how to start a family office

Welcome, We are glad you found this page. If you are looking at starting a family office why you are in the best position to be the next blackstone. WHY, because you have the opportunity to start from scratch and build a technology first, succes driven family office that can move faster, scale bigger and a make moves a blackstone cant.

We have built a technology stack and business model that leverages traditional family office growth models for security and safety, but have the ability to put them in overdrive thansk to our proprietary technology.

We are seeking a family who has dry powered to deploy and wants to tech enable their investments for long term wealth accumulation.

Every Industry is just one geek away from being uberized! Jeff Cline – VRTCLS Founder 972-800-6670

How to start a family office

Starting a Family Office Checklist

Here are the top 25 steps to start a family office, emphasizing the need to partner with a geek—a tech-savvy, data-driven professional who can optimize operations, manage complexities, and create innovative solutions. The geek’s role is embedded throughout, ensuring the family office is not only efficient but also future-proof.


1. Define the Purpose and Vision

  • Articulate the goals, values, and mission of the family office.
  • Ensure alignment with the family’s long-term wealth, legacy, and philanthropic aspirations.

2. Assess Financial and Operational Needs

  • Conduct a comprehensive review of the family’s financial portfolio, assets, liabilities, and operational requirements.
  • Include a geek to analyze data trends, identify inefficiencies, and suggest technology-driven solutions.

3. Decide on the Family Office Structure

  • Determine whether to establish a single-family office (SFO) or a multi-family office (MFO).
  • Consult with a legal and financial team, supported by a geek for modeling scenarios.

4. Assemble a Leadership Team

  • Recruit a CEO or Managing Director to lead the office.
  • Add a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) or a similar tech-savvy “geek” to oversee digital transformation and data systems.

5. Establish Governance and Decision-Making Protocols

  • Define roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes.
  • Integrate a data-driven approach, guided by the geek, for transparent and informed governance.

6. Develop a Comprehensive Investment Strategy

  • Create an investment policy statement (IPS) tailored to the family’s risk tolerance, goals, and timeline.
  • Leverage the geek’s expertise in analytics to identify opportunities and manage risks.

7. Build a Technology Infrastructure

  • Choose systems for accounting, investment management, and reporting.
  • Ensure cybersecurity measures are in place, led by the geek.

8. Integrate Digital Tools and Platforms

  • Implement tools for financial tracking, asset management, and document storage.
  • Engage the geek to customize these tools to fit the family’s needs.

9. Set Up Robust Reporting Mechanisms

  • Develop dashboards and periodic reports for transparency and oversight.
  • Use the geek’s skills to automate and optimize reporting systems.

10. Hire Specialized Talent

  • Include investment managers, accountants, and legal advisors.
  • Ensure the geek is part of this team to bridge traditional and tech-driven roles.

11. Design an Estate and Succession Plan

  • Develop strategies to preserve wealth across generations.
  • Partner with the geek to model scenarios and simplify complex legal frameworks.

12. Create a Philanthropic Framework

  • Establish a clear approach to giving, aligned with family values.
  • Use the geek’s data analytics to measure impact and optimize charitable initiatives.

13. Establish Banking and Financial Relationships

  • Partner with banks and financial institutions for liquidity management.
  • Ensure the geek negotiates tools like automated payment systems and low-cost transactions.

14. Evaluate Tax Strategies

  • Implement efficient tax planning to minimize liabilities.
  • Leverage the geek’s ability to model scenarios and identify optimization opportunities.

15. Conduct Risk Assessments

  • Identify and mitigate risks, including market, operational, and reputational risks.
  • The geek ensures real-time risk tracking through predictive analytics and software.

16. Prioritize Education and Training

  • Train family members in financial literacy and governance.
  • Include the geek to introduce tech tools that simplify complex concepts.

17. Implement a Communication Strategy

  • Establish clear channels for family updates and decision-making.
  • Use tech platforms, guided by the geek, for efficient communication.

18. Establish a Compliance Framework

  • Adhere to regulatory requirements and ethical standards.
  • The geek can automate compliance monitoring to avoid human errors.

19. Explore Alternative Investments

  • Include private equity, venture capital, and real estate in the portfolio.
  • Partner with the geek to evaluate these investments using advanced modeling tools.

20. Develop a Cybersecurity Plan

  • Protect sensitive family data from breaches and fraud.
  • The geek ensures robust encryption, monitoring, and response systems.

21. Streamline Family Office Operations

  • Optimize workflows for efficiency and cost savings.
  • Utilize the geek’s expertise in automation and AI-driven solutions.

