidations of Fund Investments in order to finance repurchases of Shares.

 

·             The second and final payment in respect of the Promissory Note (the “Final Payment”) is expected to be in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the aggregate value of the repurchased Shares, determined as of the Valuation Date in the manner specified above based upon the results of the annual audit of the financial statements of the Fund for the fiscal year in which the Valuation Date of such repurchase occurred, over (ii) the Initial Payment. It is anticipated that the annual audit of the financial statements of the Fund will be completed within 60 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Fund and that the Final Payment will be made as promptly as practicable after the completion of such audit.

 

·             Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, if a Shareholder, after giving effect to the repurchase, would continue to hold at least 5% of the aggregate value of its Shares as of the Valuation Date, the Final Payment in respect of such repurchase shall be made on or before the 60th day after the Repurchase Date. Such payment shall be in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the aggregate value of the repurchased Shares, determined as of the Valuation Date in the manner specified above, based upon information known to the Fund as of the date of the Final Payment, over (ii) the Initial Payment. If, based upon the results of the annual audit of the financial statements of the Fund for the fiscal year in which the Valuation Date of such repurchase occurred, it is determined that the value at which the Shares were repurchased was incorrect, the Fund shall decrease such Shareholder’s account balance by the amount of

 

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any overpayment and redeem for no additional consideration a number of Shares having a value equal to such amount, or increase such Shareholder’s account balance by the amount of any underpayment and issue for no additional consideration a number of Shares having an aggregate value equal to such amount, as applicable, in each case as promptly as practicable following the completion of such audits.

 

The repurchase of Shares is subject to regulatory requirements imposed by the SEC. The Fund’s repurchase procedures are intended to comply with such requirements. However, in the event that the Board determines that modification of the repurchase procedures described above is required or appropriate, the Board will adopt revised repurchase procedures as necessary to ensure the Fund’s compliance with applicable regulations or as the Board in its sole discretion deems appropriate. Following the commencement of an offer to repurchase Shares, the Fund may suspend, postpone or terminate such offer in certain circumstances upon the determination of a majority of the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, that such suspension, postponement or termination is advisable for the Fund and its Shareholders, including, without limitation, circumstances as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to dispose of its investments or to determine its net asset value, and other unusual circumstances.

 

Each Shareholder whose Shares have been accepted for repurchase will continue to be a Shareholder of the Fund until the Repurchase Date (and thereafter if the Shareholder retains Shares following such repurchase) and may exercise its voting rights with respect to the repurchased Shares until the Repurchase Date. Moreover, the account maintained in respect of a Shareholder whose Shares have been accepted for repurchase will be adjusted for the net profits or net losses of the Fund through the Valuation Date, and such Shareholder’s account shall not be adjusted for the amount withdrawn, as a result of the repurchase, prior to the Repurchase Date.

 

Upon its acceptance of tendered Shares for repurchase, the Fund will maintain daily on its books a segregated account consisting of cash, liquid securities or, to the extent applicable, interests in Portfolio Funds that the Fund (i) has requested be withdrawn or (ii) is in the process of liquidating (or any combination of them), in an amount equal to the aggregate estimated unpaid dollar amount of the Promissory Notes issued to Shareholders tendering Shares.

 

Payments for repurchased Shares may require the Fund to liquidate Fund Investments earlier than the Adviser otherwise would liquidate such holdings, potentially resulting in losses, and may increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover; provided, however, that where the Board determines to make Discount Repurchase Offers as described above, the consequences of such premature liquidation may be wholly or partially mitigated. The Fund may, but need not, maintain cash or borrow money to meet repurchase requests. Such a practice could increase the Fund’s operating expenses and impact the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective.

 

A 2.00% early repurchase fee (the “Early Repurchase Fee”) will be charged by the Fund with respect to any repurchase of Shares from a Shareholder at any time prior to the day immediately preceding the one-year anniversary of the Shareholder’s purchase of the Shares. Shares tendered for repurchase will be treated as having been repurchased on a “first in-first out” basis. Therefore, Shares repurchased will be deemed to have been taken from the earliest purchase of Shares by such Shareholder (adjusted for subsequent net profits and net losses) until all such Shares have been repurchased, and then from each subsequent purchase of Shares by such Shareholder (adjusted for subsequent net profits and net losses) until such Shares are repurchased. An Early Repurchase Fee payable by a Shareholder may be waived by the Fund in circumstances where the Board determines that doing so is in the best interests of the Fund.

 

Other than the Early Repurchase Fee, the Fund does not presently intend to impose any charges on the repurchase of Shares. However, the Fund is permitted to allocate Shareholders, whose Shares are repurchased, costs and charges imposed by the Portfolio Fund in connection with Fund Investments, if the Adviser determines to liquidate such interests as a result of repurchase tenders by Shareholders and such charges are imposed on the Fund. In the event that any such charges are allocated to the Fund, and subject to applicable law, the Fund may allocate such charges to the Shareholders whose repurchase tenders resulted in the repurchase of a portion of the Shares that resulted in such charges. Additionally, as described above, the Board may offer to repurchase at a discount to net asset value under certain circumstances.

 

A Shareholder who tenders some but not all of its Shares for repurchase will be required to maintain a minimum account balance of $25,000 worth of Shares. Such minimum account balance requirement may be waived by the Fund, in its sole discretion. The Fund reserves the right to reduce the amount to be repurchased from a Shareholder so that the required account balance is maintained.

 

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In the event that the Adviser or any of its affiliates holds Shares in its capacity as a Shareholder, such Shares may be tendered for repurchase in connection with any repurchase offer made by the Fund, without notice to the other Shareholders.

 

Mandatory Redemption by the Fund

 

In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, the Fund may cause a mandatory redemption of all or some of the Shares of a Shareholder, or any person acquiring Shares from or through a Shareholder, in the event that the Board determines or has reason to believe, in its sole discretion, that: (i) that Shareholder or person’s Shares have been transferred to, or has vested in, any person, by operation of law in connection with the death, divorce, bankruptcy, insolvency, or adjudicated incompetence of a Shareholder; (ii) ownership of the Shares by such Shareholder or other person will cause the Fund to be in violation of, or subject the Fund or the Adviser to additional registration or regulation under the securities, commodities, or other laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction; (iii) continued ownership of the Shares by such Shareholder may be harmful or injurious to the business or reputation of the Fund or the Adviser, or may subject the Fund or any Shareholders or to an undue risk of adverse tax or other fiscal consequences; (iv) any representation or warranty made by a Shareholder in connection with the acquisition of Shares was not true when made or has ceased to be true, or the Shareholder has breached any covenant made by it in connection with the acquisition of Shares; or (v) it would be in the best interests of the Fund for the Fund to cause a mandatory redemption of such Shares in circumstances where the Board determines that doing so is in the best interests of the Fund in a manner as will not discriminate unfairly against any Shareholder.

 

TRANSFERS OF SHARES

 

No person shall become a substituted Shareholder of the Fund without the consent of the Fund, which consent may be withheld in its sole discretion. Shares held by Shareholders may be transferred only: (i) by operation of law in connection with the death, divorce, bankruptcy, insolvency, or adjudicated incompetence of the Shareholder; or (ii) under other limited circumstances, with the consent of the Board (which may be withheld in its sole discretion and is expected to be granted, if at all, only under extenuating circumstances).

 

Notice to the Fund of any proposed transfer must include evidence satisfactory to the Board that the proposed transferee, at the time of transfer, meets any requirements imposed by the Fund with respect to investor eligibility and suitability. See “ELIGIBLE INVESTORS.” Notice of a proposed transfer of Shares must also be accompanied by a properly completed subscription document in respect of the proposed transferee. In connection with any request to transfer Shares, the Fund may require the Shareholder requesting the transfer to obtain, at the Shareholder’s expense, an opinion of counsel selected by the Fund as to such matters as the Fund may reasonably request. The Board generally will not consent to a transfer of Shares by a Shareholder (i) unless such transfer is to a single transferee, or (ii) if, after the transfer of the Shares, each of the transferee and transferor own less than $25,000 worth of Shares. Each transferring Shareholder and transferee may be charged reasonable expenses, including, but not limited to, attorneys’ and accountants’ fees, incurred by the Fund in connection with the transfer.

 

Any transferee acquiring Shares by operation of law in connection with the death, divorce, bankruptcy, insolvency, or adjudicated incompetence of the Shareholder, will be entitled to the allocations and distributions allocable to the Shares so acquired, to transfer the Shares in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and to tender the Shares for repurchase by the Fund, but will not be entitled to the other rights of a Shareholder unless and until the transferee becomes a substituted Shareholder as specified in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust. If a Shareholder transfers Shares with the approval of the Board, the Fund shall as promptly as practicable take all necessary actions so that each transferee or successor to whom the Shares are transferred is admitted to the Fund as a Shareholder.

 

By subscribing for Shares, each Shareholder agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, the Board, the Adviser, and each other Shareholder, and any affiliate of the foregoing against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including legal or other expenses incurred in investigating or defending against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses or any judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement), joint or several, to which such persons may become subject by reason of or arising from any transfer made by that

 

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Shareholder in violation of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or any misrepresentation made by that Shareholder in connection with any such transfer.

 

CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE; VALUATION

 

The Fund will calculate its net asset value as of the close of business on the last business day of each calendar quarter, each date that a Share is offered or repurchased, as of the date of any distribution and at such other times as the Board shall determine (each, a “Determination Date”). In determining its net asset value, the Fund will value its investments as of the relevant Determination Date. The net asset value of the Fund will equal, unless otherwise noted, the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all of its liabilities, including accrued fees and expenses, each determined as of the relevant Determination Date.

 

The Adviser will oversee the valuation of the Fund’s investments on behalf of the Fund. The Board has approved valuation procedures for the Fund (the “Valuation Procedures”). The valuation of the Fund’s investments is performed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification 820 — Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.

 

The Valuation Procedures provide that the Fund will value its Fund Investments at fair value.

 

Securities traded on one or more of the U.S. national securities exchanges, the Nasdaq Stock Market or any foreign stock exchange will be valued based on their respective market price adjusted for potential restrictions on the transfer or sale of such securities.

 

Debt instruments for which market quotations are readily available are typically valued based on such market quotations. In validating market quotations, the Adviser considers different factors such as the source and the nature of the quotation in order to determine whether the quotation represents fair value. The Adviser makes use of reputable financial information providers in order to obtain the relevant quotations.

 

[For debt and equity securities which are not publicly traded or for which market prices are not readily available (unquoted investments) the fair value is determined in good faith. In determining the fair values of these investments, the Adviser will typically apply widely recognized market and income valuation methodologies including, but not limited to, earnings and multiple analysis, discounted cash flow method and third-party valuations. In order to determine a fair value, these methods are applied to the latest information provided by the underlying Portfolio Companies or other business counterparties (e.g., debt agents) such as last twelve months or forecast / budgeted EBITDA, sales, net income figures or forecast cash flows.]

 

Due to the inherent uncertainty in determining the fair value of investments for which market values are not readily available the fair values of these investments may fluctuate from period to period. In addition, such fair value may differ materially from the values that may have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may significantly differ from the value ultimately realized by the Fund.

 

Assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies will be converted into U.S. Dollars using foreign exchange rates provided by a recognized pricing service.

 

The Adviser and its affiliates act as investment advisers to other clients that may invest in securities for which no public market price exists. Valuation determinations by the Adviser or its affiliates for other clients may result in different values than those ascribed to the same security owned by the Fund. Consequently, the fees charged to the Fund may be different than those charged to other clients, since the method of calculating the fees takes the value of all assets, including assets carried at different valuations, into consideration.

 

Expenses of the Fund, including the Investment Management Fee, are accrued on a quarterly basis on the Determination Date and taken into account for the purpose of determining the Fund’s net asset value.

 

Prospective investors should be aware that situations involving uncertainties as to the value of portfolio positions could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s net asset value and the Fund if the judgments of the Board or the Adviser regarding appropriate valuations should prove incorrect.

 

Portfolio Funds are generally valued based on the latest net asset value reported by the Portfolio Fund Manager. Any cash flows since the reference date of the last net asset value for a Portfolio Fund received by the Fund from a Portfolio Fund Manager until the Determination Date are recognized by (i) adding the nominal amount of the

 

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investment related capital calls and (ii) deducting the nominal amount of investment related distributions from the net asset value as reported by the Portfolio Fund Manager.

 

In addition to tracking the net asset value plus related cash flows of such Portfolio Funds, the Adviser also intends to track valuation relevant information relating to the assets held by each Portfolio Fund which is reasonably available at the time the Fund values its investments. The Adviser will consider such information and may conclude in certain circumstances that the information provided by the Portfolio Fund Manager does not represent the fair value of a particular asset held by a Portfolio Fund. If the Adviser concludes in good faith that the latest net asset value reported by a Portfolio Fund Manager does not represent fair value (e.g., there is more current information regarding a portfolio asset which significantly changes its fair value) the Adviser will make a corresponding adjustment to reflect the current fair value of such asset within such Portfolio Fund. In determining the fair value of assets held Portfolio Funds, the Adviser applies valuation methodologies as outlined above in “Calculation of Net Asset Value; Valuation.”

