Description of 57 Stars – Item 4.A
57 Stars LLC (“57 Stars”) is a Delaware limited liability company that was formed on March 29,
2005. 57 Stars is an independent investment manager focused on investing in primary and
secondary private equity partnerships and co-investments in select markets outside of the United
States, primarily in emerging markets. 57 Stars’ provides investment advisory services to private
equity funds.
The current principal owners of 57 Stars are 57 Stars Holdings, LP1 and 57 Stars Holdings 2, LLC,
both of which are beneficially owned by 57 Stars’ founders, Steve Cowan, Stephen O’Neill, and
Gene Pohren.2
57 Stars is headquartered in Washington, DC and maintains offices in Germany and San Diego,
and subsidiaries in Singapore and Tokyo.
Advisory Services Offered – Item 4.B 57 Stars’ investment advice is limited to the private equity asset class. 57 Stars manages privately
offered fund-of-funds and co-investment funds (collectively, “Funds”)3 open to institutional and
qualified investors. The Funds are exclusively focused on investments in private equity, primarily
through investments in private equity funds (collectively, the “Underlying Funds”), and co-
investment opportunities directly into operating companies alongside other private equity funds.
Investors in the Funds include institutional investors, such as state and private pension funds,
independent government agencies, domestic and international corporations, sovereign wealth
funds, foreign authorities, private equity funds, and other investors, including high net worth and
ultra-high net worth individuals (each, an “Investor,” and collectively, the “Investors”).
The services offered by 57 Stars include the selection, recommendation, structuring, negotiation,
monitoring and reporting of private equity investments in limited partnerships, limited liability
companies, and direct company investments (usually through co-investments). Currently, 57
Stars’ activities are focused on investment opportunities outside the developed markets of the
United States and Canada. 57 Stars expects that its advisory services will be limited to advice
regarding the foregoing kinds of investments, without necessarily any limitation in geographic or
other scope.
1 In 2012, 57 Stars Holdings LLC, the majority owner of 57 Stars, was converted from a limited liability company
to a limited partnership and renamed 57 Stars Holdings LP. Ownership details did not otherwise change in
connection with this corporate action.
2 57 Stars was originally named PCG International LLC (“PCGI”). In connection with a corporate buyout
transaction in October 2010 which resulted in, among other things, complete ownership and control of 57 Stars
by the founders listed above, PCGI changed its name to 57 Stars.
3 57 Stars considers the Funds, and not the Investors (as defined below) in any Fund, to be its clients in accordance
with
Goldstein v. Securities and Exchange Commission, 451 F.3d 873 (D.C. Cir. 2006).
57 Stars’ investment strategies are designed to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns for the
Funds. Although each Fund initially determines any Investor's qualifications and eligibility for
investment in such Fund, the individual needs of Investors in each Fund are not a basis of 57 Stars'
investment recommendations. Investment advice is provided directly to the Funds and not
individually to any Investors.
Certain Investors will be provided opportunities to participate in co-investments made by certain
Funds, and the decision to offer such co-investment opportunities to such Investors and the
allocation of each such co-investment opportunity is subject to 57 Stars’ sole discretion and any
applicable provisions of a relevant Fund’s Governing Documents (as defined below). There is no
guarantee that any Investor will be offered any co-investment opportunities, including, without
limitation, in circumstances where other Investors in the same Fund are offered a co-investment
opportunity.
Tailored Services – Item 4.C The services rendered by 57 Stars to each Fund are dependent upon the investment objectives and
restrictions of the respective Fund as are set forth in the private offering memoranda, limited
partnership agreement / limited liability company agreement, investment advisory agreement, side
letters (if any) and/or other governing documents of the relevant Fund (collectively, the
“Governing Documents”). 57 Stars’ investment advice and investment authority is tailored and
limited to that which is permitted under each Fund’s Governing Documents. 57 Stars does not
provide investment advice directly to Investors in the Funds, and Investors that invest in a Fund
are bound by the investment strategy of that particular Fund, which is described in such Fund’s
Governing Documents. Investors and prospective Investors in each Fund should refer to all
Governing Documents of the applicable Fund for complete information regarding investment
objectives and restrictions. There is no assurance that a Fund’s investment objectives will be
achieved or that any Investor will receive a return on its investment in a Fund.
Wrap Fee Programs – Item 4.D
Given the nature of its advisory services, 57 Stars does not participate in wrap fee programs.
Assets 57 Stars Manages – Item 4.E
As of January 2, 20204, 57 Stars manages assets of $3,412,970,132 on a discretionary basis and
$164,490,412 on a non-discretionary basis, for total Regulatory Assets Under Management of
$3,577,460,544.
4 In light of the valuation lag for private equity investments, but in an effort to provide the most accurate data
possible, assets under management figures herein consist of the most recently reported fair market values of fund
investments (namely, as of 09/30/19), capital contributions made to any Fund investments during the fourth
quarter of 2019, remaining uncalled capital commitments due to 57 Stars Funds as of 01/02/20, and cash as of
01/02/20.
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57 Stars’ Fees and Compensation – Item 5.A
Compensation received by 57 Stars and its affiliates from the Funds comprises management fees
and carried interest. Additionally, consistent with the Governing Documents of a Fund, the Fund
typically bears certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred by 57 Stars in connection with the services
provided to the Fund. Further details about certain common fees and expenses are set forth below,
and Investors and prospective Investors should review a Fund’s Governing Documents for
additional information about Fund fees and expenses.
