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What is a Capital Call?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated Feb 28, 2024
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A capital call or draw down is a legal right that allows venture funds to demand a transfer of promised funds from investors. The term “capital call” is used to refer both to this legal right and to the practice of actively exercising it. Capital calls are used to ensure that a venture fund has the capital that it needs when it requires it and to confirm that investors are committed to a project.

Contractual Obligation

An investor commits to a fund in a contract that includes a clause explaining the capital call. The investor might not transfer the funds immediately, instead waiting until the fund has received commitments from other investors and has selected a project in which to invest. After the venture fund is ready to embark on a project, it will issue a capital call, at which time the investors will need to transfer their promised funds to the company. The existence of the capital call agreement will attract other investors, showing them that the fund is serious and capable of drawing upon a large pool of investment capital.

Protects the Firm

Venture firms count on accessibility to promised funds when they negotiate potential investments and projects. If investors back out of their commitments, it can be a serious problem for the firm, because it might have made plans for those funds. Capital calls protect venture groups from unexpected shortages in capital and ensure that a flow of funds will be available when it is required.

Assures the Investor

Investors are also protected to some extent by a capital call. When an investor commits to get involved in a venture fund, he or she is assured that other investors will be required to inject capital when a draw down occurs. This means that the venture fund is more likely to succeed and to generate a return on the investment. Investors may rely on the coordinated funds of the whole to generate a good return, so the capital call is critical to their security.

Legal Requirements

When people commit to making investments in funds, they usually will be given information about capital calls and how they work. In some regions, venture funds are required by law to spell out certain legal aspects of the investment contract, including the capital call. New investors are advised to consult with people who have experience in the investment industry to make sure that they know all about the investments with which they are getting involved.

WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments

By amywillget — On Jun 24, 2009

I am already divorced and have this arrangement of one half of each of our partnerships. The company is owned by my ex-father-in-law. I am on this site researching "capital calls" because I just found out that they are doing one, on one of the partnerships, and I wasn't in the loop. I just happened to email yesterday to say I never received a financial update, then bam! I was told that I needed to pay up. If I had not found out, and not paid, would they be able to cut me out of the partnership?

By anon27156 — On Feb 24, 2009

I am a wife undergoing a divorce. In the divorce settlement, i will receive one half of each of six partnerships (they are not very new). I was advised that I would have to remit any capital calls within 10 days or lose ownership. This partnership is owned mainly by the company owner my husband works for and he is given a small percentage of each partnership in lieu of a bonus, etc. 1) Does this sound risky for me? and 2) Does this sound like a normal procedure? and 3) Discuss if necessary. I need these answers very much.

Mary McMahon

Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

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