 

Notwithstanding the above, Portfolio Fund Managers may adopt a variety of valuation bases and provide differing levels of information concerning Portfolio Funds and there will generally be no liquid markets for such investments. Consequently, there are inherent difficulties in determining the fair value that cannot be eliminated. Neither the Board nor the Adviser will be able to confirm independently the accuracy of valuations provided by the Portfolio Fund Managers (which are generally unaudited).

 

Due to the inherent uncertainty in determining the fair value of investments for which market values are not readily available the fair value of these investments may fluctuate from period to period. In addition, such fair value may differ materially from the values that may have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may significantly differ from the value ultimately realized by the Fund.

 

CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

The following is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to the Fund and to an investment in Shares by a Shareholder. This summary does not discuss all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a particular investor, including an investor who holds Shares as part of a hedging, straddle, conversion, constructive sale or other integrated transaction, or to certain investors (e.g., investors subject to the alternative minimum tax, tax-exempt organizations, dealers in securities, pension plans and trusts, financial institutions, certain foreign investors and insurance companies) subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws. In addition, this summary does not specifically address the special tax consequences that may be applicable to persons who hold interests in partnerships, grantor trusts and other pass-through entities that hold Shares. This summary assumes that investors hold Shares as capital assets (generally, property held for investment).

 

THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY GENERAL, AND EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS TAX ADVISER WITH RESPECT TO THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSAL OF SHARES, INCLUDING APPLICABLE TAX REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

 

This summary is based on the Code as in effect on the date of this Prospectus, the Treasury Regulations, rulings of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), and court decisions in existence on the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. The Fund has not sought a ruling from the IRS or any other federal, state or local agency with respect to any of the tax issues affecting the Fund. This summary does not discuss any aspects of the U.S. federal estate or gift tax or any state or local or non-U.S. tax. It does not discuss the special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws that could result if the Fund invested in tax-exempt securities or certain other investment assets.

 

If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership with respect to the Shares generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partners in partnerships considering an acquisition of Shares should consult their tax advisers with respect to the partnership’s purchase, ownership and disposition of Shares.

 

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Taxation as a RIC

 

As a RIC, in any fiscal year with respect to which the Fund distributes at least 90% of the sum of the Fund’s: (i) “investment company taxable income,” which includes, among other items, dividends, interest, the excess of any net realized short-term capital gains over net realized long-term capital losses, and other taxable income (other than any net capital gain), reduced by deductible expenses, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends and distributions paid and (ii) net tax-exempt interest income (which is the excess of the Fund’s gross tax-exempt interest income over certain disallowed deductions), the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on investment company taxable income and net capital gains that the Fund distributes to its Shareholders. The Fund intends to distribute, in its Shares and/or cash, annually, all or substantially all of such income. To the extent that the Fund retains its net capital gains for investment or any investment company taxable income, the Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income tax. The Fund may choose to retain its net capital gains for investment or any investment company taxable income, and pay the associated U.S. federal corporate income tax, including the U.S. federal excise tax (described below).

 

The Fund may retain some or all of its realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses and designate the retained net capital gains as a “deemed distribution.” In that case, among other consequences, the Fund will pay tax on the retained amount and each Shareholder will be required to include its share of the deemed distribution in income as if it had been actually distributed to the Shareholder, and such Shareholder will be entitled to claim a credit equal to its allocable share of the tax paid thereon by the Fund for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The amount of the deemed distribution net of such tax will be added to the Shareholder’s cost basis for its Shares. Since the Fund generally would be required to pay tax on any retained net capital gains at the Fund’s regular corporate tax rate, and since that rate is in excess of the maximum rate currently payable by individuals on long-term capital gains, the amount of tax that individual Shareholders will be treated as having paid and for which they will receive a credit will exceed the tax they owe on the retained net capital gain. Such excess generally may be claimed as a credit against the U.S. Shareholder’s other U.S. federal income tax obligations or may be refunded to the extent it exceeds a Shareholder’s liability for U.S. federal income tax. A Shareholder that is not subject to U.S. federal income tax or otherwise required to file a U.S. federal income tax return would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return on the appropriate form to claim a refund with respect to the allocable share of the taxes that the Fund has paid. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of Shares owned by a Shareholder will be increased by an amount equal to the excess of the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the Shareholder’s gross income over the tax deemed paid by the Shareholder as described in this paragraph. To utilize the deemed distribution approach, the Fund must provide written notice to Shareholders prior to the expiration of 60 days after the close of the relevant taxable year. The Fund cannot treat any of its investment company taxable income as a “deemed distribution.” The Fund may also make actual distributions to its Shareholders of some or all of realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses.

 

The Fund will be subject to a 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax (the “Excise Tax”) on certain undistributed income unless the Fund distributes in a timely manner an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of the Fund’s net ordinary income for each calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of the Fund’s capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (iii) any income recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years and on which the Fund paid no U.S. federal income tax (the “Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement”). While the Fund intends to distribute any income and capital gains in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the Excise Tax, sufficient amounts of the Fund’s taxable income and capital gains may not be distributed to avoid entirely the imposition of the Excise Tax. In that event, the Fund will be liable for the Excise Tax only on the amount by which the Fund does not meet the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement.

 

In order to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Fund must, among other things:

 

·            derive in each taxable year at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities, loans, gains from the sale of stock or other securities, net income from certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships,” or other income derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in such stock or securities (the “Source of Income Test”); and

 

·    diversify the Fund’s holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year:

 

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·                  at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer; and

 

·                  no more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s assets are invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable Code rules, by the Fund and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or of certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (the “Diversification Tests”).

 

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Fund may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which the Fund does not receive a corresponding payment in cash. For example, if the Fund holds debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or debt instruments that were issued with warrants), the Fund must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by the Fund in the same taxable year. The Fund may also be required to include in income other amounts that the Fund has not yet received in cash, such as deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan or are paid in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock. The Fund anticipates that a portion of its income may constitute original issue discount or other income required to be included in taxable income prior to receipt of cash.

 

Because any original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in the Fund’s investment company taxable income for the year of the accrual, the Fund may be required to make a distribution to its Shareholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even though the Fund will not have received any corresponding cash amount. As a result, the Fund may have difficulty meeting the Annual Distribution Requirement necessary to qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code. The Fund may need to sell some of the Fund Investments at times and/or at prices the Fund would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If the Fund is not able to obtain cash from other sources, the Fund may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.

 

In the event the Fund owns equity interests in operating businesses conducted in “pass-through” form (i.e., as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes), income from such equity interests may not qualify for purposes of the Source of Income Test and, as a result, the Fund may be required to hold such interests through a subsidiary corporation. In such a case, any income from such equity interests should not adversely affect the Fund’s ability to meet the Source of Income Test, although such income generally would be subject to U.S. federal income tax, which the Fund would indirectly bear through its ownership of such subsidiary corporation.

 

The Fund is authorized to borrow funds and to sell assets in order to satisfy distribution requirements. However, under the Investment Company Act, the Fund is not permitted to make distributions to its Shareholders while its debt obligations and other senior securities are outstanding unless certain “asset coverage” tests are met. Moreover, the Fund’s ability to dispose of assets to meet the Fund’s distribution requirements may be limited by (i) the illiquid nature of the Fund’s portfolio and/or (ii) other requirements relating to the Fund’s qualification as a RIC, including the Diversification Tests. If the Fund disposes of assets in order to meet the Annual Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement, the Fund may make such dispositions at times that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous.

 

Fund Investments

 

Certain of the Fund’s investment practices are subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may: (i) disallow, suspend, or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, including the dividends received deduction, (ii) convert lower taxed long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income into higher taxed short-term capital gains or ordinary income, (iii) convert ordinary loss or a deduction into capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (vi) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (vii) produce

 

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income that will not qualify as good income for purposes of the 90% annual gross income requirement described above. The Fund will monitor its transactions and may decide to make certain tax elections, may be required to borrow money, or may be required to dispose of securities to mitigate the effect of these rules and prevent disqualification of the Fund as a RIC.

 

Investments the Fund makes in securities issued at a discount or providing for deferred interest or paid-in-kind interest are subject to special tax rules that will affect the amount, timing, and character of distributions to the Fund’s Shareholders. For example, with respect to securities issued at a discount, the Fund will generally be required to accrue daily, as income, a portion of the discount and to distribute such income each year to maintain the Fund’s qualification as a RIC and to avoid U.S. federal income and the Excise Tax. Since in certain circumstances the Fund may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, the Fund may have difficulty making distributions in the amounts necessary to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement and for avoiding U.S. federal income and the Excise Tax. Accordingly, the Fund may have to sell some of its investments at times the Fund would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital, or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. If the Fund is not able to obtain cash from other sources, the Fund may fail to qualify as a RIC and thereby be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.

 

In the event the Fund invests in foreign securities, the Fund may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes with respect to those securities. The Fund does not expect to satisfy the requirement to pass through to the Fund’s Shareholders their share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund.

 

The Fund may invest in non-U.S. corporations (or other non-U.S. entities treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes). Thus, it is possible that one or more such entities in which the Fund invests could be treated under the Code and Treasury Regulations as a “passive foreign investment company” or a “controlled foreign corporation.” The rules relating to investments in these types of non-U.S. entities are designed to ensure that U.S. taxpayers are either, in effect, taxed currently (or on an accelerated basis with respect to corporate level events) or taxed at increased tax rates at distribution or disposition. In certain circumstances this could require the Fund to recognize income where the Fund does not receive a corresponding payment in cash and make distributions with respect to such income in order to maintain the Fund’s qualification as a RIC. Under such circumstances, the Fund may have difficulty meeting the Annual Distribution Requirement necessary to maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code. Under certain circumstances an investment in a passive foreign investment company could result in a tax to the Fund and/or an increase in the amount of taxable distributions by the Fund.

 

Failure to Qualify as a RIC

 

If the Fund failed to satisfy the annual Source of Income Test or the Diversification Tests for any quarter of a taxable year, the Fund might nevertheless continue to qualify as a RIC for such year if certain relief provisions of the Code applied (which might, among other things, require the Fund to pay certain corporate-level U.S. federal taxes or to dispose of certain assets). If the Fund failed to qualify for treatment as a RIC and such relief provisions did not apply, the Fund would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on all of its net taxable income at regular corporate U.S. federal income tax rates (and the Fund also would be subject to any applicable state and local taxes), regardless of whether the Fund made any distributions to Shareholders. The Fund would not be able to deduct distributions to its Shareholders, nor would the Fund be required to make distributions to its Shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Any distributions the Fund made generally would be taxable to its U.S. Shareholders as ordinary dividend income and, subject to certain limitations under the Code, would be eligible for the 20% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to individuals and other non-corporate U.S. Shareholders, to the extent of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, U.S. Shareholders that are corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain.

 

Subject to a limited exception applicable to RICs that qualified as such under Subchapter M of the Code for at least one year prior to disqualification and that re-qualify as a RIC no later than the second year following the non-qualifying year, the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any unrealized net built-in gains in the assets held by it during the period in which it failed to qualify as a RIC that are recognized during the 10-year period after its requalification as a RIC, unless it made a special election to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on

 

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such net built-in gains at the time of its requalification as a RIC. The Fund may decide to be taxed as a regular corporation (thereby becoming subject to U.S. federal income and other taxes as set forth above) even if it would otherwise qualify as a RIC if it determines that treatment as a corporation for a particular year would be in its best interests.

 

Taxation of U.S. Shareholders

 

A “U.S. Shareholder” generally is a beneficial owner of Shares which is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

·            a citizen or individual resident of the United States;

 

·            a corporation or other entity treated as a corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state or the District of Columbia;

 

·            a trust, if a court in the United States has primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all decisions of the trust, or the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person; or

 

·            an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

 

Distributions by the Fund generally are taxable to U.S. Shareholders as ordinary income or capital gains. Distributions of the Fund’s “investment company taxable income” (which is, generally, the Fund’s net ordinary income plus realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses) will be taxable as ordinary income to U.S. Shareholders to the extent of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional Shares. To the extent such distributions paid by the Fund to non-corporate U.S. Shareholders (including individuals) are attributable to dividends from U.S. corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, such “qualifying dividends” may be eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal income tax. In this regard, it is anticipated that distributions paid by the Fund will generally not be attributable to dividends and, therefore, generally will not qualify for the reduced rate applicable to “qualifying dividends.” Distributions of the Fund’s net capital gains (which is generally the Fund’s realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) properly designated by the Fund as “capital gain dividends” will be taxable to a U.S. Shareholder as long-term capital gains that are currently taxable at a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% in the case of individuals, trusts or estates, regardless of the U.S. Shareholder’s holding period for its Shares and regardless of whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional Shares. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits first will reduce a U.S. Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in such Shareholder’s common stock and, after the adjusted basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such U.S. Shareholder.