Management Fees 57 Stars (or a wholly-owned affiliate) serves as investment adviser to the Funds and provides
advisory services to the Funds in exchange for management fees, generally based on a percentage
of committed capital during a Fund’s defined investment period or assets under management once
any investment period ends. Management fees charged to the Funds vary by Fund (generally, in
a range up to 1% per year) and are established pursuant to negotiations with investors in the
applicable Fund and set forth in each Fund’s respective Governing Documents. Management fees
paid by a Fund are indirectly borne by Investors in such Fund. In certain circumstances, based on
criteria (which vary from Fund to Fund, and generally are based on the timing and size of Investor
commitments) applied in 57 Stars’ discretion, some Investors qualify to pay lower management
fees than other Investors investing in the same Fund, and such arrangements will be documented
in side letters that are not in every instance disclosed to other Investors in the same Fund. 57 Stars’
right to receive management fees from a Fund typically ends upon the final distribution of such
Fund.
The terms of such management fees, including the amount of management fees paid by any
Investor, are set forth in each Fund’s Governing Documents (or in a side letter with such Investor).
Investors and potential Investors should review relevant Governing Documents for complete
information regarding management fees payable to 57 Stars. Management fees typically are
payable quarterly in advance and deducted from the assets of each Fund through the capital call
process described in each Fund’s Governing Documents (except that management fees and
expenses relating to GOF 1 and EEF [defined in Item 10 below] are paid outside of investor capital
commitments).
Management fees charged by the Funds will step down (decrease) after the expiration of the Funds’
respective investment periods as set forth in each Fund’s Governing Documents.
Generally, a Fund is able to enter into a side letter or other similar agreement with one or more
Investors with respect to the Fund without the approval or vote of any other Investors, which would
have the effect of establishing rights under or modifying the terms of the Fund’s Governing
Documents with respect to such Investor(s) in a manner more favorable than those applicable to
other Investors. Such rights or terms in any such side letter might include, without limitation: (i)
fee arrangements with respect to the Investor; (ii) reporting obligations of the general partner or
managing member of the Fund; (iii) special rights with respect to co-investments; or (iv) rights or
terms necessary in light of particular legal, tax, regulatory, or public policy characteristics of an
investor, including restrictions established by investors affiliated with a government entity or
agency.
Carried Interest Investments made by 57 Stars on behalf of its Funds are subject to a sharing of realized profits
known as carried interest, which is a percentage of the investment income and net realized capital
gains and losses. Generally for its Funds, 57 Stars receives carried interest of up to 10% of the
profits of a Fund’s investments, after achievement of various performance hurdles, including the
return of invested capital, prior payment, if possible, of a preferred return (typically 8%), the
recoupment of allocated losses and fees, if any, and expenses and other items, as set forth in the
Governing Documents. As a result, 57 Stars generally receives carried interest, if any, from a
Fund in the latter part of the Fund's life, although earlier in such Fund's term 57 Stars generally
will receive tax distributions to cover its allocable share of income taxes. (See also “
Performance-
Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management – Item 6”, below). In respect of the Funds, the relevant
Fund’s general partner or managing member (an affiliate of 57 Stars), or a special carried interest
partner or member (the limited partners of which are the founders and employees or former
employees of 57 Stars) could be the carried interest recipient. The terms of such carried interest
arrangements, including a detailed description of the carried interest calculation methodology
applicable to each Fund, are set forth in each Fund’s Governing Documents.
Deductions – Item 5.B
Management fees are payable quarterly in advance or as otherwise negotiated. Management fees
are typically paid by a Fund through periodic capital calls or automatically debited from a Fund’s
available cash flows in accordance with the relevant Governing Documents. If a Fund is in
existence for less than a full calendar quarter, such Fund’s management fee will be prorated based
on the amount of time during such year that an Investor is invested in the Fund.
Carried interest is allocated and paid to 57 Stars (or its affiliates) from the assets of the relevant
Fund.
Other Fees and Expenses – Item 5.C
As described in each Fund’s Governing Documents, 57 Stars or its affiliates will pay certain
expenses and costs associated with the performance of its services for the Fund, including expenses
on account of office space, utilities, office equipment, compensation of its partners, officers, and
employees (other than carried interest), and other normal and routine administrative expenses
relating to the services and facilities provided by 57 Stars and its affiliates to the Funds.
Investors in the Funds bear expenses relating to the Funds’ operations. These expenses vary by
Fund, but typically will include, among other things: the fees and expenses (including for travel)
relating to consummated investments and to proposed but unconsummated investments and
temporary investments (including brokerage and like fees, hedging costs, and expenses of such
investments not included in the Fund’s capital commitments to them); fees and expenses related
to organizing special purpose vehicles or other investment vehicles through or in which
investments are made; insurance premiums; legal, compliance, custodial, and accounting expenses
of the Fund, including expenses associated with the Fund administrator in connection with the
provision of performance analytic services, financial, accounting and consulting advisors, any
lenders, investment banks, and other financing sources (including interest and costs for borrowed
money), and any other third party vendors or service providers, and maintenance of the Fund’s
books and records and the preparation of a Fund’s financial statements, tax returns, and Schedule
K-1s and related checks, reports, and notices; auditing, banking, and consulting expenses, appraisal
expenses; expenses of a Fund’s Advisory Board and any annual meetings; extraordinary expenses,
taxes, and other governmental charges; indemnification expenses; reporting costs; and liquidation
expenses.
