Family Offices Redefine Capital Allocation Strategies at 2026 Global Wealth Summit

India's Family Office Ecosystem Grows in Scope and Ambition

India's wealthy are no longer content with quietly managing their family offices. With over 300 family offices now operating in India, up from just 45 in 2018, the ecosystem is becoming increasingly structured, globally focused, and purpose-driven. According to projections, the Assets Under Management (AUM) for these offices is expected to grow by 50% to $45 billion within the next three years.

At the Moneycontrol Global Wealth Summit 2026, a group of distinguished investors shared their insights on the evolution of family capital in India. The summit showcased the diversity of approaches within India's family office ecosystem, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Concentration and Influence

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Rishabh Mariwala, Founder & Managing Partner at Sharrp Ventures, emphasized the trend of concentration, with family offices taking larger stakes in fewer consumer businesses to drive influence. According to him, the capital invested in a company is directly proportional to the influence it yields. However, Mariwala also warned that valuations remain elevated and often underestimated post-acquisition. He expressed caution on AI investments, citing the risk of misjudging its potential due to hype without a deep understanding of the technology.

Diversification and Global Investment

Venkat Subramaniam, CIO at USK Capital, described a family office with a balance sheet heavily skewed toward domestic financial services. He highlighted the family office's mandate to diversify globally and invest with a business-owner mindset. This is reflected in their significant stake in a US "better-for-you" snacking brand. Subramaniam noted selective opportunities in mid and small caps, while cautioning that private market valuations are yet to fully adjust. He also emphasized that the message from public markets has not yet fully transmitted.

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Balancing Concentration and Diversification

Sekhar Garisa, MD & CEO of AESL, outlined a dual strategy that combines concentrated bets in high-conviction sectors with sector-agnostic growth investments of ₹200–300 crore. Garisa noted that both companies and investors are becoming more realistic about performance and timelines, leading to a more efficient allocation of capital. He emphasized that high-quality assets will always attract the right capital, and that the best companies will eventually separate from the rest.

The Shift Toward Responsibility

The family office ecosystem in India is undergoing a larger shift, driven by an estimated ₹108 lakh crore intergenerational wealth transfer. As this wealth is transferred, the focus is moving from returns to responsibility. Family offices that are best positioned for this phase are those with clear mandates, strong governance, and a defined view of what patient capital demands.