Family office and founder liquidity from listed shares
Keeping control and upside while funding diversification, succession and new ventures.
Last reviewed 2026-10-25
Education only. This is not financial, legal or tax advice, and it is not an offer. Terms vary by provider and case. Take independent advice before you sign anything.
The short answer
Founders and family offices often hold most of their wealth in one listed company. Selling can reduce control, send a market signal and be hard to reverse. Raising capital against the shares keeps the position and its upside. Squadron Capital offers non-recourse, cross-border financing with no personal guarantee for listed holdings of USD 1 million or more.
Liquidity routes compared
| Sell on market | Block trade | Lombard / margin | Share-backed financing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keep control | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Market signal | Visible | Visible after the trade | Low | Low |
| Guarantee | Not applicable | Not applicable | Full recourse | Non-recourse, no personal guarantee |
| Reversible | No | No | Yes | Yes, on repayment |
Common uses
- Diversifying family wealth away from one company.
- Funding a new business or investment.
- Succession and inheritance planning, including liquidity for heirs.
- Bridging until a planned event.
- Funding philanthropy without selling.
Succession and inheritance
When shares pass between generations, families may need cash for equalisation between heirs or other obligations without breaking up a controlling stake. Financing against the listed holding can provide that liquidity while keeping the family's position together. Coordinate with tax and estate advisers.
Quiet liquidity
Founders often prefer a private arrangement to a public sale. A financing is a private contract; any disclosure duty that applies because of the holder's role must still be met.
Frequently asked questions
By raising capital against listed shares they hold, keeping ownership and upside.
Yes. Holding companies and family offices can be the shareholder, subject to onboarding checks.
It is one option for providing liquidity to heirs without breaking up a stake. Take tax and estate advice.
Squadron Capital works with listed holdings of USD 1 million or more.
Planning family or founder liquidity?
Squadron Capital provides non-recourse, cross-border financing with no personal guarantee, for listed holdings of USD 1 million or more. A Fast Term Sheet gives you indicative terms to compare.
Get a Fast Term Sheet