Through their capital in any Fund, Investors in the Funds also bear expenses (generally up to a
specified cap) relating to formation and the organization of the applicable Fund (including in some
cases expenses of closing on capital from development financial institution investors) and the
offering and sale of the interests therein, including all travel, printing, legal, accounting, filing,
marketing, information technology systems, expenses, and certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred
by 57 Stars (or a Fund’s general partner, managing member, or investment advisor [each an
affiliate of 57 Stars]).
All such fees and expenses are in addition to fees and expenses applicable to Underlying Funds or
co-investments. Expenses of any feeder fund will generally be treated as fund expenses and borne
by its associated master fund. More detailed information regarding applicable fees and expenses
are set forth in any Fund’s Governing Documents.
See also “Brokerage Practices – Item 12” for a discussion of brokerage practices.
Advance Payment of Fees; Termination – Item 5.D
Management fees are usually payable quarterly in advance or as otherwise negotiated during the
term of the Investor’s investment as set forth in the Fund’s Governing Documents.
Generally, a Fund will be able to terminate its investment management agreement with 57 Stars
(or its affiliate) only for cause or under certain limited circumstances as set forth in the Fund’s
Governing Documents. In such a case, the management fees charged by 57 Stars will be adjusted
ratably, as set forth in the Governing Documents. Interests in any Fund generally will not be
transferable without obtaining the prior consent of the general partner opr managing member of
the Fund.
Sales Compensation – Item 5.E
Neither 57 Stars nor any of its supervised persons accept compensation for the sale of securities
or other investment products, including sales of interests or units of a Fund to Investors.
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57 Stars charges performance fees to Investors who invest in the Funds. Investments made by
Funds are subject to carried interest, which is typically a percentage of the investment income and
net realized capital gains and losses, subject to various performance hurdles, that is specially
allocated to any Fund’s general partner or managing member (an affiliate of 57 Stars) or to 57
Stars itself. Specific information with respect to the calculation of carried interest and other fees
is included in the Governing Documents of each Fund. Such carried interest gives 57 Stars an
incentive to favor Funds (and thereby, the Investors in such Funds) that are subject to carried
interest over those Funds (and thereby, the Investors in such Funds) that are not subject to carried
interest (or carried interest on terms less favorable to 57 Stars) in the allocation of investment
opportunities among Funds.
Further, carried interest arrangements generally give 57 Stars an incentive to seek higher returns
and take more risk than it would absent such arrangements. Therefore, the foregoing arrangements
present 57 Stars with a potential conflict of interest. However, the various performance hurdles
that are also part of such arrangements, and that are a precondition to the receipt of any carried
interest, mitigate conflict of interest issues, and impel 57 Stars to balance return and risk, while
seeking the highest risk-adjusted returns in the relevant markets, consistent with the best interests
of the Funds (and, as a result, all Investors).
As a mechanism to address and mitigate conflict issues, 57 Stars’ investment decisions, and
decisions regarding allocation of opportunities among multiple relevant Funds, are made by an
investment committee (“Investment Committee”) consisting of senior investment personnel, and
57 Stars’ regulatory compliance function monitors the Investment Committee decisions and 57
Stars’ investment process and adherence to allocation and other policies.
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57 Stars provides investment advice to the Funds, and not individually to Investors in the Funds.
The Funds are typically structured as pooled investment vehicles; however, certain Funds have
only one Investor other than the managing member or general partner. Generally, the Investors in
the Funds are “accredited investors” as defined in the Securities Act of 1933 and, in most instances,
“qualified purchasers” or, with respect to general partner or managing member commitments,
“knowledgeable employees” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, and generally
include high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, pension and profit sharing plans,
pooled investment vehicles and private funds, state or municipal government entities, foundations,
domestic and international corporations, sovereign wealth funds, foreign authorities, endowments,
and family offices.
Investors in Funds will be required to satisfy certain securities law and other suitability criteria and
generally to make a capital commitment or investment of no less than a required minimum size.
The various requirements for investing in a Fund, including the minimum investment size, are set
forth in each Fund’s Governing Documents. The general partner or managing member of each
Fund has the ability, in its sole discretion, to permit commitments below the minimum amounts
set forth in the Governing Documents of a Fund. 57 Stars has in the past permitted, and could, in
its sole discretion, permit in the future, investments below the minimum amount set forth in the
Governing Documents of a Fund.
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Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies – Item 8.A
57 Stars’ investment strategy is to seek to invest in top-tier Underlying Funds and co-investments
in a Fund’s target markets by applying a rigorous and systematic process to identify the highest
quality markets and managers. 57 Stars seeks: (a) superior risk-adjusted returns, (b) a diversified
private equity portfolio in a Fund’s target markets, and (c) relatively lower total cost to Investors
and lower risk of capital loss compared to competing Funds with the same investment style.
57 Stars’ analytical methods include fundamental financial analysis, due diligence, and evaluation
of each investment in terms of a risk-reward comparison, and an assessment of portfolio fit in the
context of each Fund’s specific objectives and constraints. As part of its due diligence, 57 Stars,
among other things, typically receives responses to a proprietary due diligence questionnaire,
conducts interviews of investment target company or Underlying Fund personnel and site visits,
holds reference calls, performs analysis of portfolio company performance and historical
performance attribution, and examines Underlying Funds’ private placement memoranda and
other governing documents. Investing in securities involves risk of loss that Funds and Investors
should be prepared to bear.
