Observatoire

Message from our Chairman,
Serge de Ganay

The potential of PEVC presents gigantic opportunities but also potential risks, today no less than yesterday. This asset class is dynamic, innovative, and sometimes even disruptive. On the other hand, FOs and private investors, by definition, have a long-term performance objective and a strong natural appetite for PEVC.

However, they are confronted with access, valuation, monitoring, and sustainability issues, and more globally, with what will happen next. This is Observatoire’s raison d’être.

Message from our Managing Partner,
Rajaa Mekouar

Working with dozens of entrepreneurs for over two decades as a GP and LP, has provided me with the opportunity to tackle the private equity world in a manner that is hard to replicate and allows our families to become even more professional investors.

This also provides unique insight into how such investors think, view value creation and risk. We are therefore committed to translating this extensive knowledge into actionable lessons and opportunities, for a win-win cooperation when it comes to dealmaking. Welcome to Calista Direct Investors' Observatoire!

Observatoire is the « lens » through which we experience Private Equity and Venture Capital as a key and growing asset class for private investors (Family Offices and entrepreneurs alike). It is a platform nurtured by investors and entrepreneur talent providing data, insights and advanced analytical views on how to better optimise the allocation. It is also an annual rendez-vous of families who gather to exchange their knowledge and experience.

Observatoire came to existence given our unique viewpoint of how PEVC is tackled by Family Offices. Powered by a deep network of over 300 families, and a long-time investment experience, Calista is gathering insights and convictions that are continuously feeding our ecosystem of investment opportunities and investors.

The “observation” helps us go beyond mere financial performance to understand the ultimate purpose and motivation of our families to dig deeper into PEVC. It also enables us to identify future “stars” in emerging investment areas. Through meticulous analytical work, we underpin our investment effort beyond empirical evidence, thus highlighting the risks associated with the opportunity.

Our raison d’être is to bring together a professional approach and a family mindset for an optimised risk-adjusted investment equation in PEVC.

HRH Prince Félix of Luxembourg, patron of Observatoire

“The Observatoire is the coming together of extensive research efforts and first hand insights from the families the Calista team has been partnering with over the years.

I am pleased to become the Patron of this unique initiative in Private Equity and Venture Capital, and to be entrusted with the task of hosting the next chapter at Château Les Crostes.”

The investor is at the center, rather than the investment

The inherited passion for “entrepreneurship” drives families to invest in future creative businesses via private equity and venture capital, linking their past entrepreneurial success to future entrepreneurial excellence, whether inside or outside the original realm of the family. As the family owner transfers entrepreneurship to the next generations, this is often embodied by the creation of new family businesses or by supporting external ventures. Yet, a great entrepreneur does not automatically become a good investor.

Many family business owners’ ambition is to go beyond their legacy industry and thus climb up a steep learning curve to become professional investors. Oftentimes, their initial footsteps in PEVC see them rely on own network and instinct before making an investment decision.

Inside Observatoire

In-depth sector analysis
Theme-based convictions
300+ families in active network

500+ annual investments sourced
Relationships with international PE/VC stakeholders
Annual survey on PE/VC amongst our families in Europe

Every Single Family Office will have different convictions that require in-depth analysis to back them quantitatively through risk identification and mitigation. All opportunities we have been exploring with our families keep us on top of the PEVC market with formed convictions.