Seeking long-term, risk-adjusted returns from companies focused on sustainability, Capricorn Investment Group is a financial advisor firm that manages the investments of Jeff Skoll - the first president of eBay who reportedly netted $2 billion from being an early shareholder - and his social-change-oriented organizations. The firm has offices in Palo Alto, California, and New York City.
In addition to Skoll and his organizations, Capricorn Investment works with other high-net-worth and institutional clients.
Capricorn Investment Group Background
Capricorn Investment was established in 2007 to manage the investments of Skoll’s family office, Capricorn Management, LLC. The firm works in conjunction with Capricorn Advisers, LLC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary.
Skoll is the principal owner through a revocable trust. Employees Ion Yadigaroglu, William Orum, Eric Techel and Dipender Saluja also have stakes.
Capricorn Investment Group Types of Clients and Minimum Account Sizes
As noted earlier, the firm’s anchor client is Jeff Skoll and his organizations. The firm also works with other high-net-worth clients who are “qualified purchasers” as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940. Technically, the advisory also serves pooled investment vehicles, which it manages on behalf of wealthy clients, trust accounts and charitable organizations.
The firm does not have any set investment minimums, though generally to be a “qualified purchaser,” you must have at least $5 million in investments.
Services Offered by Capricorn Investment Group
Through limited partnerships and other investment entities, Capricorn Investment manages single investor private funds on behalf of its clients. It also offers discretionary and non-discretionary advisory services to Skoll, his tax-exempt organizations and other wealthy clients.
Capricorn Investment Group Investing Philosophy
Capricorn Investment takes a mission-aligned approach to investing, seeking strong returns while empowering entrepreneurs who are working on sustainability solutions. It uses a long-term strategy to identify investments across all asset classes, globally.
The firm states that it believes that “achieving superior investment returns does not preclude a principled investment approach, meaning that Capricorn’s people, processes and underlying investments seek to be of uncompromising quality, aligned with the interests of its clients, ethical, fair, long-term oriented and not directly harmful to our world or people.”
Fees Under Capricorn Investment Group
Capricorn Investment’s advisory and performance-based fees are listed in its fund offering documents and advisory contracts. It does not publish them.
What to Watch Out For
Capricorn Investment works with very wealthy individuals. Also, the firm does not offer financial planning. So if you’re a small investor or you’re seeking personal financial advice, this firm will likely not be a good fit.
Capricorn Investment had no legal or disciplinary actions in the past 10 years to disclose in its most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Opening an Account With Capricorn Investment Group
To contact Capricorn Investment, send an email to info@capricornllc.com. Alternately, you can call its New York office at (646) 289-3030 or its Palo Alto office at (650) 331-8800.
All information is accurate as of the writing of this article.
Tips for Finding a Financial Advisor
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