«Raising a new fund from scratch is the ultimate entrepreneurial challenge»

I like to pop into MRB Fund Partners from time to time. Their very prestigious offices are opposite the Swiss National Bank, just a minute’s walk from Bahnhofstrasse and a three-minute walk from Lake Zurich. This time we were joined by Olivier Chevaux, Markus Töllke and Volker Varnholt. Of course, we also talked briefly about the funds market in Switzerland as a whole and unfortunately had to realise that even big names are finding it difficult to acquire new money this year. On the one hand, the general reluctance of the buy-side is causing them problems, and on the other – and this is becoming increasingly apparent – the growing popularity of ETFs. Not to mention the constantly rising costs, particularly due to the ever more complicated regulatory density. While market leaders can weather this difficult phase well, boutique funds and start-ups have to think very carefully about what they want to do themselves. This is where MRB’s sophisticated business model comes into play. A great deal of work is taken off their hands – even the tedious work – so that these entrepreneurs can fully rely on what they do best and love and why they started their own business: managing money successfully and enjoying the acquisition process. With their decades of experience, these three gentlemen are excellent specialists, as was once again demonstrated in our conversation on Tuesday, 08.10.2024! Thomas J. Caduff, CEO, Fundplat LLC

• Caduff: Gentlemen, many of your clients are so-called emerging managers. Can MRB help such managers acquire new investors?

Aside from providing the optimal infrastructure in the form of a fund or a certificate, we open doors to potential investors and more importantly to experienced enablers. Markus Töllke

Töllke: Raising a new fund from scratch is the ultimate entrepreneurial challenge. You start with a small group of committed investors and you grow from there. The key ingredients will always be your demonstrable investment talent, commu­ni­cation skills and your ability to network. We know from experience, how solitary and overwhelming this task can be. That’s why we engage with our clients to create an optimal pathway to success. Aside from providing the optimal infra­structure in the form of a fund or a certifi­cate, we open doors to potential investors and more importantly to experienced enablers.

• Caduff: How do you successfully find new investors?

Varnholt: There are a few basic elements that successful fund raisers all have in common. For one, there is the realization that – at best – control over your investment performance is limited. But control over how and what you communi­cate is in your hands. A well crafted investment presentation, a professional online presence is absolu­tely key. Approaching new people to expand your audience should become a habit. How and where this is done must be carefully considered. Often times your existing supporters are very happy to help you expand your network. Only once a certain threshold of assets under mana­gement and length of track-record is reached, help from dedicated fund­raisers becomes a promising option.

• Caduff: What is new in your approach and who can benefit?

All activities that the entrepreneur undertakes must be with a visible focus on the long term horizon. Olivier Chevaux

Chevaux: Based on own experience we act as a sparring partner and door opener during the early phase of the life of a fund. As the benefits of the investment strategy crystalize, more robust options for fundraising will develop. We have set up an international network of like-minded fundraising experts that will engage with investment entrepreneurs and help them grow. All activities that the entrepreneur undertakes must be with a visible focus on the long term horizon.