FICCI launches Family Office Forum to unlock $30 billion in patient capital for start-ups
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) on Wednesday launched the ‘Family Office Forum’ - a platform for family offices - with the aim of channelling a growing pool of family capital, estimated at over $30 billion across roughly 300 family offices in India, into country’s start-up ecosystem. The launch, themed “Role of Family Offices in India’s Start-up Ecosystem,” brought together representatives from family offices, venture capital firms, industry to chart a roadmap for closer collaboration between India’s capital pools and its start-up economy.
Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Chair, FICCI Start-up Committee & Founder and Executive Vice-Chairman, Info Edge, said, “Family offices represent a significant and growing segment of capital in India, but their needs have simply not been well served - they’ve historically been clubbed together with venture capital firms, even though their experience, regulations, investment strategies, and taxation issues are quite distinct. As India prospers, family offices are only going to get larger and more specialized, and that calls for a dedicated platform where they can exchange ideas and work together. Family offices are emerging as a serious, professional source of capital for the country’s economic growth - that’s the thinking behind this first dedicated Forum.”
During the session, Forum’s vision, objectives, and roadmap were highlighted. Family offices in India are rapidly increasing in number and becoming crucial investors in start-ups and private markets, bringing patient capital and a strategic approach to innovation. Yet the members have consistently flagged the same challenges - limited co-investment opportunities, duplication of effort from separate due diligence, and no single platform for deal discovery, learning, or networking. The FICCI Family Office Forum is designed to address exactly this - a network, a marketplace, and a policy voice, all in one.
Bhavesh K Jatania, Head - Start-up Banking, IDFC FIRST Bank, addressing the session, noted, “India has created substantial capital over the last two decades — an estimated $30 billion sits with roughly 300 family offices today - but there hasn’t been an organised way to channel it into our innovation ecosystem. What’s been missing is the bridge: family offices struggle to find quality deals and lack a unified voice, while start-ups struggle to reach the right investors and build credibility for patient, longer-gestation bets. At IDFC FIRST Bank, we see ourselves as a growth partner to start-ups at every stage, and platforms like this Forum are exactly the bridge this ecosystem needs.” Tripti Singhal Somani, Co-Chair, BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (WBA) - Innovative Development Group & Founder, Womennovator, said, “Family offices must see themselves not just as wealth creators, but as trustees for the nation’s future - India’s start-up ecosystem is entering a phase where it needs patient capital, strategic mentorship, and long-term partnership, not just funding. I want to thank FICCI for convening this gathering of visionaries who are committed to both wealth and value creation.”
The launch was followed by two panel discussions - ‘Family Offices’ Perspective - Investing in Indian Start-ups: Opportunities, Challenges & Expectations’, moderated by Archana Jahagirdar, Founder and Managing Partner, Rukam Capital, with panellists from Artha Group, Bardia Family Office, Eraya Capital, Ashok Goyal Family Office, Berger Paints, DS Group, and SAR Group; and Raising Capital from Family Offices & Co-investment with VCs: Experience & Expectations, moderated by Amarjeet Singh Makhija, Partner, Market Lead Advisory - Startups and Unicorns, PwC, with panellists from Beenext VC, YourNest Venture Capital, Dallas Venture Capital, and RPSG Capital Ventures.