22. Set Up Disaster Recovery Plans

  • Plan for operational continuity during crises.
  • The geek ensures robust data backups and recovery protocols.

23. Network with Other Family Offices

  • Join industry groups and forums to share insights and opportunities.
  • Use the geek’s insights to identify potential partnerships and benchmarks.

24. Measure and Refine Performance

  • Regularly assess the family office’s efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Collaborate with the geek to analyze key performance indicators (KPIs).

25. Foster a Culture of Innovation

  • Encourage continuous learning, adaptation, and improvement.
  • The geek plays a pivotal role in introducing cutting-edge tools and strategies.

Why You Need a Geek

  • Efficiency: Geeks bring data-driven decision-making and operational automation.
  • Innovation: They keep the family office ahead of trends in fintech, AI, and analytics.
  • Security: Geeks ensure the family office is technologically resilient and secure.
  • Optimization: Their skills simplify complex processes and maximize ROI.

By integrating a geek into these steps, you create a forward-thinking, tech-savvy family office that is agile, secure, and primed for sustained success.

Family Office Thesis

1. Investment-Focused Family Offices

  • Description: Specialize in managing investments across asset classes, including equities, bonds, private equity, and alternative investments.
  • Niche: Ideal for families prioritizing wealth growth and diversification through active investment strategies.

2. Real Estate Family Offices

  • Description: Focus on acquiring, managing, and developing real estate properties, including residential, commercial, and industrial assets.
  • Niche: Designed for families with a strong interest in property as a core investment.

3. Philanthropy-Driven Family Offices

  • Description: Emphasize charitable giving and impact investing, aligning family values with social and environmental causes.
  • Niche: Tailored for families aiming to leave a meaningful legacy through philanthropy.

4. Technology and Innovation Family Offices

  • Description: Invest in technology startups, venture capital, and innovation-driven sectors. Often involve partnerships with tech experts or “geeks.”
  • Niche: Suited for families interested in cutting-edge technology and disruptive industries.

5. Private Equity and Venture Capital Family Offices

  • Description: Specialize in funding private businesses, startups, and growth-stage companies.
  • Niche: Ideal for families seeking higher returns through direct investments in companies.

6. Art and Collectibles Family Offices

  • Description: Manage investments in fine art, rare collectibles, antiques, and other non-traditional assets.
  • Niche: Focused on families with significant interests in cultural or aesthetic investments.

7. Energy and Natural Resources Family Offices

  • Description: Concentrate on investments in renewable energy, oil and gas, mining, and other resource-based industries.
  • Niche: Designed for families with a history in or interest in energy sectors.

8. Agribusiness Family Offices

  • Description: Focus on agricultural investments, including farmland, agritech, and food production enterprises.
  • Niche: Ideal for families tied to farming or sustainable agriculture.

9. Healthcare and Life Sciences Family Offices

  • Description: Invest in healthcare, biotech, and pharmaceutical industries.
  • Niche: Geared toward families passionate about advancing medical and health technologies.

10. Sports and Entertainment Family Offices

  • Description: Manage investments and assets related to sports teams, entertainment properties, or celebrity brands.
  • Niche: Tailored for families connected to or interested in the sports and entertainment sectors.

11. Retail and Consumer Goods Family Offices

  • Description: Focus on investing in retail businesses, consumer brands, and e-commerce platforms.
  • Niche: Suited for families with a background or interest in consumer-facing industries.

12. Impact and ESG-Focused Family Offices

  • Description: Prioritize investments that align with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria and sustainability goals.
  • Niche: Designed for families seeking to combine financial returns with positive social and environmental impact.

13. Financial Services Family Offices

  • Description: Invest in fintech, banking, insurance, and related industries.
  • Niche: For families interested in shaping the future of financial services.

14. Multi-Generational Wealth Preservation Family Offices

  • Description: Focus on estate planning, tax optimization, and ensuring wealth continuity across generations.
  • Niche: Ideal for families with a long-term view on safeguarding wealth for descendants.

15. Education and Human Capital Development Family Offices

  • Description: Invest in educational institutions, edtech startups, and talent development initiatives.
  • Niche: For families passionate about education and empowering human potential.

Why These Niches Matter

These niches allow family offices to align their operations and investments with the unique goals, values, and expertise of the family. Whether it’s preserving wealth, fostering innovation, or driving societal change, selecting a niche ensures a focused strategy that maximizes impact and returns.

how to start a family office
how to start a family office