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All investor lists > Family offices
Connect with family offices that offer flexible funding solutions for startups, focusing on strategic long-term investments and wealth preservation.
Last update: June 16, 2026
List author: Shaun Gold
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Looking for investors who can write larger checks, take a long-term view, and invest in your startup’s mission? Family offices are an often-overlooked source of capital, managing billions in private wealth and increasingly backing innovative startups. In this guide, we’ll cover what a family office is, how they differ from VCs, when to pitch them, and how to find the right ones to raise capital from.
A family office is a private firm that manages the wealth of one or more ultra-high-net-worth families. While many family offices focus on traditional asset management, an increasing number are allocating capital directly into startups—particularly in sectors where the family has expertise or a personal mission.
There are two main types of family offices:
A single family office manages the assets of a single family and is often highly customized to that family’s priorities and values. SFOs tend to make investment decisions with a long-term perspective, giving them flexibility to support early-stage startups, strategic ventures, or mission-aligned initiatives.
MFOs manage wealth for multiple families, often structured like boutique private investment firms. They offer professionalized teams and diversified portfolios, providing startups access to pooled capital while maintaining discretion and curated networks. MFOs often have standardized processes for evaluating opportunities, but still prioritize alignment with each family’s interests.
Both types operate quietly. They rarely publicize their investments and typically rely on trusted networks, personal referrals, or curated introductions (sometimes making them more difficult to identify than traditional VCs). Our family office list contains more than 300 potential investors for your startup.
Family offices aren’t bound by the same constraints as institutional investors. They invest personal wealth, which gives them more flexibility in how they operate and what they’re optimizing for.
Unlike VCs, family offices don’t have to answer to LPs or exit within a set time horizon. They’re often less aggressive about terms, more willing to play long games, and more open to mission-aligned investing. Compared to angel investors, they usually write larger checks and may offer more stability in follow-on rounds.
That said, the lack of structure can be a double-edged sword. Some move quickly. Others stall out in backchannel reviews and family decision-making. Oftentimes, it's a relationship game more than a formal pitch process.
Not every startup is a fit for family office capital—and that’s a good thing. Knowing when to prioritize these investors can save time and help you focus outreach where it matters.
It tends to make sense if:
You’re raising a larger pre-seed or seed round and want a long-term partner
Your startup is aligned with a mission-driven or legacy-oriented thesis (e.g. climate, education, health)
You’re building in a capital-intensive industry that might not fit standard VC timelines
You value relationship-based investing over high-pressure scaling and oversight
If you’re chasing blitz-scale growth and milestone-driven rounds, a traditional VC might be a better fit. But if you’re building deliberately and want a thoughtful partner who can stick with you across multiple stages, the right family office can be a game-changer.
Below, we spotlight some of the largest family offices that have made a name for themselves as influential players in venture and private investments.
Walton Enterprises LLC, established in 1953 by Sam Walton, serves as the family office managing the wealth of the Walton family, the founders of Walmart. The family office holds a significant stake in Walmart, approximately 43% of the company's outstanding shares, and operates through its investment arm, WIT LLC, which focuses on diversified investments including equities, hedge funds, and private equity.
Cascade Investment, established in 1995 by Bill Gates, serves as the family office managing his wealth. The firm focuses on long-term investments across various sectors, including real estate, energy, and transportation, aiming to generate superior returns to support the work of the Gates Foundation Trust
Rockefeller Global Family Office is a division of Rockefeller Capital Management, offering a comprehensive suite of services tailored to the unique needs of ultra-high-net-worth families. With a legacy dating back to the 1800s, the firm provides personalized wealth management, strategic advisory, and family office solutions, emphasizing long-term stewardship and customized strategies.
Atlanvest LLC is a single-family office based in New York, managing the wealth of its founder, a prominent technology entrepreneur. The firm focuses on investments in technology, media, and telecommunications sectors, leveraging its deep industry expertise to identify and capitalize on high-growth opportunities.
Pontegadea Inversiones is the family office of Amancio Ortega, founder of Inditex, the world's largest fashion retailer. Established in 2001, it manages Ortega's wealth through a diversified portfolio, primarily focusing on global real estate investments. The firm has expanded into infrastructure and renewable energy sectors, including recent acquisitions in logistics centers and energy assets.
Bezos Expeditions is the family office of Jeff Bezos, managing his personal investments and philanthropic activities. The firm has a diverse portfolio, including stakes in Blue Origin, The Washington Post, and various venture capital investments, reflecting Bezos's interests in technology, media, and space exploration.
Bayshore Global Management is the family office of Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google. The firm manages a substantial portfolio, including investments in Tesla and 23andMe, and has recently expanded its focus to include ESG-compliant investments, reflecting Brin's commitment to sustainable and impactful ventures.
Mousse Partners is the family office managing the wealth of Alain and GĂ©rard Wertheimer, owners of the French luxury brand Chanel. The firm oversees a global, diversified portfolio across various asset classes, including public and private markets, aligning with the family's long-term investment philosophy.
Edizione S.p.A. is the Benetton family's financial holding company, established in 1981. The firm manages a diverse portfolio across various sectors, including infrastructure, financial services, and agriculture. Edizione is the majority shareholder of Mundys (formerly Atlantia), which controls Abertis, Telepass, and Aeroporti di Roma, and holds significant stakes in companies like Autogrill and Generali.
Coatue Management is a technology-focused investment firm founded by Philippe Laffont in 1999. The firm invests in both public and private markets, with a particular emphasis on technology, media, and telecommunications sectors. Coatue is known for its rigorous research-driven approach and has a global presence with offices in New York, Menlo Park, London, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.
But most high-performing family offices don’t have public-facing brands.
That’s the tricky part. The best family offices are rarely the ones with the most press. It’s the ones that:
Doing that research manually can be brutal. That’s where platforms like OpenVC and our family office directory come in.
Most family office directories are either paywalled, outdated, or a mess of irrelevant contacts. OpenVC gives you a faster way to cut through the noise!
✅ Free access to active family offices investing in startups ⚡ Fast filtering by location, check size, thesis, and more 🔍 Verified profiles so you’re not pitching ghosts
Use our free family office directory and investor database to find active family offices, filter by location, stage, check size, and sector, and connect with the right partners for your startup.
Create your free OpenVC account now and start connecting with investors from our family office list.
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The U.S. is home to the largest concentration of family offices globally—estimated at over 3,000 single-family offices, and thousands more multi-family offices. The total number continues to grow as more generational wealth shifts toward direct investing. Many are still figuring out how to work with startups, which means timing and targeting matter.
The U.S. has the highest concentration, with hubs in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco. Globally, London, Singapore, and Hong Kong also host a significant number of family offices, especially multi-family offices serving multiple wealthy families.
The Walton Family Office, managing the wealth of the Walmart heirs, is widely considered the largest in the world with assets estimated around $450 billion. They invest across public markets, private equity, and select startups—often in areas that align with Walmart or the family’s philanthropic interests.
New York City is home to some of the most influential family offices, including Rockefeller Global Family Office, MSD Capital (Michael Dell), and Soros Fund Management. These offices are highly active in venture and private investments, and many have dedicated teams focused on sourcing startups with strong growth potential.
Start by identifying family offices whose investment focus aligns with your startup. Leverage warm introductions through your network or platforms like OpenVC to get your foot in the door. When you meet, lead with a clear pitch, strong metrics, and a growth plan—show how your startup fits their long-term goals and mission. Follow up strategically and build the relationship over time; persistence and alignment often matter more than speed.
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