“Patient capital might be your startup’s secret weapon”
Hey founders,
Welcome back to My Unicorn Club- The Startup Newsletter, where we decode fundraising from an investor’s perspective, twice a week.
Welcome to the weekly resource drop series edition #3.
Get 170+ Family Offices writing pre seed checks
At the end of this newsletter, I’m sharing my curated list of 170+ Family Offices actively cutting pre-seed checks. It’s taken months to compile, and I think you’ll find it incredibly valuable for your fundraising journey.
Let’s begin...
The Burnout Cycle
You’re in your third funding round this year. Another VC just passed because they are “not getting enough conviction.” Another institutional investor wants you to triple your growth or reduce your valuation…almost a down round.
You’re exhausted. Your team is burning out. And you’re starting to wonder if there’s a different way to build a business.
There is. And it’s hiding in plain sight.
The $4 Trillion Secret Most Founders Miss
While you’ve been perfecting your VC pitch deck, there’s a parallel universe of investors with $4 trillion in assets who play by completely different rules.
They don’t have 10-year fund cycles. They don’t answer to external LPs. (Limited Partners). They don’t need to force exits to return capital.
They’re called Family Offices.
Think of a family office as a wealthy family’s personal investment company. But we’re not talking about your neighbour who made money on crypto. We’re talking about families with $50-100 million+ who’ve set up entire organizations to manage their wealth.
Here’s the beautiful part: Unlike VCs who invest other people’s money, family offices invest their own money. This changes everything about how they make decisions.
Three Types You Should Know
Single-Family Offices (SFOs):
One uber-wealthy family ($100M+) with their own dedicated team. Think of it as having your own personal Goldman Sachs.
Multi-Family Offices (MFOs):
Several wealthy families share resources and expertise. More accessible, still incredibly well-connected.
Hybrid Models:
Some in-house capabilities mixed with outsourced expertise. The sweet spot for many families.
Why This Changes Your Fundraising Strategy
Remember that VC who passed because your timeline didn’t fit their fund lifecycle? Family offices don’t have that problem.
Patient Capital (The Real Game-Changer)
While VCs are counting quarters, family offices are counting decades. Some have investment horizons spanning generations. They won’t pressure you into premature scaling or rushed exits. They actually want you to build sustainably.
Flexible Deal Structures
VCs have fund mandates. Family offices have family values.
They can do equity, debt, convertible notes, revenue-based financing, or completely custom structures. One founder I know got a family office to invest in a convertible note with a 3-year conversion period—something no VC fund could offer.
Strategic Value Beyond Money
Many family offices were built by entrepreneurs. That billionaire family? They probably started with a single business idea, just like you.
They’ve navigated supply chain crises, scaled international operations, and survived multiple economic downturns. When they invest, they’re not just writing checks—they’re sharing battle-tested wisdom.
The Numbers That Will Surprise You
Family office startup activity is exploding:
83% of investments happen as “club deals” with other investors
70% of single-family offices now make direct investments
Family offices participated in 32.5% of startup funding by value in 2022
Median investment: $11.3 million (these aren’t small checks)
But here’s the kicker: Most founders don’t even know how to access them.
The Access Problem (And How to Solve It)
Family offices don’t have websites saying “Send us your pitch deck!” They invest through relationships. Warm introductions. Trusted networks.
The three doors in:
Professional Networks: Lawyers, wealth advisors, and consultants who work with family offices
Industry Connections: Other founders who’ve raised from family offices
Specialized Platforms: Services that connect startups with family office networks
Why Now Is the Perfect Time
Here’s why this matters more than ever: The largest wealth transfer in history is happening right now. $100 trillion is moving from Baby Boomers to Millennials and Gen Z over the next 25 years.
This new generation brings higher risk tolerance, deep comfort with technology, strong focus on impact, and a desire for hands-on involvement.
Translation: Family office investing is about to become much more founder-friendly.
Your Family Office Directory
As promised, I’ve compiled a list of 170+ Family Offices that actively invest in pre-seed and seed-stage companies. This directory includes:
Name | Website | Description | Investor Type | Preferred Stage | Regional Cover | City| Region | Country | Continent | Investment Focus | Crunchbase Link | Linkedin | Twitter | Pre Seed Investments| Seed Investments| Number of Investments | Number of Lead Investments | Number of Exits | Number of Employees | Founding Date |
Access the directory here: 👇
