The previous value of a portfolio that must be regained before a hedge fund can charge their investors performance fees is known as a

high watermark

Explanation:

A high watermark refers to the mark at which the investment could be reached at a high peak. It to be calculated on that date when the performance fees are charged and it could be charged only on that case when there is a rise in the value of the portfolio

Moreover,  in the high watermarks there is no need to pay the performance based fee when there is a poor performance

Therefore the given situation represent the high watermark

answer; i believe that the correct answer is (an elevator pitch);