Who are the top family offices that invest directly in early-stage tech startups?
Data as of Sep 21, 2026 · Based on 316 AI responses from ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode · See how Parse measures this
Data as of Sep 21, 2026 · Based on 316 AI responses from ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode · See how Parse measures this
Many prominent family offices actively invest directly in early-stage technology startups, often targeting specific sectors like deep tech, AI, software, and climate science. Investors such as Bezos Expeditions,
Emerson Collective, and
Motier Ventures are frequently highlighted for their involvement in providing early funding for transformative global tech projects.
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Ideal for founders working on breakthrough deep tech, space, and AI. This firm is frequently noted for its capability to back early and later-stage companies pursuing highly innovative, frontier technology challenges.
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Best for startups focused on social impact, education, and technology. It provides a unique balance of financial backing and a commitment to broad societal progress, making it a strong partner for mission-driven founders.
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Some of the most prominent family offices and family-backed investment vehicles that make **direct investments in early-stage technology startups** include: [Round Funded](https://www.roundfunded.com/en/blogs/top-family-offices-investing-in-startups-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com)…
Some of the most prominent family offices and family-backed investment vehicles that make direct investments in early-stage technology startups include:
For founders, the most relevant distinction is usually stage and thesis fit: some family offices write seed checks directly, while others primarily co-invest at Series A+ or invest through venture funds. Finta Common sectors attracting direct family-office startup capital include AI, enterprise software, fintech, biotech, climate tech, and deep tech.
Family offices have increasingly bypassed traditional venture capital funds to make direct investments in early-stage tech startups. Some operate as massive hybrid entities with dedicated venture arms, while others are single-family offices acting as active angel-to-seed or Series A checks. The top and most active…
Family offices have increasingly bypassed traditional venture capital funds to make direct investments in early-stage tech startups. Some operate as massive hybrid entities with dedicated venture arms, while others are single-family offices acting as active angel-to-seed or Series A checks.
The top and most active family offices investing directly in early-stage tech startups include:
Would you like information on how to pitch a family office compared to a traditional VC, or are you looking for contact strategies / directories to reach out to them?
Family offices have increasingly bypassed traditional fund-of-funds models to make **direct, high-conviction investments** in early-stage technology. The most active and prominent family offices participating directly in early-stage tech, AI, and high-growth ecosystems…
Family offices have increasingly bypassed traditional fund-of-funds models to make direct, high-conviction investments in early-stage technology. The most active and prominent family offices participating directly in early-stage tech, AI, and high-growth ecosystems include:
If you're targeting family offices for a raise, let me know:
I can help you narrow down the best approach or find matching investor directories on platforms like OpenVC or Finta.
Yes. If by **“family offices”** you mean family-controlled investment vehicles that **actually make direct startup investments**—rather than merely allocating to VC funds—the strongest names to know in 2026 are: Family office / vehicle | Principal / family | Particularly relevant for --- | --- | ---
Yes. If by “family offices” you mean family-controlled investment vehicles that actually make direct startup investments—rather than merely allocating to VC funds—the strongest names to know in 2026 are:
| Family office / vehicle | Principal / family | Particularly relevant for |
|---|---|---|
| Hillspire | Eric Schmidt | AI, deep tech, software, frontier technology |
| Bezos Expeditions | Jeff Bezos | AI, robotics, space, computing, consumer tech |
| Emerson Collective | Laurene Powell Jobs | AI, climate, education, health, impact |
| Raptor Group | Jim Pallotta | Technology, fintech, media, consumer |
| Horizons Ventures | Li Ka-shing | AI, deep tech, internet, biotech |
| Aglaé Ventures | Arnault family | Consumer, internet, software, marketplaces |
| Motier Ventures | Motier/Galeries Lafayette family | AI, fintech, consumer, software |
| Smedvig Ventures | Smedvig family | B2B software, technology, European seed/A |
| Digital Invest | Technology entrepreneurs | SaaS, digital media, consumer internet |
| ePlanet Capital | Family-backed | High-growth technology |
| Eudaimonia Capital | Family office | Early-stage technology/startups |
| KIRKBI | LEGO/Kristiansen family | Technology, gaming, consumer, deep tech |
I'd divide them into three tiers.
