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What's the Easiest Way to Invest in a Family Office?
Martin Signer answers:
Family offices don't typically accept investors the way funds do — they manage wealth for families, not from the public. But there are several legitimate ways to access family office-style investing or co-invest alongside them.
First, Understand the Two Types
| Type | What it is | Investable? |
|---|---|---|
| Single Family Office (SFO) | Manages one ultra-wealthy family's assets | Almost never — closed to outsiders |
| Multi-Family Office (MFO) | Serves multiple wealthy families | Yes — this is your entry point |
The Realistic Pathways
1. Become a Client of a Multi-Family Office
MFOs like Pictet Wealth Management, Lombard Odier, UBP, or Julius Bär (all prominent in Switzerland) accept high-net-worth clients and invest alongside their family office clients. Typical minimums range from CHF 500K to CHF 5M+.
2. Co-Investment Platforms
Some family offices open specific deals to outside investors — called co-investments. Platforms that facilitate this:
- Moonfare — curated PE/VC deals, some sourced via family offices
- Floww / Pollen Street — European-focused deal flow
- AngelList — early-stage, some family office-backed deals
- FINVIA / Liqid — German/Swiss-friendly, family office-style access
3. Family Office Networks & Clubs
Some family offices form investment clubs or syndicates and occasionally bring in trusted outsiders:
- UHNWI networks (Ultra High Net Worth) — invitation only, but attendable via events
- Tiger 21 — peer group for $10M+ net worth individuals
- Family Office Club — hosts events and deal-sharing networks
- SECA (Swiss Private Equity & Corporate Finance Association) — local Swiss network worth joining
4. Invest in Publicly Listed Family-Controlled Vehicles
The easiest, most liquid option — buy shares in companies controlled by family offices:
- Investor AB (Wallenberg family, Sweden)
- Exor NV (Agnelli family, Italy/Netherlands — listed on Euronext)
- Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (Belgium)
- Pargesa / GBL
- Sofina (Belgium)
These trade like stocks but give you exposure to a family office's long-term investment philosophy.
5. Through a Private Bank
Swiss private banks (Pictet, Mirabaud, Bordier) often act as a bridge — they know which family offices are open to outside capital and can make introductions if you're a client.
What Family Offices Actually Look For in Outside Investors
If you want to co-invest alongside a family office, they typically want people who:
- Bring deal flow or strategic value, not just capital
- Have a long time horizon (5–15 years, no pressure for liquidity)
- Come via a trusted introduction
- Can write meaningful check sizes ($250K–$1M+ minimum for co-investments)
Realistic Entry Points by Wealth Level
| Your capital | Best approach |
|---|---|
| < CHF 100K | Listed family-controlled holding companies (Exor, Investor AB) |
| CHF 100K–500K | Co-investment platforms (Moonfare, Liqid) |
| CHF 500K–2M | Multi-family office client, private bank introduction |
| CHF 2M+ | Direct MFO relationship, family office networks, co-investments |
The Swiss Angle
Switzerland is home to a dense concentration of family offices, particularly in Geneva, Zurich, and Zug. Organizations like the Swiss Family Office Association and events hosted by SECA or CFA Society Switzerland are practical ways to build relationships in this ecosystem.
