Investor Profile: LGT Capital Partners — Thesis, Cheque Size & How to Apply

LGT Capital Partners is a leading global specialist in alternative investing, founded in 1998 and headquartered in Pfaeffikon, Switzerland. It is privately owned by the Princely Family of Liechtenstein and manages the LGT Endowment — an endowment-style portfolio anchoring its long-horizon culture. As of 2026 the firm oversees over USD 110 billion in assets under management for more than 700 institutional clients across 50 countries. LGT Capital Partners funding does not mean startup funding: this LP-facing house invests in funds, secondaries and co-investments for institutions — and understanding it matters, because so much early-stage capital flows through firms like this.

Thesis & focus

The firm is a principal investor: it invests in its own strategies alongside clients, aligning interests. Its DNA dates to 1998, when the Princely Family established it to deliver equity-like returns with downside cushioning, in the style of US university endowments — a strategy built on at least 50% alternative investments. Its universe spans private markets, multi-alternatives, diversifying strategies, and sustainable and impact strategies. It is an ESG pioneer, integrating ESG into most funds since 2003 and offering dedicated ESG solutions since 2009.

Sectors & stages

Rather than backing startups directly, LGT Capital Partners builds programmes across fund investments (primaries), secondaries and co-investments. Its venture capital platform has been active for nearly three decades and holds relationships with more than 400 venture capital managers globally, with teams across Europe, both US coasts and Asia-Pacific. Offices span San Francisco, New York, Dublin, London, Paris, The Hague, Luxembourg, Frankfurt am Main, Vaduz, Dubai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore and Sydney.

Fund size & cheque size

The firm reports over USD 110 billion in assets under management with an international team of over 900 professionals. In May 2026 it closed Legato Euro CLO III DAC at EUR 454 million — the third transaction on the Legato platform, after its inaugural CLO in September 2025 and a second in January 2026 — arranged by Deutsche Bank with a 1.5-year non-call period and a 4.5-year reinvestment period. Cheque sizes for co-investments and fund commitments are not publicly disclosed.

LGT Capital Partners: notable portfolio / investments

There is no startup portfolio — the "portfolio" is the manager network. Recent milestones: the EUR 454 million Legato III close (May 2026); a strategic partnership with Invesco (December 2025) to develop private-markets solutions for US wealth and retirement channels; and the arrival of Sapphire Partners' core fund-investing team — co-led by Beezer Clarkson — on its venture platform in April 2026. Sapphire Partners had committed over $1.2 billion across more than 200 funds in nearly 15 years as an LP investor.

Partners & team

With 900+ professionals, the firm is led by its partner group. Thomas Kristensen, Partner, leads the venture capital team. Ilina Chen is a Portfolio Manager on the credit side. Beezer Clarkson, who joined from Sapphire Partners in April 2026 with 20+ years in venture fund investing, co-leads the funds investing team.

How to apply for funding

LGT Capital Partners serves institutional investors only — pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, insurers, endowments, foundations and family offices — via its client-relations teams. It runs no founder programme, accelerator or startup credits; startups cannot pitch it. Founders should see it as the capital behind the VCs in its 400-plus manager network.