1. Can I become a member of NAIC as an individual?
2. Am I eligible for membership if my firm manages a fund in formation?
3. Are non-members eligible to participate in NAIC events?
4. Is my firm eligible for membership if it is not majority minority-owned?
5. What are the primary benefits of NAIC membership?
6. I’d like to become a member, but I don’t know anyone who can sponsor me. How do I find someone to sponsor my application?
7. Is NAIC membership open to institutional investors?
8. My firm is a member of NAIC, but I, personally, am not. Am I eligible to participate in NAIC events?
9. Can I renew my firm’s NAIC membership online?
10. How much are NAIC membership dues and can I apply for membership online?

1. What is the US Emerging Domestic Market (EDM)?
2. I manage a fund that would like to invest in the EDM, but I’m not sure where to begin. Can NAIC help?
3. Why should I consider investing in the EDM? Isn’t it riskier than other forms of private equity investment?
4. How is the current economic downturn affecting investments in the EDM?
5. Are the fund managers who work the EDM also able to assist my fund with investments in other market sectors?
6. I am a fund of funds manager who is interested in partnering with a firm that is more knowledgeable about EDM investment. Can NAIC help?
7. I manage a public equities firm. Can I join NAIC?
8. I manage a hedge fund. Can I join NAIC?
9. I manage a real estate fund. Can I join NAIC?

1. What are the benefits of becoming an NAIC sponsor?
2. What are the sponsorship requirements?
3. Who do I contact to discuss NAIC sponsorship?

1. I have a product/business/investment opportunity that I think might interest NAIC members. Who do I contact about gaining access to your membership list?

FAQ Answers

About Membership:

Can I become a member of NAIC as an individual?

NAIC does not offer individual memberships. If you own or are working for a firm that meets our eligibility requirements, we would welcome your firm’s application for membership.

Am I eligible for membership if my firm manages a fund in formation?

Yes, NAIC offers memberships to funds in formation. Please visit our Join NAIC page for more details and to apply online for membership.

Are non-members eligible to participate in NAIC events?

Many NAIC events are open to non-members at non-member rates.

Is my firm eligible for membership if it is not majority minority owned?

NAIC membership is open to private equity firms that:

• Invest in businesses significantly owned by ethnic individuals;
• Invest in businesses that substantially serve ethnically diverse markets; and/or
• Are significantly owned by minority or ethnic individuals. 

NAIC membership is also open to professional services firms such as law firms, accounting firms, consultants, investment banks and industry specialists that are focused on providing key resources and services to ethnically diverse markets. Candidates for membership must be sponsored by two current NAIC member firms.

To review lists of our members, visit the NAIC Members page. If you are uncertain about whether your firm meets NAIC membership criteria, please contact NAIC at inquiries@naicvc.com.

What are the primary benefits of NAIC membership?

The benefits of NAIC membership include the following:

• An opportunity to be part of an elite group of investment managers that is leading the field in this dynamic sector of the private equity investment market NAIC Member Lists.
• Eligibility for participation in all NAIC sponsored events and educational forums at a discounted NAIC member rate. NAIC Events
• Opportunity to cultivate relationships with institutional investors at NAIC members-only events.
• Opportunity to cultivate relationships with NAIC partner organizations.
• Opportunity for participation in developing and leading NAIC activities.
• Password-protected access to NAIC’s online limited partner database.
• Complementary copies of NAIC’s Journal of EDM Finance.

Please visit our Join NAIC page for more details and to apply online for membership.

I’d like to become a member, but I don’t know anyone at your member firms. How do I find someone to sponsor my application?

We welcome membership applications from firms that meet our eligibility requirements. If your firm meets the requirements, but does not have a sponsor, please contact us at inquiries@naicvc.com or call 202.204.3001.

Is NAIC membership open to institutional investors?

NAIC membership is open only to investment firms dedicated to investment in businesses that substantially serve ethnically diverse markets and/or are substantially owned by minority or ethnic individuals. However, NAIC sponsors events for institutional investors, including the Plan Sponsor and Minority Manager Consortium, an event that brings together plan sponsors, fund of funds and consultants with some of the best minority and emerging managers in the business. NAIC also hosts a Trustee and Plan Sponsor Symposium at the NAIC Annual Meeting and Convention. For more details, visit our NAIC Limited Partner Events page.