Tier 1 — highest-priority technology investors
Tier 2 — excellent, but more thesis-dependent
Don't assume that a large family office is necessarily a good seed investor.
According to Citi's 2025 Global Family Office Report, 37% of family offices' direct-investment activity was in Series A/B companies, while 20% was startup/incubation/seed. The largest preference was actually Series C/D at 52%.
That's why I'd prioritize family offices based on demonstrated direct early-stage behavior, not AUM.
The broader trend is favorable: S&P says family-office direct investments increased 123.3% in 2025 to $12.9B across 158 transactions, excluding investments made through PE/VC funds. S&P Global And PwC found that software and AI are among the dominant targets of family-office direct investment, with the US accounting for about half of family-office startup investments in H1 2024.
I can make this much more useful than a generic list. If you tell me (1) startup/sector, (2) pre-seed/seed/Series A, (3) amount you're raising, (4) US vs Europe, and (5) approximate check you're looking for, I can build you a ranked top-25 family-office target list with:
The broader trend is favorable: S&P says family-office direct investments increased 123.3% in 2025 to $12.9B across 158 transactions, excluding investments made through PE/VC funds. And PwC found that software and AI are among the dominant targets of family-office direct investment, with the US accounting for about half of family-office startup investments in H1 2024.
I can make this much more useful than a generic list. If you tell me (1) startup/sector, (2) pre-seed/seed/Series A, (3) amount you're raising, (4) US vs Europe, and (5) approximate check you're looking for, I can build you a ranked top-25 family-office target list with:
Yes. If by **“family offices”** you mean private/family-backed investors that **actually write checks directly into startups**—rather than merely allocating to VC funds—the list is much smaller. Based on current activity and disclosed portfolios, I’d put these on a serious target list: Family office / platform |…
Yes. If by “family offices” you mean private/family-backed investors that actually write checks directly into startups—rather than merely allocating to VC funds—the list is much smaller.
Based on current activity and disclosed portfolios, I’d put these on a serious target list:
| Family office / platform | Typical fit | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Bezos Expeditions | Seed → growth; AI, robotics, frontier tech, consumer | One of the most active billionaire-backed direct investors; notable bets include Airbnb, Uber, Perplexity and Figure. Investor Hunt Round Funded |
| Hillspire | Early → growth; AI, deep tech, science | Eric & Wendy Schmidt's family office; among the most active direct startup investors. Round Funded Investor Hunt |
| Emerson Collective | Seed → growth; AI, climate, health, education | Laurene Powell Jobs' investment/philanthropic platform; frequently participates alongside top-tier VCs. Investor Hunt |
| Raptor Group | Early → growth; technology, consumer, financial services | Large family-office investment platform with substantial direct venture activity. Round Funded |
| AI JB Capital | Early-stage tech; emerging managers | A genuine single-family office explicitly focused on early-stage technology, making both direct investments and VC-fund commitments. AI JB Capital |
| Digital Invest | Pre-seed/seed; SaaS, digital media, consumer internet | Milan-based family office explicitly making first checks into European and U.S. tech startups; says it has backed 40+ companies. Digital Invest |
| McCoy Ventures | Pre-seed/seed; AI, Web3, decentralized systems, energy | Private family office specifically targeting very early-stage technology. McCoy Ventures |
| NewTech Investment Holdings | Formation → Series A; deep tech, advanced materials, medtech | Particularly interesting for frontier/science-heavy startups; explicitly invests before institutional rounds. NewTech Investment Holdings |
| R+ / RKKVC | Late seed → Series B; AI infrastructure, robotics, space, dual-use | Evolved from a Polish family office into a European/U.S. deep-tech investor. R+VC |
| ePlanet Capital | Early/growth technology | California family-office-backed investor with a global technology focus. Parse |
For a pre-seed/seed technology startup, I'd rank the accessibility + stage fit roughly:
The distinction matters: Bezos Expeditions and Hillspire are enormously prestigious, but they're not necessarily the easiest family offices to get in front of. A smaller office whose investment mandate explicitly says pre-seed/seed can be a much better fundraising target.
