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What returns can I expect from private investments?

Private equity historically returns 10–25% annually, but it's highly variable. Startups can return 0x (total loss) or 10x+. Real estate might return 8–15%. There's no guarantee.

Private investment returns vary dramatically depending on the asset type, stage, and individual deal. There are no guaranteed returns.

Important context

  • Survivorship bias: The headline returns you read about exclude the failed investments. In reality, many startups fail; the best funds succeed because a few big winners offset many losses.

  • Power law distribution: In a portfolio of 10 startup investments, it's common for 3–4 to fail completely, 3–4 to return 1–2x, and 1–2 to return 5x+.

Vintage year matters: Returns vary significantly by when you invest relative to economic cycles. Each deal page displays projected returns and historical comparables where available. These are estimates, not promises. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

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