Swiss Firm Makes Art Investment Accessible Like the Super-Rich

A Swiss company named Partasio is aiming to democratize high-end art investment, allowing individuals to participate in the market previously dominated by the ultra-wealthy. Founded by Pascal Schneidinger, a former bank analyst and private equity expert, the firm pools capital from private investors to purchase works by established post-war and contemporary artists.

Schneidinger, who spent nearly 25 years abroad, including in China where he built a furniture company, was drawn to the art market's significant size and opacity, coupled with its high entry barriers. After returning to Switzerland, he dedicated two years to studying the art market, building contacts, and validating his assumptions. His conclusion was that while art can diversify portfolios, acquiring top-tier pieces remains challenging for most.

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He was fascinated by this large, opaque market with its high entry barriers.

Partasio enables investors to enter the market with a minimum investment of 30,000 Swiss francs. Participants do not need prior art market knowledge or the ability to select artworks themselves. The company gradually collects capital to acquire individual pieces, typically assembling portfolios of four to six artworks. These are stored in a bonded warehouse in Embrach until Partasio deems the timing optimal for resale.

There is no fixed term for the investment; sales occur when Schneidinger believes the market conditions are favorable. He anticipates an average holding period per artwork. Upon the sale of the final piece, the investment vehicle is dissolved, and proceeds are distributed to the investors. This model seeks to provide access to the potentially lucrative art market while mitigating the complexities and high costs typically associated with it.

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Art diversifies portfolios, but first-class works are difficult to access.