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Cascade Investment
Cascade Investment, LLC manages the software fortune of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates across public equities, fixed income, private investments and real...
Cascade Investment
Cascade Investment, LLC manages the software fortune of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates across public equities, fixed income, private investments and real estate. Founded in 1994, the single-family office is headquartered in Kirkland, United States. Led by chief investment officer Michael Larson, it deploys flexible, discretionary capital across global markets with a long-horizon approach to capital preservation and growth.
General information
Firm type
Single Family Office
Year founded
1994
AUM
$40B (Altss estimate)
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Colorado Springs
Corporate office
Kirkland, WA, United States
Principals
William H. Gates III
Founder, Owner, Chairman
Michael Larson
CIO
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Cascade Investment?
Michael Larson serves as CIO and directs all portfolio decisions. William H. Gates III retains sole ownership and final authority as the firm's only member.
How does Cascade Investment source proprietary deal flow?
The firm relies on direct relationships with operators and co-investors such as Kingdom Holding Company and GIC Realty. Long-standing positions in Four Seasons and Republic Services illustrate this network-driven approach.
Does Cascade Investment participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
The firm uses both direct co-investments and selected fund commitments. Portfolio records show SPV structures alongside holdings in public equities and hedge funds.
What investment stages does Cascade Investment typically target?
The firm targets buyout, growth, late-stage, mature and public-equity opportunities. It avoids early-seed venture and distressed situations.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
All capital originates from the Microsoft shareholding of William H. Gates III. No external LPs or third-party capital are accepted.
Does Cascade Investment maintain philanthropic structures, and how are they separated?
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation operates independently. Cascade itself holds no philanthropic mandate and focuses exclusively on investment returns.
What is Cascade Investment's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?
The firm regularly joins co-investments with named partners including Kingdom Holding Company, GIC Realty and Southeastern Asset Management. These arrangements appear in hotel, self-storage and industrial holdings.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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