NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Opto Investments (“Opto”), the technology-enabled solution that empowers independent investment advisors to confidently access private markets, today 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 coveted 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.
“Merchant’s strategic partnerships are centered around providing capital or solutions to help financial services firms achieve their growth potential,” said Marc Spilker, executive chairman of Merchant. “Allowing clients to include alternatives as part of their overall asset allocation is an essential building block for any high-quality and growing independent wealth management firm. Opto’s consultative, personalized approach, combined with their unparalleled technology, made Opto the perfect solution for partner firms.”
RIA practices in Merchant’s network of 60+ partner firms, which collectively manage more than $140 billion in assets as of the end of 2022, have already begun leveraging Opto’s offering. Michael Dolberg, founding partner and CEO of Apollon Wealth Management, added: “Advisors don’t just need help accessing private markets; they need help identifying the right opportunities and implementing them in client portfolios. Opto is a great platform that enhances our institutional investing process and gives tools and resources to further educate our clients about private investing.”
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.
“Merchant is a major strategic investor in RIAs across the country, and we're thrilled to partner with them as we advance our mission of simplifying advisors' lives and increasing investors' access to well-regarded private investments,” said Mark Machin, co-founder and CEO of Opto. “We appreciate Marc, Scott, Tim and the rest of the leadership team at Merchant for trusting us to serve their partner firms. It’s clear that Merchant shares our vision of being long-term, strategic partners to RIAs and helping them provide better client outcomes.”
For RIAs who are interested in learning more about Opto, please visit optoinvest.com.
About Merchant Investment Management, LLC
Merchant is a private partnership providing growth capital, management resources, strategic opportunities and direction to independent financial services companies, particularly those focused on wealth and asset management. For additional information, please visit merchantim.com.
About Opto Investments
Opto Investments provides independent investment advisors with a comprehensive solution for accessing private market investments. The platform connects investment advisors to historically top-performing managers and a full suite of tools and resources to help educate and attract clients, boost revenue, and ensure that their clients are able to access the right investment opportunities. Opto’s investors include Tiger Global, 8VC, Michael Dell’s MSD Capital, Clocktower Ventures, FinVC, HOF Capital, among others. For additional information, please visit our website and LinkedIn.