My firm is a member of NAIC, but I, personally, am not. Am I eligible to participate in NAIC events?

To find out if you are eligible to participate in NAIC events, contact the person at your firm who is responsible for maintaining corporate memberships. If you do not know who that person is, contact NAIC at inquiries@naicvc.com or call NAIC at 202.204.3001.

Can I renew my firm’s membership online?

Yes! Go to the Renew Your Membership page and follow instructions to complete your renewal.

How much are NAIC membership dues and can I apply for membership online?

NAIC dues vary according to the type of membership and fund size, and firms can apply online. For details, visit our Membership Categories page.

About the US Emerging Domestic Market (EDM):

What is the US Emerging Domestic Markets (EDM)?

NAIC uses the term “US Emerging Domestic Market (EDM)” to describe investments in the following kinds of enterprises:

• Businesses targeting ethnic and minority consumer markets
• Businesses targeting large urban consumer and business markets
• Businesses in which ethnic minorities have majority ownership

More detail can be found in our US Emerging Domestic Markets Overview section.

I manage a fund that is considering investment in the EDM, but I’m not sure where to begin. Can NAIC help?

Yes. NAIC and its member firms are among the nation’s leading experts in EDM investment. For more information, contact inquiries@naicvc.com or call us at 202.204.3001.

Why should I consider investing in the EDM? Isn’t it riskier than other forms of private equity investment?

For more information about the opportunities offered by EDM investment, visit Why Invest in the Emerging Domestic Market?

How is the current economic downturn affecting investments in the EDM?

Despite the current economic downturn, all indications show that the U.S. Emerging Domestic Market continues to offer strong deal flow, unique investment opportunities and solid returns to investors. For more information about EDM investing, visit U.S. Emerging Domestic Market Overview.

Are NAIC members that invest in the EDM also able to assist my fund with investments in other market sectors?

Yes. Several NAIC member firms have investment strategies that extend beyond EDM investments. To view profiles of our member firms, visit the NAIC Member Firms section of our website.

I am a fund of funds manager who is interested in building relationships with firms that are more knowledgeable about EDM investment. Can NAIC help?

Yes! NAIC member firms welcome partnerships with others who are looking to explore opportunities in the EDM. To view profiles of our member firms, visit the NAIC Member Firms section of our website. You can also contact NAIC at 202.204.3001.

I manage a public equities firm. Can I join NAIC?

No, NAIC membership is not open to public equities firms.

I manage a hedge fund. Can I join NAIC?

No, NAIC membership is not open to hedge fund.

I manage a real estate fund. Can I join NAIC?

No, NAIC membership is not open to real estate funds.

About Sponsorship

What are the benefits of becoming an NAIC sponsor?

NAIC sponsors are afforded unique opportunities to market their respective companies to an exceptional audience of private equity fund mangers. NAIC is composed of firms that span a full spectrum of private equity investment activity including early stage venture, later stage venture, expansion, buyout, mezzanine, distressed and secondary investments. With more than $10 billion in combined capital under management and a median of funds under management per firm of $200 million, this unique group of private equity fund mangers represents one of the most vibrant sectors in private equity; the Emerging Domestic Market (EDM).

Companies have several options to serve as sponsors at NAIC events and in NAIC products. These events and products include:

• The Annual Plan Sponsor & Minority Manager Consortium;
• NAIC Annual Meeting and Convention; and
• NAIC’s Journal of EDM Finance magazine.

What are the sponsorship requirements?

To discuss how your company might become an NAIC sponsor, contact us at inquiries@naicvc.com.

Whom do I contact to discuss NAIC sponsorship?

To discuss how your company might become an NAIC sponsor, contact us at inquiries@naicvc.com.

Other Questions:

I have a product/business/investment opportunity that I think might interest NAIC members. Whom do I contact about gaining access to your membership list?

Please visit our Members section to view profiles of NAIC members. If you have additional questions, please email us at inquiries@naicvc.com.