 

In the event that the Fund retains any net capital gains, the Fund may designate the retained amounts as undistributed capital gains in a notice to the Fund’s Shareholders. If a designation is made, Shareholders would include in income, as long-term capital gains, their proportionate share of the undistributed amounts, but would be allowed a credit or refund, as the case may be, for their proportionate share of the corporate U.S. federal income tax paid by the Fund. In addition, the tax basis of Shares owned by a U.S. Shareholder would be increased by an amount equal to the difference between (i) the amount included in the U.S. Shareholder’s income as long-term capital gains and (ii) the U.S. Shareholder’s proportionate share of the corporate U.S. federal income tax paid by the Fund.

 

For purposes of determining (i) whether the Annual Distribution Requirement is satisfied for any year and (ii) the amount of distributions paid for that year, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a distribution that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If the Fund makes such an election, the U.S. Shareholder will still be treated as receiving the distribution in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any distribution declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to Shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been paid by the Fund and received by the Fund’s U.S. Shareholders on December 31 of the year in which the distribution was declared.

 

A U.S. Shareholder participating in the DRIP will be taxed on the amount of such distribution in the same manner as if such Shareholder had received such distribution in cash. Any stock received in a purchase under the DRIP will

 

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have a holding period for tax purposes commencing on the day following the day on which Shares are credited to a U.S. Shareholder’s account.

 

A U.S. Shareholder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss if the U.S. Shareholder sells or otherwise disposes of its Shares. The amount of gain or loss will be measured by the difference between such U.S. Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the Shares sold and the amount of the proceeds received in exchange. Any gain arising from such sale or disposition generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Shareholder has held its Shares for more than one year. Otherwise, it will be classified as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or disposition of Shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received, or undistributed capital gain deemed received, with respect to such Shares. In addition, all or a portion of any loss recognized upon a disposition of Shares may be disallowed if other Shares are purchased (whether through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the disposition.

 

In general, individual U.S. Shareholders currently are subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% on their net capital gain (i.e., the excess of realized net long-term capital gains over realized net short-term capital losses), including any long-term capital gain derived from an investment in Shares. Such rate is lower than the maximum rate on ordinary income currently payable by individuals. Corporate U.S. Shareholders currently are subject to U.S. federal income tax on net capital gain at the maximum 35% rate also applied to ordinary income. Non-corporate U.S. Shareholders with net capital losses for a year (i.e., capital losses in excess of capital gains) generally may deduct up to $3,000 of such losses against their ordinary income each year; any net capital losses of a non-corporate U.S. Shareholder in excess of $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent years as provided in the Code. Corporate U.S. Shareholders generally may not deduct any net capital losses for a year but may carry back such losses for three years or carry forward such losses for five years.

 

The Code requires the Fund to report U.S. Shareholders’ cost basis, gain/loss, and holding period to the IRS on IRS Form 1099s when “covered” securities are sold. For purposes of these reporting requirements, all of the Fund’s Shares acquired by non-tax exempt Shareholders, including those acquired through DRIP, will be considered “covered” securities. The Fund intends to choose FIFO (“first-in, first-out”) as the Fund’s default tax lot identification method for all Shareholders. A tax lot identification method is the way the Fund will determine which specific Shares are deemed to be sold when there are multiple purchases on different dates at differing transaction prices, and the entire position is not sold at one time. The Fund’s default tax lot identification method is the method “covered” securities will be reported on your IRS Form 1099 if you do not select a specific tax lot identification method. You may choose a method different than the Fund’s standing method and will be able to do so from the time you are admitted as a Shareholder up through and until the sale of the “covered” securities. For those securities defined as “covered” under current IRS cost basis tax reporting regulations, the Fund is responsible for maintaining accurate cost basis and tax lot information for tax reporting purposes. The Fund is not responsible for the reliability or accuracy of the information for those securities that are not “covered.” You are encouraged to refer to the appropriate Treasury Regulations or consult your tax adviser with regard to your personal circumstances and any decisions you may make with respect to choosing a tax lot identification method.

 

The Fund will send to each of its U.S. Shareholders, as promptly as possible after the end of each calendar year, a notice detailing, on a per share and per distribution basis, the amounts includible in such U.S. Shareholder’s taxable income for such year as ordinary income, qualified dividend income and long-term capital gain. In addition, the U.S. federal income tax status of each year’s distributions generally will be reported to the IRS (including the amount of distributions, if any, eligible for preferential rates). Distributions paid by the Fund generally will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction or the preferential tax rate applicable to “qualifying dividends” because the Fund’s income generally will not consist of dividends. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on a U.S. Shareholder’s particular situation.

 

The Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax, or backup withholding, currently at a rate of 28%, from all distributions to any non-corporate U.S. Shareholder (i) who fails to furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number or a certificate that such Shareholder is exempt from backup withholding or (ii) with respect to whom the IRS notifies the Fund that such Shareholder has failed to properly report certain interest and dividend income to the IRS and to respond to notices to that effect. An individual’s taxpayer identification number is his or her social security number. Any amount withheld under backup withholding is allowed as a credit against the U.S. Shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that proper information is provided to the IRS.

 

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A U.S. Shareholder that is an individual or estate, or a trust that does not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt from such tax, will generally be subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (i) the U.S. Shareholder’s “net investment income” for a taxable year and (ii) the excess of the U.S. Shareholder’s modified adjusted gross income for such taxable year over $200,000 ($250,000 in the case of joint filers). For these purposes, “net investment income” will generally include taxable distributions and deemed distributions paid with respect to the Shares, and net gain attributable to the disposition Shares (in each case, unless such Shares are held in connection with certain trades or businesses), but will be reduced by any deductions properly allocable to such distributions or net gain.

 

Under applicable Treasury Regulations, if a U.S. Shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to its Shares of $2,000,000 or more for a non-corporate U.S. Shareholder or $10,000,000 or more for a corporate U.S. Shareholder in any single taxable year (or a greater loss over a combination of years), the U.S. Shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Direct U.S. Shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, U.S. Shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to U.S. Shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Significant monetary penalties apply to a failure to comply with this reporting requirement. States may also have a similar reporting requirement. U.S. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

 

U.S. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers with respect to the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Shares, including applicable tax reporting obligations.

 

Taxation of Tax-Exempt Investors

 

Under current law, the Fund serves to prevent the attribution to Shareholders of unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) from being realized by its tax-exempt Shareholders (including, among others, individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, Keogh plans, pension plans and certain charitable entities). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a tax-exempt Shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in Shares if such tax-exempt Shareholder borrows to acquire its Shares.

 

Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders

 

A “Non-U.S. Shareholder” generally is a beneficial owner of Shares that is not a U.S. Shareholder or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This includes nonresident alien individuals, foreign trusts or estates and foreign corporations. Whether an investment in Shares is appropriate for a Non-U.S. Shareholder will depend upon that person’s particular circumstances. An investment in Shares may have adverse tax consequences as compared to a direct investment in the assets in which the Fund will invest. Non-U.S. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers with respect to the U.S. federal income tax and withholding tax, and state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in Shares, including applicable tax reporting requirements.

 

Distributions of “investment company taxable income” to Non-U.S. Shareholders (including interest income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized long-term capital losses, which generally would be free of withholding if paid to Non-U.S. Shareholders directly) will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable treaty) to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits unless the distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of a Non-U.S. Shareholder. If the distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of a Non-U.S. Shareholder, and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States, the distributions will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. Shareholders, and the Fund will not be required to withhold U.S. federal tax if the Non-U.S. Shareholder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements. Special certification requirements apply to a Non-U.S. Shareholder that is a foreign partnership or a foreign trust, and such entities are urged to consult their tax advisers.

 

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Properly designated dividends received by a Non-U.S. Shareholder are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax when they (i) are paid in respect of the Fund’s “qualified net interest income” (generally, the Fund’s U.S.-source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which the Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income), or (ii) are paid in connection with the Fund’s “qualified short-term capital gains” (generally, the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital gain over its long-term capital loss for such taxable year). In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a Non-U.S. Shareholder must comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its Non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN (for individuals), IRS Form W-8BEN-E (for entities) or an acceptable substitute or successor form). In the case of Shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund designates the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain. Non-U.S. Shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts.

 

Actual or deemed distributions of the Fund’s net capital gains to a Non-U.S. Shareholder, and gains realized by a Non-U.S. Shareholder upon the sale or redemption of Shares, will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless the distributions or gains, as the case may be, are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. Shareholder (and, if an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Shareholder in the United States,) or, in the case of an individual, the Non-U.S. Shareholder was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met.

 

If the Fund distributes its net capital gains in the form of deemed rather than actual distributions, a Non-U.S. Shareholder will be entitled to a U.S. federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the non-U.S. Shareholder’s allocable share of the corporate-level tax the Fund pays on the capital gains deemed to have been distributed; however, in order to obtain the refund, the Non-U.S. Shareholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a U.S. federal income tax return even if the Non-U.S. Shareholder would not otherwise be required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number or file a U.S. federal income tax return.

 

For corporate Non-U.S. Shareholders, distributions (both cash and in Shares), and gains realized upon the sale or redemption of Shares that are effectively connected to a U.S. trade or business may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate if provided for by an applicable treaty).

 

A Non-U.S. Shareholder who is a non-resident alien individual may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax on dividends unless the Non-U.S. Shareholder provides the Fund or the Administrator with an IRS Form W-8BEN or an acceptable substitute form or otherwise meets documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a Non-U.S. Shareholder or otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding.

 

Pursuant to U.S. withholding provisions commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), payments of most types of income from sources within the United States (as determined under applicable U.S. federal income tax principles), such as interest and dividends, and payments made after December 31, 2018, attributable to gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of any property of a type which can produce interest or dividends from sources within the United States, in each case, to a foreign financial institution, investment funds and other non-U.S. persons generally will be subject to a 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, unless certain information reporting and other applicable requirements are satisfied. Any Non-U.S. Shareholder that either does not provide the relevant information or is otherwise not compliant with FATCA may be subject to this withholding tax on certain distributions from the Fund. Any taxes required to be withheld under these rules must be withheld even if the relevant income is otherwise exempt (in whole or in part) from withholding of U.S. federal income tax, including under an income tax treaty between the United States and the beneficial owner’s country of tax residence. Each Non-U.S. Shareholder should consult its tax advisers regarding the possible implications of this withholding tax (and the reporting obligations that will apply to such Non-U.S. Shareholder, which may include providing certain information in respect of such Non-U.S. Shareholder’s beneficial owners).

 

* * * * *

 

THE TAX AND OTHER MATTERS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS, LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS. EACH INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT ITS TAX ADVISER AS TO THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF SHARES, INCLUDING APPLICABLE TAX REPORTING OBLIGATIONS.

 

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ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

 

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) and the Code impose certain requirements on employee benefit plans to which ERISA applies, and on those persons who are fiduciaries with respect to such plans. The Code imposes certain requirements on certain other plans (such as individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans (and their fiduciaries)) that, although not subject to ERISA, are subject to certain similar rules of the Code (such employee benefit plans subject to ERISA and such other plans, collectively, “Plans.”) In accordance with ERISA’s general fiduciary standards, before investing in the Fund, a Plan fiduciary should determine whether such an investment is permitted under the governing Plan instruments and is appropriate for the Plan in view of its overall investment policy and the composition and diversification of its portfolio. Moreover, ERISA and the Code require that certain reporting and disclosure be made with respect to Plan assets, that Plan assets generally be held in trust, and that the indicia of ownership of Plan assets be maintained within the jurisdiction of district courts of the United States. Thus, a Plan fiduciary considering an investment in the Fund should consult with its legal counsel concerning all the legal implications of investing in the Fund, especially the issues discussed in the following paragraphs.

 

Unless statutory or administrative exemptions are available, Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit a broad range of transactions involving Plan assets and persons who have certain specified relationships to a Plan (“parties in interest” within the meaning of ERISA and “disqualified persons” within the meaning of the Code) and impose additional prohibitions on parties in interest and disqualified persons who are Plan fiduciaries. These prohibitions also apply with respect to any entity whose assets consist of Plan assets by reason of Plans’ investment in the entity. Certain prospective Plan investors may currently maintain relationships with the Adviser and/or entities that are affiliated with the Fund, and, as a result, one or more of such entities may be deemed to be a “party in interest” or “disqualified person” with respect to (including a fiduciary of) any such prospective Plan investor.

 

Because the Fund is registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, the assets of the Fund will not be deemed to constitute Plan assets.

 

Employee benefit plans that are governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA) are not subject to requirements of ERISA and the Code discussed above but may be subject to materially similar provisions of other applicable federal or state law or may be subject to other legal restrictions on their ability to invest in the Fund. Accordingly, any such governmental plans and the fiduciaries of such plans should consult with their legal counsel concerning all the legal implications of investing in the Fund.

