Penguin Capital on Panel at 0100 Conference in Prague
At the Zero One Hundred Conference in Prague, our partner Nico Zeifang joined a distinguished panel of industry experts to discuss the evolving role of family offices and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in venture capital. Alongside Tomas Bocek (SPM Invest), Ladislav Sekerka (Consillium Private Investment), Kilian Graulich (infinitas capital), and Daniel Keiper-Knorr (Speedinvest), the conversation tackled both opportunities and challenges of engaging private capital in VC.
While institutional investors still provide the bulk of VC funding, the panel explored the growing potential of family offices as an alternative source of capital. Yet, unlocking this potential requires addressing a fundamental concern: risk. Family offices tend to be cautious, requiring clear value propositions and predictable outcomes to justify their commitment.
This is where Nico offered a bold, contrarian perspective. Backed by over 30 years of data, he argued that private equity offers a faster and more predictable path to liquidity than venture capital – making it a compelling option for family offices seeking stability and clearer returns. His insights sparked a vibrant debate, challenging assumptions and opening new angles on private wealth allocation.
Key themes from the discussion included:
- how family offices can become a powerful funding source for VC,
- the evolving risk appetite of HNWIs,
- what it takes to persuade private investors to commit to venture strategies,
- why private equity might be the better alternative,
- and expert insights on bridging the gap between family capital and venture funds.
One thing is clear: the conversation between family offices and venture capital funds is gaining momentum – and it’s just the beginning.