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Vennre recently closed a $9.6 million pre-Series A funding round to enhance its digital investment platform within the Middle East and North Africa region. The London-based fintech company provides a specialized infrastructure that allows individual investors to access high-quality private market opportunities that were previously restricted to large institutions. By digitizing the end-to-end investment process, the platform simplifies regulatory compliance and administrative tasks for individual investors looking to diversify client portfolios. The company serves a growing market of HENRYs (High Earners, Not Rich Yet) across MENA who require more efficient ways to participate in alternative asset classes. Vennre aims to use the new capital to scale its operations and deepen its footprint in the gulf cooperation council countries where demand for modern investment solutions is rising. The success of this funding round reflects a broader surge in initiatives designed to bring alternative investments to the wealth management sector. While institutional demand has historically dominated private markets, WealthTech platforms like Vennre are now addressing persistent friction in research and onboarding. This shift allows advisors to provide more holistic services and better align with the growing preference for alternative assets across the global financial landscape. Knote : Going Direct-to-Consumer with private investments is a bold concept who’s time has perhaps come. Targeting HENRYs is an interesting approach as well. I believe the idea there is those investors are rich enough to want alternative investments but not rich enough to attract the attention of advisors who provide alternative investments. We will be watching this one. https://uk.entrepreneur.com/finance/vennre-raises-9-6m-pre-series-a-private-market-mena

Gridline recently announced the closing of an $18.5 million Series A funding round led by FINTOP. Ardent Venture Partners and Tech Square Ventures also participated in the investment which brings the total capital raised by the Atlanta-based firm to 27.5 million dollars. The company operates a turnkey alternatives management platform designed to help registered investment advisers and private banks build and manage private market programs with institutional discipline.  The new capital will support the continued expansion of the platform and the development of AltComply an artificial intelligence tool for automated diligence. AltComply aims to streamline document ingestion and standardize risk analysis to help firms evaluate private investments more efficiently. Gridline utilizes a proprietary ledger native foundation to replace fragmented tools and manual workflows with a single integrated system for execution and reporting.  This development aligns with the transition of turnkey asset management platforms becoming the primary gateway for alternative investments entering the wealth management channel. As investment products become increasingly commoditized, firms like Gridline offer the specialized technology and expertise needed to manage complex private market sleeves. These platforms act as the tip of the spear by providing the necessary infrastructure for advisors to differentiate their services through alternative asset classes.  Knote : Just about everyone has Alts2Wealth on their roadmap for 2026. Gridline is one of the contenders to get the “ideal” system for scaling Alts2Wealth. They still have a fair number of gaps, as does everyone else. An extra $18.5 million should help fill a few of those in. Whomever gets their gaps filled in first will likely be rewarded with runaway market share. I think someone is going to get there in the next 18 months.  Link to the article

The privacy-first AI platform Zocks has secured $45 million in Series B funding to expand its capabilities for wealth management professionals. Co-led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and QED Investors, the round brings the company's total funding to $65 million since its launch in 2024. Zocks provides a specialized assistant that automates administrative tasks by turning unstructured client conversations into structured data and actionable insights.  The platform is designed to serve as a system of work that integrates with existing CRMs, financial planning tools, and portfolio management systems. By automating note-taking, document processing, and meeting preparation, the solution reportedly saves advisors more than 10 hours of manual work per week. This automation addresses the "Good" uses of artificial intelligence by leveraging large data sets to improve content creation, client engagement, and operational efficiency.  With the new capital, Zocks plans to transition from basic task automation toward agentic AI that surfaces specific planning opportunities across an advisor's entire book of business. These advancements will help firms identify client needs—such as missing college savings plans or held-away assets—and carry out suggested next steps with one click. The expansion also includes deepened enterprise integrations and enhanced security features to meet the rigorous compliance standards of the wealth management industry. Knote : The notetakers are growing up fast! Notetaking is now just table stakes and the smarter firms are building additional functionality fast and furiously. It’s definitely a “sprint or die” situation but the prize is probably worth it, at least as far as Lightspeed and QED are concerned and they usually have good insights on that sort of thing.    Link to Article