 

THE FUND’S SALE OF SHARES TO PLANS IS IN NO RESPECT A REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY BY THE FUND, THE ADVISER OR ANY OF THEIR AFFILIATES, OR BY ANY OTHER PERSON ASSOCIATED WITH THE SALE OF THE SHARES, THAT SUCH INVESTMENT BY PLANS MEETS ALL RELEVANT LEGAL REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO PLANS GENERALLY OR TO ANY PARTICULAR PLAN, OR THAT SUCH INVESTMENT IS OTHERWISE APPROPRIATE FOR PLANS GENERALLY OR FOR ANY PARTICULAR PLAN.

 

ELIGIBLE INVESTORS

 

Each prospective investor in the Fund will be required to certify that it is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act and a “qualified client” within the meaning of Rule 205-3 under the Advisers Act. The criteria for qualifying as a “qualified client” and “accredited investor” are set forth in the subscription document that must be completed by each prospective investor.

 

In addition, Shares are generally being offered only to investors that are either (i) U.S. persons for U.S. federal income tax purposes or (ii) non-U.S. persons that meet additional eligibility standards as defined by the Fund in its sole discretion. Investors who meet such qualifications are referred to in this Prospectus as “Eligible Investors.” The qualifications required to invest in the Fund will appear in subscription documents that must be completed by each prospective investor. Existing Shareholders who request to purchase additional Shares will be required to qualify as “Eligible Investors” and to complete an additional investor certification prior to any additional purchase.

 

Prospective investors that are non-U.S. persons under the Securities Act or for U.S. federal income tax purposes must request a copy of supplemental offering materials without charge by writing to Cresset Private

 

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Equity Opportunity Fund, c/o [·], or by calling the Fund at [·]. See “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS—Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders.”

 

PURCHASING SHARES

 

Purchase Terms

 

The minimum initial investment in the Fund by any investor is $100,000, and the minimum additional investment in the Fund by any Shareholder is $10,000. However, the Fund, in its sole discretion, may accept investments below these minimums. Investors subscribing through a given broker/dealer or registered investment adviser may have interests aggregated to meet these minimums, so long as denominations are not less than $25,000 and incremental contributions to those interests are not less than $[·]. The purchase price of the Shares on the Initial Closing Date will be $[10.00] per Share, and thereafter the purchase price for Shares is based on the net asset value per Share as of the date such Shares are purchased. Fractions of Shares will be issued to one one-thousandth of a Share.

 

Shares will generally be offered for purchase as of the first business day of each calendar quarter, except that Shares may be offered more or less frequently as determined by the Board in its sole discretion. The Board may also suspend or terminate offerings of Shares at any time.

 

Except as otherwise permitted by the Board, initial and subsequent purchases of Shares will be payable in cash. Each initial or subsequent purchase of Shares will be payable in one installment which will generally be due (i) four business days prior to the date of the proposed acceptance of the purchase set by the Fund, which is expected to be the last day of each calendar quarter (the “Acceptance Date”), where funds are remitted by wire transfer, or (ii) ten business days prior to the Acceptance Date, where funds are remitted by check. A prospective investor must also submit a completed subscription document (including investor certifications) at least five business days before the Acceptance Date. The Fund reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to accept or reject any subscription to purchase Shares in the Fund at any time. Although the Fund may, in its sole discretion, elect to accept a subscription prior to receipt of cleared funds, an investor will not become a Shareholder until cleared funds have been received. In the event that cleared funds and/or a properly completed subscription document (including investor certifications) are not received from a prospective investor prior to the cut-off dates pertaining to a particular offering, the Fund may hold the relevant funds and subscription document for processing in the next offering.

 

Pending any offering, funds received from prospective investors will be placed in an account with the Transfer Agent. On the date of any closing, the balance in the account with respect to each investor whose investment is accepted will be invested in the Fund on behalf of such investor. Any interest earned with respect to such account will be paid to the Fund and allocated pro rata among Shareholders.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Futures Transactions

 

The Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act of 1974, as amended (the “CEA”), and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA. In February 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) adopted certain regulatory changes that will subject the adviser of an investment company to registration as a Commodity Pool Operator (“CPO”) if the investment company is unable to comply with certain trading and marketing limitations.

 

With respect to investments in swap transactions, commodity futures, commodity options or certain other derivatives used for purposes other than bona fide hedging purposes, an investment company must meet one of the following tests under the amended regulations in order to claim an exemption from being considered a “commodity pool” or a CPO. First, the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish an investment company’s position in such investments may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the investment company’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such investments). Alternatively, the aggregate net notional value of those positions, as determined at the time the most recent position was established, may not exceed 100% of the net asset value of the investment company’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits

 

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and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of the foregoing trading limitations, the investment company may not market itself as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options or swaps and derivatives markets. In the event that the Adviser was required to register as a CPO, the disclosure and operations of the Fund would need to comply with all applicable CFTC regulations. Compliance with these additional registration and regulatory requirements would increase operational expenses. Other potentially adverse regulatory initiatives could also develop. A related CFTC proposal to harmonize applicable CFTC and SEC regulations could, if adopted, mitigate certain disclosure and operational burdens if CPO registration were required.

 

On December 11, 2015, the SEC proposed a regulation that, if adopted, would change the regulation of the use of derivatives and financial commitment transactions by registered investment companies. The nature of any final regulations is uncertain at this time, but, if adopted, the Fund may be required to segregate cash or liquid securities in connection with its futures transactions in an amount generally equal to the entire value of the underlying security.

 

Subsidiaries

 

The Fund may make investments through wholly-owned subsidiaries (“Subsidiaries”).  Such Subsidiaries will not be registered under the Investment Company Act. However, the Fund will wholly own and control any Subsidiaries. The Board has oversight responsibility for the investment activities of the Fund, including its investment in any Subsidiary, and the Fund’s role as sole member or shareholder of any Subsidiary. To the extent applicable to the investment activities of a Subsidiary, the Subsidiary will follow the same compliance policies and procedures as the Fund. The Fund would “look through” any such Subsidiary to determine compliance with its investment policies.

 

SUMMARY OF THE AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST

 

An investor in the Fund will be a Shareholder of the Fund and his or her rights in the Fund will be established and governed by the Agreement and Declaration of Trust that is included as Appendix A to this Prospectus. A prospective investor and his or her advisors should carefully review the Agreement and Declaration of Trust as each Shareholder will agree to be bound by its terms and conditions. The following is a summary description of additional items and of select provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust that may not be described elsewhere in this Prospectus. The description of such items and provisions is not definitive and reference should be made to the complete text of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust.

 

Shareholders; Additional Classes of Shares

 

Persons who purchase Shares will be Shareholders of the Fund. The Adviser may invest in the Fund as a Shareholder.

 

In addition, to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act and subject to receipt of exemptive relief from the SEC, the Fund reserves the right to issue additional classes of Shares in the future subject to fees, charges, repurchase rights, and other characteristics different from those of the Shares offered in this Prospectus.

 

Liability of Shareholders

 

Under Delaware law and the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, each Shareholder will be liable for the debts and obligations of the Fund only to the extent of any contributions to the capital of the Fund (plus any accretions in value thereto prior to withdrawal) and a Shareholder, in the sole discretion of the Board, may be obligated to return to the Fund amounts distributed to the Shareholder, or the Board may reduce any amount payable by the Fund to a Shareholder in respect of a redemption of Shares, in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust in certain circumstances. See “REPURCHASES OF SHARES—Periodic Repurchases.

 

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Limitation of Liability; Indemnification

 

The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees and former Trustees of the Board and officers and former officers of the Fund shall not be liable to the Fund or any of the Shareholders for any loss or damage occasioned by any act or omission in the performance of their services as such in the absence of willful misfeasance or gross negligence of the duties involved in the conduct of their office or as otherwise required by applicable law. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust also contains provisions for the indemnification, to the extent permitted by law, of the Trustees and former Trustees of the Board and officers and former officers of the Fund (as well as certain other related parties) by the Fund (but not by the Shareholders individually) against any liability and expense to which any of them may be liable that arise in connection with the performance of their activities on behalf of the Fund. None of these persons shall be personally liable to any Shareholder for the repayment of any positive balance in the Shareholder’s capital account or for contributions by the Shareholder to the capital of the Fund or by reason of any change in the federal or state income tax laws applicable to the Fund or its investors. The rights of indemnification and exculpation provided under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust shall not be construed so as to limit liability or provide for indemnification of the Trustees and former Trustees of the Board, officers and former officers of the Fund, and the other persons entitled to such indemnification for any liability (including liability under applicable federal or state securities laws which, under certain circumstances, impose liability even on persons that act in good faith), to the extent (but only to the extent) that such indemnification or limitation on liability would be in violation of applicable law, but shall be construed so as to effectuate the applicable provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

Amendment of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust

 

The Agreement and Declaration of Trust may generally be amended, in whole or in part, with the approval of a majority of the Board (including a majority of the Independent Trustees, if required by the Investment Company Act) and without the approval of the Shareholders unless the approval of Shareholders is required under the Investment Company Act. However, certain amendments to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust involving capital accounts and allocations thereto may not be made without the written consent of each Shareholder materially adversely affected thereby or unless each Shareholder has received written notice of the amendment and any Shareholder objecting to the amendment has been allowed a reasonable opportunity (pursuant to any procedures as may be prescribed by the Board) to have all of its Shares repurchased by the Fund.

 

Term, Dissolution, and Liquidation

 

The Fund shall be dissolved:

 

(1)    upon the affirmative vote to dissolve the Fund by either (i) a majority of the Trustees of the Board, or (ii) Shareholders holding at least three-quarters (3/4) of the total number of votes eligible to be cast by all Shareholders; or

 

(2)    as required by operation of law.

 

Upon the occurrence of any event of dissolution, one or more Trustees of the Board or the Adviser, acting as liquidator under appointment by the Board (or another liquidator, if the Board does not appoint one or more Trustees of the Board or the Adviser to act as liquidator or is unable to perform this function) is charged with winding up the affairs of the Fund and liquidating its assets. Upon the liquidation of the Fund, after establishment of appropriate reserves for contingencies in such amounts as the Board or the liquidator, as applicable, deems appropriate in its sole discretion, the Fund’s assets will be distributed: (i) first to satisfy the debts, liabilities, and obligations of the Fund (other than debts to Shareholders) including actual or anticipated liquidation expenses; (ii) next to repay debts, liabilities and obligations owing to the Shareholders; and (iii) finally to the Shareholders (including the Adviser) proportionately in accordance with the balances in their respective capital accounts. Assets may be distributed in kind on a pro rata basis if the Board or liquidator determines that such a distribution would be in the interests of the Shareholders in facilitating an orderly liquidation.

 

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The Board may, in its sole discretion, and if determined to be in the best interests of the Shareholders, distribute the assets of the Fund into and through a liquidating trust to effect the liquidation of the Fund. The use of a liquidating trust would be subject to the regulatory requirements of the Investment Company Act and applicable Delaware law, and could result in additional expenses to the Shareholders.

 

REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS

 

The Fund will furnish to Shareholders as soon as practicable after the end of each of its taxable years such information as is necessary for them to complete U.S. federal and state income tax or information returns, along with any other tax information required by law. The Fund anticipates sending Shareholders an unaudited semi-annual and an audited annual report within 60 days after the close of the period for which the report is being made, or as otherwise required by the Investment Company Act.

 

FISCAL YEAR

 

The Fund’s first fiscal year will conclude on [·]. Thereafter, the Fund’s fiscal year will be the 12-month period ending on March 31. The Fund’s first taxable year will conclude on [·]. Thereafter, the Fund’s taxable year will be the 12-month period ending on [·].

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM; LEGAL COUNSEL

 

The Board has selected [·], as independent registered public accountants for the Fund.

 

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, One Logan Square, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996, serves as counsel to the Fund [and the Independent Trustees of the Fund].

 

INQUIRIES

 

Inquiries concerning the Fund and the Shares (including procedures for purchasing Shares) should be directed to: Cresset SPG, LLC at 444 W. Lake Street, Suite 4700, Chicago, IL, 60606.

 

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The information in this Statement of Additional Information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Statement of Additional Information is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 17, 2018

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Cresset Private Equity Opportunity Fund

 

Dated [·], 2018

 

c/o Cresset SPG, LLC

444 W. Lake Street,

Chicago, IL 60606

(312) 429-2405

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not an offering memorandum. This SAI relates to and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus (the “Prospectus”) of Cresset Private Equity Opportunity Fund (the “Fund”) dated [·], 2018, as it may be further amended or supplemented from time to time. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by contacting the Fund at the telephone number or address set forth above.

 

This SAI is not an offer to sell shares of the Fund (“Shares”) and is not soliciting an offer to buy the Shares in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the same meaning set forth in the Prospectus.

 




 

INVESTMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES

 

The investment objective and the principal investment strategies of the Fund, as well as the principal risks associated with such investment strategies, are set forth in the Prospectus. Certain additional information regarding the investment program of the Fund is set forth below.

