Ethium specializes in delivering private placement services for fund managers aiming to raise capital from family offices in Australia (with an increasing footprint in Singapore).
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Ethium's approach is defined by five core principles; Courage, Character, Curiosity, Competency and Colour. These core principles are instrumental in building trust with clients, understanding market dynamics, and ensuring long-term success for both fund managers and investors.
About Ethium
"Raising capital from families is a long-term initiative, we partner with fund managers on a long-term basis as we seek to add value for all stakeholders. It takes Courage to manage external money, Character to deliver the stated returns, Curiosity to continually strengthen the investment thesis, Competency to perform year-after-year and Colour coupled with unfounded optimism to weather the down-turns."
- Matthew Downing (Principal at Ethium)
Our Values
Managing external money demands a high level of courage, as fund managers must navigate the unpredictable financial landscape and make decisions that could significantly impact their clients' wealth. At Ethium, we recognize that courage is the backbone of any successful investment strategy, enabling fund managers to take calculated risks, pursue innovative ideas, and make bold moves that can lead to extraordinary outcomes, even when faced with uncertainty or adversity.
Courage
Delivering consistent returns requires not just skill but a deep commitment to ethical practices and integrity. At Ethium, we believe that a strong character is essential for building trust and maintaining long-term relationships with clients. Fund managers working with us are expected to uphold the highest standards of honesty, transparency, and responsibility, ensuring that every decision is made with the client's best interests at heart.
Character
The financial markets are ever-evolving, and staying ahead requires a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a willingness to challenge the status quo. At Ethium, we value curiosity as a driving force behind continuous improvement. Fund managers must be eager to explore new ideas, refine their investment theses, and adapt to changing market conditions, all while seeking out opportunities that others might overlook.
Curiosity
Delivering consistent performance year after year requires not just experience, but also a deep-seated competence in managing investments. Ethium holds competency in the highest regard, expecting fund managers to demonstrate exceptional skills and knowledge in their field. This principle is about more than just meeting benchmarks; it’s about exceeding them, ensuring that clients receive the best possible returns on their investments through disciplined and informed decision-making.
Competency
The journey of managing investments is not without its ups and downs, and it takes a certain blend of creativity and optimism—what we call "Colour"—to navigate the downturns and emerge stronger. At Ethium, we celebrate diversity of thought and the unique perspectives that each fund manager brings to the table. This principle encourages a vibrant, dynamic approach to investing, where innovative ideas are embraced, and resilience is bolstered by a positive outlook, even in challenging times.
Colour
Application in Private Placement Services
For Fund Managers
Ethium’s Private Placement Services empower fund managers with the courage to explore bold, less liquid investment opportunities while ensuring that their strategies align with the highest ethical standards. We value fund managers who bring curiosity to their work, continuously seeking out new opportunities and refining their approaches to stay ahead of market trends.
With a focus on competency, we provide the resources and insights necessary to execute complex deals successfully. Additionally, we appreciate fund managers who add a bit of "Colour" to their strategies, using creativity and resilience to navigate challenges and turn unique opportunities into successful outcomes.
For Family Offices
Ethium’s Private Placement Services are tailored for family offices willing to venture beyond traditional investments with the courage to explore bespoke opportunities. We prioritize working with family offices that value character, ensuring every investment is rooted in trust and transparency. By fostering curiosity, we help family offices diversify their portfolios and capitalize on unique, forward-thinking opportunities.
Our emphasis on competency provides family offices with expert guidance, while a touch of "Colour" in our approach encourages innovative thinking and optimism, turning challenges into opportunities for growth.
Mastersfund
Thesis: Gender-Lens VC (Global Mandate)
Mastersfund™ (Sybilla Masters Fund, LP) employs a two-stage venture capital investment model to optimize risk-mitigation and upside potential preservation. Initial non-dilutive investments of ~$150k are made in seed stage, revenue-positive companies using a redeemable (non-dilutive) convertible note.
The Fund doubles-down with $1 - $5 million equity investments in the portfolio’s highest performing companies. This novel, inclusive, rigorous, and data-driven approach to venture capital investing supports sustainable business growth coupled with earlier venture-scale investor returns and high-ROI exits for investors. Mastersfund invests specifically in companies with a Woman in a strategic or operational level of control.
Runa Capital
Thesis: Deep-Tech & Future of Computing
(Global Mandate)
Runa Capital is a Luxembourg-based international venture capital firm that invests in early-stage software and deep tech companies. Founded in 2010, Runa Capital investment areas are deep tech (AI/ ML), open source and future of computing. The firm operates globally, with investments in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Runa Capital is known for its support of innovative startups that have the potential to transform industries. The firm's portfolio includes successful companies like Nginx, Mambu, Zopa, and Pasqal. Runa Capital's team combines extensive entrepreneurial experience with deep technical expertise to help their portfolio companies achieve significant growth and success.
PrivateInvest
Thesis: Real Estate Private Debt (Australia)
PrivateInvest is a private credit firm based in Perth, specializing in providing customized credit solutions to mid-market companies in Australia. The firm offers a range of financial products, including senior and subordinated debt, mezzanine financing, equity-linked instruments and loan-book management.
PrivateInvest focuses on supporting borrowers with strong growth potential and solid management teams. Their investment approach involves rigorous due diligence, active portfolio management, and a collaborative partnership with borrowers to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. PrivateInvest's team has extensive experience in credit markets and a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by mid-market companies.
Jarra Property
Thesis: Specialist Disability Accommodation
(Perth, WA)
Jarra Property is a commercial property investment and development company based in Perth. The company specializes in acquiring, developing, and managing commercial real estate assets, including office buildings, retail centers, and specialist disability accomodation properties.
Jarra Property's strategy focuses on creating value through strategic acquisitions, proactive property management, and targeted development projects. The firm aims to deliver superior returns to investors by identifying opportunities in emerging markets and leveraging its expertise in property development and asset management
Conclusion
Ethium’s dedication to Courage, Character, Curiosity, Competency, and Colour establishes it as a trusted partner for fund managers and family offices in Australia and Singapore.
These core principles drive the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional private placement services that not only address immediate requirements but also foster long-term success and enduring relationships within the investment community.