Deloitte. (n.d.). Digital wealth management transformation: From vision to reality . Deloitte United States. https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/services/consulting/articles/digital-wealth-management-transformation.html   Wealth management firms are facing increasing pressure to modernize their legacy technology infrastructure to meet evolving client expectations.  Successful digital transformation requires a holistic strategy that aligns business goals with technical capabilities rather than implementing isolated software solutions.  Data analytics and artificial intelligence are becoming essential tools for advisors to deliver personalized financial advice at scale.  The shift toward hybrid service models combines human expertise with automated digital platforms to optimize the overall client experience.  Operational efficiency can be significantly improved by automating back-office processes and integrating disparate data systems across the enterprise.  Firms must prioritize cybersecurity and regulatory compliance as they transition more sensitive financial data to cloud-based environments.  A clear roadmap for digital adoption helps firms remain competitive in a rapidly changing financial services landscape dominated by tech-savvy investors.  Knote : A fine list but I would like to have seen data emphasized much more heavily. We believe that getting a handle on your data, unifying it, and making it accessible are the gating factors for most of the things on this list.

We are excited to welcome Jackson Weidner to WealthTech Strategy Partners as an Investment Banking Analyst Intern, where he will support the team on deal execution and financial analysis.   Jackson is studying Finance and Real Estate at Colorado State University and is expected to graduate in December 2026. Through his coursework, including CSU’s Summit Fund, he has developed a strong foundation in valuation, financial modeling, and applied investment analysis in a hands-on classroom setting.   In addition to his academic experience, Jackson operates an e-commerce business on Amazon, where he is responsible for sourcing products, analyzing pricing and margins, and managing day-to-day operations. Running the business has strengthened his ability to evaluate opportunities, make data-driven decisions, and assess risk and return.   In his free time, Jackson enjoys working on cars and spending time outdoors, particularly mountain biking and skiing. He enjoys hands-on projects and staying active, often spending time in the Colorado mountains or canyons whenever he can.   We are excited to have Jackson join the team and look forward to his contributions during his spring internship at WealthTech Strategy Partners.

We are excited to welcome Colby Napier to our Spring Internship Program at WealthTech Strategy Partners!   Colby is a senior at Colorado State University, pursuing a degree in Finance with a concentration in Investment Analysis and an expected graduation May 2026. Through his coursework in finance and accounting, he has developed skills in financial modeling, data analysis, risk evaluation, and strategic decision-making, providing a strong foundation for supporting our team.   Beyond the classroom, Colby is an active member of Lambda Chi Alpha, where he has demonstrated leadership, accountability, and responsibility. These qualities translate directly into his professional growth and contributions.   Outside of academics, Colby is passionate about the outdoors and physical fitness. He is an avid fly fisherman, often taking on overnight fishing and camping trips that require focus, patience, and discipline. He also enjoys snowboarding and is committed to continuous self-improvement through consistent strength and endurance training. These passions reflect the dedication, resilience, and drive we value at WealthTech Strategy Partners.   We’re confident that Colby’s strong analytical skill set, disciplined mindset, and commitment to personal growth will make him an asset to our deal execution team this spring. Please join us in welcoming Colby to the team!

JPMorgan Chase has finalized the acquisition of WealthOS, a United Kingdom based financial technology firm specializing in cloud native infrastructure for the wealth management sector. The deal aims to strengthen the bank’s retail wealth management capabilities by integrating advanced pensions and retirement planning technology into its existing digital offerings. As part of the transition, the entire WealthOS workforce of sixty employees will join the JPMorgan Personal Investing division to support the ongoing modernization of its international consumer banking stack. WealthOS provides a modular software as a service platform that allows financial institutions to launch digital wealth products significantly faster and at a lower operational cost than traditional legacy systems. Its technology specifically automates complex backend processes such as pension drawdown administration, tax wrapper management, and regulatory reporting for accounts like Self Invested Personal Pensions. By adopting this infrastructure, JPMorgan can streamline account management and provide more responsive digital experiences for its growing base of retail investors and advisory clients. The strategic acquisition follows the recent rebranding of the digital wealth manager Nutmeg into JPMorgan Personal Investing as the firm seeks to scale its presence in the competitive British wealth market. This integration is particularly relevant for the broader industry as it highlights the increasing necessity for API first architectures to replace aging middle and back office systems. For platforms and integrators, the move underscores a shift toward agile, cloud based operating systems that can support holistic financial planning and rapid product innovation in a shifting regulatory landscape. Knote: JPM is driving hard at the UK personal investing market. WealthOS has what we consider to be the most advanced system of handling SIPPs (Self-Invested Personal Pensions), which is a tax wrapper that basically creates what we know in the US as an IRA. We believe this acquisition gets JPM to market at least 3-5 years quicker and is a great example of how a large institution can use strategic acquisitions of clean technology to win. We continue to believe the real opportunity for self-directed investing is in India, but with the entire WealthOS dev team in Sri Lanka, maybe this gets JPM closer. https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/jpmorgan-buys-uk-pensions-technology-firm-wealthos-memo-shows-2026-01-22/