There is also a broader universe: one recent database identifies 60+ U.S. single-family offices actively investing in pre-seed through Series A, while another tracks 60+ European offices doing early-stage deals.
Don't confuse “family office that invests in venture capital” with “family office that invests directly in startups.” A large number are LPs in Sequoia, a16z, etc. and never evaluate individual startup deals. The offices above are much closer to what you're asking for.
If you're raising a round, I can also build you a much more useful top-30 target list, ranked by stage (pre-seed/seed/A), check size, sector, geography, notable portfolio companies, and whether they accept cold pitches.
**ICONIQ Capital**, **Bezos Expeditions** , and **Emerson Collective** rank among the **top family offices** that actively deploy direct capital into early- and growth-stage tech startups.[](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ksenia-moskalenko_family-offices-control-6-trillion-in-capital-activity-7447289611275595776-9fse)…
ICONIQ Capital, Bezos Expeditions , and Emerson Collective rank among the top family offices that actively deploy direct capital into early- and growth-stage tech startups.
Family offices have evolved into some of the most competitive participants in venture capital, frequently leading or co-leading early rounds without the strict timelines of traditional VC funds.
| Family Office | Principal / Backer | Primary Focus Sectors | Typical Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICONIQ Capital | Silicon Valley Networks | Enterprise Software, AI, Cloud | Early to Growth |
| Bezos Expeditions | Jeff Bezos | Frontier Tech, E-commerce, AI | Seed to Late-Stage |
| Emerson Collective | Laurene Powell Jobs | AI, EdTech, Climate, Software | Seed to Growth |
| Motier Ventures | Guillaume Houzé Family | Fintech, Cybersecurity, Commerce | Seed to Series B |
If you'd like, let me know:
I can help narrow down which family offices or direct networks match your specific profile.
If by “top” you mean **family offices that actually put their own capital directly onto startup cap tables**, rather than simply allocating to VC funds, there is a strong shortlist. The market has become substantially more active: family offices are increasingly bypassing VC funds and investing directly in startups,…
If by “top” you mean family offices that actually put their own capital directly onto startup cap tables, rather than simply allocating to VC funds, there is a strong shortlist.
The market has become substantially more active: family offices are increasingly bypassing VC funds and investing directly in startups, particularly AI and frontier technology.
| Family office / investment platform | Best fit | Early-stage relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Hillspire | AI, deep tech, frontier science, infrastructure | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Bezos Expeditions | AI, robotics, space, climate, frontier tech | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Thiel Capital | AI, defense, crypto, biotech, contrarian tech | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Emerson Collective | AI, climate, health, education, impact | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ |
| Picus Capital | SaaS, fintech, proptech, logistics, climate | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Raptor Group | Software, consumer internet, technology | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Mousse Partners | Technology, consumer, global growth | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Motier Ventures | European fintech, consumer, cyber, commerce | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Byers Capital | AI, biotech, frontier technology | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ |
| Digital Invest | SaaS, digital media, consumer internet | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Probably one of the highest-priority targets for an AI/deep-tech founder. Current industry tracking puts Hillspire among the most active family offices in direct startup investing, with roughly 15 direct investments reported for 2025.
Particularly interesting for AI infrastructure, scientific computing, deep tech, fusion and frontier science.
One of the premier technology-focused family investment vehicles. Its portfolio includes major technology companies and it has been active around AI, robotics, aerospace and other capital-intensive technologies. Current databases identify it as one of the most active mega-family offices in startup investing.
This is an especially compelling target if you're building something technically ambitious with very large potential outcomes.
A natural target for AI, defense, crypto, biotech, autonomy and other highly contrarian technology. It's better thought of as Peter Thiel's broader investment platform than a conventional family office.
