Hedge Fund Lions' Den live

The first episode of Hedge Fund Lions' Den - a six-part series following the fortunes of three emerging managers trying to convince three hedge fund lions to invest in their products

Emerging managers face interrogation by hedge fund industry lions

Reality TV meets the hedge fund world in the first season of Hedge Fund Lions' Den (HFLD).

The six-part made-for-web mini-series examines the trials and tribulations of emerging managers (EMs). These managers have exclusive access to three of the hedge fund world's biggest names for advice and guidance.

Combining the best of UK TV shows Dragons' Den and The Apprentice, HFLD pits the emerging hedge fund managers against three industry ‘lions’ who offer advice, guidance and ultimately make a decision about whether or not to invest in their fund. Managers have just two minutes to pitch their fund.

Episode one is an introduction to the lions and EMs.

Programme two expands on the industry experience and knowledge of the three lions while in episode three each EM makes a pitch to the lions.

People think they ought to start a fund and it is easy and you get rich. But the answer is if the rewards are good, it should be hard. Starting a hedge fund is a big entrepreneurial step.

Programmes four and five feature the EMs having one-to-ones with each of the lions.

In the final episode, to be shown December 16, each lion decides how to ‘allocate' up to $25 million for a potential total of $75 million to one or more of the funds. No real money is used in the programme.

Produced by Hedge Funds Review and sponsored by Eurex, the series was created to help EMs build sustainable businesses and investors to better understand the challenges facing EMs.

To access the episodes, viewers need a password sent via email after registration. Commentary on all episodes and videos will also be available on the Hedge Funds Review website.

The lions taking part in the series are Andrew McCaffery, global head of hedge funds and responsible for the fund of hedge funds business and pan-alternatives mandates within Aberdeen Asset Management; Luke Ellis, president of Man and a member of the group executive committee; and Lord Fink, CEO of ISAM, an alternative investment adviser. Stanley Fink is commonly referred to as the godfather of the hedge fund industry.

Episode two goes live December 11, when the lions offer thoughts on their experience and insight into the start-up and growth of hedge funds.

More information is available on the HFLD website.

Watch episode 1: The Players