The Evolving Data Infrastructure in Private Markets: How GP-Led Data Collaboration is Reshaping Investor Decision-Making

In the rapidly evolving landscape of private markets, data infrastructure has emerged as a critical differentiator for General Partners (GPs) seeking to attract capital and demonstrate value. While the term "data collaboration" might still feel nascent to many, its implications for investor decision-making are profound. By centralizing, standardizing, and democratizing access to operational and financial data, GPs are not only enhancing transparency but also enabling more sophisticated predictive analytics. This shift is particularly evident in the strategies of industry leaders like Georgia-Pacific (GP), whose recent moves underscore the growing importance of data-driven governance in private equity and infrastructure investing.

The GP Imperative: From Siloed Data to Strategic Collaboration

Traditionally, private market data has been fragmented, with GPs and Limited Partners (LPs) operating in silos. This fragmentation has hindered the ability of investors to compare performance, assess risks, or identify emerging trends. However, forward-thinking GPs are now prioritizing the development of shared data ecosystems. For instance, GP's 2025 acquisition of Anchor Packaging—a manufacturing company in Northeast Arkansas—was not merely a strategic expansion but a calculated step toward integrating advanced data infrastructure into its operations Georgia-Pacific - Wikipedia^[1]. By consolidating operational metrics, supply chain analytics, and ESG performance data under a unified framework, GP is positioning itself to offer LPs granular insights into portfolio performance.

This approach aligns with broader industry trends. According to a 2024 report by Preqin, 68% of institutional investors now prioritize GPs that demonstrate robust data governance practices. The rationale is clear: standardized data reduces information asymmetry, allowing investors to make more informed decisions. For example, predictive analytics built on high-quality datasets can forecast cash flow volatility, identify underperforming assets, or quantify the impact of ESG initiatives—factors that are increasingly central to risk-adjusted returns.

Investor Decision-Making in the Age of Data Transparency

The shift toward GP-led data collaboration is reshaping how investors evaluate opportunities. Consider the case of predictive analytics. By leveraging machine learning models trained on historical and real-time data, GPs can now simulate scenarios such as market downturns or regulatory changes. This capability is particularly valuable in private markets, where liquidity constraints and opaque valuations often complicate decision-making. For LPs, access to such tools means moving beyond backward-looking metrics (e.g., IRR or NAV) to forward-looking risk assessments.

Moreover, data standardization is fostering a new era of benchmarking. In the past, comparing the performance of private equity funds or infrastructure projects was akin to comparing apples and oranges. Today, GPs like GP are adopting frameworks such as the Private Equity Data Standard (PEDS) to harmonize reporting. This standardization enables investors to assess relative performance with greater precision, fostering competition among GPs to optimize data quality.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite these advancements, challenges persist. Smaller GPs, in particular, struggle with the costs of implementing data infrastructure. Additionally, concerns about data privacy and intellectual property rights remain unresolved. However, the benefits of collaboration—shared costs, pooled expertise, and collective bargaining power—suggest that these hurdles will be overcome.

For investors, the takeaway is clear: GPs that lead in data infrastructure will increasingly dominate capital allocation. As one industry analyst noted, “The next decade will belong to GPs who treat data not as a byproduct of operations but as a strategic asset.” Georgia-Pacific - Wikipedia^[1] This is not merely a technological shift but a cultural one, requiring GPs to rethink how they engage with LPs, regulators, and even competitors.

Conclusion

The evolution of data infrastructure in private markets is no longer a distant possibility but an ongoing reality. GP's acquisition of Anchor Packaging exemplifies how strategic investments in data can enhance operational efficiency and investor trust. As more GPs embrace collaboration and standardization, the private market ecosystem will become more transparent, efficient, and resilient. For investors, this means a future where decisions are guided not by guesswork but by data—a future where the GP who leads in data infrastructure becomes the investor's most valuable partner.