I'd prioritize it when the company has a strong “this shouldn't work, but if it does it's enormous” thesis.
A major direct investor combining venture investing with a broader technology/impact mandate. Areas include AI, climate, health and education, and it participates from seed through later stages.
One of the more interesting choices if you want an actual early-stage investor rather than merely a wealthy family office occasionally doing VC deals. It's backed by the Reischmann family and invests globally from early stages, particularly in fintech, proptech, logistics and related technology.
Worth putting on the list because there's unusually clear evidence from the organization itself that it invests directly alongside entrepreneurs and management teams, rather than only through external managers. It has a global mandate and offices in New York, Beijing and Hong Kong.
Its portfolio spans pre-seed through later-stage investments.
The investment arm associated with the family behind Galeries Lafayette. Particularly relevant for European seed/Series A technology, including fintech, consumer technology, cybersecurity and commerce.
An interesting, somewhat less obvious target for frontier technology. It has made direct investments in companies such as Neuralink, xAI, Factory, Harmonic, NewLimit, Xaira and SpaceX, making it particularly relevant to founders working on ambitious technical problems.
This one is particularly interesting for a founder raising pre-seed/seed rather than a huge Series A. Digital Invest describes itself as a Milan-based family office investing its own permanent capital directly into early-stage tech founders across Europe and the U.S., with 40+ companies backed.
If you're a founder raising a $1–5M seed round, I wouldn't simply chase the biggest names. Accessibility and stage fit matter enormously.
I'd divide the targets roughly like this:
Frontier AI / deep tech
General B2B SaaS / software
European startup
Very early / pre-seed
One important caveat: “family office” is a fuzzy category. Some names marketed as family offices are really venture firms, multi-family offices, holding companies, or principal-investment platforms. I would therefore distinguish between wealthy family that occasionally invests in startups and family office with a repeatable direct-startup-investment program. The latter is much more useful for fundraising.
If you're actually building an investor target list for a startup, I can go one level deeper and give you 30–50 family offices ranked by (1) typical check size, (2) pre-seed/seed activity, (3) sector, (4) geography, (5) notable portfolio companies, and (6) how founders can get an introduction.
A natural target for AI, defense, crypto, biotech, autonomy and other highly contrarian technology. It's better thought of as Peter Thiel's broader investment platform than a conventional family office.
I'd prioritize it when the company has a strong “this shouldn't work, but if it does it's enormous” thesis.
A major direct investor combining venture investing with a broader technology/impact mandate. Areas include AI, climate, health and education, and it participates from seed through later stages.
One of the more interesting choices if you want an actual early-stage investor rather than merely a wealthy family office occasionally doing VC deals. It's backed by the Reischmann family and invests globally from early stages, particularly in fintech, proptech, logistics and related technology.
Worth putting on the list because there's unusually clear evidence from the organization itself that it invests directly alongside entrepreneurs and management teams, rather than only through external managers. It has a global mandate and offices in New York, Beijing and Hong Kong.
Its portfolio spans pre-seed through later-stage investments.
The investment arm associated with the family behind Galeries Lafayette. Particularly relevant for European seed/Series A technology, including fintech, consumer technology, cybersecurity and commerce.
An interesting, somewhat less obvious target for frontier technology. It has made direct investments in companies such as Neuralink, xAI, Factory, Harmonic, NewLimit, Xaira and SpaceX, making it particularly relevant to founders working on ambitious technical problems.
This one is particularly interesting for a founder raising pre-seed/seed rather than a huge Series A. Digital Invest describes itself as a Milan-based family office investing its own permanent capital directly into early-stage tech founders across Europe and the U.S., with 40+ companies backed.
When looking at single and multi-family offices that bypass traditional VC fund-of-funds structures to **invest directly** in early-stage tech startups (Seed through Series A/B), a distinct tier of well-capitalized, highly active family offices stands…
When looking at single and multi-family offices that bypass traditional VC fund-of-funds structures to invest directly in early-stage tech startups (Seed through Series A/B), a distinct tier of well-capitalized, highly active family offices stands out.
