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Guide/Training < Optimize your assets with our investment funds

Optimize your assets with our investment funds

Published on April 15th, 2025

In the world of wealth management, investment funds play a crucial role. They offer diversified solutions tailored to the specific needs of each investor.
At Eurazeo, we understand the importance of choosing the right investment vehicles to maximize returns while minimizing risk. Whether you're an institutional investor, an individual or an entrepreneur, we're here to help you make informed decisions.

Explore the different types of investment funds

Investment funds offer a multitude of options for diversifying your portfolio and maximizing your returns. At Eurazeo, we guide you through the main types of investment funds, highlighting their characteristics.

 

Eurazeo does not offer all the investment fund categories listed below. Typically, index funds, exchange-traded funds, hedge funds and pension funds are not currently part of the offering. The aim is to provide maximum comprehensiveness and enable a company, organization or investor to make an informed choice.

Mutual funds

These funds pool the capital of many investors to purchase a diversified portfolio of financial assets. These may include stocks, securities, bonds, real estate or other financial instruments.

 

Investors buy units in the fund, and the value of these units fluctuates according to the performance of the underlying assets. Investment funds are managed by professionals who make investment decisions based on the objectives and strategies defined for the fund.

Société d'Investissement à Capital Variable (SICAV)

The SICAV is a collective investment structure enabling numerous investors to pool their capital to invest in a diversified portfolio of financial assets.
Unlike FCPs (mutual funds), SICAVs are limited companies with a separate legal personality. SICAV capital is variable, adapting to investors' share subscriptions and redemptions.

 

SICAVs offer several advantages: diversification, professional management, liquidity, transparency and, in some cases, tax benefits. They give small investors access to assets they would not be able to buy individually. In short, SICAVs are suitable investment vehicles for investors seeking to maximize returns while minimizing risk.

 

Venture capital funds (FCPR)

These so-called development capital funds focus on high-risk investments. These include shares in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups and companies in the development phase. They are often used to finance innovative projects and growth companies.

Innovation mutual funds (FCPI)

This type of capital innovation fund focuses on financing innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They invest primarily in companies developing innovative products or technologies, thereby contributing to economic growth and innovation.

Local Investment Funds (FIP)

FIPs focus on financing SMEs located in a specific geographic region. They are designed to encourage local investment and support regional economic development.

 

See also: investing in pea-pme

Index funds

Index funds seek to replicate the performance of a specific market index, such as the S&P 500, CAC 40 or MSCI World. They are often passive, which means they don't try to beat the market, but follow it. Index funds buy the same assets as those making up the benchmark index, in the same proportions.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)

ETFs are similar to index funds, but are listed on an exchange and can be bought and sold like stocks. They offer great flexibility and often lower transaction costs. ETFs can track market indices, specific sectors, commodities, currencies and more.

Private equity funds

Private equity funds invest in unlisted companies. Often with the aim of restructuring them, developing them and selling them later at a higher price.

 

They are generally reserved for institutional investors and individuals with a certain amount of start-up capital. Private equity funds can use techniques such as leverage to maximize returns.

 

See also: Investing in non-listed companies

Venture capital funds

Venture capital funds invest in start-ups and early-stage companies. They are often active in innovative sectors such as technology, biotechnology and renewable energies.

 

They aim for high returns in exchange for higher risk. Venture capital funds provide not only capital, but also advice and resources to help companies grow.

Hedge funds

Hedge funds use sophisticated and often complex investment strategies to maximize returns while attempting to reduce risk.

 

They can invest in a wide range of assets and use techniques such as short selling, leverage and derivatives. Hedge funds are generally reserved for institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals.

Real estate funds

Real estate funds invest in real estate assets, such as office buildings, shopping centers or residential housing.

 

They can offer stable returns and diversification compared to traditional financial assets. Real estate funds can be structured as mutual funds or ETFs.

Pension funds

Pension funds are set up to manage employee pensions. They invest in a variety of assets to ensure regular income and long-term growth.

 

Pension funds are generally managed by professionals and are subject to strict regulations to protect the interests of retirees.

 

Please note: Eurazeo provides this information for information purposes only, and is not intended as investment advice. You are advised to read each product's documentation carefully before investing.

 

Also read What to invest your money in in 2025
 

The advantages of an investment fund

Investment funds offer many advantages, including diversification, professional management, accessibility and flexibility.

 

At Eurazeo, we understand the importance of these benefits and are committed to providing wealth management solutions tailored to your specific needs.

Diversification

Diversification is one of the key benefits of investment funds. By investing in a fund, you spread your capital over a wide range of assets (stocks, bonds or real estate). This reduces the overall risk of your portfolio, as the performance of one asset can compensate for the underperformance of another.

 

Diversification is essential to minimize the risks associated with investing. It protects your portfolio from market fluctuations and unforeseen events. By diversifying your investments, you increase your chances of achieving stable, sustainable returns over the long term.

Professional management

The funds are managed by experienced professionals with in-depth expertise in the financial markets. These fund managers conduct in-depth research, analyze market trends and make informed investment decisions to maximize returns while minimizing risk.

