Uncertainty Abounds, but GPs in Dynamo’s 2025 Survey Signal Confidence
In 2025, General Partners (GPs) find themselves in a world with no shortage of economic ambiguity or geopolitical tensions. Yet, despite the macro conditions, GPs seem to be projecting a cautious optimism about the investing road ahead.
Their sentiments about the next 12 months were captured in Dynamo’s third annual Frontline Insight Report: Trends, Challenges, and Insights from Global General Partners. A global sample of GPs was surveyed in March and April of 2025, where they shared how they are responding to the current moment and the plans they have in store.
Dynamo’s research offers a uniquely focused view into how global private equity, venture capital, and hedge fund managers are navigating headwinds, evolving how they operate, and pursuing growth.
Fundraising Ambitions Remain High
Even in a volatile fundraising environment, most GPs are not retreating. In fact, a significant percentage say they’re ramping up.
Nearly three-quarters of GPs surveyed plan to launch at least one new fund in 2025, and 40% expect their overall fundraising efforts to exceed last year’s levels.
At the same time, GPs cited “fundraising in current market conditions” as their top business challenge, followed by concerns about “deal activity” and “increased holding periods.” This highlights the tension between bold strategic intent and an environment marked by numerous uncertain variables.
Still, few are hitting the brakes. Only 4% expect a significant fundraising slowdown, suggesting that most GPs are finding ways to move forward.
Geographic Diversification, Especially into Asia
This year’s survey shows a striking uptick in interest in Asia. Thirty percent of GPs surveyed plan to invest in the region this year, up more than 22 percentage points from 2024. This push may reflect a combination of strategic diversification and a longer term belief in Asia-Pacific’s growth trajectory.
Despite concerns about geopolitical instability and U.S.-China trade tensions, GPs appear confident in the region’s fundamentals. Factors like accelerating AI innovation, maturing startup ecosystems, and structural reforms in countries like Japan are making the region increasingly attractive.
It looks like GPs see global diversification as a strategic imperative, and not just short-term risk mitigation.
GPs Bet on Tech to Power Fundraising and Teams
For the third year, GPs are making significant strides to modernize their operations, and they’re putting real budget behind it. This year, 73% of GPs plan to increase their tech spend, a notable jump from 50% just a year ago.
GPs see technology as a vital enabler of fundraising, relationship management, and operational security and efficiency. Top focus areas include:
- Deal sourcing and relationship tracking
- Data security and privacy
- Fundraising and marketing automation
Dynamo CEO Hank Boughner noted that GPs are looking for technology solutions that empower teams to be more productive. Even with the increased focus on technology, more than half (53%) of GPs plan to grow their teams in the next year, signaling that tech is not replacing talent—but enabling it.
“Even as the ALTS space grows in its digital maturity, it remains a human-to-human business,” he said. “Technology is ultimately evaluated by how well it advances GP ingenuity and investor trust.”
GPs Are Strategizing More Intentionally Around Market Volatility and AI
This year’s top cited impact from the current global economy? An increased focus on due diligence and risk management.
And, as they recalibrate their portfolios, GPs are also rethinking their investor base. More than six in ten (65%) are actively onboarding retail investors and high-net-worth individuals—a trend that mirrors the broader “retailization” of alternatives and a shift toward more flexible fund structures.
Meanwhile, artificial intelligence continues to generate both excitement and uncertainty. A majority of GPs named AI-powered decision tools as a top priority, but AI implementation ranks lowest among factors influencing technology adoption. While GPs seem to believe in AI’s potential, they may not feel fully ready to adopt it at scale just yet.
Poised for Progress
In 2025, GPs are not waiting for perfect conditions to take action. They are leaning in to new fund launches, expanding globally, investing in operational tech, and building teams capable of thriving.
Market challenges remain, but the GPs Dynamo surveyed are thinking long-term. Those that outperform in the next cycle may not necessarily be the biggest or most established, but the ones that are most agile, most tech-enabled, and most tuned-in to global opportunity. These GPs are planning for what’s next and taking smart steps to meet the future.
View the full findings from Dynamo’s research at:
Dynamo Frontline Insight Report: Trends, Challenges, and Insights from Global General Partners
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Firms are increasing technology spending to improve efficiency, security, and fundraising outcomes. Dynamo delivers value by consolidating multiple functions into one platform, reducing reliance on disconnected tools. This not only lowers operational complexity but also enhances productivity by giving teams immediate access to the data and insights they need.
While firms are investing heavily in technology, they are also continuing to grow their teams, reinforcing that this is still a relationship-driven industry. Dynamo is designed to enhance human expertise by automating routine tasks and surfacing insights, allowing professionals to focus on high-value activities like strategy and relationship building.
As firms increasingly expand into regions like Asia, managing a global investment strategy requires greater coordination and data consistency. Dynamo supports this shift by creating a single system of record for all investor, deal, and operational data, enabling seamless collaboration across regions. This ensures firms can pursue diversification strategies with confidence and control.
Dynamo enables firms to manage complex fundraising efforts by organizing investor data, automating communications, and tracking engagement in real time. This allows teams to scale outreach while maintaining a personalized, high-quality experience for investors.
Firms that succeed in the next market cycle will be those that are agile, tech-enabled, and globally connected. Dynamo Software equips investment managers with the infrastructure they need to meet these demands, combining powerful technology with industry-specific functionality to help them scale, adapt, and build lasting investor relationships.
Although firms see strong potential in AI, many are still in early stages of adoption. Dynamo provides a data-rich foundation that makes it easier to integrate AI-driven insights over time, ensuring firms can adopt advanced tools when ready without overhauling their entire technology stack.
With data security and privacy cited as major priorities, firms must ensure their systems are robust and compliant. Dynamo Software provides enterprise-grade security and structured data management, helping firms safeguard sensitive information while maintaining compliance with evolving regulatory requirements.
Relationship tracking and engagement are top priorities for firms looking to grow. Dynamo enhances relationship management by providing a centralized CRM tailored to the alternatives industry, enabling firms to capture every touchpoint, monitor investor activity, and build stronger, more transparent connections. This strengthens trust and positions firms for long-term success.
Donna Parent is the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Dynamo Software. Donna is responsible for the corporate brand, demand generation strategies, and go-to-market initiatives for promoting Dynamo’s end-to-end cloud-based platform to the alternatives ecosystem. She is focused on fueling lifelong relationships with consumers, businesses, and strategic partners. Connect with Donna on LinkedIn.