Risk of Loss – Item 8.B Investing in any of the Funds involves a significant degree of risk and is suitable only for
sophisticated investors. Investment in a 57 Stars Fund is appropriate only for Investors for whom
such investment does not represent a complete investment program and who fully understand and
are capable of bearing the risks of a complete loss of such investment. In addition, there will be
occasions when 57 Stars or its affiliate managing a Fund encounters potential conflicts of interest.
(See additional information regarding conflicts of interest in this Brochure and in each Fund’s
Governing Documents).
The following list is not a complete list of all risks involved in connection with an investment in
the Funds. A more comprehensive description of the risks associated with each investment is
included in the respective Fund’s Governing Documents.
Such risks with respect to an investment
in a Fund include, but are not limited to, the following:
No Assurance of Investment Returns. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
There can be no assurance that a Fund’s investment objectives or targeted internal rate of
return or multiple of invested capital will be achieved, that the returns will be
commensurate with the risks of investing in the kinds of companies and transactions
described herein or in the Fund’s Governing Documents, or that an Investor will receive a
return of its original invested capital or a gain on its investment.
General Business Risk. The investments made by the Funds will consist primarily of
securities issued by privately held companies that have significant risks as a result of
general market or business conditions, changes in regulatory requirements, management at
the Underlying Fund or co-investment vehicle level, competition, interest rate and currency
fluctuations, general economic downturns, legal uncertainties, domestic and foreign
political situations, and other factors. As a result, operating results in a specified period
can be difficult to predict. Such investments involve a high degree of risk that could result
in substantial losses, including loss of invested capital.
Reliance on Underlying Fund or Co-Investment Vehicle Management. 57 Stars will not
have an active role in the day-to-day management of the Underlying Funds or
co-investments in which 57 Stars invests. As a result, the success of a Fund investment
will significantly depend upon the ability of the Underlying Funds and their management
to identify attractive investment opportunities and the performance of the co-investments.
Non-Controlling Investments. Each Fund will generally hold only a non-controlling
interest in an Underlying Fund or co-investment, and each Underlying Fund will frequently
hold only a non-controlling interest in such Underlying Fund’s portfolio companies, so
each Fund will therefore have a limited ability to protect the Fund’s position in such
investments. Although the 57 Stars will monitor the performance of each Fund investment,
operation of portfolio companies and co-investment companies on a day-to-day basis will
primarily be the responsibility of the Underlying Fund’s, co-investment vehicle manager’s,
or portfolio company’s management, as the case may be. 57 Stars will seek appropriate
rights to help protect any Fund’s (and thereby, any corresponding Fund Investor’s) interest,
but no assurances are made that such rights will be obtained or will be sufficient.
Use of Leverage. The Underlying Funds have the ability to acquire securities issued by
companies with leveraged capital structures. The highly leveraged structure of these
transactions introduces substantial additional risks.
Illiquid Nature of Investments; Restrictions on Transfer and Withdrawal. Investments of
the type made by 57 Stars are generally illiquid, and interests or units in a Fund itself are
illiquid. While a Fund investment can be disposed of at any time, generally it is expected
that the disposition of most of the Funds’ investments will not occur for a number of years
after such investments are made. The Funds will make investments where there is likely
to be no actively traded market. Moreover, many of the Funds’ investments could be held
by relatively few other investors. Under adverse market or economic conditions or in the
event of adverse changes in the financial condition of an Underlying Fund (or its portfolio
investments), any Fund might find it difficult to sell when 57 Stars believes it advisable to
do so or might be forced to sell at prices lower than if the investments were widely held.
Unspecified Investments. Generally, a Fund will begin operations following closing, and
usually does not have identified any particular portfolio investment at that time. An
Investor must rely upon the ability of 57 Stars to identify, structure, and implement
portfolio investments consistent with a Fund’s investment objectives and policies. A Fund
might be unable to find a sufficient number of attractive opportunities to meet its
investment objectives. The success of a Fund will depend on the ability of 57 Stars to
identify suitable portfolio investments, to negotiate and arrange the closing of appropriate
transactions, and to arrange the timely disposition of portfolio investments.
Political and Economic Risk. 57 Stars makes investments outside of the United States and
Canada, primarily in emerging markets. Depending on what regions of the world and what
countries in those regions 57 Stars invests in on behalf of its Funds, political and regulatory
changes, local and regional economic conditions, lack of liquidity, and regional or national
instability could involve a high degree of business or financial risk and have a negative
effect on the investments.
Non-U.S. Investments; Currency and Exchange Rate Risks. The majority of a Fund's
investments, and the income received by a Fund with respect to such investments, might
be denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars. However, the books of the Fund will
be maintained, and capital contributions to and distributions from the Fund generally will
be made, in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, changes in currency exchange rates could adversely
affect the dollar value of investments of a Fund, gains and losses realized on the sale of
investments, and the amount of distributions, if any, to be made by a Fund. In addition, a
Fund will incur costs in converting investment proceeds from one currency to another.
Multiple Levels of Fees and Expenses. In addition to the carried interest and management
fees payable to 57 Stars (or its affiliates) and the expenses of a Fund, Underlying Funds
will each typically impose management fees, carried interest compensation, and
reimbursement of expenses that will further reduce return on invested capital and,
consequently, lower returns to Investors.
Co-Investment Risks. In limited cases, a Fund will co-invest with an Underlying Fund or
other manager in a portfolio company with financial, strategic, or other third-party
investors through partnerships, joint ventures, or other entities. 57 Stars or the general
partner or manager of the Underlying Fund or other manager, as the case may be, will have
little opportunity to negotiate the terms of such co-investment. Moreover, each
co-investment increases a Fund’s investment concentration in one portfolio company and
therefore could increase the negative effect on returns from any losses on such an
investment.
