The alternative investment division of Axa Investment Managers has teamed up with fintech platform iCapital.
The strategic partnership will see Axa IM Alt’s Global Health Private Equity strategy being made available on the iCapital platform.
The $500m (£400m, €467m) fund, which was unveiled in March 2022, focuses on medical devices, biopharmaceuticals, vaccines and diagnostics.
The two companies aim to “increase wealth managers’ access to private market investing opportunities”, via the partnership, including “access to institutional-quality alternative investments” which will also encompass real estate, infrastructure and private debt in the future.
Axa IM Alt’s network of wealth managers and their high net worth clients will have access to the offerings via a customised white label solution provided by iCapital.
The products will also be made available of fund distribution network Allfunds, which is a strategic partner of the fintech firm as well.
The investment manager said the partnership “seeks to address the increasing appetite from private investors into alternative asset classes”, as well as expand its presence in the market.
Growing demand
Florence Dard, global head of client group at Axa IM Alts, said: “This partnership is an important step in our strategy to significantly expand our private client base and provide a broader pool of investors with access to diversified, impact-driven alternative solutions.
“Demand for alternative and private market investments amongst wealth managers and their clients is growing, as they seek return drivers beyond the traditional investment universe. In alignment to these demand trends, this partnership further supports our long-term, strategic ambition to expand into the private wealth market.
“We are also seeing heightened interest from the private wealth market for investments that deliver positive environmental and societal impact and through this partnership we are providing private investors both with access to an innovative investment solution, targeting the growing global healthcare market, while also delivering on their impact goals.”
Marco Bizzozero, head of international at iCapital, added: “Wealth managers are increasingly looking to private markets as a way to help their clients to improve their financial outcomes.
“We are delighted to partner with Axa IM Alts, a global leader in alternative investments, in its ambition to be at the forefront of expanding access to private markets for individual investors and meeting increasing demand for impact-driven investments.”
