POLARIS Investment Advisory AG is a fully regulated European placement agent specializing in marketing and fundraising services for private markets managers.
POLARIS operates with a senior-heavy team of 11 professionals who collectively bring multi-decade experience in marketing and fundraising for alternative investment managers.
The team is well-versed in the intricacies of European markets and the regulatory requirements necessary for successful capital raising across diverse institutional investor types.
Claus Hilpold, Founder & Managing Partner: Claus founded POLARIS in 2008 and serves as Managing Partner, focusing primarily on business development in the German institutional market and selection of asset managers in the liquid alternatives and private infrastructure space.
Before founding POLARIS, Claus served as Head of Business Development for Germany and Austria at Harcourt Investment Consulting, a Zurich-based alternative investments boutique.
The firm's international team shares a strong passion for alternative investments and maintains deep relationships across the European institutional investor landscape.
The team's senior composition reflects POLARIS's strategy of providing high-touch, sophisticated advisory services to both fund managers and institutional allocators.
With reported 60% year-over-year growth reaching 14 employees, the firm has been strategically expanding its capabilities while maintaining its boutique, relationship-driven approach.
POLARIS represents an exclusive, carefully curated portfolio of fund managers across private markets strategies.
Current and recent mandates include:
Private Equity:
POLARIS maintains a multi-vintage partnership with Axiom Asia.
Private Debt:
Real Assets:
The firm's manager selection process involves in-depth due diligence conducted together with senior advisors and external investment consultants, ensuring representation of only high-quality managers suited to the European institutional market.
POLARIS Investment Advisory AG is a fully regulated European placement agent specializing in marketing and fundraising services for private markets managers.
Founded in 2008 and operating as one of the leading placement agents in Europe, POLARIS maintains dual headquarters with offices in Zurich, Switzerland, and Vaduz, Liechtenstein, positioning the firm strategically to serve institutional and professional investors across the European market.
The firm represents an exclusive group of alternative investment asset managers selected through an intensive due diligence process conducted alongside senior advisors and external investment consultants.
POLARIS focuses exclusively on European investors, providing 100% dedicated coverage to this market with deep expertise in the regulatory and cultural nuances required for successful capital raising campaigns.
Since its founding, POLARIS has established itself as a trusted intermediary between global fund managers and European institutional capital.
The firm has successfully closed 58 funds since 2008, including 8 fund closings in 2024 alone.
In 2024, POLARIS raised USD 434 million for its fund manager partners, demonstrating continued momentum despite challenging market conditions.
The senior-heavy team brings multi-decade experience in marketing and fundraising for asset managers across the globe, with particular strength in navigating complex European regulatory frameworks including AIFMD, MiFID II, and ESG compliance requirements.
POLARIS offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to support private markets managers in accessing European institutional capital:
Investment Advisory: POLARIS (Europe) AG is authorized under article 3 of the Liechtenstein Asset Management Act to provide investment advice services, including personal recommendations to clients regarding transactions relating to financial instruments.
This regulatory authorization enables the firm to serve as a trusted advisor to institutional investors across Europe.
Fundraising and Fund Placement: As a specialized European investment advisory firm, POLARIS focuses exclusively on marketing and fundraising for alternative investment asset managers.
The firm's 100% focus on European investors allows for deep market penetration and relationship development with institutional allocators, family offices, and professional investors throughout the region.
Market-Entry Advisory: Drawing on considerable experience in viability assessment of fund offerings, POLARIS assists asset managers with choosing the right fund vehicle structure to optimize access to the European market.
This includes advising on UCITS structures, AIFs, and other vehicles suited to different investor segments and regulatory requirements.
Regulatory Guidance: POLARIS provides expertise in compliant market access and regulatory matters specific to the European landscape.
The firm helps general partners navigate challenges around AIFMD (Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive), MiFID II, KAG, VAG, tax considerations, Solvency II requirements, and ESG integration by connecting managers with appropriate service providers and advising on compliance strategies.
After-Sales Support: Beyond initial fundraising, POLARIS provides ongoing after-sales activities to support asset managers in maintaining and deepening relationships with European investors, ensuring long-term partnership success.
Since its founding in 2008, POLARIS has compiled an impressive track record of capital raising success across private markets strategies:
- 58 funds closed since 2008 across private equity, private debt, real assets, and liquid alternatives
The firm's track record spans diverse investment strategies and geographies, representing managers from Asia, North America, Europe, and globally.
POLARIS has successfully marketed funds across multiple vintage years for several managers, demonstrating the strength of long-term relationships and the firm's ability to navigate varying market conditions.
The firm's client retention and multi-vintage partnerships reflect the quality of service delivery and results achieved for fund manager partners.
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