BrazilThe blurring lines between Family Offices and Venture Capitalists
The investment and partnership strategies of family offices in the GCC are shifting, with high-growth, tech-first and purpose-led emerging as the main directions of change. That is according to a new report from LOGIC Consulting.
Traditionally, family offices have been focused on managing assets and preserving wealth for future generations. Their investment strategies often centered around real estate, industrial holdings, and low-risk portfolios. That model is now shifting says the LOGIC Consulting report.
The venture capital way
A chief trend identified is the shift in investment strategies – family offices are increasingly acting like venture capital firms, following high-growth strategies and seeking high returns. They are doing so by supporting more disruptive businesses, closing more deals in the start-up segment, and through forming direct partnerships with founders.
“Family offices in the GCC are no longer playing it safe,” said SeifAllah Rabie, UAE Managing Partner at LOGIC Consulting. “They are actively reshaping the investment ecosystem and stepping into roles traditionally dominated by venture capital firms.
The report highlights that this new approach is not simply a response to market trends but a reflection of generational change. Younger family members are assuming greater responsibility within family offices and are using their digital literacy and global exposure to influence investment direction. Their portfolios include emerging asset classes such as cryptocurrencies, AI-based platforms, impact startups, and ESG-focused funds.
Demonstrating this shift, they survey that LOGIC Consulting ran for its ‘Beyond Wealth: How Family Offices Are Shaping the Future of Investment’ report found that 78% of family offices are planning to invest in digital assets over the next two to three years.
As this transformation unfolds, family offices are beginning to look and act more like venture capital firms. The report raises a timely question: Are family offices becoming the new venture capitalists?
While family offices continue to differ in key ways such as funding from private wealth and longer investment horizons, their growing role in start-up ecosystems and innovation-driven markets is undeniable. They offer strategic support, deep sectoral knowledge, and the ability to incubate new businesses through tailored partnerships.
“Family offices have the flexibility, capital, and now the ambition to act as innovation engines for the region and beyond,” said Rabie. “What we are witnessing is not just a change in strategy, but a change in identity.”
Tech-focused investment
A second trend highlighted is the rise of tech-focused investments. Several regional family offices have already made their mark as active participants in the tech sector.
The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum has invested in ventures such as Fantom Foundation, a blockchain platform, and Servion Global Solutions, a company focused on digital transformation technologies. Kingdom Holding Company, the family office of Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, backed Careem in 2017, which was later acquired by Uber for $3.1 billion.
“These examples show how GCC family offices are taking calculated, strategic risks in technology and achieving significant outcomes,” noted Rabie. “They are not just funding innovation; they are helping to shape it by investing in platforms and ideas that will define future economies.”
Investing with Purpose
Additionally, today’s family offices are increasingly investing with a sense of purpose. “Impact investing has become a central pillar in their strategies,” said Rabie. This includes funding ventures in renewable energy, sustainable real estate, agri-tech, and water conservation. The goal is to generate positive societal and environmental outcomes alongside financial returns.
The report points to regional success stories such as Pure Harvest Smart Farms, which received funding from leading GCC family investors, and Waad Investment in Riyadh, a fund supporting sustainable tech startups and digital innovation. “These ventures reflect a broader movement among family offices to align their financial power with values such as sustainability, food security, and climate resilience.”
