Family Office Stories

Pre-IPO investing: How family offices stay selective in private markets

Episode Summary

We discuss why private market investing has historically been challenging for lean family office teams. From information gaps and network-driven access to the ongoing administration of multiple positions, and how a deal-by-deal co-investment model can help family offices stay selective while preserving flexibility and control. We also explore the growing role of the next generation in shaping private market allocations, and why human judgement remains essential when information is incomplete or difficult to verify.

Episode Notes

Key topics we discuss include:

• The practical barriers to private market investing: why information gaps, network-driven access and ongoing administration continue to challenge lean family office teams.
• Funds versus deal-by-deal investing: the trade-offs shaping how families balance commitment, liquidity and control across their private market exposure.
• The role of late-stage, pre-IPO technology in a diversified portfolio: why allocations are growing, and why the point of entry matters as much as the opportunity itself.
• The next generation's influence: how younger family members are reshaping private market allocations, and why co-investing is emerging as both a strategy and a learning tool.
• Judgement and automation in due diligence: where AI adds efficiency in research and screening, and where human judgement remains essential when information is incomplete or difficult to verify.