NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–iCapital Network, a financial technology platform focused on democratizing access to alternative investments for high-net-worth investors and their financial advisors, today announced that BlackRock (NYSE: BLK), a global leader in investment management, risk management, and advisory services, will lead iCapital’s next funding round. Frank Porcelli, Chairman of BlackRock’s US Wealth Advisory business, will join iCapital’s Board of Directors and will work closely with the organization as a strategic advisor.
Individual investors remain significantly under-allocated to alternative investments relative to institutional investors, but are increasingly exploring the critical role alternatives can play in state-of-the-art portfolio construction. iCapital’s online platform facilitates access to private investment opportunities through an independent origination and due diligence process that prioritizes quality offerings from an array of top managers, and provides an end-to-end technology solution automating the unique subscription, administration and reporting processes of alternative investments.
“We are building the largest independent digital alternative investments platform in the industry. In BlackRock, we have an investor who understands the importance of technology’s role in the wealth management ecosystem,” said Lawrence Calcano, Chief Executive Officer of iCapital Network. “BlackRock’s decision to lead our next round of funding validates the steps we’ve taken thus far and gives us a springboard to scale the platform for future growth.”
iCapital recently announced that it has surpassed $2 billion in subscriptions from approximately 3,000 investors across more than 40 private offerings since the public launch of its platform two years ago. Its member network has expanded to include more than 1,300 users from RIA firms, private banks, independent broker-dealers, family offices and other sophisticated advisory organizations that collectively oversee more than $1.7 trillion in investable client assets.
“Based on our experience, as well as dialogue with our distribution partners, iCapital Network’s open-architecture alternatives platform solves a critical problem for high-net-worth investors and their advisors,” said Frank Porcelli, Chairman of BlackRock’s US Wealth Advisory business. “iCapital’s combination of due diligence capabilities, technology and relationships with alternative asset managers seamlessly facilitates investments in hedge funds and private equity funds, including BlackRock Alternative Investors.”
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
About iCapital Network
iCapital Network is a financial technology platform that provides modular alternative investment solutions for registered investment advisors, broker-dealers, private banks, family offices and other sophisticated investors. The state-of-the-art online portal offers a curated selection of private equity funds and hedge funds, extensive due diligence support, an automated subscription process and integration with a wide range of custodial platforms and reporting packages. The firm’s customizable technology and specialized suite of services is also used by asset managers and financial institutions to streamline and automate the offering and administration of private investments. For additional information, please visit the Company’s website at icapital.com | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/icapital-network-inc | Twitter: @icapitalnetwork
About BlackRock
BlackRock is a global leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients. At September 30, 2016, BlackRock’s AUM was $5.1 trillion. BlackRock helps clients around the world meet their goals and overcome challenges with a range of products that include separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares® (exchange-traded funds), and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers risk management, advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions®. As of September 30, 2016, the firm had approximately 13,000 employees in 30 countries and a major presence in global markets, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East and Africa. For additional information, please visit the Company’s website at www.blackrock.com | Twitter: @blackrock_news | Blog: www.blackrockblog.com | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock
Contacts
iCapital Network
Emma Murphy
Tel 718-875-4545
Cell 347-968-6800
[email protected]
or
BlackRock
Ed Sweeney
Tel 646-231-0268
[email protected]
Disclosures: This material is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as, and may not be relied on in any manner as legal, tax or investment advice, a recommendation, or as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to purchase or a recommendation of any interest in any fund or security offered by iCapital. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Alternative investments are complex, speculative investment vehicles and are not suitable for all investors. An investment in an alternative investment entails a high degree of risk and no assurance can be given that any alternative investment fund’s investment objectives will be achieved or that investors will receive a return of their capital. The information contained herein is subject to change. Securities may be offered through iCapital Securities, LLC, a registered broker dealer, member of FINRA and SIPC and subsidiary of Institutional Capital Network, Inc. iCapital is a registered trademark of Institutional Capital Network, Inc. All rights reserved.
