Replaces complex Excel models
Your LPA defines how distributions flow — return of capital, preferred return, GP catch-up, carried interest. But translating those provisions into actual dollar amounts across multiple exits, over multiple years, with different LP commitment levels? That's where Excel breaks and errors hide.
Start your free trialEvery emerging manager has the same spreadsheet somewhere on their drive — a waterfall model with dozens of nested IF statements, hardcoded hurdle rates, and formulas that break when you add a new LP. You built it during fundraising, based on a template your lawyer emailed you, and you've been terrified of touching it ever since.
The problem isn't just complexity. It's that waterfall calculations are high-stakes math. A mistake in how you model the GP catch-up provision means you either overpay yourself (audit risk) or underpay yourself (leaving carry on the table). An error in how recycling provisions interact with the preferred return could mean distributing the wrong amount to every LP in your fund.
Archstone replaces that fragile spreadsheet with purpose-built waterfall logic. Enter your fund terms once — hurdle rate, carry percentage, catch-up structure, American or European distribution — and the waterfall calculates correctly every time, for every exit, across every LP. When your auditor asks to see the waterfall calculation, you export a clean, line-by-line breakdown instead of handing over a spreadsheet with 47 tabs.
Choose between American (deal-by-deal) and European (whole-fund) waterfall structures. Each template handles return of capital, preferred return, catch-up, and carried interest tiers automatically based on your LPA terms. No formulas to write or maintain.
Set your preferred return hurdle — 8% IRR is standard, but Archstone supports any rate. The waterfall engine calculates the cumulative preferred return owed to LPs before any carried interest is earned, compounding correctly across distribution periods.
Model GP catch-up tiers precisely — whether you have a 100% catch-up to equalize carry, a 50/50 split catch-up, or a more complex tiered structure. Archstone handles the math that trips up most spreadsheet models: when exactly does catch-up end and the standard carry split begin.
See exactly how distributions split between GP and LPs at every stage of the waterfall. Track the GP commitment alongside LP commitments so the GP's proportional share flows through each tier correctly — including scenarios where the GP has a different carry rate on their own commitment.
Run the waterfall under multiple return scenarios — what does the distribution look like if the fund returns 2x? 3x? 5x? Compare GP carry across scenarios side by side. Know exactly what fund performance level you need to hit before carry starts flowing.
Export a complete waterfall breakdown showing every step: capital contributions, return of capital, preferred return accrual, catch-up allocation, and carried interest. Each line item includes the formula logic and source data. Hand it directly to your fund auditor without translation.
A portfolio company exits and you're receiving $4.2M in proceeds. Plug in the number and the waterfall instantly shows how much goes to return of capital, how much covers the preferred return, and how much flows to carry. Generate per-LP distribution notices in minutes, not days.
During fundraising, prospective LPs want to understand the waterfall economics. Run scenarios showing how a $500K commitment distributes under 2x, 3x, and 5x fund return scenarios. Present a professional waterfall output alongside your pitch deck instead of hand-waving about “standard 2/20 terms.”
LPs appreciate transparency about where the fund stands relative to the carry hurdle. Include a waterfall projection in your quarterly report showing cumulative distributions, remaining preferred return, and projected carry at current portfolio valuations. Build trust through clear economics.
An American (deal-by-deal) waterfall allows the GP to take carry on each profitable exit independently, even if other investments haven't returned capital yet. A European (whole-fund) waterfall requires LPs to receive their entire capital back plus the preferred return across all investments before any carry is paid. Archstone supports both with clawback provisions for American structures.
Yes. If your LPA allows you to recycle early distributions back into new investments (common for the first 2-3 years of fund life), Archstone factors recycled capital into the waterfall calculation. The preferred return clock resets on recycled capital, and the waterfall adjusts accordingly.
Each LP's distribution is calculated pro rata based on their commitment. An LP with a $1M commitment in a $10M fund receives 10% of each waterfall tier. Archstone generates per-LP distribution statements that show each individual's share of return of capital, preferred return, and profit distributions.
Archstone's waterfall exports include a complete line-by-line calculation showing inputs, formulas, and results for each tier. Multiple fund auditors have accepted this output as supporting documentation. The export includes a methodology summary that maps each calculation step to standard waterfall terminology.
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