Nationwide Welcomes New Leaders, Income Lab Launches AI Scribe Insurance and financial services: Nationwide appointed new technology and distribution leaders while Income Lab introduced an AI tool for automated retirement planning. Significance: These developments highlight the accelerating integration of artificial intelligence and specialized leadership to enhance advisor productivity and client retention. Read More OneDigital Introduces Private Investments Within Personalized Portfolios for Defined Contribution Plans Insurance and benefit firm: OneDigital integrated private equity and credit strategies into advisor-managed 401(k) portfolios through partnerships with global asset managers. Significance: This move democratizes institutional-quality alternative investments for retail retirement savers while maintaining fiduciary oversight and liquidity standards. Read More Schwab Plans to Ramp Up, Expand RIA Lending Options for Clients Financial services giant: Charles Schwab is significantly expanding its lending and banking capabilities to help independent advisors compete with major wirehouses. Significance: By increasing access to liquidity for ultra-high-net-worth clients, Schwab aims to drive asset consolidation and support RIA fiduciary independence. Read More DOL, White House Near Release of Proposed 401(k) Alts Rule Federal regulatory agency: The Department of Labor submitted a proposed rule to facilitate the inclusion of private equity and other alternative investments in 401(k) plans. Significance: The rule aims to provide a clear regulatory framework for fiduciaries, though it faces scrutiny over transparency and high fees. Knote: The OMB typically has 90 days to complete their review but can ask for a 30-day extension if they feel they need it. Then a 60-day public comment period, so it could be a summer event. I’m guessing due diligence is going to be a big thing in this initiative. Entrepreneurs might want to put their thinking caps on as to how they could solve that problem. Read More Edelman Moves to Orion for Tech Stack Independent wealth management firm: Edelman Financial Engines transitioned its $308 billion technology infrastructure from Envestnet to Orion’s comprehensive wealth management suite. Significance: This major transition reflects a strategic shift to better integrate internal systems and enhance the digital client experience under new leadership. Read More Flanks and FinReg360 launch EDX: Europe’s first standardized financial data exchange protocol Financial data providers: Flanks and FinReg360 introduced EDX, a standardized protocol to unify financial position data exchange across the European wealth management sector. Significance: This initiative reduces manual workloads and operational costs, moving Europe closer to a fully integrated open finance ecosystem. Knote : Bravissimo! This has been a problem for a while in Europe. Hopefully, it gets fully adopted, and also hopefully, it accommodates alternative investments. Read More Groww steps up wealth play via MF and portfolio management solutions Indian fintech platform: Groww is launching new mutual fund and portfolio management solutions to transition from a discount broker to a full-service wealth manager. Significance: The expansion targets higher-value investors and intensifies competition with traditional wealth managers through technology-driven advisory services. Read More Feel free to reach out if you want to discuss any of the above or if you just want to chat about WealthTech. We love talking WealthTech! If you want to Subscribe and receive these sorts of insights directly, click subscribe

