Media release
LGT Capital Partners expands US venture capital platform with core fund investing team of Sapphire Partners
Integration of US-based venture capital fund investment team strengthens LGT Capital Partners’ global venture platform and expands its US presence
Pfaeffikon and San Francisco, 7 April 2026. LGT Capital Partners today announced the expansion of its venture capital platform with the addition of the core team of Sapphire Partners, a US-based Limited Partner investing in early-stage venture capital funds, as of 15 April 2026. Bringing the team onto the platform will strengthen LGT Capital Partners’ US presence and further enhance its global venture capital investment capabilities.
Sapphire Partners, the fund investing arm of Sapphire Ventures, has invested as an LP for nearly 15 years, committing over USD 1.2 billion across more than 200 funds. The team transitioning to LGT Capital Partners is co-led by Beezer Clarkson, who brings more than 20 years of experience in US and global venture capital fund investing, and comprises six investment professionals. They join the LGT Capital Partners platform with deep domain expertise as well as early insight and access to identify the next generation of most promising talent.
Thomas Kristensen, Partner at LGT Capital Partners and responsible for the firm’s Venture Capital team, commented: “Expanding our venture capital platform in the US is a strategic priority for LGT Capital Partners. The investment professionals joining from Sapphire Partners bring a well-established track record, deep relationships across the global venture market and strong alignment with our long‑term view and partnership-oriented culture. The addition significantly strengthens our ability to identify and evaluate best-in-class venture managers for the benefit of both current and future clients.”
Sapphire Ventures is an enterprise AI-focused venture capital firm with over USD 10 billion in assets under management. The firm’s core strategies include direct investments in post-product-market fit companies and a selective fund investment program backing leading early-stage venture managers. With support from the departing team members at LGT Capital Partners, Sapphire Ventures will continue to manage and deploy more than USD 2 billion in fund investments, aiming to back elite early-stage venture firms in the US, Europe and Israel.
Beezer Clarkson added: “I’ve known the LGT Capital Partners team for over a decade and have long observed its thoughtful approach to fund investing. From the outset of our discussions, it was clear our teams share a long-term investment philosophy, a commitment to building durable partnerships, and a focus on delivering differentiated outcomes for clients. We believe bringing our expertise together allows us to combine complementary strengths and establish a highly compelling platform to accelerate our momentum and continue building on our investing track record.”
LGT Capital Partners has invested in the venture capital space for nearly three decades. Since inception, the team has established long-term relationships with over 400 managers globally, with a portfolio of more than 15,000 underlying companies across direct co-investments and secondary transactions.
LGT Capital Partners
LGT Capital Partners is a leading global specialist in alternative investing with over USD 110 billion in assets under management and more than 700 institutional clients in 50 countries. An international team of over 900 professionals is responsible for managing a wide range of investment programs focusing on private markets, multi-alternatives and diversifying strategies, as well as sustainable and impact strategies. Headquartered in Pfaeffikon (SZ), Switzerland, the firm has offices in San Francisco, New York, Dublin, London, Paris, The Hague, Luxembourg, Frankfurt am Main, Vaduz, Dubai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore and Sydney.
Sapphire Ventures
Sapphire collaborates with enterprise AI-focused GPs and founders building companies of consequence. With more than 15 years of experience and over USD 10 billion in assets under management, the firm invests with high conviction in a select number of early-stage venture funds and post-product-market fit companies. Sapphire helps its GPs and founders scale – contributing directly to over 30 public listings and 50 plus acquisitions, as well as to more than 250 unicorns (with valuations exceeding USD 1 billion) through its early-stage venture fund managers.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Sapphire’s AUM reflects Regulatory Assets Under Management as of 31 December 2024 per its ADV filed in March 2025, together with all new commitments made or adjusted to managed funds during calendar year 2025. “Public Listings” includes all Sapphire direct growth strategy investments that have completed an IPO or public listing from the firm’s inception in January 2011 through December 2025. “Acquisitions” includes all Sapphire direct growth strategy investments that have exited via M&A over the same period. “Unicorns” represents an estimated count of underlying portfolio companies with valuations above USD 1 billion held by third‑party funds in which Sapphire has invested as of February 2026; these estimates may change, and Sapphire does not have investment discretion over such third‑party fund investments.
AUM figures for LGT CP are estimated, subject to change, and private market assets are presented based on committed capital. LGT CP does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information and assumes no liability for any losses arising from its use. The views expressed are those of LGT CP and Sapphire at the time of publication and may change without notice. Unless otherwise stated, all figures are unaudited. This material is for informational purposes only, does not constitute an offer or recommendation regarding any financial instruments or services, and should not replace independent judgment.