Legal and Regulatory Risk. The maturity of the legal and regulatory systems in the target
markets of the Underlying Funds and co-investments in which the Funds will invest differs
from country to country. In certain cases, countries have yet to achieve the extent of
stability, reliability, or internal consistency that mark such systems in the U.S. and Western
Europe, for example. The process of legal reform and development has not in all instances
kept pace with economic reform, resulting in ambiguities and inconsistencies and,
ultimately, increased investment risk. Regulatory barriers are still significant. Both the
independence and quality of due judicial process remain untested in some countries,
especially in the area of business and corporate law, adding to the uncertainty with respect
to effective legal protection and redress in respect of investors’ rights and their
enforceability. These factors could materially and adversely affect co-investments and
investments by an Underlying Fund, and therefore, a Fund.
Cybersecurity Risk. 57 Stars and the Funds increasingly depend on complex information
technology and communications systems to conduct their respective business functions.
These systems are subject to a number of different risks and threats that could adversely
affect the Funds and their Investors, despite the efforts of 57 Stars and the Funds to adopt
technologies, processes, and protocols intended to mitigate these risks and protect the
security of electronic environments, software, networks, hardware, related systems, and
other technology assets, as well as the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of
information contained therein. For example, unauthorized third parties commonly attempt
improperly to access, modify, or disrupt the operations of, or prevent access to, the systems
of investment advisers and related entities, such as 57 Stars or its affiliates that advise and
manage the Funds, or data within these systems. Third parties could also attempt
fraudulently to induce employees, clients, third-party service providers, or other users of
the 57 Stars systems to disclose confidential and/or sensitive information in order to gain
access to 57 Stars’ or the Funds’ data. A successful penetration or circumvention of the
security of 57 Stars’ electronic systems could result in the loss or theft of a Fund’s or an
Investor’s data, financial losses, the inability to access electronic systems, loss or theft of
proprietary information or data, physical damage to a computer or network systems or costs
associated with system repairs, regulatory fines and penalties, reputational damage, and
additional compliance costs.
Specific Risks of Loss – Item 8.C 57 Stars exclusively invests in private equity, through investments in Underlying Funds and
co-investments (although it is possible that disposition of a portfolio company in an Underlying
Fund, or of a co-investment, could result in the holding of public securities). Investments by
Underlying Funds in portfolio companies and direct investments in portfolio companies involve
significant risks not otherwise present in public market investments. The Underlying Funds’
investments in portfolio companies are expected to involve highly speculative investment
techniques, including extremely high leverage, highly concentrated portfolios, investments in
unproven technologies, investments in undeveloped or under-developed markets, workouts, start-
ups, less-developed companies, minority positions, and illiquid investments. More information
regarding applicable risks of an investment are set forth in a Fund’s Governing Documents.
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Registered investment advisers are required to disclose all material facts regarding legal or
disciplinary events that would be material to the evaluation of 57 Stars or the integrity of 57 Stars
management. There have been no criminal or civil actions or administrative or self–regulatory
organization proceedings involving 57 Stars or its management persons within the last ten years
that are material to an Investor’s or prospective Investor’s evaluation of 57 Stars’ advisory business
or the integrity of its management, and that are required to be reported pursuant to the rules of the
SEC.
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Relationships or Arrangements with Related Persons – 10.C
57 Stars has no relationships or arrangements that are material to its advisory business or to its
Funds with related persons except as described below.
Investment Company or Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
57 Stars acts as investment manager to the Funds. Such Funds are organized as limited
partnerships or limited liability companies, sometimes in a master-feeder structure, whose general
partner or managing member, as the case may be, is an affiliate of 57 Stars. Such affiliated general
partners or managing members generally will receive the carried interest from the Funds, as further
described in “
Fees and Compensation – Item 5” above. With the consent of the sole non-managing
member thereof, GOF 2 (as defined below) currently has an investment in LAOF (as defined
below), both Funds managed by 57 Stars (or an affiliate). Otherwise, 57 Stars does not currently
have any affiliate or other Fund capable of investing into one or more Funds, although it might
create such a vehicle in the future. 57 Stars allows its employees to invest in certain Funds through
special purpose entities (“SPEs”) organized and managed by 57 Stars (or an affiliate), if not
prohibited by the Governing Documents of the relevant Fund or Funds (See “
Investments in Same
Securities – Item 11.C” below for additional information).
As of the date of this Brochure, the Funds that 57 Stars (or an affiliate) manages and for which 57
Stars or one of the Relying Advisers serves as the investment adviser are set forth below.
Additional Funds will likely be organized and offered from time to time. For more information
regarding any of these Funds, please refer to 57 Stars’ Form ADV Part 1 or contact 57 Stars.
See
also “
Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management – Item 6”, above, and “
Investments
in Same Securities – Item 11.C”, below, for a discussion of associated conflicts of interest.
57 Stars Global Opportunities Fund, LLC (“GOF 1”), a fund of funds that invests in private equity
partnerships, co-investments and secondaries in select private equity markets primarily outside of
the United States, Canada, and Western Europe.
57 Stars Global Opportunities Fund 2 (CalPERS), LLC (“GOF 2”), a fund of funds with a similar
investment mandate as that of GOF 1 ($200 million of GOF 2 is designated a “Supplemental
Commitment,” a portion of which is non-discretionary; the commitment period for GOF 2 has
expired, with no portion of the Supplemental Commitment invested by GOF 2).
