Family Offices Ditch VCs, Bet Big on AI

The AI boom is driving family offices and private wealth managers to bypass traditional venture capital funds and invest directly into AI startups. Firms like Arena Private Wealth recently co-led a $230 million round into AI chip startup Positron, earning a board seat in the process. With 83% of family offices citing AI as a top strategic priority, some are going further by incubating their own AI companies. Advisors warn that missing out on early AI exposure is the greater risk, as most wealth creation now happens before companies ever go public.