A Theory of Liquidity in Private Equity

We develop a model of private equity in which many empirical patterns arise endogenously. Our model rests solely on two critical features of this market: moral hazard for General partners (GPs) and illiquidity risk for Limited Partners (LPs). The equilibrium fund structure incentivizes GPs with a share in the fund and compensates LPs with an illiquidity premium. GPs may inefficiently accelerate drawdowns to avoid default by LPs on capital...