Family offices increase AI investments via secondary markets

Family offices are increasingly shifting their capital toward artificial intelligence, with a growing preference for the secondary market over traditional venture capital funds. This trend is driven by the desire for faster returns; investors are prioritizing deals that offer rapid capital appreciation over the longer timelines typical of standard VC structures.

Major family offices, including Emerson Collective, Hillspire, and Premji Invest, have participated in funding rounds for AI firms such as World Labs, Goodfire, and Runway. This surge in interest occurs alongside a robust funding environment where companies like OpenAI and Anthropic command massive valuations.

While enthusiasm remains high, market indicators suggest a degree of caution regarding future valuations. For instance, prediction markets for Anthropic show mixed outlooks on whether the company will reach specific valuation targets by the end of the year, reflecting a balance between investor optimism and market scrutiny.