Unlocking the Potential of Private Markets, with Ryan VanGorder of Opto Investments

“On the Circuit” is a podcast where conversation sparks innovation, hosted by Johnny Sandquist from Three Crowns Marketing. This season, his guests include industry conference attendees from across the country.

Ryan VanGorder, CEO of Opto Investments, is an adventure racer. With two or three other teammates, he hits checkpoints, crosses rivers, hikes mountains and even flips canoes. 

His passion for the sport and solving problems as a team “hands-down relates directly to what [Opto Investments is] doing in terms of solving a real problem in the private market space.”

Opto is an investment platform that helps advisors navigate the private market space. Instead of a map and compass, Ryan provides advisors with “advisor-aligned and -built platform and technology.”

And private markets aren’t just a playground for high-net-worth clients. Ryan believes that a well-balanced portfolio includes both public and private investments.

“We are really looking to unlock the potential of the private markets so that they can be an engine for Alpha in an advisor’s portfolio,” Ryan said. “Advisors are set out to sort of manage toward benchmarks, manage toward return profiles. That will come with some beta market exposure, but to outperform that, they’re going to need to figure out where the Alpha engine really resides in those portfolios.”

That’s where private market access comes into play.

Ryan joins us for episode 43 of “On the Circuit” to share the story of Opto Investments and how the company provides “the Ironman suit” for advisors as they navigate the private markets. He talks with host Johnny Sandquist in a conversation recorded live from the Fearless Investing Summit in October 2023 in Miami.

Click “play” above to listen to the full episode. To hear from more industry friends and experts, subscribe to “On the Circuit” wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Key Takeaways

1. With an Ironman-like suit, Opto helps advisors navigate the private markets and assess risk for clients.
2. Private markets are prime real estate as engines for Alpha in an advisor’s portfolio.
3. A well-balanced portfolio that includes both public and private investments will help clients achieve their end goal.

Key Timestamps and Topics

• 00:00:30 – Ryan shares about his passion for adventure racing, which is rooted in teamwork (much like business).
• 00:02:52 – How does Ryan transfer his passion and team-based approach for adventure racing into Opto?
• 00:04:28 – Private market access is typically thought of as a high-net-worth opportunity, but Opto also hopes to work with mass affluent investors.
• 00:05:35 – Why are alternative investments a critical area to not only have knowledge of, but access to?
• 00:07:25 – What role do private investments play in managing a portfolio’s risk?
• 00:08:42 – What’s the number one thing advisors should do to keep their clients fearless?

Relevant Links

• Download our free ebook, The Advisor’s Guide to Starting a Podcast
• Connect with a member of our team

About Three Crowns

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