57 Stars Emerging Europe Fund (NYSCRF), L.P. (“EEF”), a fund of funds5 focused on
investments in private equity in and certain markets outside of emerging Europe.
5 EEF is a single fund vehicle contemplating multiple series commitments with corresponding commitment periods,
managed pursuant to a common investment strategy. The first such series commitment was committed in 2009,
and successive series have followed. The vehicle currently has three series.
57 Stars Global Opportunity Fund 3 (Guardian), L.P. (“GOF 3 (Guardian)”), a fund of funds6
focused on investments in private equity in certain markets outside of the United States and
Western Europe.
57 Stars Latin America Opportunity Fund, L.P. (“LAOF”), a fund of funds focused on investments
in private equity in Latin America.
57 Stars Global Opportunity Fund 3 (KIA), L.P. (“GOF 3 (KIA)”), a fund of funds7 focused on
investments in private equity in certain markets outside of the United States and Western Europe.
57 Stars Global Opportunity Fund 3, L.P. (“GOF 3”), a fund of funds focused on investments in
private equity in certain markets outside of the United States, Canada, and Western Europe. GOF
3 is organized in a master feeder structure and receives investments from feeder funds managed
by 57 Stars affiliates and organized in the United States and the Cayman Islands.
57 Stars Global Opportunity Fund 4, L.P. (“GOF 4”), a fund of funds focused on investments in
private equity in certain markets outside of the United States, Canada, and Western Europe. GOF
4 is organized in a master feeder structure and receives investments from feeder funds managed
by 57 Stars affiliates and organized in the United States and the Cayman Islands.
57 Stars Global Opportunity Fund 4 – Co-Investment Sleeve, L.P. (“Co-Investment Sleeve”), a
fund of funds focused on co-investments in private equity in certain markets outside of the United
States, Canada, and Western Europe ($10 million of Co-Investment Sleeve consists of a
“Supplemental Commitment,” which is non-discretionary).
57 Stars Global Opportunity Fund 5, L.P. (“GOF 5”), a fund of funds focused on investments in
private equity in certain markets outside of the United States, Canada, and Western Europe. GOF
5 is organized in a master feeder structure and receives investments from feeder funds managed
by 57 Stars affiliates and organized in the United States and the Cayman Islands.
57 Stars Global Opportunity Fund 5 – NextGen Mobility Fund, L.P. (“NextGen”), a fund of funds
focused on sector-specific investments in private equity in certain markets outside of the United
States.
Sponsor or Syndicator of Limited Partnerships
See “Investment Company or Other Pooled Investment Vehicles”, above.
6 GOF 3 (Guardian) is a single fund vehicle contemplating multiple series commitments with corresponding
commitment periods, managed pursuant to a common investment strategy. The first such series commitment was
committed in 2011, and successive series have followed. The vehicle currently has three series.
7 GOF 3 (KIA) is a single fund vehicle contemplating multiple series commitments with corresponding
commitment periods, managed pursuant to a common investment strategy. The first such series commitment was
in respect of 2012, and successive series with annual commitment periods have followed. The vehicle currently
has annual series commitments through 2020.
Relying Advisers
The following investment advisers to GOF 1, GOF 2, and EEF are relying advisers in accordance
with Form ADV General Instructions (and consistent with guidance expressed in the American
Bar Association, SEC No-Action Letter dated January 18, 2012): 57 Stars International Advisors,
LLC, 57 Stars Global Opportunities Fund 2 Advisor, LLC, and 57 Stars Emerging Europe Advisor,
LLC (together, the Relying Advisers”). 57 Stars and the Relying Advisers are together filing a
single Form ADV. Please refer to 57 Stars’ Form ADV Part 1 for additional details.
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Personal Trading – Item 11
Description of Code of Ethics – Item 11.A 57 Stars has adopted a Code of Ethics (the “Code”), pursuant to the rules under the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). The Code is based on the fundamental
principle that 57 Stars and its personnel (“57 Stars Personnel”) must put client interests first. The
Code states that 57 Stars Personnel must conduct their personal securities transactions in a manner
that does not interfere or appear to interfere with any 57 Stars client transactions or otherwise take
unfair advantage of their relationship with 57 Stars. 57 Stars Personnel must seek to avoid any
actual conflict between their personal interests and the interests of 57 Stars’ clients. The Code
contains provisions placing restrictions on 57 Stars Personnel’s ability to engage in personal
securities transactions and requires pre-clearance and reporting by 57 Stars Personnel of their
personal securities holdings and transactions to 57 Stars’ chief compliance officer. All supervised
persons at 57 Stars must annually acknowledge the terms of and compliance with the Code, and
their responsibilities thereunder.
57 Stars provides its Code to any Investor or prospective Investor upon request.
Generally, 57 Stars does not effect any principal transactions or agency cross securities
transactions for the Funds. 57 Stars will also not cross trades between Funds. A “principal
transaction” is generally defined as transactions where an adviser, acting as principal for its own
account or the account of an affiliated broker-dealer, buys from or sells any security to any
advisory client. A principal transaction will generally be deemed to have occurred if a security is
crossed between an affiliated investment fund and another client account. An “agency cross
transaction” is defined as a transaction where a person acts as an investment adviser in relation to
a transaction in which the investment adviser, or any person controlled by or under common
control with the investment adviser, acts as broker for both the advisory client and for another
person on the other side of the transaction. Agency cross transactions arise where an adviser is
dually registered as a broker-dealer or has an affiliated broker-dealer.
