Major LP in European Venture Capital
Wilshire Associates, founded in 1972, is a U.S.-based investment firm known for its expertise in asset allocation, manager research, and for developing the widely used Wilshire 5000 index. For decades, it has been a trusted partner to institutional investors, offering both advisory and discretionary portfolio management. In 2021, private equity firm CC Capital acquired a majority stake in Wilshire, aiming to accelerate its growth, particularly in private markets and outsourced CIO (OCIO) services. Since the acquisition, Wilshire has expanded its focus on alternatives and rolled out more tech-driven investment solutions, reflecting a strategic pivot toward innovation and flexibility.
Among its most notable efforts in private markets is the European Venture Capital Fund series, a set of funds designed to back top-performing VC managers across Europe. These funds have a strong focus on technology and innovation, especially in hubs like the UK and Germany.
The first fund in the series, launched in 2015, quietly built a strong track record—tripling in value since inception, though its committed capital was never disclosed publicly. Encouraged by this success, Wilshire launched Fund II in 2021, which held its final close in July 2023 at €115 million. Key LPs included British Business Investments (BBI), which committed €25 million, along with a separate £21 million co-investment mandate aimed at UK scale-ups.
The strategy continues with Fund III, which opened in 2023 and is still actively fundraising as of early 2025. Domiciled in Luxembourg, Fund III has raised $93.4 million from 11 investors so far, toward a $300 million target.
Through these initiatives, Wilshire has quietly become a significant limited partner in the European venture capital ecosystem. The firm’s fund-of-funds approach not only diversifies risk but also opens access to elite venture firms, including names like Felix Capital, Sofinnova, and Columbia Capital. With institutional strength and growing capabilities in alternatives, Wilshire is positioning itself as a key allocator in venture capital—particularly in Europe, where it’s bridging the gap between institutional capital and next-generation tech innovation.
