Heritage

Isola Capital can trace our roots back to 1946 when the founder Clarence Dauphinot and two associates moved to Brazil to explore investment banking and direct investment opportunities. The initiative was sponsored by Al Gordon, Chairman of Kidder Peabody where Dauphinot had previously been Head of the International Bond Department.

Over the ensuing decades, the platform forged its reputation as a pioneer in emerging market direct investment, investment banking and wealth management in 1959.

Led by Dauphinot, the platform began to engage friends and prominent financiers to co-participate in deals across Latin America, built out of an "Investor Club" or "Investor Round Table" structure that led it to become one of the first formalised venture capital platforms in the world. This gave ultra-high-net-worth individuals a unique platform to source and participate in deals and led to the growth of a one-of-a-kind, boutique, transparent, client-oriented private banking business.

Dauphinot built a lasting legacy of premier private banking, co-investment, and fund management. The spirit of pioneering thinking, innovation and creative approaches to financial markets that Dauphinot championed remains the bedrock of Isola Capital's principles today.

Through our multi-family office structure and select group of Investor Round Table members, Isola Capital continues to carry the tradition of sourcing, structuring, investing and managing proprietary investments.

1940s

THE BEGINNINGS

Platform incorporated in May 1946, initially only as a holding company with three founding members Dauphinot, Elrick and Littlejohn, the three “tecnicos” (literally translated as “technicians”).

Whilst awaiting the granting of a banking license, the platform operates as a trading firm, selling everything from “pots, and pans to glassware, Old Crow Whisky and Crosley cars”.

1946

Founding

Clarence Dauphinot, backed by Al Gordon, and two associates move to Brazil

1949

First Breakthrough

American and Foreign Power Corporation mandate the sale of a US$1.5 million common stock issue for Cia. Brasileira de Energia Electrica in Brazil.
1950s

Latin American Growth

After the successful rights sale of Cia. Brasileira de Energia Electrica, in which the team sells securities door-to-door traveling across the countryside in 4x4 Jeeps in what proves to be one of the first successful attempts at wide-spread securities sales in the country, the platform consolidates its position as a leader in Latin American investment banking and direct investment, underwriting 35 issuances between 1953 and 1959 in the region.

1952

First “Investor Club” Deal

Setup of a chenile manufacturing facility in Brazil. Co-investors provide the seed capital and operational backing for this venture and enjoy “huge success”, later selling their interest in the company to Listas Telefonicas.

1952

1952

First “Investor Club” Deal

Setup of a chenile manufacturing facility in Brazil. Co-investors provide the seed capital and operational backing for this venture and enjoy “huge success”, later selling their interest in the company to Listas Telefonicas.

1952

1950s

Latin American Growth

After the successful rights sale of Cia. Brasileira de Energia Electrica, in which the team sells securities door-to-door traveling across the countryside in 4x4 Jeeps in what proves to be one of the first successful attempts at wide-spread securities sales in the country, the platform consolidates its position as a leader in Latin American investment banking and direct investment, underwriting 35 issuances between 1953 and 1959 in the region.
1960s - 1980s

Investor Club Grows

The “Investor Club” brings together prominent financiers and entrepreneurs from across the globe and providing a platform to originate, finance and execute direct investment opportunities in Latin America and abroad. This is widely noted as one of the first recorded formalised venture capital platforms globally.

By the 1980s the "Investor Club" has grown to include more than 25 prominent and actively involved investors, both individual and institutional spanning Latin America, North America and Europe.
1989

Latin American Fund

Launched in 1989 and manages US$500 million in assets under management at its peak.
1990s

Launch of Fund Management Platform

“Investor Club” members participate and co-invest in an issuance of Venezuelan government debt which generates handsome returns under the Brady Scheme of the late 1980s. This sets the foundations for the launch of a fund strategy which becomes one of the top performing fixed income funds globally during the 1990’s, returning 742% between 1989 and 1999 net of fees to investors.

By 1999, the platform had US$1.2 billion of assets under management and is managing a suite of dedicated funds.
1990s

Launch of Fund Management Platform

“Investor Club” members participate and co-invest in an issuance of Venezuelan government debt which generates handsome returns under the Brady Scheme of the late 1980s. This sets the foundations for the launch of a fund strategy which becomes one of the top performing fixed income funds globally during the 1990’s, returning 742% between 1989 and 1999 net of fees to investors.

By 1999, the platform had US$1.2 billion of assets under management and is managing a suite of dedicated funds.
2000s

Hedge Fund Investment

Following its merger with Atlas Capital Group, an institutional alternative investment manager with over US$4.8 billion of assets under management, the platform continues to operate as a standalone entity and successfully expands its core business activities whilst centering its investment activity and expertise on hedge fund manager selection and investment.

2001

Hedge Fund Investment

Merger with Atlas Capital Group.
2010 onwards

A Return to its Roots

Following the sale of Atlas Capital in 2008, redirects its focus to capturing innovative and proprietary investment opportunities.

With focus shifting once more to direct investment and co-investment opportunities in emerging markets, the investment management function is relocated from London to Hong Kong with the founding of an office in Hong Kong in 2011. The focus is to complement the framework of investment and fund management expertise built up over the preceding decades, and to seek and manage new investment opportunities. In 2013, new shareholders took over the Hong Kong operations and rebranded the newly independent platform to Isola Capital Group and added wealth management capabilities.

2010

Atlas Capital is sold.

In 2013, a group of new European and Asian family offices take over the Hong Kong operations to broaden and deepen its investment and asset management capabilities. The focus is back to the core roots of the Investor Round Table for direct investments in growth capital opportunities with like-minded families around the world.

Isola Capital Group

The newly independent platform is rebranded, but retained its commitment to a multi-family office structure to pool resources to enhance the investment capabilities of the platform. The group is rebranded under the umbrella of Isola Capital Group.

2010

2010

Atlas Capital is sold.

In 2013, a group of new European and Asian family offices take over the Hong Kong operations to broaden and deepen its investment and asset management capabilities. The focus is back to the core roots of the Investor Round Table for direct investments in growth capital opportunities with like-minded families around the world.

Isola Capital Group

The newly independent platform is rebranded, but retained its commitment to a multi-family office structure to pool resources to enhance the investment capabilities of the platform. The group is rebranded under the umbrella of Isola Capital Group.

2010

2010 onwards

A Return to its Roots

Following the sale of Atlas Capital in 2008, redirects its focus to capturing innovative and proprietary investment opportunities.

With focus shifting once more to direct investment and co-investment opportunities in emerging markets, the investment management function is relocated from London to Hong Kong with the founding of an office in Hong Kong in 2011. The focus is to complement the framework of investment and fund management expertise built up over the preceding decades, and to seek and manage new investment opportunities. In 2013, new shareholders took over the Hong Kong operations and rebranded the newly independent platform to Isola Capital Group and added wealth management capabilities.