Corporate access has become a selling point for the biggest hedge funds. The largest firms handle relationships with companies, with Citadel conducting over 30,000 meetings annually. Top hedge funds monopolize CEOs’ valuable time for strategy discussions. Access to C-suites is now dominated by major firms, causing tension with smaller funds and internal competition. Corporate access teams have shifted from booking agents to matchmakers, facilitating meetings between investors and executives.

The rise of corporate access teams has led to internal tensions at hedge funds. Fights over access to executives are common, with more experienced teams often getting priority. The industry’s growth in staff has increased competition for meetings with top executives. Smaller funds are leveraging internal disputes to attract talent with long-term incentives. The pass-through fee agreements that fund these teams are under scrutiny for cost-effectiveness.

Meetings with executives are valued by some, but others question the cost and value. Automation is seen as a potential cost-saving solution for repetitive meetings. The push for funds to adopt cash hurdles may lead to cost-cutting in various areas. Despite the debate, there is still perceived value in face-to-face meetings with executives. The zero-sum game of corporate access limits opportunities for smaller firms.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: C-suite access is the new divide in the hedge fund world