The recent move by Chrystal Capital to partner with co-investment firms has already reaped rewards with their first investment collaboration with Pi-top founder being named Entrepreneur of the Year for 2018.
Jesse Lozano, co-founder of Pi-top was awarded the accolade by EY at the weekend. Founded three years ago with just £3,000, Pi-top has grown into an international company with offices in London, USA and China.
Chrystal Capital teamed up with venture capital firm Committed Capital to raise £3.4 million in their Series A fundraise in November 2016.
Putting the power of Education into the hands of many
Pi-top designs and manufactures computers and other related technology, providing hardware, software and lesson materials to more than 2,000 schools in over 70 countries.
"The potential of the business is vast," said Simon Pearson, a partner and leader of EY's entrepreneurial awards in London. “Jesse’s vision and steadfast attitude is inspiring, along with his belief in putting the power of education into as many hands as possible. pi-top is helping students to access education, who perhaps don’t have the means to obtain it, and supporting teachers to deliver a consistent and engaging syllabus.”
Co-Investment success reaffirms Chrystal Capital’s Family Office position
With a network of established Single Family Offices, Chrystal Capital has capitalised on the thirst for SFO’s to widen and vary their investment portfolio through co-investment opportunities. Their first foray into co-investment has seen both the investors and the invested achieve success and financial growth. “Many of our Family Offices want access to exciting opportunities that would normally be isolated from their investment peripheries,” commented James Innes, partner at Chrystal Capital.
Since their first co-investment partnership, Chrystal Capital has successfully worked alongside further PE / VC firms to raise capital through their FO and UHNWI network.
Since inception in 2009, Chrystal Capital has advised and raised over $1 billion in investment thanks to its established global network of Single Family Offices and UHNW relationships.