Galeries Lafayette, the renowned French department store group, is making an entrance into the world of technology start-ups by launching its own family office called Motier Ventures. Spearheaded by Guillaume Houzé, the president of Motier Ventures and the image and communication director at Galeries Lafayette, the family office will function as an investment fund for tech start-ups. The primary objective of Motier Ventures is to provide financial backing to companies that leverage technology and have significant growth potential.
Motier Ventures is committed to acting as a business angel, offering initial funding of up to €300,000 for start-ups. As these start-ups progress and demonstrate promise, Motier Ventures is prepared to invest up to €3 million. The family office was established in late 2021 and was officially introduced to the public in early 2022. It has made it clear that its investment focus will be on e-marketplaces, fintech and insurtech companies, software developers, and other entities in the web3 space, including blockchain solution developers.
With ambitious plans for the future, Motier Ventures aims to support approximately 20 to 25 start-ups annually in France and across Europe. The family office has already acquired stakes in multiple companies to kickstart its investment portfolio. One notable investment was participating in a $10 million funding round for La Collection, a French company specializing in non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for the art sector. La Collection, founded by Jean-Sébastien Beaucamps less than a year ago, has already caught the attention of Motier Ventures.
The Moulin-Houzé family has a history of making significant investments in the retail distribution sector through its previous holding company, Motier. These investments included major retailers such as Carrefour and La Redoute.
Motier Ventures, with its focus on investing in technology start-ups, reflects Galeries Lafayette’s commitment to embracing innovation and remaining at the forefront of technological advancements. By supporting and forming partnerships with promising tech companies, Galeries Lafayette aims to solidify its position in the retail industry and enhance its offerings for customers. The company recognizes the critical role that technology plays in shaping the future of retail and is eager to be actively involved in this transformation. Through Motier Ventures, Galeries Lafayette hopes to contribute to the growth and success of the next generation of innovative companies.
Useful links:
1. Galeries Lafayette official website (relevant link for readers to explore more about the company)
2. TechCrunch (a reputable technology news website that provides insights and updates on the tech start-up industry)