 

FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

 

The Fund’s fundamental policies, which are listed below, may only be changed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. At the present time the Shares are the only outstanding voting securities of the Fund. As defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), the vote of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund” means the vote, at an annual or special meeting of the shareholders of the Fund (the “Shareholders”), duly called, (i) of 67% or more of the Shares  represented at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding  Shares are present in person or represented by proxy or (ii) of more than 50% of the outstanding Shares, whichever is less. No other policy is a fundamental policy of the Fund, except as expressly stated. Within the limits of the fundamental policies of the Fund, the management of the Fund has reserved freedom of action. The Fund may not:

 

(1)                                 Issue any senior security, except to the extent permitted by Section 18 of the Investment Company Act, as interpreted, modified, or otherwise permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or any other applicable authority.

 

(2)                                 Borrow money, except to the extent permitted by Section 18 of the Investment Company Act, as interpreted, modified, or otherwise permitted by the SEC or any other applicable authority. This investment restriction does not apply to borrowings from affiliated investment companies or other affiliated persons of the Fund to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act, the SEC or any other applicable authority.

 

(3)                                 Underwrite securities of other issuers, except insofar as the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with the disposition of its portfolio securities.

 

(4)                                 Make loans, except through purchasing fixed-income securities (including whole loans, whether senior or subordinated, “Payment-In-Kind” or “PIK” securities, other mezzanine securities or participations in any of the foregoing), lending portfolio securities, or entering into repurchase agreements in a manner consistent with the investment policies of the Fund, or as otherwise permitted under the Investment Company Act. This investment restriction does not apply to loans to affiliated investment companies or other affiliated persons of the Fund to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act, the SEC or any other applicable authority.

 

(5)                                 Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, except that the Fund may invest in securities that are secured by real estate, including, without limitation, mortgage-related securities, or that are issued by companies or partnerships that invest or deal in real estate or real estate investment trusts, and may hold and dispose of real estate acquired by the Fund as a result of the ownership of securities or other permitted investments.

 

(6)                                 Invest in commodities and commodity contracts, except that the Fund (i) may purchase and sell non-U.S. currencies, options, swaps, futures and forward contracts, including those related to indexes, options and options on indexes, as well as other financial instruments and contracts that are commodities or commodity contracts, (ii) may also purchase or sell commodities if acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, (iii) may invest in commodity pools and other entities that purchase and sell commodities and commodity contracts, and (iv) may make such investments as otherwise permitted by the Investment Company Act.

 

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(7)                                 Invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in the securities of issuers that the Adviser determines are engaged in any single industry, except that U.S. government securities and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities may be purchased without limitation. This investment restriction does not apply to investments by the Fund in Portfolio Funds (or in another comparable investment pool). The Fund may invest in Portfolio Funds that may concentrate their assets in one or more industries. The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its assets in a Portfolio Fund or Funds, in aggregate, that it knows concentrates its assets in a single industry.

 

With respect to these investment restrictions and other policies described in this SAI or the Prospectus, if a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of an investment or transaction, a later change in percentage resulting from a change in the values of investments or the value of the Fund’s total assets, unless otherwise stated, will not constitute a violation of such restriction or policy. The Fund’s investment policies and restrictions do not apply to the activities and the transactions of the Portfolio Funds, but will apply to investments made by the Fund directly (or any account consisting solely of the Fund’s assets).

 

The investment objective of the Fund is not a fundamental policy of the Fund and may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board”) without the vote of a majority (as defined by the Investment Company Act) of the Fund’s outstanding Shares.

 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES OF THE FUND AND THE RELATED RISKS

 

As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund’s investments consist primarily of: (i) secondary investments in private equity funds (“Portfolio Funds”) managed by third-party managers (“Portfolio Fund Managers”); (ii) primary investments in Portfolio Funds managed by Portfolio Fund Managers; and (iii) direct co-investments in the equity and/or debt of private equity-backed operating companies. This section provides additional information about various types of investments and investment techniques that may be employed by the Fund or by Portfolio Funds in which the Fund invests. Many of the investments and techniques described in this section may be based in part on the existence of a public market for the relevant securities. To that extent, such investments and techniques are not expected to represent the principal investments or techniques of the majority of the Fund or of the Portfolio Funds; however, there is no limit on the types of investments the Portfolio Funds may make and certain Portfolio Funds may use such investments or techniques extensively. Similarly, there are few limits on the types of investments the Fund may make. Accordingly, the descriptions in this section cannot be comprehensive. Any decision to invest in the Fund should take into account (i) the possibility that the Portfolio Funds may make virtually any kind of investment, (ii) that the Fund has similarly broad latitude in the kinds of investments it may make (subject to the fundamental policies described above) and (iii) that all such investments will be subject to related risks, which can be substantial.

 

Equity Securities

 

The Fund’s and/or a Portfolio Fund’s portfolio may include investments in common stocks, preferred stocks, and convertible securities of U.S. and foreign issuers. The Fund and/or a Portfolio Fund also may invest in depositary receipts relating to foreign securities. Equity securities fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the value of the issuer of the securities. Given the private equity focus of the Fund, there is expected to be no liquid market for a majority of such investments.

 

Common Stock

 

Common stock or other common equity issued by a corporation or other entity generally entitles the holder to a pro rata share of the profits, if any, of the entity without preference over any other shareholder or claims of shareholders, after making required payments to holders of the entity’s preferred stock and other senior equity. Common stock usually carries with it the right to vote and frequently an exclusive right to do so.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Preferred stock or other preferred equity generally has a preference as to dividends and, in the event of liquidation, to an issuer’s assets, over the issuer’s common stock or other common equity, but it ranks junior to debt securities in an issuer’s capital structure. Preferred stock generally pays dividends in cash or additional shares of preferred stock at a defined rate but, unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are generally payable only if declared by the issuer’s board of directors. Dividends on preferred stock may be cumulative, meaning that, in the event the issuer fails to make one or more dividend payments on the preferred stock, no dividends may be paid on the issuer’s common stock until all unpaid preferred stock dividends have been paid. Preferred stock may also be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.

 

Convertible Securities

 

Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stock, or other securities that may be converted into or exchanged for a specified amount of common equity of the same or different issuer within a specified period of time at a specified price or based on a specified formula. In many cases, a convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest or a dividend that is generally paid or accrued until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Convertible securities have unique investment characteristics in that they generally (i) have higher yields (i.e., rates of interest or dividends) than common stocks, but lower yields than comparable non-convertible securities, (ii) are less subject to fluctuation in value than the underlying common stock into which they are convertible due to their fixed-income characteristics and (iii) provide the potential for capital appreciation if the market price of the underlying common stock increases. The Fund’s and/or the Portfolio

 

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Funds’ investments in convertible securities are expected to primarily be in private convertible securities, but may be in public convertible securities.

 

The value of a convertible security is primarily a function of its “investment value” (determined by its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege) and its “conversion value” (determined by reference to the security’s anticipated worth, at market value, if converted into the underlying common stock). The investment value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value typically declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors may also increase or decrease the convertible security’s value. If the conversion value is low relative to the investment value, the convertible security is valued principally by reference to its investment value. To the extent the value of the underlying common stock approaches or exceeds the conversion value, the convertible security will be valued increasingly by reference to its conversion value. Generally, the conversion value decreases as the convertible security approaches maturity. Where no market exists for a convertible security and/or the underlying common stock, such investments may be difficult to value. A public convertible security generally will sell at a premium over its conversion value by the extent to which investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock while holding a fixed-income security.

 

A convertible security may in some cases be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument. If a convertible security is called for redemption, the holder will generally have a choice of tendering the security for redemption, converting it into common stock prior to redemption, or selling it to a third party. Any of these actions could have a material adverse effect and result in losses to the Fund.

 

Derivative Instruments

 

Although not a principal investment strategy, the Fund or the Portfolio Funds may use financial instruments known as derivatives. A derivative is generally defined as an instrument whose value is derived from, or based upon, some underlying index, reference rate (such as interest rates or currency exchange rates), security, commodity or other asset. Following are descriptions of certain derivatives that the Portfolio Funds may use. The same descriptions apply to the Fund, mutatis mutandis, to the extent that it engages in derivatives transactions. Certain risks associated with derivatives are described under “INVESTMENT RELATED RISKS—Derivative Instruments” in the Prospectus.

 

Options and Futures

 

A Portfolio Fund may utilize options contracts, futures contracts, and options on futures contracts. It also may use so-called “synthetic” options or other derivative instruments written by broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries. Options transactions may be effected on securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. When options are purchased over-the-counter, the Portfolio Fund’s portfolio bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the option contract. Such options may also be illiquid, and, in such cases, a Portfolio Fund may have difficulty closing out its position. Over-the-counter options purchased and sold by the Portfolio Fund also may include options on baskets of specific securities.

 

A Portfolio Fund may purchase call and put options on specific securities or currencies and may write and sell covered or uncovered call and put options for hedging purposes and non-hedging purposes to pursue its investment objective. A put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, the underlying security at a stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and obligates the writer to sell, the underlying security at a stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option.

 

A covered call option is a call option with respect to which a Portfolio Fund owns the underlying security. The sale of such an option exposes the Portfolio Fund, during the term of the option, to possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the underlying security and to the possibility that it might hold the underlying security in order to protect against depreciation in the market price of the security during a period when it might have otherwise sold the security. The seller of a covered call option assumes the risk of a decline in the market price of the underlying security below the purchase price of the underlying security less the premium

 

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received and gives up the opportunity for gain on the underlying security above the exercise price of the option. The seller of an uncovered call option assumes the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the market price of the underlying security above the exercise price of the option.

 

A covered put option is a put option with respect to which the seller has a short position in the underlying security. The seller of a covered put option assumes the risk of an increase in the market price of the underlying security above the sales price (in establishing the short position) of the underlying security plus the premium received and gives up the opportunity for gain on the underlying security below the exercise price of the option. If the seller of the put option owns a put option covering an equivalent number of shares with an exercise price equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put written, the position is “fully hedged” if the option owned expires at the same time or later than the option written. The seller of an uncovered put option assumes the risk of a decline in the market price of the underlying security below the exercise price of the option. The seller of a put option may also be required to place cash or liquid securities in a segregated account to ensure compliance with its obligation to purchase the underlying security. The sale of such an option exposes the Portfolio Fund during the term of the option to a decline in price of the underlying security while depriving the Portfolio Fund of the opportunity to invest the segregated assets.

 

A Portfolio Fund may close out a position when writing options by purchasing an option on the same security with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option that it has previously written on the security. The Portfolio Fund will realize a profit or loss if the amount paid to purchase an option is less or more, as the case may be, than the amount received from the sale thereof. To close out a position as a purchaser of an option, the Portfolio Fund would generally make a similar “closing sale transaction,” which involves liquidating its position by selling the option previously purchased. However, if deemed advantageous, the Portfolio Fund would be entitled to exercise the option.

 

A Portfolio Fund may enter into stock futures contracts, interest rate futures contracts, and currency futures contracts in U.S. domestic markets or on exchanges located outside the United States. Foreign markets may offer advantages such as trading opportunities or arbitrage possibilities not available in the United States. Foreign markets, however, may have greater risk potential than domestic markets. For example, some foreign exchanges are principal markets so that no common clearing facility exists, and an investor may look only to the broker for performance of the contract. Transactions on foreign exchanges may include both commodities that are traded on domestic exchanges and those that are not. Unlike trading on domestic commodity exchanges, trading on foreign commodity exchanges is not regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”). Therefore, the CFTC does not have the power to compel enforcement of the rules of the foreign exchange or the laws of the foreign country. Moreover, such laws or regulations will vary depending on the foreign country in which the transaction occurs. For these reasons, the Portfolio Funds may not be afforded certain of the protections that apply to domestic transactions, including the right to use domestic alternative dispute resolution procedures. In particular, funds received from customers to margin foreign futures transactions may not be provided the same protections as funds received to margin futures transactions on domestic exchanges. In addition, the price of any foreign futures or option contract and, therefore, the potential profit and loss resulting from that contract, may be affected by any fluctuation in the foreign exchange rate between the time the order is placed and the foreign futures contract is liquidated or the foreign option contract is liquidated or exercised.

 

In addition to futures contracts traded on U.S. domestic markets or exchanges that are regulated by the CFTC or on foreign exchanges, Portfolio Funds may also trade certain futures either over-the-counter or on trading facilities such as derivatives transaction execution facilities, exempt boards of trade or electronic trading facilities that are licensed and/or regulated to varying degrees by the CFTC. In addition, certain single stock futures and narrow-based security index futures may be traded over-the-counter or on trading facilities such as contract markets, derivatives transaction execution facilities and electronic trading facilities that are licensed and/or regulated to varying degrees by both the CFTC and the SEC or on foreign exchanges.

 

Trading in futures involves risk of loss to the Portfolio Fund that could materially adversely affect the net asset value of the Fund. No assurance can be given that a liquid market will exist for any particular futures contract at any particular time. Many futures exchanges and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day by regulations referred to as “daily price fluctuation limits” or “daily limits.” Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a

 

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price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended for specified periods during the trading day. Futures contract prices could move to the limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and potentially subjecting the Portfolio Fund to substantial losses, which may result in losses to the Fund. In addition, the CFTC and various exchanges impose speculative position limits on the number of positions that each Portfolio Fund may indirectly hold or control in certain particular futures or options contracts. Many of the major U.S. exchanges have eliminated speculative position limits and have substituted position accountability rules that would permit the Portfolio Funds to trade without restriction as long as such Portfolio Funds can demonstrate the positions acquired were not acquired for the purpose of manipulating the market.

