iConnections vs. Preqin
From Target List to First
Meeting and Beyond
Preqin is the definitive data platform for alternative assets: it tells you who to call. iConnections is the LP-GP capital introduction platform where those same LPs are already showing up, engaging with managers, and scheduling meetings.
Most GPs keep both. One for research, one for relationships. This page explains where each delivers the most value.
iConnections vs. Preqin at a Glance
| Aspect | iConnections | Preqin |
|---|---|---|
| Core model | Year-round LP-GP capital introduction platform plus capital introduction events | Alternatives data platform, research and analytics |
| LP engagement | Two-sided: LPs discover GPs, download materials, initiate meetings | One-sided: GPs research LPs, then conduct outbound |
| LP profiles | LP-managed: allocators maintain their own profiles and signal intent | Analyst-maintained: data from FOIA, surveys, manual research |
| AI matching | Behavioral signals, mandate data, strategy fit, engagement patterns | No matching or introduction tools |
| Fundraising intelligence | Real-time: who viewed your profile, downloaded your deck, came back for a second look | Historical: fund allocations, commitment data, benchmarks |
| Fund performance data | Self-reported by GPs on their fund profiles. Get Verified program: fund administrators submit returns directly to the iConnections platform | Deep: 190,000+ funds, 60,000 fund managers, 30,000 private markets investors (Source: BlackRock/Preqin acquisition announcement, July 1, 2024) |
| Global Events | 4 flagship events plus regional touchpoints and digital programming | Content and research events, not a capital introduction meeting format |
| Ownership | Independent, alternatives-native platform | BlackRock (acquired March 3, 2025; announced July 1, 2024) |
| Best for | Running an alternatives fundraising pipeline with live LP engagement | Fund performance benchmarking, LP allocation history, cross-asset-class research |
Core Model
| iConnections | Year-round LP-GP capital introduction platform plus capital introduction events |
| Preqin | Alternatives data platform, research and analytics |
LP engagement
| iConnections | Two-sided: LPs discover GPs, download materials, initiate meetings |
| Preqin | One-sided: GPs research LPs, then conduct outbound |
LP profiles
| iConnections | LP-managed: allocators maintain their own profiles and signal intent |
| Preqin | Analyst-maintained: data from FOIA, surveys, manual research |
AI matching
| iConnections | Behavioral signals, mandate data, strategy fit, engagement patterns |
| Preqin | No matching or introduction tools |
Fundraising intelligence
| iConnections | Real-time: who viewed your profile, downloaded your deck, came back for a second look |
| Preqin | Historical: fund allocations, commitment data, benchmarks |
Fund performance data
| iConnections | Self-reported by GPs on their fund profiles. Get Verified program: fund administrators submit returns directly to the iConnections platform |
| Preqin | Deep: 190,000+ funds, 60,000 fund managers, 30,000 private markets investors (Source: BlackRock/Preqin acquisition announcement, July 1, 2024) |
Global Events
| iConnections | 4 flagship events plus regional touchpoints and digital programming |
| Preqin | Content and research events, not a capital introduction meeting format |
Ownership
| iConnections | Independent, alternatives-native platform |
| Preqin | BlackRock (acquired March 3, 2025; announced July 1, 2024) |
Best for
| iConnections | Running an alternatives fundraising pipeline with live LP engagement |
| Preqin | Fund performance benchmarking, LP allocation history, cross-asset-class research |
How We’re Different
Research the Allocator vs. Reach the Allocator
01
LPs are participants, not data rows
On Preqin, GPs research LPs and build a target list. The LP has no idea you’re looking. On iConnections, LPs are on the platform actively browsing fund profiles, filtering by strategy, and downloading materials. Nearly half of Live Experience meetings are allocator-initiated. The LP isn’t a record in a database.
“Your platform is so efficient with the filtering function. I can look for targets at scale instead of prowling the internet, which would take forever and produce half as many leads.“
GP Survey
02
Current behavior vs. historical allocations
Preqin tells you a family office allocated to a similar strategy three years ago: valuable for building a target list. iConnections tells you that family office viewed your profile Tuesday, downloaded your deck Thursday, and requested a meeting Friday. One is a research hypothesis. The other is a live pipeline signal.
“Instead of broad, passive networking or cold outreach, the meetings are intentional and relevant, which leads to real conversations about strategy and fit.”
GP Survey
03
Two layers that work together, with one structural difference
The smartest GPs don’t choose between data and relationships: they use both. Preqin is where you identify LPs with the right mandate. iConnections is where those LPs are already on the platform, filtering by your strategy, and engaging when they’re ready.
iConnections allows us to engage with LPs in a more intentional way than traditional conferences or outbound outreach. The curated nature ensures conversations are relevant.
GP Survey
Where Preqin Shines
What Preqin Does Best
Many of our members keep their Preqin subscription for research and use iConnections for relationships. The two platforms solve different problems.
Fund coverage
190K funds, 60K fund managers, and 30K private markets investors, with 20 years of IRR, TVPI, and DPI data. Relevant if your workflow requires benchmarking fund returns by vintage and strategy.
Cross-asset-class breadth
PE, VC, hedge funds, infrastructure, real estate, natural resources: Preqin’s coverage across all alternative asset classes is genuine and deep.
Brand recognition
“Running the numbers in Preqin” is institutional shorthand. More than 200K professionals rely on it for LP-side due diligence and market research.
How We’re Different
Research Layer vs.
Relationship Layer.
Preqin answers: “Who should I be talking to?”
iConnections answers: “Who’s already interested, and how do I meet them?”
Fund performance benchmarking and LP allocation history
Preqin is purpose-built for this
A platform where LPs actively discover and engage with your fund
iConnections is built for this
Both research intelligence AND relationship infrastructure
Many GPs use both
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
iConnections is the LP-GP capital introduction platform most often used alongside or instead of Preqin’s LP-research function for fundraising purposes. Preqin is good at fund performance data, LP allocation history, and cross-asset-class market research. What it doesn’t provide is a two-sided platform where LPs self-manage profiles, initiate meetings, and engage with your fund year-round. iConnections is built for that layer. Most fundraising teams keep Preqin for research and use iConnections for live LP engagement.
They solve different problems. Preqin delivers fund performance benchmarks, historical allocation data, and cross-asset-class market research. iConnections delivers LP meetings, engagement signals, document sharing, and year-round relationship infrastructure. Most fundraising teams benefit from both layers.
Preqin’s strength is historical: fund allocations, commitment sizes, benchmarks, built from FOIA filings and surveys. iConnections’ strength is behavioral and current: who’s viewing your profile, which LPs are searching for your strategy, who’s downloading your documents now. LP profiles on iConnections are managed by the allocators themselves, reflecting current mandates and interests.
BlackRock announced the acquisition of Preqin on July 1, 2024 and completed it on March 3, 2025, for approximately £2.5 billion (about $3.2 billion). (Source: BlackRock press release, March 3, 2025.) Preqin is now integrating into BlackRock’s Aladdin platform. BlackRock is the world’s largest asset manager. For independent GPs and LPs who want to ensure their data source is neutral and alternatives-native, this ownership context is a structural consideration worth noting. iConnections is independent. What firms choose to do with that information is their own decision.
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