Otium is a private investment holding company created in 2009.

Founded by Pierre-Édouard Stérin, Otium perpetuates its mission by supporting entrepreneurs and their projects in order to unlock their potential for value creation, all the while putting people, boldness, and innovation at the heart of its approach.

Otium is a Private Equity investor, active at all stages of company development – from seed to growth capital, up to LBO transactions on mature companies – taking majority or minority stakes with no holding period constraints.

True to its entrepreneurial DNA, Otium also creates and launches startups, partnering with ambitious entrepreneurs through its incubator, Otium Studio.

Our Mission

Create and invest alongside bold entrepreneurs to develop tomorrow’s leaders

We are convinced that entrepreneurs are the driving force behind progress, and we invest alongside them for the long term.

We select projects that provide attractive returns on investment, contribute to collective well-being, encourage innovation and address social, economic and environmental issues.

€1.7 billion assets as of June 30th, 2025
25% IRR since 2015
€255 m invested in 2024
130+ companies supported since 2009
€2-200 m per investment

Otium has a ‘BBB’ Investment Grade by rating agency EthiFinance Ratings, with a ‘Stable’ Outlook.

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“We favor close and personalized collaboration with each entrepreneur, as we firmly believe that success is built together, as a team. At Otium, the freedom to innovate comes with boundless ambition, within a supportive framework, allowing each project to grow under the best conditions.”

Pierre-Edouard Stérin

Founder and President

Our history

2003

Smartbox founded by Pierre-Edouard Stérin with €5,000 of initial capital

2009

Otium founded to reinvest Smartbox dividends

2019 - 2021

Successful investments in Consumer and Tech, with companies such as The Fork, Doctrine, PayFit, Owkin, Polène
Incubation of new industry leaders such as Dossier, Kids Empire and Fort Boyard Aventures

2022

€155 million invested
Investment strategy diversification in the fields of industrials, real estate and healthcare
Otium Leisure founded to accelerate investments in Leisure

2023

€1 billion assets under management reached
Launch of consolidation platforms in the healthcare, nuclear and business software industries

2024

€255 million invested
€1.6 billion assets as of December 31st

An idea? A pitch deck? Get in touch!