 

Successful use of futures by a Portfolio Fund depends on its ability to correctly predict movements in the direction of the relevant market, and, to the extent the transaction is entered into for hedging purposes, to ascertain the appropriate correlation between the transaction being hedged and the price movements of the futures contract.

 

The prices of all derivative instruments, including futures and options prices, are highly volatile. Price movements of forward contracts, futures contracts, and other derivative contracts in which a Portfolio Fund may invest are influenced by, among other things: interest rates; changing supply and demand relationships; trade, fiscal, monetary, and exchange control programs and policies of governments; and national and international political and economic events and policies. In addition, governments from time to time intervene, directly and by regulation, in certain markets, particularly those currencies and interest rate-related futures and options. Such intervention often is intended directly to influence prices and may, together with other factors, cause all of such markets to move rapidly in the same direction because of, among other things, interest rate fluctuations. Portfolio Funds are also subject to the risk of the failure of any of the exchanges on which their positions trade or of their clearinghouses.

 

A stock index future obligates a Portfolio Fund to pay, or entitles it to receive, an amount of cash equal to a fixed dollar amount specified in the futures contract multiplied by the difference between the settlement price of the contract on the contract’s last trading day and the value of the index based on the stock prices of the securities that comprise it at the opening of trading in such securities on the next business day. An interest rate future obligates a Portfolio Fund to purchase or sell an amount of a specific debt security at a future date at a specific price. A currency future obligates a Portfolio Fund to purchase or sell an amount of a specific currency at a future date at a specific price.

 

Call and Put Options on Securities Indexes

 

A Portfolio Fund may purchase and sell call and put options on stock indexes listed on national securities exchanges or traded in the over-the-counter market for hedging and non-hedging purposes to pursue its investment objectives. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market values of the stocks included in the index. Accordingly, successful use by a Portfolio Fund of options on stock indexes will be subject to the ability to correctly predict movements in the direction of the stock market generally or of a particular industry or market segment. This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the price of individual stocks.

 

Yield Curve Options

 

A Portfolio Fund may enter into options on the yield “spread” or differential between two securities. Such transactions are referred to as “yield curve” options. In contrast to other types of options, a yield curve option is based on the difference between the yields of designated securities, rather than the prices of the individual securities, and is settled through cash payments. Accordingly, a yield curve option is profitable to the holder if this differential widens (in the case of a call) or narrows (in the case of a put), regardless of whether the yields of the underlying securities increase or decrease. The trading of yield curve options is subject to all of the risks associated with the trading of other types of options. In addition, such options present a risk of loss even if the yield of one of the underlying securities remains constant, or if the spread moves in a direction or to an extent which was not anticipated.

 

Rights and Warrants

 

A Portfolio Fund may invest in rights and warrants. Rights (sometimes referred to as “subscription rights”) and warrants may be purchased separately or may be received as part of a distribution in respect of, or may be attached to, other securities that a Portfolio Fund has purchased. Rights and warrants are securities that give the

 

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holder the right, but not the obligation, to purchase equity securities of the company issuing the rights or warrants, or a related company, at a fixed price either on a date certain or during a set period. Typically, rights have a relatively short term (e.g., two to four weeks), whereas warrants can have much longer terms. At the time of issue, the cost of a right or warrant is substantially less than the cost of the underlying security itself.

 

Particularly in the case of warrants, price movements in the underlying security are generally magnified in the price movements of the warrant. This effect would enable a Portfolio Fund to gain exposure to the underlying security with a relatively low capital investment but increases the Portfolio Fund’s risk in the event of a decline in the value of the underlying security and can result in a complete loss of the amount invested in the warrant. In addition, the price of a warrant tends to be more volatile than, and may not correlate exactly to, the price of the underlying security. If the market price of the underlying security is below the exercise price of the warrant on its expiration date, the warrant will generally expire without value. The equity security underlying a warrant is authorized at the time the warrant is issued or is issued together with the warrant, which may result in losses to the Fund. Investing in warrants can provide a greater potential for profit or loss than an equivalent investment in the underlying security, and, thus, can be a speculative investment. The value of a warrant may decline because of a decline in the value of the underlying security, the passage of time, changes in interest rates or in the dividend or other policies of the company whose equity underlies the warrant or a change in the perception as to the future price of the underlying security, or any combination thereof. Warrants and rights do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights with respect to the securities that they entitle the holder to purchase, and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer.

 

Swaps

 

A Portfolio Fund may enter into equity, interest rate, index, currency rate, total return and/or other types of swap agreements. These transactions are entered into in an attempt to obtain a particular return when it is considered desirable to do so, possibly at a lower cost than if a Portfolio Fund had invested directly in the asset that yielded the desired return. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than a year. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a “notional amount” (i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency, or in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index).

 

Interest Rate, Mortgage and Credit Swaps

 

A Portfolio Fund may enter into interest rate swaps. Forms of swap agreements include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent interest rates exceed a specified rate or “cap”; interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent interest rates fall below a specified level or “floor”; and interest rate collars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels. Mortgage swaps are similar to interest rate swaps in that they represent commitments to pay and receive interest. The notional principal amount, however, is tied to a reference pool or pools of mortgages. Credit swaps involve the receipt of floating or fixed note payments in exchange for assuming potential credit losses on an underlying security. Credit swaps give one party to a transaction the right to dispose of or acquire an asset (or group of assets), or the right to receive a payment from the other party, upon the occurrence of specified credit events.

 

Equity Index Swaps

 

A Portfolio Fund may enter into equity index swaps. Equity index swaps involve the exchange by a Portfolio Fund with another party of cash flows based upon the performance of an index or a portion of an index of securities that usually includes dividends. A Portfolio Fund may purchase cash-settled options on equity index swaps. A cash-settled option on a swap gives the purchaser the right, but not the obligation, in return for the premium paid, to receive an amount of cash equal to the value of the underlying swap as of the exercise date. These options typically are purchased in privately negotiated transactions from financial institutions, including securities brokerage firms.

 

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Currency Swaps

 

A Portfolio Fund may enter into currency swaps for both hedging and non-hedging purposes. Currency swaps involve the exchange of rights to make or receive payments in specified foreign currencies. Currency swaps usually involve the delivery of the entire principal value of one designated currency in exchange for another designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. The use of currency swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves special investment techniques and risks. Incorrect forecasts of market values and currency exchange rates can materially adversely affect the Portfolio Fund’s performance. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Portfolio Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction.

 

Total Return Swaps

 

A Portfolio Fund may enter into total return swaps. In a total return swap, one party pays a rate of interest in exchange for the total rate of return on another investment. For example, if a Portfolio Fund wished to invest in a senior loan, it could instead enter into a total return swap and receive the total return of the senior loan, less the “funding cost,” which would be a floating interest rate payment to the counterparty.

 

Swaptions

 

A Portfolio Fund may also purchase and write (sell) options contracts on swaps, commonly referred to as “swaptions.” A swaption is an option to enter into a swap agreement. Like other types of options, the buyer of a swaption pays a non-refundable premium for the option and obtains the right, but not the obligation, to enter into an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms. The seller of a swaption, in exchange for the premium, becomes obligated (if the option is exercised) to enter into an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms.

 

Certain swap agreements into which a Portfolio Fund enters may require the calculation of the obligations of the parties to the agreements on a “net basis.” Consequently, the Portfolio Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under such swap agreements generally will be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”). The risk of loss with respect to swaps consists of the net amount of the payments that the Portfolio Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to a swap defaults, the Portfolio Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of the payments that the Portfolio Fund contractually is entitled to receive.

 

Distressed Securities

 

The Fund or a Portfolio Fund may invest in debt or equity securities of domestic and foreign issuers in weak financial condition, experiencing poor operating results, having substantial capital needs or negative net worth, facing special competitive or product obsolescence problems, or that are involved in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings. Investments of this type may involve substantial financial and business risks that can result in substantial or at times even total losses. Among the risks inherent in investments in troubled entities is the fact that it frequently may be difficult to obtain information as to the true condition of such issuers. Such investments also may be adversely affected by state and federal laws relating to, among other things, fraudulent transfers and other voidable transfers or payments, lender liability, and a bankruptcy court’s power to disallow, reduce, subordinate, or disenfranchise particular claims. The market prices of such securities are also subject to abrupt and erratic market movements and above-average price volatility, and the spread between the bid and ask prices of such securities may be greater than those prevailing in other securities markets. It may take a number of years for the market price of such securities to reflect their intrinsic value. In liquidation (both in and out of bankruptcy) and other forms of corporate reorganization, there exists the risk that the reorganization either will be unsuccessful (due to, for example, failure to obtain requisite approvals), will be delayed (for example, until various liabilities, actual or contingent, have been satisfied), or will result in a distribution of cash or a new security the value of which will be less than the purchase price to the Portfolio Fund of the security in respect to which such distribution was made.

 

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Additional Method of Investing in a Portfolio Fund

 

The Fund will typically invest directly in a Portfolio Fund by purchasing an interest in such Portfolio Fund. There may be situations, however, where a Portfolio Fund is not open or available for direct investment by the Fund or where the Adviser elects for other reasons to invest indirectly in a Portfolio Fund (including, without limitation, restrictions of the Investment Company Act). On occasions where the Adviser determines that an indirect investment is the most effective or efficient means of gaining exposure to a Portfolio Fund, the Fund may invest in a Portfolio Fund indirectly, such as by purchasing a structured note or entering into a swap or other contract paying a return tied to the return of a Portfolio Fund. In the case of a structured note or a swap, a counterparty would agree to pay to the Fund a return based on the return of the Portfolio Fund, in exchange for consideration paid by the Fund equivalent to the cost of purchasing an ownership interest in the Portfolio Fund. Indirect investment through a swap or similar contract in a Portfolio Fund carries with it the credit risk associated with the counterparty. Indirect investments will generally be subject to transaction and other fees, which will reduce the value of the Fund’s investment. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s indirect investment in a Portfolio Fund will have the same or similar results as a direct investment in the Portfolio Fund, and the Fund’s value may decrease as a result of such indirect investment. When the Fund makes an indirect investment in a Portfolio Fund by investing in a structured note, swap, or other contract intended to pay a return equal to the total return of such Portfolio Fund, such investment by the Fund may be subject to additional regulations.

 

Cyber Security Risk

 

The Fund and its service providers may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from breaches in cyber security. A breach in cyber security refers to both intentional and unintentional events that may cause the Fund to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption, or lose operational capacity. Breaches in cyber security include, among other behaviors, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, denial of service attacks on websites, the unauthorized release of confidential information or various other forms of cyber-attacks. Cyber security breaches affecting the Fund, the Adviser, financial intermediaries and other third-party service providers may adversely impact the Fund. For instance, cyber security breaches may interfere with the processing of Shareholder transactions, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate its net asset value, cause the release of private Shareholder information or confidential business information, impede investment activities, subject the Fund to regulatory fines or financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. The Fund may also incur additional costs for cyber security risk management purposes. Similar types of cyber security risks are also present for the issuers of securities in which the Fund may invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause the Fund to lose value.

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

 

The business operations of the Fund are managed and supervised under the direction of the Board, subject to the laws of the State of Delaware and the Fund’s agreement and declaration of trust (“Declaration of Trust”). The Board has overall responsibility for the management and supervision of the business affairs of the Fund on behalf of its Shareholders, including the authority to establish policies regarding the management, conduct and operation of its business. The Board exercises the same powers, authority and responsibilities on behalf of the Fund as are customarily exercised by the board of directors of a registered investment company organized as a corporation. The officers of the Fund conduct and supervise the daily business operations of the Fund.

 

The trustees of the Board (each, a “Trustee”) are not required to contribute to the capital of the Fund or to hold interests therein. A majority of Trustees of the Board are not “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the Fund (collectively, the “Independent Trustees”).

 

The identity of Trustees of the Board and officers of the Fund, and their brief biographical information, including their addresses, their year of birth and descriptions of their principal occupations during the past five years is set forth below.

 

The Trustees serve on the Board for terms of indefinite duration. A Trustee’s position in that capacity will terminate if the Trustee is removed or resigns or, among other events, upon the Trustee’s death, incapacity,

 

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retirement or bankruptcy. A Trustee may resign upon written notice to the other Trustees of the Fund, and may be removed either by (i) the vote of at least two-thirds of the Trustees of the Fund not subject to the removal vote or (ii) the vote of Shareholders holding not less than two-thirds of the total number of votes eligible to be cast by all Shareholders of the Fund. In the event of any vacancy in the position of a Trustee, the remaining Trustees of the Fund may appoint an individual to serve as a Trustee so long as immediately after the appointment at least two-thirds of the Trustees of the Fund then serving have been elected by the Shareholders of the Fund. The Board may call a meeting of the Shareholders to fill any vacancy in the position of a Trustee of the Fund, and must do so if the Trustees who were elected by the Shareholders cease to constitute a majority of the Trustees then serving on the Board.

