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Karlin Asset Management
Karlin Asset Management was established in 2005 to manage the liquidity Dr. Gary Michelson received from his medical-device patents. Cohen serves as...
Karlin Asset Management
Karlin Asset Management was established in 2005 to manage the liquidity Dr. Gary Michelson received from his medical-device patents. Cohen serves as co-founder, CEO and CIO. The office operates from Los Angeles and focuses on long-term capital preservation and growth for the Michelson family. The firm allocates across public equities, private equity, direct lending, real estate, natural resources and venture capital. It participates in direct deals, co-investments and fund commitments. Confirmed positions include Getlabs in 2019 and operating businesses such as GS Foods Group, National Fire & Safety and Watterson through its Highview Capital affiliate. The geographic footprint covers North America and Europe. The office reports approximately $1.5 billion in assets. It maintains affiliated vehicles including Karlin Real Estate, Karlin Ventures and Calmwater Capital. Additional offices are not disclosed. In September 2024 the Michelsons committed $120 million to the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. The family also maintains four foundations focused on medical research, animal welfare and education. Karlin Asset Management functions as the primary investment vehicle for the Michelson wealth while separate philanthropic entities handle grant-making. This separation allows the investment platform to pursue commercial returns without mission constraints that apply to the foundations.
General information
Firm type
Single Family Office
Year founded
2005
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Los Angeles
Corporate office
11755 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 1400, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Principals
David A. Cohen
Co-Founder, CEO, and CIO
Dr. Gary Michelson
Founder
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Karlin Asset Management?
David A. Cohen serves as co-founder, CEO and CIO. He oversees allocation across the multi-asset platform.
How does Karlin Asset Management source proprietary deal flow?
The firm uses its network of operating businesses, real-estate holdings and venture commitments to identify opportunities. It also participates in co-investments alongside external sponsors.
Does Karlin Asset Management participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
The office makes both direct investments and commitments to external private equity and venture funds. Highview Capital and Karlin Ventures serve as dedicated vehicles for certain strategies.
What investment stages does Karlin Asset Management typically target?
The firm targets early-stage, growth and late-stage opportunities in venture capital. It also pursues control and minority positions in private equity and real estate.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
Dr. Gary Michelson, an orthopedic surgeon and medical-device inventor, generated the wealth through a 2005 patent settlement with Medtronic.
Does Karlin Asset Management maintain philanthropic structures, and how are they separated?
The family operates Michelson Philanthropies, Michelson Medical Research Foundation, Michelson Found Animals Foundation and Michelson 20MM Foundation as separate entities. Investment decisions at Karlin remain independent of grant-making criteria.
What is Karlin Asset Management's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?
The firm regularly joins co-investments and has backed vehicles such as Highview Capital's evergreen fund. It also holds limited-partner positions in multiple venture funds.
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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