Dry Powder
Definition
Dry powder is committed but not yet invested capital that funds have available to deploy.
How it comes up in fundraising
High industry dry powder means investors have money that must eventually be put to work, which shapes market competitiveness for good deals.
Frequently asked questions
Why does dry powder matter to founders?
A fund with fresh dry powder is actively deploying; a fund at the end of its investment period may take meetings without capacity to lead.
How can I tell if a fund is actively investing?
Check announced deals in the past six months and whether they raised a new fund recently; databases that track activity save the guesswork.
Related terms
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