Material Financial Interest in Transactions – Item 11.B
In 57 Stars’ discretion, 57 Stars has the authority to cause a Fund to invest in Underlying Funds or
co-investments in which other Funds have invested or could in the future invest, either
concurrently as part of the same investment or subsequent to the investment by the first Fund.
Moreover, 57 Stars advises Funds whose investment objectives, strategies and guidelines are
similar to those of other Funds. As a result of 57 Stars’ allocation of investment opportunities
among the various Funds it advises, any one Fund could ultimately invest a smaller or larger
portion of its aggregate commitments in certain investments than would be the case if such Fund
were the only Fund advised. In such circumstances, 57 Stars, taking into account each Fund’s
investment objectives and other relevant factors (including, without limitation, vintage year and
diversification considerations, applicable investment restrictions, availability of undrawn capital,
size of the available opportunity, and other factors), determines the appropriate allocation which
57 Stars believes will serve the best interests of each Fund, and be fair and equitable to all Funds
(and Funds’ Investors) involved, subject in each such case to the allocation policy set forth in each
Fund’s Governing Documents. Decisions regarding allocation of opportunities among multiple
relevant Funds, are made by the Investment Committee, and 57 Stars’ regulatory compliance
function monitors the Investment Committee decisions and 57 Stars’ investment process and
adherence to allocation and other policies.
Investments in Same Securities – Item 11.C 57 Stars, its principals and affiliates will not invest as investors in the Underlying Funds, or invest
directly in the securities of portfolio companies, in which 57 Stars’ Funds are invested. However,
affiliates of 57 Stars serve as the general partners or managing members of the Funds, as the case
may be, and, in that capacity, 57 Stars will have an investment in the Funds (although it does not
pay management fees on such investments). As such, 57 Stars and its principals will have an
indirect interest in the same securities as its Funds. Further, the principals and affiliates of 57 Stars
have the opportunity to invest in certain of the Funds directly or indirectly as limited partners or
investing members, as the case may be (to date, this has occurred only in respect of Co-Investment
Sleeve). Similarly, 57 Stars allows its employees to invest in certain Funds through SPEs
organized and managed by 57 Stars (or an affiliate), if not prohibited by the Governing Documents
of the relevant Fund or Funds. In one circumstance (See Item 10.C above), with Investor consent,
one 57 Stars Fund has in the past invested in another 57 Stars Fund. Also, while 57 Stars currently
has only one affiliate or other vehicle structured for the purpose of investing into one or more
Funds (namely in Co-Investment Sleeve), it could in the future create an employee or other vehicle
with such capability, if not prohibited by the Governing Documents of the relevant Fund or Funds.
Although all the foregoing investment arrangements are made to align 57 Stars’ interest to that of
its Funds, these arrangements could present 57 Stars with a conflict of interest, in that such
investments could cause 57 Stars to manage the Funds differently than it would absent such
investment(s). Further, 57 Stars has the authority to cause certain Funds to invest in the same
securities as described in “
Material Financial Interest in Transactions – Item 11.B”, above.
Board Service
Employees of 57 Stars serve as members of, or observers on advisory or other boards with respect
to, certain Underlying Funds or their portfolio companies. While conflicts of interest would arise
in the event that such employee’s fiduciary duties as a director or observer conflict with those of
the Fund, it is expected that the interests of 57 Stars and the Funds will be aligned. 57 Stars or its
employees are eligible to receive compensation for serving on boards of directors or as advisory
directors to such Underlying Funds or portfolio companies (“Board Fees”) (although, to date, no
such Board Fees have actually been received). To mitigate conflicts of interest associated with
such Board Fees, the amount of remuneration received as Board Fees is offset by a certain
percentage against the applicable management fees as detailed in the applicable Fund’s Governing
Documents.
Timing of Investments – Item 11.D See “Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transaction and Personal Trading -
Material
Financial Interest in Transactions – Item 11.B” and “
Investments in Same Securities – Item 11.C”,
above, for a discussion of timing of investments and associated conflicts of interest.
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Factors Considered in Selecting or Recommending Broker-Dealers for Client Transactions –
Item 12.A 57 Stars has the authority to determine what brokers or dealers should be used on behalf of its
Funds. Investments made by the Funds are in non-registered securities offered in private
placements without the services of a broker-dealer which executes investment transactions. While
57 Stars has the authority to select brokers or dealers, such authority is seldom exercised given the
nature of its advisory services. In the rare instance when an Underlying Fund distributes in-kind
public securities to a Fund, 57 Stars has discretion to select a broker to liquidate such securities on
behalf of the Fund. In circumstances where 57 Stars selects brokers or dealers, 57 Stars takes
several factors into account, including the financial stability and reputation of the broker or dealer,
any special execution costs, and the quality of the services of the broker or dealer. Because 57
Stars selects a broker or dealer using a multifaceted approach, the broker or dealer selected will
not necessarily be the one offering the lowest available commission cost or spread.
1.
Research and Other Soft Dollar Benefits. Given the nature of its advisory services, 57 Stars does not currently utilize soft
dollars and does not expect to enter into soft dollar arrangements with brokers, or
to receive soft dollar benefits from brokers in the future.
2.
Brokerage for Client Referrals.
In selecting broker-dealers, 57 Stars and its related persons do not consider as a
factor whether or not 57 Stars will receive Investor referrals from a broker-dealer
or third party.
3.
Directed Brokerage.
