What is a family office and does it invest in startups?

A family office is the private investment organization of a wealthy family. Many invest in venture — as LPs in funds, directly into startups, or both — with permanent capital that faces no fund clock.

That patience is the draw: family offices can hold indefinitely and follow flexibly. Access is the challenge, since most do not market themselves; their startup activity often runs through a small investment team with specific themes.