 

Professional management is crucial for investors who don't have the time or skills to manage their own investments. Fund managers constantly monitor the markets and adjust portfolios according to economic conditions and investment opportunities.

Accessibility

The vast majority of investors can access assets that they would not be able to purchase individually. By pooling the capital of many investors, funds can invest in a wide range of assets, including large-cap stocks, government bonds, prime real estate and more.

 

Accessibility is a major advantage for individual investors wishing to diversify their portfolios without investing large sums of money. Investment funds offer an affordable gateway to markets and assets that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Flexibility

Great flexibility in terms of asset selection and investment strategies. There are a multitude of fund types, each with its own objectives, risks and returns. Investors can choose funds that match their financial objectives, risk tolerance and time horizon.

 

Whether you're looking for high returns or regular income, there's an investment fund to suit your objectives. This flexibility enables investors to react quickly to market changes and adjust their investment strategies.

Taxation

Investment funds often offer attractive tax advantages. For example, FCPR, FCPI and FIP funds offer income tax reductions, often of 18% of the amount invested, with specific limits.

 

In addition, capital gains realized on the sale of shares may be tax-exempt under certain conditions. Venture capital and private equity funds also offer tax reductions and capital gains exemptions. Finally, real estate funds can benefit from tax incentives such as the Pinel law.

 

Also read: Financial investment
 

The life cycle of an investment fund

The life cycle of an investment fund is a structured process comprising several key stages, from inception to liquidation.

 

Understanding this cycle is essential for investors to better apprehend the opportunities and risks associated with their investments.

1. Fund creation

The creation of an investment fund begins with the definition of its objectives, investment strategy and asset selection criteria.

 

This stage also includes drafting the prospectus and legal documents, and obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals.

2. Fundraising

Once the fund has been created, the next step is to raise capital from investors. This phase may include marketing campaigns, presentations to potential investors and the subscription of fund units.

3. Investment

After fundraising, the fund begins to invest capital according to the defined strategy. This phase includes the purchase of shares, bonds, real estate or other financial assets, depending on the fund's objectives.

4. Management and monitoring

Once investments have been made, the fund enters a management and monitoring phase. Fund managers monitor investment performance, adjust portfolios according to market conditions, and make strategic decisions to maximize returns.

5. Distribution of returns

During the life of the fund, returns generated by investments may be distributed to investors in the form of dividends or capital gains. This phase may include regular or one-off distributions, depending on the fund's strategy.

6. Liquidation

The final stage in the life cycle of an investment fund is liquidation. This phase consists of selling the fund's assets and distributing the remaining capital to investors.

 

Liquidation can be scheduled for a specific date, or triggered by particular events, such as the fund's objectives being met or the end of its lifespan.
 

Why trust Eurazeo for its investments?

Choosing Eurazeo for your investments means choosing a trusted partner with recognized expertise and a personalized approach.

Expertise and experience

Eurazeo has a team of highly qualified professionals with extensive experience in asset management and investment. Our experts have in-depth knowledge of financial markets and business sectors. This enables them to make informed, strategic investment decisions.

Diversity of investment funds

Eurazeo offers a wide range of investment funds, including Fonds Communs de Placement à Risques (FCPR), Fonds Communs de Placement dans l'Innovation (FCPI), Fonds d'Investissement de Proximité (FIP), and SICAV. This diversity enables our customers to choose the funds that best match their financial objectives, risk tolerance and time horizon.

Professional management

Our funds are managed by professionals who carry out in-depth research and analyze market trends to maximize returns while minimizing risk. The professional management of our funds enables our clients to benefit from the expertise of our managers without having to manage their investments themselves.

Transparency and communication

Eurazeo is committed to providing full transparency on our funds' performance and investment decisions. We publish regular, detailed reports and maintain open communication with our clients to keep them informed of the progress of their investments.

Tax advantages

The investment funds offered by Eurazeo often offer attractive tax benefits. Typically, FCPR, FCPI and FIP funds offer income tax reductions and capital gains tax exemptions under certain conditions.

 

These tax advantages can make investments particularly attractive for certain investors.
Personalized support

 

At Eurazeo, we understand that each investor has specific needs and unique objectives. To provide you with tailor-made support, we have forged solid partnerships with banks, insurers and wealth management advisors.

 

Our partnerships include :

  • Banks: We work with leading banks in France and Europe to offer you investment solutions tailored to your individual needs.
  • Insurers: In partnership with leading insurers, we offer you investment options via life insurance contracts, guaranteeing optimum security and flexibility.
  • Wealth management advisors: Our collaboration with wealth management advisors ensures personalized support, based on an in-depth understanding of your financial situation and long-term objectives.

 

Thanks to these partnerships, we can provide you with sound advice and investment solutions tailored to your needs. Whether you're a novice or an experienced investor, our network of partners is there to support you every step of the way.

 

All information provided in this content is for information purposes only and is not intended to be investment advice. We recommend that you read each product's documentation carefully before investing.