Paris-based platform to distribute private market investments via Belgian private banks and family offices. The Paris-based platform Private Corner is making its first move outside of France, aiming to sell private market investments to wealthy Belgian investors through the distribution networks of private banks and family offices.
To do so, Private Corner is launching a search for Belgian investors for its privak—a Belgian fund structure commonly used for pooled investments in unlisted companies. The underlying investments have been selected by Mérieux Equity Partners, which is affiliated with the French pharmaceutical family of the same name. The privak will act as a feeder for the master fund Mérieux Innovation 2, which invests in roughly 15 innovative healthcare companies across Europe.
“Our logo is a chain link for a reason,” said CEO Estelle Dolla, who co-founded Private Corner five years ago. “We aim to connect the private markets fund industry with distributors such as private banks and multi-family offices. Through our platform, they can offer private investors access to funds—starting at 100,000 euro—that are normally reserved for institutional or ultra-high-net-worth investors.”
Belgian target: 20 million euro
But couldn’t a fund house like Mérieux just do this directly? “In theory, yes. But in practice, we see that many private equity firms prefer to focus on investments and portfolio companies, rather than deal with the commercial, administrative, and operational workload that comes with fundraising and investor servicing. That’s where we come in—with a fully digital platform. In France, we’ve already raised over 900 million euro for a curated set of funds available exclusively on our platform, through a network of more than 350 distribution partners. That shows we can add real value in the investment chain.”
So who in that chain explains the details of each fund to the end client? “In some cases, the private banker does that after receiving the right training. In others, we do it ourselves.”
The Mérieux Innovation 2 fund is targeting a total raise of 150 million euro, focused on European pharma and health science companies with a strong scientific or tech edge. Dolla hopes the Belgian privak feeder fund will contribute 20 million euro to that total. Choosing the privak format was a logical step, she says, as it’s widely favored among Belgian business families. “We’re commercially minded. We sell what people want to buy.”
Why Belgium?
Why start in Belgium, and not Switzerland, for instance? “Because of the opportunities,” said Dolla. “We know there’s appetite among Belgian investors for private equity, especially in pharma and life sciences—sectors where cities like Ghent, Brussels, and Liège have a deep-rooted tradition and their own ecosystems.”
Private Corner has held a Belgian license from the FSMA, the country’s financial regulator, since mid-May.
Replicating the business model
Is Belgium a test case for a broader international rollout? “Absolutely. Our ambition is to replicate our model across Europe, adapting it to local habits and regulations. This move into Belgium is a major milestone for us. We’re also in discussions in Luxembourg, and countries like Switzerland, the UK, Italy, and Germany are on our radar.”
The short-term challenge is clear: convincing the Belgian distribution network of Private Corner’s added value. And while the platform itself is fully digital, Dolla said she’s more than willing to travel to Belgium for initial face-to-face meetings with private banks and family offices. “Because no matter how advanced the technology, wealth management still comes down to people—and personal relationships.”