Family offices eager for AI investments, reports TechCrunch
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| Source: Mastodon | Original article
Family offices are increasingly seeking AI investments, sparking debate over whether this reflects a lasting trend or a recurring cycle.
Family offices are turning their attention to artificial‑intelligence startups, according to a new TechCrunch report. The article notes a surge in interest from wealth‑management firms that run the assets of affluent families, prompting analysts to ask whether this marks a lasting shift or a repeat of past investment cycles.
Maximilian Kunkel, chief investment officer for global family and institutional wealth at UBS Global Wealth Management, told TechCrunch that family offices are operating against a backdrop of geopolitical tension, rising global debt, recession risk and broader market uncertainty. In that environment, “the math right now is simple,” says Djoann Fal, a family‑office advisor and investor, implying that AI’s growth potential outweighs the current macro‑headwinds.
Why the focus on AI matters is twofold. First, family‑office capital traditionally sits outside the venture‑capital mainstream; a wave of new money could deepen funding pools for AI founders and accelerate product development. Second, the influx may reshape deal dynamics, pushing valuations higher and encouraging startups to tailor strategies toward long‑term, patient investors rather than short‑term VC exits.
Looking ahead, observers will watch whether the enthusiasm translates into concrete commitments. Key signals include the launch of dedicated AI funds by family offices, the emergence of co‑investment platforms that connect these investors with venture firms, and the sectors within AI—such as generative models, AI‑native hardware or enterprise automation—that attract the most capital. Monitoring the pace of new deals will also reveal whether this trend is a temporary response to market stress or the start of a more permanent reallocation of wealth toward artificial intelligence.
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