The most prominent and active family offices participating directly in early-stage tech investing include:
Key Characteristics of Direct Family Office Tech Investing
If you're targeting family offices for a specific startup, let me know:
I can help narrow down which specific investor profiles or geographic hubs align best with your round.
If by **“top family offices”** you mean wealthy-family investment platforms that **actually put their own capital directly onto startup cap tables**—rather than merely allocating to VC funds—there are a handful I’d put at the top of the list. The market has become particularly active in 2026: family offices are…
If by “top family offices” you mean wealthy-family investment platforms that actually put their own capital directly onto startup cap tables—rather than merely allocating to VC funds—there are a handful I’d put at the top of the list.
The market has become particularly active in 2026: family offices are increasingly bypassing VC funds and investing directly in earlier-stage AI and technology companies.
| Family office / investment vehicle | Principal | Best fit | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillspire | Eric & Wendy Schmidt | AI, deep tech, frontier science | Among the most active direct family-office investors; reportedly made 15 direct investments in 2025 |
| Bezos Expeditions | Jeff Bezos | AI, robotics, space, frontier tech, consumer | Extremely strong technology track record; Airbnb, Uber, Perplexity, Figure, Physical Intelligence |
| Emerson Collective | Laurene Powell Jobs | AI, climate, health, education | Large, sophisticated direct investor; combines technology investing with impact |
| Thiel Capital | Peter Thiel | AI, defense, biotech, crypto, hard tech | Particularly relevant for ambitious/deep-tech founders |
| Mousse Partners | Wertheimer family | Technology, consumer, healthcare, financial/alternative assets | Very large permanent-capital family investment platform; explicitly makes direct investments |
| Winklevoss Capital | Cameron & Tyler Winklevoss | Crypto, fintech, internet | Dedicated early-stage investing; particularly strong crypto/network effects thesis |
| Raptor Group | James Pallotta | Technology, healthcare, financial services | Historically active direct family-office investor |
| Smedvig Ventures / Smedvig family office | Smedvig family | B2B software, technology | Particularly interesting for European seed/Series A |
| Motier Ventures | Galeries Lafayette/Motier family | AI, fintech, consumer, software | French family-backed early-stage technology investor |
| Digital Invest | Italian technology entrepreneurs | SaaS, digital, consumer internet | Explicitly targets early-stage European and U.S. technology founders |
Probably my #1 target for an AI/deep-tech startup.
Hillspire has been one of the most active family offices by direct-deal volume, with 15 direct investments reported for 2025. Its interests are particularly relevant to AI, scientific discovery and frontier technology.
Best for: AI infrastructure, deep tech, science, climate/energy, ambitious technical founders.
One of the strongest technology-focused family investment vehicles in the world. Its portfolio includes Airbnb, Uber, Perplexity, Figure and Physical Intelligence, among others.
Best for: AI, robotics, aerospace, infrastructure and unusually ambitious technology.
A major direct investor, reportedly making 12 direct deals in 2025. Its thesis is broader than conventional VC, with technology combined with areas such as climate, health and education.
Best for: AI + societal impact, climate, health, education and transformative consumer technology.
I'd put this in the “family-office-like principal capital” category rather than treating it as a conventional family office. It's particularly relevant if you're building something technically difficult or strategically important.
Best for: AI, defense, biotech, crypto, aerospace and hard tech.
An interesting one because it is genuinely permanent family capital. Mousse says it invests directly alongside entrepreneurs, management teams and institutional investors, rather than simply allocating to outside managers.
Best for: Technology plus consumer, healthcare and businesses where strategic relationships matter.
The Winklevoss brothers established the firm in 2012 specifically around early-stage startup investing. It has a particularly strong history in crypto, blockchain and internet businesses.
Best for: Fintech, crypto, blockchain, marketplaces and internet infrastructure.
