Wealth management group GSB has launched the GSB FutureOf Fund I, which looks to invest in disruptive, early-stage businesses amid increased demand from clients for alternative investment opportunities.

The FutureOf Fund is a $50m closed-ended fund that will co-invest alongside large institutional global investors, seeking to reduce risk and increase liquidity options.

GSB said the launch marked a significant step towards establishing itself as a “premier one-stop-shop” for high net worth individuals (HNWI) and private clients.

The fund is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and will be part of the GSB Capital division.

It is a UK and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) focused co-investment vehicle that will seek to offer investments in various impact sectors, especially those undergoing technological innovation.

The core focus will be on opportunities that are “highly disruptive” to their respective verticals and will include sectors such as AI and data; climate tech; fintech; food and agriculture; heathtech; and gaming and commerce.

Typical investments will be between $500,000 and $3m in companies across the EMEA, targeting pre- and post-series A fund raises.

The fund will be available to professional HNWIs globally with at least $1m in investible assets, excluding those in the US, with a minimum investment of $100,000 and an eight-year lock-up.

As part of the launch, Beth Bell has been appointed as director of GSB Capital. Bell has experience across several CFO roles in family offices, high-growth start-ups and scale-ups, as well as various strategic and financial consulting positions.

Bell will run the fund alongside GSB Capital global head, Grant Bergman, and GSB Cpaital senior associate, Michanne Steenbergen.

“Our DFSA-regulated fund reflects our commitment to the highest standards of governance and investor protection,” commented Bell.

“By remaining sector-agnostic with strict investment criteria, we ensure that we are backing only the most promising opportunities.

“As our fund is a co-investment vehicle, we offer unique access to institutional-grade investments, enabling LPs to co-invest alongside leading global institutional investors - unlocking opportunities that would typically be out of reach.”

Bergman stated: “This global fund opens doors for investors worldwide (excluding the US), to access diverse, high-quality opportunities.

“As GSB’s first of many planned funds, it sets the stage for our vision to create inclusive, world-class investment vehicles that cater to an international clientele.”

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