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Family Offices Are The Backbone of Emerging Managers and Early Stage Startups

Family Offices Are The Backbone of Emerging Managers and Early Stage Startups

Without them, there really wouldn't be a true pre-seed and seed stage market

Trace Cohen
November 27, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

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Family offices have transformed into crucial players in the venture capital (VC) ecosystem, providing vital support to emerging managers and startups. With their ability to deploy patient capital (it takes time!) and take calculated risks, family offices are instrumental in funding innovation and driving superior financial returns. Emerging managers, who consistently outperform their established peers, offer family offices unique opportunities for growth while aligning with their long-term goals and values.

1. Family Offices’ Scale in the Venture Ecosystem

Family offices invested an impressive $161.7 billion in startups globally in 2022, accounting for 32.5% of total VC funding. Their contributions are particularly impactful during uncertain economic times, as family offices continue to fund innovation when institutional investors may pull back.

Emerging managers—those managing their first or second funds usually sub $50M—depend heavily on family offices for early capital. A study by Preqin reveals that 65% of emerging managers rely on family offices as anchor investors. These anchor commitments play a pivotal role in catalyzing fund closures and attracting additional institutional LPs.

By supporting emerging managers, family offices not only provide essential financial backing but also facilitate the growth of diverse, high-potential portfolios, cementing their role as foundational investors.

https://privatebank.jpmorgan.com/nam/en/services/wealth-planning-and-advice/family-office-services/2024-global-family-office-report

2. Superior Returns from Emerging Managers

Emerging managers have a well-documented track record of outperforming established funds, making them an attractive investment for family offices. According to Cambridge Associates:

First-time VC funds often deliver IRRs exceeding 20%.
Emerging managers’ funds achieve median multiples on invested capital (MOIC) of 3.1x compared to 2.4x for more mature funds.
Nearly 70% of venture capital value creation occurs at the early stage, where emerging managers specialize.

Additional data from PitchBook highlights that top-decile buyout funds managed by emerging managers with vintages between 2015 and 2018 outperformed established peers by 6.6 percentage points. These results are driven by the agility, focus, and willingness of emerging managers to pursue non-consensus investments in high-growth sectors.

For family offices, this outperformance represents not only higher financial returns but also early access to transformative technologies and industries.

3. Enhanced Engagement and Transparency

Emerging managers prioritize close relationships with LPs, offering transparency and active engagement that larger funds often cannot match. This creates a collaborative environment where family offices benefit from:

Direct access to fund managers, enabling better alignment on investment strategies.
Tailored co-investment opportunities that allow family offices to deepen their exposure to specific companies or sectors.

This personalized approach fosters trust and ensures that family offices play an active role in the success of the funds they support.

4. Long-Term Vision: Building Legacy Through Emerging Managers

Family offices invest not only for financial returns but also for impact and legacy. Their focus on values-driven investments aligns seamlessly with emerging managers, who often back mission-driven startups tackling global challenges.

For example:

A report by ImpactAssets shows that 75% of emerging managers integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into their strategies.
Emerging managers frequently target transformative sectors such as renewable energy, digital health, and AI-driven solutions.

By investing in emerging managers, family offices amplify their own impact while aligning their portfolios with the long-term goals of societal progress and innovation.

5. The Data-Driven Case for Family Offices Backing Emerging Managers

Family offices’ critical role in venture capital is supported by robust data:

Emerging managers’ top-quartile funds have historically delivered returns exceeding 5x.
Family offices’ allocation to alternative investments, including venture capital, averages 45%, reflecting their commitment to high-potential asset classes.

These statistics underscore the unique advantages family offices bring to the VC ecosystem, as well as the significant rewards they reap by investing in emerging managers.