The purpose of the company is to acquire, manage, operate and sell, as well as to finance, direct and indirect participations in companies in Switzerland and abroad, in particular securities and similar financial instruments, including venture capital financing and mezzanine or borrowed capital financing, with the exception of taking participations in residential real estate companies. It may establish branches in the country and abroad, set up subsidiaries and participate in other companies, as well as acquire, hold, manage, encumber, operate and sell real estate and intellectual property rights, and perform all legal acts that may be necessary for the company's business. The company may grant loans and other direct or indirect financing to its direct and indirect subsidiaries and to third parties, including its direct and indirect shareholders and the direct and indirect subsidiaries of these shareholders, in particular within the framework of cash pooling agreements, and guarantee the obligations incurred by these parties, including by pledging or assigning fiduciary assets of the company, or by providing guarantees of any kind, indemnified or not.