Luxury tycoon Bernard Arnault, the CEO of LVMH and one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, has been actively investing in artificial intelligence (AI) companies through his venture firm and family office, Aglaé Ventures. In 2024 alone, Aglaé made five AI-related investments, totaling over $300 million. One of the largest funding rounds was in H, formerly known as Holistic AI, a French startup focused on artificial general intelligence. This $220 million investment round, which included Aglaé, valued H at $370 million.
Aglaé Ventures also participated in a $25 million seed round for Lamini, a Palo Alto-based startup specializing in enterprise AI applications. Additionally, they joined forces with Susquehanna to invest in the $27 million seed round for Borderless AI, a Toronto-based human resource management platform. Other investments included Proxima, a New York-based AI-powered digital marketing company, and Photoroom, a France-based AI image editor.
While these AI investments are recent, Aglaé Ventures had previously invested in Paris-based Meero, an AI-powered photo creation company, between 2017 and 2019. Overall, since 2017, Aglaé has made a total of 153 investments across various sectors, with a focus on technology, consumer goods, business services, and financial services.
It is worth noting that Aglaé Ventures, as the family office for the Arnault family, has little incentive to invest in the luxury sector, considering their significant stake in LVMH. However, the family has a strong passion for art, and Aglaé Ventures has been involved in funding rounds for LaCollection, a digital art platform, and Chrono24, a watch trading platform.
Bernard Arnault’s interest in technology is not surprising, given his history of successful tech startup investments. His family office was an early backer of Netflix in 1999, Spotify in 2014, and Airbnb in 2015. In a speech, Arnault emphasized the alignment between the startup mentality and his values, such as creativity, quality, an entrepreneurial spirit, and meaning.
Through his investments, Arnault recognizes the potential of AI and its impact on various industries. By investing in AI companies, he not only diversifies his portfolio but also stays at the forefront of technological advancements. Arnault’s willingness to embrace new technologies demonstrates his forward-thinking approach and his commitment to innovation.
As the luxury industry continues to evolve, it is clear that technology, including AI, will play a significant role in shaping its future. Bernard Arnault’s investments in AI companies indicate his recognition of this trend and his desire to stay ahead in an ever-changing market. By investing in cutting-edge technologies, he ensures that his empire remains at the forefront of innovation and continues to delight consumers around the world with exceptional luxury experiences.
 companies through his venture firm and family office, Aglaé Ventures. With recent investments totaling over 0 million, including a 0 million funding round for French startup H, Arnault recognizes the potential of AI and its impact on various industries. His forward-thinking approach and commitment to innovation ensure that his empire remains at the forefront of technological advancements in the luxury industry.){kind=link}