 

The Board believes that each of the Trustees’ experience, qualifications, attributes and skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Trustees lead to the conclusion that each Trustee should serve in such capacity. Among the attributes common to all Trustees is the ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the other Trustees, the Adviser, other service providers, counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm, and to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties as Trustees. A Trustee’s ability to perform his or her duties effectively may have been attained through the Trustee’s business, consulting, and public service work; experience as a board member of non-profit entities or other organizations; education or professional training; and/or other life experiences. In addition to these shared characteristics, set forth below is a brief discussion of the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of each Trustee. Specific details regarding each Trustee’s principal occupations during the past five years are included in the tables below. See “Board of Trustees and Officers—Independent Trustees” and “Board of Trustees and Officers—Interested Trustees and Officers.”

 

 

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

 

NAME, ADDRESS
AND YEAR OF BIRTH

 

POSITION(S)
HELD WITH
THE FUND

 

TERM OF
OFFICE* AND
LENGTH OF
TIME SERVED

 

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS AND
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS**
HELD BY TRUSTEE

 

NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS IN
FUND COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
TRUSTEE OR
OFFICER

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

 


*Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

 

**Includes any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any company registered under the Investment Company Act.

 

INTERESTED TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

 

NAME, ADDRESS
AND YEAR OF BIRTH

 

POSITION(S)
HELD WITH
THE FUND

 

TERM OF
OFFICE* AND
LENGTH OF
TIME SERVED

 

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS AND
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS**
HELD BY TRUSTEE

 

NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS IN
FUND COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
TRUSTEE OR
OFFICER

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

 

10



 


*Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

 

**Includes any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any company registered under the Investment Company Act.

 

Leadership Structure and Oversight Responsibilities

 

Overall responsibility for oversight of the Fund rests with the Board. The Fund has engaged the Adviser to manage the Fund on a day-to-day basis. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Adviser and other service providers in the operations of the Fund in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Company Act, applicable provisions of state and other laws and the Declaration of Trust. The Board is currently composed of [·] members, [·] of whom are Independent Trustees. The Board will meet in-person at regularly scheduled meetings four times each year. In addition, the Board may hold special in-person or telephonic meetings or informal conference calls to discuss specific matters that may arise or require action between regular meetings. [The Independent Trustees have also engaged independent legal counsel to assist them in performing their oversight responsibility. The Independent Trustees will meet with their independent legal counsel in-person prior to and during each quarterly in-person board meeting. As described below, the Board has established an audit committee (the “Audit Committee”) a nominating committee (the “Nominating Committee”), and a valuation committee (the “Valuation Committee”), and may establish ad hoc committees or working groups from time to time to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities.]

 

The Board has appointed [·], an Independent Trustee, to serve in the role of Chairman. The Chairman’s role is to preside at all meetings of the Board and to act as liaison with the Adviser, other service providers, counsel and other Trustees generally between meetings. The Chairman serves as a key point person for dealings between management and the Trustees. The Chairman may also perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Board from time to time. The Board has determined that the Board’s leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board to exercise informed and independent judgment over matters under its purview and it allocates areas of responsibility among committees of Trustees and the full Board in a manner that enhances effective oversight.

 

The Fund is subject to a number of risks, including investment, compliance, operational and valuation risks, among others. Risk oversight forms part of the Board’s general oversight of the Fund and will be addressed as part of various Board and committee activities. Day-to-day risk management functions are subsumed within the responsibilities of the Adviser and other service providers (depending on the nature of the risk), which carry out the Fund’s investment management and business affairs. The Adviser and other service providers employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify various events or circumstances that give rise to risks, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Each of the Adviser and other service providers has their own independent interests in risk management, and their policies and methods of risk management will depend on their functions and business models. The Board recognizes that it is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. The Board will require senior officers of the Fund, including the President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, and the Adviser, to report to the full Board on a variety of matters at regular and special meetings of the Board, including matters relating to risk management. The Board and the Audit Committee will also receive regular reports from the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm on internal control and financial reporting matters. The Board will also receive reports from certain of the Fund’s other primary service providers on a periodic or regular basis, including the Fund’s custodian, distributor, sub-administrator and securities lending counterparty. The Board may, at any time and in its discretion, change the manner in which it conducts risk oversight.

 

11



 

Committees of the Boards of Trustees

 

Audit Committee

 

The Board has formed an Audit Committee that is responsible for overseeing the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, its internal controls, and, as appropriate, the internal controls of certain service providers; overseeing the quality and objectivity of the Fund’s financial statements and the independent audit of those financial statements; and acting as a liaison between the Fund’s independent auditors and the full Board. In performing its responsibilities, the Audit Committee will select and recommend annually to the entire Board a firm of independent certified public accountants to audit the books and records of the Fund for the ensuing year, and will review with the firm the scope and results of each audit. The Audit Committee currently consists of each of the Fund’s Independent Trustees.

 

Nominating Committee

 

The Board has formed a Nominating Committee that is responsible for selecting and nominating persons to serve as Trustees of the Fund. The Nominating Committee is responsible for both nominating candidates to be appointed by the Board to fill vacancies and for nominating candidates to be presented to Shareholders for election. In performing its responsibilities, the Nominating Committee will consider candidates recommended by management of the Fund and by Shareholders and evaluate them both in a similar manner, as long as the recommendation submitted by a Shareholder includes at a minimum: the name, address and telephone number of the recommending Shareholder and information concerning the Shareholder’s interests in the Fund in sufficient detail to establish that the Shareholder held Shares on the relevant record date; and the name, address and telephone number of the recommended nominee and information concerning the recommended nominee’s education, professional experience, and other information that might assist the Nominating Committee in evaluating the recommended nominee’s qualifications to serve as a Trustee. The Nominating Committee may solicit candidates to serve as Trustees from any source it deems appropriate. With the Board’s prior approval, the Nominating Committee may employ and compensate counsel, consultants or advisers to assist it in discharging its responsibilities. The Nominating Committee currently consists of each of the Fund’s Independent Trustees.

 

Valuation Committee

 

The Board has formed a Valuation Oversight Committee that is responsible for overseeing the valuation of the Fund’s investments in accordance with the Fund’s valuation procedures, including the activities of the Adviser’s valuation committee with respect to such assets. The Valuation Oversight Committee currently consists of each of the Fund’s Trustees.

 

Trustee Ownership of Securities

 

The Fund has not yet commenced operations, therefore none of the Trustees own shares of the Fund.

 

Independent Trustee Ownership of Securities of the Adviser

 

The Fund has not yet commenced operations. Therefore, none of the Independent Trustees (or their immediate family members) owned securities of the Adviser, or of an entity (other than a registered investment company) controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser.

 

Trustee Compensation

 

Effective [·], in consideration of the services rendered by the Trustees, the Fund pays each Trustee a retainer of [·] per year. In addition, the Fund pays an additional retainer of [·] per year (i) to the Chairman of the Board ([·]), (ii) to the Chairman of the Audit Committee ([·]), and (iii) to the Chairman of the Valuation Committee ([·]).  The Trustees do not receive any pension or retirement benefits.

 

12



 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the compensation of the Funds’ Trustees.

 

Name of Trustee

 

Aggregate Compensation
from the Fund(1)

 

Total Compensation from Funds
and Fund Complex Paid to
Trustees(2)

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

[·]

 

 


(1) The compensation estimated to be paid by the Fund for the first full fiscal year for services to the Fund.

(2) The total estimated compensation to be paid from the Fund and Fund Complex for a full calendar year.

 

CODES OF ETHICS

 

The Fund and the Adviser have each adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act, which is designed to prevent affiliated persons of the Fund and the Adviser from engaging in deceptive, manipulative, or fraudulent activities in connection with securities held or to be acquired by the Fund. The codes of ethics permit persons subject to them to invest in securities, including securities that may be held or purchased by the Fund, subject to a number of restrictions and controls. Compliance with the codes of ethics is carefully monitored and enforced.

 

The codes of ethics are included as exhibits to the Fund’s registration statement filed with the SEC and can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-942-8090. The codes of ethics are available on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and may also be obtained after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102.

 

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES

 

The Adviser

 

Cresset SPG, LLC, a limited liability company, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Adviser is registered with the SEC under the Advisers Act. Subject to the general supervision of the Board, and in accordance with the investment objective, policies, and restrictions of the Fund, the Adviser is responsible for the management and operation of the Fund and the investment of the Fund’s assets. The Adviser provides such services to the Fund pursuant to the investment management agreement (the “Investment Management Agreement”).

 

The Investment Management Agreement will become effective upon the Initial Closing Date, and will continue in effect for an initial two-year term. Thereafter, the Investment Management Agreement will continue in effect from year to year provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or a majority of the Board, and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees of the Fund, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. See “VOTING” in the Prospectus. The Investment Management Agreement will terminate automatically if assigned (as defined in the Investment Company Act) and is terminable at any time without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice to the Fund by either the Board or the Adviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Investment Management Agreement will be available in the Fund’s first annual or semi-annual report to shareholders.

 

The Investment Management Agreement provides that, in the absence of willful misfeasance bad faith, reckless disregard or gross negligence of its obligations to the Fund, the Adviser and any partner, director, officer or employee of the Adviser, or any of their affiliates, executors, heirs, assigns, successors or other legal representatives, will not be liable for any error of judgment, for any mistake of law or for any act or omission by the person in connection with the performance of services to the Fund. The Investment Management Agreement also provides for indemnification, to

 

13



 

the fullest extent permitted by law, by the Fund, of the Adviser, or any partner, director, officer or employee of the Adviser, and any of their affiliates, executors, heirs, assigns, successors or other legal representatives, against any liability or expense to which the person may be liable that arises in connection with the performance of services to the Fund, so long as the liability or expense is not incurred by reason of the person’s willful misfeasance bad faith, reckless disregard or gross negligence of its obligations to the Fund. Such indemnification includes losses sustained by the Adviser or its affiliates as an indemnitor under any sub-servicing or other agreement entered into by the Adviser for the benefit of the Fund to the extent that such losses relate to the Fund and the indemnity giving rise to the losses is not broader than that granted by the Fund to the Adviser or its affiliates pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement. The Fund has the right to consent before the Adviser settles or consents to the settlement of a claim involving such indemnitor losses (but such consent right will not affect the Adviser’s entitlement to indemnification).

 

The Fund will pay the Adviser the Investment Management Fee in consideration of the advisory and other services provided by the Adviser to the Fund. Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Fund will pay the Adviser a quarterly Investment Management Fee equal to 1.25% on an annualized basis of the greater of (i) the Fund’s net asset value and (ii) the Fund’s net asset value less cash and cash equivalents plus the total of all commitments made by the Fund that have not yet been drawn for investment. In no event will the Investment Management Fee payable by the Fund exceed 1.75% on an annualized basis of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Investment Management Fee is paid to the Adviser out of the Fund’s assets and decreases the net profits or increases the net losses of the Fund. The Investment Management Fee will be computed as of the last day of each quarter, and will be due and payable in arrears within fifteen business days after the end of the quarter.

 

A portion of the Investment Management Fee may be paid to brokers or dealers that assist in the placement of Shares, including brokers or dealers that may be affiliated with the Adviser.

 

In addition, the Fund will pay the Adviser an incentive fee in respect of each calendar quarter of the Fund (the “Incentive Fee”) equal to 10% of the excess, if any, of (i) the net profits of the Fund for the relevant period over (ii) the then balance, if any, of the Loss Recovery Account (as defined below). The Fund will maintain a memorandum account (the “Loss Recovery Account”), which will have an initial balance of zero and will be (i) increased upon the close of each calendar quarter of the Fund by the amount of the net losses of the Fund for the quarter, and (ii) decreased (but not below zero) upon the close of each calendar quarter by the amount of the net profits of the Fund for the quarter. Shareholders will benefit from the Loss Recovery Account in proportion to their holdings of Shares.

 

[The Adviser has entered into an expense limitation agreement (the “Expense Limitation Agreement”) with the Fund, whereby the Adviser has agreed to waive fees that it would otherwise be paid, and/or to assume expenses of the Fund (a “Waiver”), if required to ensure the Total Annual Expenses (excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, certain transaction-related expenses, extraordinary expenses, the Incentive Allocation and any acquired fund fees and expenses) do not exceed [·]% with respect to Shares on an annualized basis (the “Expense Limit”). For a period not to exceed three years from the date on which a Waiver is made, the Adviser may recoup amounts waived or assumed, provided (a) it is able to effect such recoupment and remain in compliance with the Expense Limit and (b) such recoupment does not cause the Fund’s expense ratio after recoupment to exceed the Fund’s net expense ratio in place at the time such amounts were waived. The Expense Limitation Agreement may be terminated by the Adviser or the Fund upon thirty days’ written notice to the other party.]

 

The Portfolio Manager

 

The personnel of the Adviser who currently has primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio is Scott P. Conners, CFA.

