iCapital, CAIA Association Partner on Education on Alternative Investments

iCapital Network and the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association have launched a new, technology-enabled education initiative, AltsEdge, to help advisers better understand alternative investment strategies and how they can diversify portfolios.

The program consists of 10 guided modules covering an overview of the private markets, including private equity, private credit, real assets, hedge funds and registered funds. The platform includes in-program learning assessments, an intuitive dashboard that tracks certification progress and the opportunity for continuing education (CE) credits.

The 10 modules are:

1.) Using alternatives wisely

2.) Understanding the private markets

3.) Private equity

4.) Hedge funds I: Industry overview and market opportunities

5.) Private credit

6.) Hedge funds II: Investment strategies and portfolio considerations

7.) Real assets

8.) Understanding registered funds

9.) Incorporating registered funds in client portfolios

10.) Portfolio construction

iCapital Network conducted a survey in the fourth quarter of last year among 250 investment professionals, the majority of whom were registered investment advisers (RIAs), and found that 85% expect their clients to have an increased appetite for private market strategies this year.

“Clients will continue to want and need greater access to private markets, and they are naturally looking to their financial advisers to manage their investment diversification across a more complex set of offerings,” says William Kelly, chief executive officer of the CAIA Association. “But as advisers act on a broader client allocation model, there is a need to educate. Alternative investments can be a powerful tool when understood and used properly, and we are very pleased to partner with iCapital Network to equip the adviser community with these invaluable learning materials.”

Lawrence Calcano, chairman and CEO of iCapital Network, adds: “Wealth managers are seeing heightened receptivity to alternative investments from clients, but comprehensive, foundational education continues to be cited as a barrier to increased adoption. The best results occur when financial advisers and their clients are appropriately informed on the risks and considerations of investing in alternatives. This program represents both our commitment to our clients’ success and a significant leap forward for the alternative investments education marketplace.”