Donachie, P. (2026, January 16). DOL, White House Near Release of Proposed 401(k) Alts Rule. WealthManagement.com . https://www.wealthmanagement.com/regulation-compliance/dol-white-house-near-release-of-proposed-401k-alts-rule The U.S. Department of Labor has submitted a proposed rule to the White House Office of Management and Budget intended to facilitate the inclusion of alternative investments in 401(k) plans. Titled “Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives,” the proposal follows a 2025 executive order aimed at expanding access to private equity, real estate, and cryptocurrency within retirement accounts. The rule seeks to provide a clearer regulatory framework for plan fiduciaries who have historically avoided illiquid assets due to potential litigation risks and complex ERISA standards. Proponents of the measure argue that retail investors require access to private markets to achieve better diversification and capture returns as fewer companies choose to remain public. SEC leadership has signaled support for the initiative while advocating for litigation reforms to protect plan sponsors from lawsuits related to alternative investment performance. Critics, including prominent Democratic lawmakers, have expressed concerns regarding the transparency, high fees, and general suitability of complex private market products for average retirement savers. Once the Office of Management and Budget completes its review, the proposal will be released for a 60-day public comment period before moving toward finalization. Knote: The OMB typically has 90 days to complete their review but can ask for a 30-day extension if they feel they need it. Then a 60-day public comment period, so it could be a summer event. I’m guessing due diligence is going to be a big thing in this initiative. Entrepreneurs might want to put their thinking caps on as to how they could solve that problem.

Umpierrez, A. (2026, January 16). Nationwide welcomes new leaders, Income Lab launches AI Scribe . 401(k) Specialist. https://401kspecialistmag.com/nationwide-welcomes-new-leaders-income-lab-launches-ai-scribe/ ·       Nationwide Financial has appointed Misty Kuamoo as Chief Technology Officer to lead technology solutions and accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence. ·       Suzanne Ricklin has been named the leader of Distribution for Nationwide Retirement Solutions to manage growth and retention for retirement clients. ·       Income Lab launched AI Scribe, an artificial intelligence tool that transforms live client conversations from virtual meetings into comprehensive retirement plans. ·       The AI Scribe application captures data during Zoom sessions to generate meeting summaries and draft plans for immediate advisor review. ·       This new capability expands Income Lab's suite of automated tools, which includes the previously released AI Plan Builder and AI Assistant. ·       PensionBee and SS&C Technologies expanded their partnership to streamline 401(k) rollovers through the automated RolloverCentral platform. ·       The collaboration between Income Lab and industry researchers focused on removing administrative friction while ensuring financial advisors maintain control over the planning process.

The Economic Times. (2026, January 21). Groww steps up wealth play via MF and portfolio management solutions . https://m.economictimes.com/tech/technology/groww-steps-up-wealth-play-via-mf-and-portfolio-management-solutions/amp_articleshow/126660009.cms ·       Groww is expanding its wealth management services by launching new mutual fund and portfolio management solutions to capture higher-value investors. ·       The company aims to transition from a discount brokerage to a comprehensive wealth management platform for Indian retail investors. ·       This expansion includes the introduction of sophisticated investment products tailored for affluent users seeking professional portfolio management. ·       Groww’s diversification strategy focuses on increasing its assets under management by leveraging its existing large user base of active traders. ·       The fintech firm is intensifying competition with traditional wealth managers by integrating technology-driven advisory services. ·       Market analysts suggest that this shift towards premium services will help the platform improve its overall revenue margins and user retention. ·       The company continues to navigate regulatory compliance while scaling its digital-first investment ecosystem across different asset classes.

OneDigital. (2026, January 20). OneDigital introduces private investments within personalized portfolios for defined contribution plans . https://www.onedigital.com/blog/onedigital-introduces-private-investments-within-personalized-portfolios-for-defined-contribution-plans/   ·       OneDigital has integrated private equity, private credit, and opportunistic investment strategies into its Personalized Portfolio program for 401(k) plan sponsors. ·       The firm established strategic partnerships with leading global asset managers including Apollo, Ares, and Blackstone to facilitate these institutional-quality offerings. ·       These private market strategies are embedded within advisor-managed portfolios to improve diversification while adhering to strict liquidity and fiduciary standards. ·       The program aims to provide retail retirement savers with access to investment tools that have traditionally been reserved for large institutional investors. ·       OneDigital’s internal investment team provides ongoing oversight and rigorous due diligence for all private market allocations within the program. ·       Collective Investment Trusts incorporating these private investments are expected to be available for eligible plan sponsors starting in the current quarter. ·       Plan sponsors retain full discretion regarding the implementation of these strategies to ensure alignment with specific workforce demographics and risk tolerances.