Vanguard Latest Firm to Partner with and Invest in Avantos for Tech/Data Unification

Breen, O. (2026, February 19). Vanguard discloses two bets (as client and investor) on one tiny startup's tech 'orchestration' powers—a symbiosis from heaven or hell, depending on how it goes with Avantos; it's going well, so far, with SEI, Mercer and others in the bet on the newcomer. RIABiz. https://riabiz.com/a/2026/2/20/vanguard-discloses-two-bets-as-client-and-investor-on-one-tiny-startup-to-solve-huge-problems-a-symbiosis-from-heaven-or-hell-depending-on-how-it-goes-with-avantos-its-going-well-so-far-with-sei-mercer-and-others-in-the-bet-on-the-newcomer

• Vanguard has established a dual relationship as both a client and an equity investor in the AI-driven orchestration startup Avantos.

• Avantos provides a middleware "orchestration layer" designed to unify disparate legacy software systems into a single, efficient user interface.

• The startup secured $25 million in Series A funding led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with additional backing from SEI, Mercer Advisors, and Guardian Life.

• Vanguard intends to utilize the platform to resolve chronic operational inefficiencies and improve data householding within its wealth management division.

• Mercer Advisors acted as a primary development partner, successfully deploying the technology to manage tens of thousands of client accounts.

• Arqa emerges as a notable competitor in the space, offering a rival AI-native data platform that similarly aims to modernize legacy wealth management infrastructure, although it is more focused on the infrastructure vs the CRM layer.

• Avantos plans to scale its enterprise-level success to serve the broader market of small-to-mid-sized registered investment advisors.

Knote: This is an excellent example of the double-benefit of seeking strategic investment. You not only get funding, you get a customer, if done correctly. It's a different kind of pitch than your typical funding pitch, though, and it can take a little longer because you have to sell your product first, then the investment.