Given the nature of its advisory services, 57 Stars does not utilize and does not
contemplate utilizing directed brokerage arrangements on behalf of its Funds.
Aggregation of Trades – Item 12.B
Given the nature of 57 Stars’ advisory services, 57 Stars generally does not aggregate orders for
securities. However, to the extent that multiple Funds receive a distribution of public securities
in-kind from an Underlying Fund or co-investment and 57 Stars determines to sell such securities
at the same time for each Fund, 57 Stars has the authority to enter a bunched order for such sale
with a single broker-dealer where practicable (but has not done so previously), and where such a
bunched order would reduce transaction costs and otherwise be fair and equitable to the Funds
participating in the transaction.
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Periodic Review – Item 13.A 57 Stars monitors investments of its Funds on a periodic basis, generally no less than quarterly,
depending on the nature of the relevant Fund. In reviewing Fund investments and accounts, the
57 Stars investment team generally examines the following metrics and sources of information,
among others: financial statements from each Underlying Fund or co-investment, portfolio
company information compiled from data solicited from the general partners or managing
members of Underlying Funds, and interviews with such general partners or managing members.
In performing its investment management activities, 57 Stars and its affiliates allocate personnel
and personnel time among each of the Funds. Each 57 Stars professional will devote such time as
is considered necessary to conduct such investment management activities in an appropriate
manner.
Triggered Review – Item 13.B In addition to the periodic reviews described above, 57 Stars, in its discretion, could elect to
conduct special reviews of Fund accounts (although it has not conducted such reviews previously
for any Fund), especially in instances where significant information of apparent material effect to
the relevant Fund comes to light through public or other sources, or where ongoing performance
of the relevant Fund (or Underlying Fund) indicates closer monitoring and more frequent review
would be appropriate.
Content and Frequency of Reports – Item 13.C
The frequency and content of the specific reports made to a Fund or to Investors in a Fund, as the
case may be, are set forth in the Fund’s Governing Documents. Generally, in the case of a Fund,
the Fund’s Investors will receive quarterly portfolio reports, and annual audited financial
statements of the Fund following the end of the Fund’s fiscal year. All such reports are in writing.
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Other Compensation – Item 14.A
As noted in Item 11 above, in limited circumstances, 57 Stars or its professionals are eligible to
receive Board Fees, which compensation would offset the management fee of a Fund by a certain
percentage, as detailed in the applicable Fund’s Governing Documents.
Client Referrals – Item 14.B From time to time, 57 Stars engages independent contractors to assist in the procurement of new
direct investment opportunities, or Investors for investment into its various Funds, and expects to
do so in the future. Such arrangements will comply with all applicable laws and rules, including
applicable registration and licensing requirements, if any. Such compensatory arrangements are
determined on a negotiated basis and generally include a retainer and/or success fee element. 57
Stars generally will pay such independent contractors out of its advisory fees earned from the Fund
or from other sources; otherwise, any fees paid directly by Funds or Investors in Funds to such
independent contractors will be disclosed in the Fund’s Governing Documents.
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As the general partner or managing member of the Funds, 57 Stars or an affiliate generally will be
deemed to have custody of funds or securities in respect of the Funds. In all such cases, 57 Stars
will comply with the custody rules promulgated under the Advisers Act. Such requirements
include, among other things, causing the Fund’s qualified custodians to provide the Fund (or
Investors in a Fund, as the case may be) with periodic account statements of the Fund’s
investments, to the extent that 57 Stars does not provide audited financial statements to the
Investors within the time period required by the custody rules. Investors in Funds are urged to
review carefully and compare any account statements received from the qualified custodian(s) with
any account statements or audited financial statements provided by 57 Stars.
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57 Stars manages most of its assets on a discretionary basis, pursuant to the power of attorney
granted to 57 Stars by any Fund (and the Fund’s Investors) in the Fund’s Governing Documents.
In those cases, 57 Stars has the authority to determine, without obtaining specific Investor consent,
the securities to be bought and sold, the amount of securities to be bought and sold, the broker or
dealer to be used, and the commission rates to be paid (if applicable). 57 Stars’ discretionary
authority to manage securities on behalf of its Funds is subject to investment guidelines and
restrictions pursuant to each Fund’s Governing Documents.
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Authority to Vote Client Securities – Item 17.A
57 Stars maintains written proxy voting policies and procedures as required by the rules under the
Advisers Act. 57 Stars votes proxies only when requested and heretofore has not been so
requested. In voting proxies on behalf of its Funds, 57 Stars would be guided by general fiduciary
principles. 57 Stars’ goal is to act prudently, and solely in the best interest of the Funds. 57 Stars
will attempt to consider factors that could affect the value of the investment and will vote proxies
in the manner that it believes maximize shareholder value for any Fund (and thereby, the Fund’s
Investors). In addition, 57 Stars’ procedures are designed to identify, assess, and disclose any
material conflicts that arise between 57 Stars’ interests and those of its Funds. Funds generally
will give 57 Stars discretion to vote Fund securities on behalf of the Fund, except as otherwise set
forth in the Fund’s Governing Documents. Investors in Funds can obtain a copy of 57 Stars’ proxy
voting policies and procedures upon request.
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Under the rules of the SEC, no balance sheet or other financial information of 57 Stars is required
to be included in this Brochure. 57 Stars does not solicit fees of more than $1,200, six months or
more in advance, is unaware of any financial condition that is reasonably likely to impair its ability
to meet contractual obligations to its Funds, and has not been the subject of an insolvency
proceeding.
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Open Brochure from SEC website