Worth knowing if you're targeting Europe. The Smedvig family-backed vehicle has participated in early-stage European technology deals; for example, it led an $8M Series A in MarketLeap.
Best for: European B2B software and technology.
Backed by the family behind Galeries Lafayette and active in French/European startups. It is particularly interesting for founders who can connect technology with commerce, consumer or strategic retail applications.
This is a smaller but unusually relevant target if you're raising pre-seed/seed. Digital Invest describes itself as a Milan-based family office investing its first checks directly into early-stage technology founders across Europe and the U.S., with 40+ companies backed.
Best for: SaaS, digital media, consumer internet and European/U.S. seed-stage companies.
The biggest name isn't necessarily the best target. I'd segment the list:
For AI / frontier tech
For ordinary B2B SaaS / software
For fintech / crypto
For pre-seed / very early stage I'd favor smaller, founder-operated family offices over Bezos/Hillspire-type mega-offices. There are now dozens of U.S. and European family offices explicitly investing from pre-seed through Series A, with reported check sizes ranging roughly from $100K to $10M.
One important caveat: family offices are much less standardized than VC firms. Some of the names above are effectively venture firms backed by a family, while others are true single-family investment offices. And a family office that made several direct investments last year may not be actively seeking outside deal flow today.
If you tell me (1) your startup sector, (2) pre-seed/seed/Series A, (3) amount you're raising, and (4) U.S./Europe/global, I can narrow this to the 15–20 family offices most likely to invest, including their typical check size, relevant portfolio companies, and the best route for getting an introduction.
Best for: AI, robotics, aerospace, infrastructure and unusually ambitious technology.
A major direct investor, reportedly making 12 direct deals in 2025. Its thesis is broader than conventional VC, with technology combined with areas such as climate, health and education.
Best for: AI + societal impact, climate, health, education and transformative consumer technology.
I'd put this in the “family-office-like principal capital” category rather than treating it as a conventional family office. It's particularly relevant if you're building something technically difficult or strategically important.
Best for: AI, defense, biotech, crypto, aerospace and hard tech.
An interesting one because it is genuinely permanent family capital. Mousse says it invests directly alongside entrepreneurs, management teams and institutional investors, rather than simply allocating to outside managers.
Best for: Technology plus consumer, healthcare and businesses where strategic relationships matter.
The Winklevoss brothers established the firm in 2012 specifically around early-stage startup investing. It has a particularly strong history in crypto, blockchain and internet businesses.
Best for: Fintech, crypto, blockchain, marketplaces and internet infrastructure.
Worth knowing if you're targeting Europe. The Smedvig family-backed vehicle has participated in early-stage European technology deals; for example, it led an $8M Series A in MarketLeap.
Best for: European B2B software and technology.
Backed by the family behind Galeries Lafayette and active in French/European startups. It is particularly interesting for founders who can connect technology with commerce, consumer or strategic retail applications.
This is a smaller but unusually relevant target if you're raising pre-seed/seed. Digital Invest describes itself as a Milan-based family office investing its first checks directly into early-stage technology founders across Europe and the U.S., with 40+ companies backed.
Best for: SaaS, digital media, consumer internet and European/U.S. seed-stage companies.
Family offices—both single-family and prominent multi-family offices—have increasingly bypassed traditional venture capital funds to make **direct equity investments** in early-stage (Seed and Series A) technology startups. Driven by a desire for higher transparency, zero layered management fees, and exposure to…
Family offices—both single-family and prominent multi-family offices—have increasingly bypassed traditional venture capital funds to make direct equity investments in early-stage (Seed and Series A) technology startups. Driven by a desire for higher transparency, zero layered management fees, and exposure to transformative technologies (especially AI and frontier tech), several prominent family offices have emerged as active direct tech investors.
The most active and prominent family offices investing directly in early-stage tech include:
Key Characteristics of Direct Family Office Investing
If you're targeting family offices for a round, let me know:
I can share strategies on how to approach them or how to find warm intros using databases like FINTRX.