Téthys
Also known as TETHYS SAS, Téthys Invest, Tethys Invest, Tethys
Neuilly-sur-Seine holding of the Bettencourt Meyers family, L'Oréal's largest shareholder; its subsidiary Téthys Invest (2016) holds stakes in companies such as Sézane, Septeo and Ceva.
USEFUL FOR Business owners seeking a long-term partner · Co-investors
Holding company of the Bettencourt Meyers family (largest shareholder of L'Oréal), Neuilly-sur-Seine; its direct-investment subsidiary is Téthys Invest. Not to be confused with Tethys (pyrotechnics company, Var) or Tethys Capital.
Family & background
- FAMILY
- Bettencourt Meyers
- WEALTH ORIGIN
- L'Oréal (cosmetics)
- HEADQUARTERS
- Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
- FOUNDED
- 1996
Investment approach
- GEOGRAPHY
- France
- STAGES
- GrowthBuyout
- ROUTES
- Companies (own capital)
- STRATEGIES
- Direct investments
Overview
Téthys is the holding company of the Bettencourt-Meyers family and the largest shareholder of L'Oréal; it is chaired by Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, with Jean-Pierre Meyers as CEO. In March 2016 they set up Téthys Invest, a subsidiary, to make direct long-term investments in entrepreneurial projects; it is led by Alexandre Benais. Company and press releases name stakes in Sebia (2017), Provepharm (2018) and Ceva Santé Animale (increased in 2025). Bloomberg reported in November 2024 stakes in at least ten companies, including Sézane, April, Septeo, Elsan and The Row.
Investment thesis
Direct long-term investments in entrepreneurial projects; per Bloomberg, almost all portfolio companies have deep roots in France and local founders, across healthcare, education, fashion and insurance.
Holdings & investments (11)
INVESTMENT ARMS & VEHICLES
- Subsidiary set up in March 2016 to make direct long-term investments in entrepreneurial projects
HOLDINGS & INVESTMENTS · MOST RECENT FIRST
- L'OréalNOTABLEConsumer & E-commerce
- SézaneNOTABLEConsumer & E-commerce · since 2022
- SepteoNOTABLESoftware & SaaS · since 2024
- The RowConsumer & E-commerce · since 2024
- Fintech · since 2023
- ProvepharmBiotech & Life Sciences · since 2018
- HealthTech · since 2017
- Biotech & Life Sciences
- HealthTech
- M2iFood & Agriculture
- HTL BiotechnologyBiotech & Life Sciences
People
Frequently asked questions
Téthys is a family holding based in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, founded in 1996.
Téthys invests on behalf of the Bettencourt Meyers family (L'Oréal (cosmetics)).
Téthys invests directly in companies. Capital origin: the family's own capital. Stated strategies include direct investments.
Téthys invests at Growth and Buyout stages in HealthTech, Software & SaaS, Consumer & E-commerce, Education, Fintech and Biotech & Life Sciences.
Key people at Téthys include Françoise Bettencourt Meyers (Chair, Téthys), Jean-Pierre Meyers (CEO, Téthys) and Alexandre Benais (CEO, Téthys Invest).
Téthys's disclosed holdings and investments include L'Oréal, Sézane, Septeo, Ceva Santé Animale, April, Elsan, Sebia and Provepharm, among others.
The most recent publicly reported investment by Téthys is Ceva Santé Animale (Capital restructuring (sixth round); stake increased via Téthys Invest), announced in Mar 2025.