 

Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Manager

 

 

 

Number of Other Accounts Managed and Total
Value of Assets by Account Type for Which There
is No Performance-Based Fee:

 

Number of Other Accounts and Total Value of Assets
for Which Advisory Fee is Performance-Based:

 

 

 

Registered
investment
companies

 

Other pooled
investment
vehicles

 

Other
accounts

 

Registered
investment
companies

 

Other pooled
investment
vehicles(1)

 

Other
accounts(2)

 

Scott P. Conners, CFA

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

 

14



 

Conflicts of Interest

 

The Portfolio Manager may manage separate accounts or other pooled investment vehicles that may have materially higher or different fee arrangements than the Fund and may also be subject to performance-based fees. The side-by-side management of these separate accounts and pooled investment vehicles may raise potential conflicts of interest relating to cross-trading and the allocation of investment opportunities. The Adviser has a fiduciary responsibility to manage all client accounts in a fair and equitable manner. The Adviser seeks to provide best execution of all securities transactions and to allocate investments to client accounts in a fair and reasonable manner. To this end, the Adviser has developed policies and procedures designed to mitigate and manage the potential conflicts of interest that may arise from side-by-side management.

 

Compensation of the Portfolio Manager

 

Total compensation paid to Mr. Conners includes a base salary fixed from year to year and a variable performance bonus consisting of cash incentives. The amounts paid to Mr. Conners as a Managing Director is discretionary according to both quantitative and qualitative considerations and is based in part on fees earned by the Advisor in consideration for managing the Fund. The performance bonus reflects individual performance and the performance of the Investment Manager’s business. In addition, Mr. Conners participates in a profit sharing scheme based on business unit EBITDA consisting of both management fee income and performance-based incentive fee income).  Mr. Conners also participates in a 401K program and receives medical/dental insurance benefits on the same basis as other employees of the Advisor, as well as employees of Cresset Capital Management and its affiliates.

 

A competitive base salary and a performance-based bonus structure are in place for all team members. Cresset SPG, analysts, and other associates are paid a competitive base salary and discretionary bonus based on their fiduciary investment responsibilities, performance of the individual, and performance of the firm. The discretionary bonus structure gives Cresset SPG the ability to remain competitive under current market conditions affecting compensation across the industry.

 

The compensation structure of key investment professionals is structured to incent appropriate execution of the Advisor’s investment strategy, long-term client retention, and client service. Employees are permitted to invest in Cresset SPG funds.

 

Investment Committee Ownership of Securities in the Fund

 

The Fund has not yet commenced operations, therefore none of the portfolio manager(s) own Shares of the Fund.

 

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE ALLOCATION

 

[It is the policy of the Fund to obtain the best results in connection with effecting its portfolio transactions taking into account factors such as price, size of order, difficulty of execution and operational facilities of a brokerage firm and the firm’s risk in positioning a block of securities. In most instances, the Fund will purchase interests in a Portfolio Fund directly from the Portfolio Fund, and such purchases by the Fund may be, but are generally not, subject to transaction expenses. Nevertheless, the Fund anticipates that some of its portfolio transactions (including investments in Portfolio Funds by the Fund) may be subject to expenses. The Fund contemplates that, consistent with the policy of obtaining the best net result, any brokerage transactions of the Fund may be conducted through affiliates of the Adviser as permitted under the Investment Company Act. Given the private equity focus of a majority of the Portfolio Funds, significant brokerage commissions are not anticipated to be paid by such funds.]

 

15



 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM; LEGAL COUNSEL

 

[·], has been selected as independent registered public accountants for the Fund and in such capacity will audit the Fund’s annual financial statements and financial highlights.

 

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, One Logan Square, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996, serves as counsel to the Fund [and the Independent Trustees].

 

CUSTODIAN

 

UMB Bank, N.A., which has its principal office at [1010 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106] (the “Custodian”) serves as the primary custodian of the assets of the Fund, and may maintain custody of such assets with U.S. and non-U.S. sub-custodians (which may be banks, trust companies, securities depositories and clearing agencies) in accordance with the requirements of Section 17(f) of the Investment Company Act. Assets of the Fund are not held by the Adviser or commingled with the assets of other accounts other than to the extent that securities are held in the name of the Custodian or U.S. or non-U.S. sub-custodians in a securities depository, clearing agency or omnibus customer account of such custodian. The Custodian also serves as the Fund’s administrator.

 

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

[To be completed]

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

 

Cresset and its affiliates intend to purchase at least $[·] of Shares at the Initial Closing Date in this offering. Cresset and its respective employees, officers and affiliates therefore may own a significant percentage of the Fund’s outstanding Shares after the Initial Closing Date and for the foreseeable future. This ownership will fluctuate as other investors subscribe for Shares in this offering and any other offering the Fund may determine to conduct in the future, and as the Fund repurchases Shares pursuant to its quarterly repurchase offers. Depending on the size of this ownership at any given point in time, it is expected that these affiliates will, for the foreseeable future, either control the Fund or be in a position to exercise a significant influence on the outcome of any matter put to a vote of investors. See “Distribution of Shares” in the Prospectus.

 

As of [·], the following persons were the only persons who were record owners (or to the knowledge of the Fund, beneficial owners) of 5% or more of any class of Shares.

 

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the applicable rules of the SEC. There are no Shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of [        ]. The Fund has not yet commenced operations, therefore no Shares of the Fund are currently owned.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Appendix A to this SAI provides financial information regarding the Fund.  The Fund’s financial statements have been audited by [·].

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

A registration statement on Form N-2, including amendments thereto, relating to the Shares offered hereby, has been filed by the Fund with the SEC. The Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, including any exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Fund and the Shares offered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement. A copy of the registration statement may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549 or on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. Prospective investors can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC’s e-mail address (publicinfo@sec.gov) or by writing the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, DC 20549-1520.

 

16



 

APPENDIX A

 

17



 

APPENDIX B

 

[PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES]

 

18



 

PART C:

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Cresset Private Equity Opportunity Fund (the “Registrant”)

 

Item 25.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(1)                                 Financial Statements:

 

Not Applicable.

 

(2)                                 Exhibits

 

(a)(1)                  Declaration of Trust is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (Reg.No. 811-23352) as previously filed on May 25, 2018.

 

(a)(2)                   Certificate of Trust is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(2) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (Reg.No. 811-23352) as previously filed on May 25, 2018.

 

(b)                                 To be filed by amendment.

 

(c)                                  Not applicable.

 

(d)                                 To be filed by amendment.

 

(e)                                  To be filed by amendment.

 

(f)                                   Not applicable.

 

(g)(1)                   Form of Investment Management Agreement to be filed by amendment.

 

(h)(1)                  Form of Distribution Services Agreement to be filed by amendment.

 

(i)                                     Not applicable.

 

(j)                                    Custody Agreement is to be filed by amendment.

 

(k)(1)                  Administration, Fund Accounting and Recordkeeping Agreement is to be filed by amendment.

 

(k)(2)                  Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement is to be filed by amendment.

 

(k)(3)                  Joint Insured Bond Agreement is to be filed by amendment.

 

(k)(4)                  Joint Liability Insurance Agreement is to be filed by amendment.

 

(l)                                     Opinion and Consent of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP to be filed by amendment.

 

(m)                             Not applicable.

 



 

(n)                                 Not applicable.

 

(o)                                 Not applicable.

 

(p)                                 Not applicable.

 

(q)                                 Not applicable.

 

(r)(1)                      Code of Ethics of Registrant is to be filed by amendment.

 

(r)(2)                      Code of Ethics of Cresset SPG, LLC is to be filed by amendment.

 

Item 26.  Marketing Arrangements

 

Not applicable.

 



 

Item 27.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution of Securities Being Registered

 

All figures are estimates*:

 

Registration fees

 

$

[  ]

 

Legal fees

 

$

[  ]

 

Printing fees

 

$

[  ]

 

Blue Sky fees

 

$

[  ]

 

Transfer Agent Fees

 

$

[  ]

 

Total

 

$

[  ]

 

 


*To be completed by pre-effective amendment.

 

Item 28.  Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control With Registrant

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 29.  Number of Holders of Securities

 

Title of Class

 

Number of Shareholders*

 

Shares

 

0

 

 


*  As of August [  ], 2018.

 

Item 30.  Indemnification

 

Sections 8.1-8.4 of Article VIII of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust states:

 

Section 8.1                                    Limitation of Liability.  Neither a Trustee nor an officer of the Trust, when acting in such capacity, shall be personally liable to any person other than the Trust or a beneficial owner for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust, any Trustee or any officer of the Trust.  Neither a Trustee nor an officer of the Trust shall be liable for any act or omission in his capacity as Trustee or as an officer of the Trust, or for any act or omission of any other officer or any employee of the Trust or of any other person or party, provided that nothing contained herein or in the Act shall protect any Trustee or officer against any liability to the Trust or to Shareholders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee or the duties of such officer hereunder.

 

Section 8.2                                    Indemnification.  The Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees and officers and persons who serve at the Trust’s request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a

 



 

shareholder, creditor, or otherwise, and may indemnify any trustee, director or officer of a predecessor organization (each a “Covered Person”), against all liabilities and expenses (including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise, as fines and penalties, and expenses including reasonable accountants’ and counsel fees) reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or legislative body, in which he may be involved or with which he may be threatened, while as a Covered Person or thereafter, by reason of being or having been such a Covered Person, except that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason of bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person’s office (such willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard being referred to herein as “Disabling Conduct”).  Expenses, including accountants’ and counsel fees so incurred by any such Covered Person (but excluding amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines or penalties), may be paid from time to time by the Trust in advance of the final disposition of any such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of (a) an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person to repay amounts so paid to the Trust if it is ultimately determined that indemnification of such expenses is not authorized under this Article VIII and either (b) such Covered Person provides security for such undertaking, (c) the Trust is insured against losses arising by reason of such payment, or (d) a majority of a quorum of disinterested, non-party Trustees, or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, determines, based on a review of readily available facts, that there is reason to believe that such Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

 

Section 8.3                                    Indemnification Determinations.  Indemnification of a Covered Person pursuant to Section 8.2 shall be made if (a) the court or body before whom the proceeding is brought determines, in a final decision on the merits, that such Covered Person was not liable by reason of Disabling Conduct or (b) in the absence of such a determination, a majority of a quorum of disinterested, non-party Trustees or independent legal counsel in a written opinion make a reasonable determination, based upon a review of the facts, that such Covered Person was not liable by reason of Disabling Conduct.

 

Section 8.4                                    Indemnification Not Exclusive.  The right of indemnification provided by this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any such Covered Person may be entitled.  As used in this Article VIII, “Covered Person” shall include such person’s heirs, executors and administrators, and a “disinterested, non-party Trustee” is a Trustee who is

 



 

neither an Interested Person of the Trust nor a party to the proceeding in question.

 

Additionally, the Registrant’s various agreements with its service providers contain indemnification provisions.

 

Item 31.  Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser

 

Information as to the directors and officers of the Registrant’s investment adviser, Cresset SPG, LLC (the “Investment Manager”), together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature in which the Investment Manager, and each director, executive officer, managing member or partner of the Investment Manager, is or has been, at any time during the past two fiscal years, engaged in for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, managing member, partner or trustee, is included in its [Form ADV as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (File No. 801-[               ]), and is incorporated herein by reference].

 

Item 32.  Location of Accounts and Records

 

All accounts, books, and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules promulgated thereunder are maintained at the offices of (1) the Registrant’s Administrator, (2) the Investment Manager, (3) and/or the Registrant’s counsel.  The address of each is as follows:

 

1.                                      UMB Fund Services, Inc.

223 Wilmington West Chester Pike, Ste. 303

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

 

2.                                      Cresset SPG, LLC

444 W. Lake Street

Chicago, IL  60606

 

3.                                      Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA  19103

 

Item 33.  Management Services

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 34.  Undertakings

 

1.             Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of its shares until it amends its prospectus if (1) subsequent to the effective date of its Registration Statement, the net asset value declines more than 10 percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the Registration Statement, or (2) the net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the prospectus.

 



 

2.             Not applicable.

 

3.             Not applicable.

 

4.             The Registrant undertakes (a) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

 

(1)           to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

(2)           to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; and

 

(3)           to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

(b)           that for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of those securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

 

(c)           to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering;

 

(d)           that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, if the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C; each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 497(b), (c), (d) or (e) under the Securities Act of 1933, shall be deemed to be part of and included in this Registration Statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in this Registration Statement or prospectus that is part of this registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into this registration statement or prospectus that is art of this registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supercede or modify any statement that was made in this registration statement or prospectus that was part of this registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use;

 

(e)           that for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities:

 

The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to the purchaser:

 



 

(1)           any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 497 under the Securities Act of 1933;

 

(2)           the portion of any advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the Securities Act of 1933 relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

 

(3)           any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

 

5.             Not applicable.

 

6.             The Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, any Statement of Additional Information.

 



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Chicago in the State of Illinois on the 17th day of August, 2018.

 

 

Cresset Private Equity Opportunity Fund

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Scott P. Conners

 

Name: Scott P. Conners

 

Title: President

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, his Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/ Scott P. Conners

 

President and Initial Sole Trustee

 

August 17th, 2018

Scott P. Conners