Opto Investments – Offering a complete solution for independent investment advisors to access private market investments

Portfolio managers create and manage investment portfolios, whereas an investment adviser markets one particular product. Investment advisor has a significant role to play in financial markets, but they are ill-equipped to support a client's longer-term financial goals. The choice between a stockbroker and investment adviser is highly personalized, depending on a client's unique financial needs for managing their money. Like an investment adviser, a stockbroker must tailor their investment recommendations based on the client's unique financial circumstances, such as long-term financial goals, risk tolerance, age, and budget. Once the investment adviser has established a client's goals and needs, one has to investigate and analyze investments, strategies, and market conditions to determine what options are the best fit. Investment advisor helps client evaluate how aggressive they can be with investments and how much risk they are willing to accept. Successful investment advisors are able to blend analytic skills, a thorough financial understanding, and client-facing skills to help clients identify and achieve their financial goals.

Financial advisers offer guidance, starting with choosing financial instruments, deciding how much money to invest and how often to review, and taking corrective action when necessary. A financial advisor is a professional who has the necessary knowledge and expertise in finance and who can assist in your financial management, which can involve assessing, streamlining savings and spending, advice about appropriate investments, portfolio management, taxation, etc.

Opto Investments is one such company that provides independent investment advisors with a total solution for accessing private market investments. Opto Investments’ platform connects investment advisors to top-performing managers and a full suite of alternative asset tools to help attract clients, boost revenue, and ensure that their clients are able to access the best possible private investment opportunities.

Providing Private Market Access to Investment Advisors and their Clients

The world is staring down daunting challenges in this decade and beyond. Opto's experience in Silicon Valley and the United States innovation ecosystem is that well-funded entrepreneurs can solve these problems and create prosperity. Opto was founded with top talent from the technology and financial world to open up private markets to top investment advisors and their global clients like never before—and unlock new capital for the world’s greatest innovators building for the future.

Despite the growing role of alternatives in powering the innovation economy, the vast majority of savings worldwide have little to no access to alternative assets and the average wealth advisor has 0-4% of their portfolio in private investments, often due to a lack of resources and efficient access. Private markets remain an untapped and growing opportunity, representing less than 10% of the overall size of public markets.

Opto has created a platform to help RIAs level up their practices with access to exclusive private market investments. Opto provides an intuitive framework to explore the private market landscape, incorporate client goals and interests, understand how well-regarded family offices operate, and turn insights into actionable investments. Opto's vision is to use technology and innovation to break down barriers and give privileged access to their investment advisors and their clients. The company simplifies investment operations and integrates with existing vendors and technology. The platform manages the process from start to finish: from sourcing, diligence, and subscribing to funds; to monitoring positions, capital call schedules, investor servicing and reporting. This allows investment advisors more time to focus on client outcomes and revenue growth.

Opto's Recent Partnership

Opto Investments (“Opto”) has announced its strategic relationship with Merchant. The engagement offers Merchant’s partner registered investment advisors (RIAs) access to Opto’s exclusive private market opportunities and comprehensive software, allowing them to better serve their high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients.

The Opto platform provides an end-to-end solution for RIAs to craft tailored private market investment portfolios comprising funds from private credit, private equity, real estate, venture capital and infrastructure managers. Each RIA firm in Merchant’s ecosystem can now leverage Opto’s portfolio construction tools and access exclusive, pre-vetted funds while tapping its team of analysts and technologists to build customized investment strategies. Merchant partner firms will also have access to an exclusive, bespoke interface that will include additional product offerings and insights. Since emerging from stealth in September 2022, Opto has grown rapidly, building relationships with more than 150 RIAs across the country. The firm will now provide Merchant’s advisors with an intuitive framework for private markets access, enabling them access to well-vetted managers.

About | Ryan VanGorder

Ryan VanGorder is Opto Investments' Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Opto, Ryan was a Managing Director at BlackRock, leading finance in the Asia Pacific region. Ryan has more than 20 years of financial services experience and began his career in 2001 at Quellos, a Seattle-based hedge fund-of-funds. When he's not focused on building Opto into a world-class business, you might bump into Ryan running or biking on a trail near you.

"Opto’s private investment platform will empower RIAs to build customized private markets portfolios using funds from distinguished investment managers."