Launches US Access Fund: Ardian Unveils New Investment Venture in the United States
Ardian Introduces Ardian Access for US Accredited Investors
Ardian, a global private investment firm managing around $180 billion in assets, has launched Ardian Access, an investment vehicle designed to bring private equity opportunities to a broader audience. This move represents a key milestone in Ardian's continued growth into the private wealth market.
Ardian Access is an evergreen private equity fund, allowing for ongoing inflows and prompt capital deployment, which is uncommon in private markets. Unlike traditional private equity funds with fixed lifespans and capital call schedules, Ardian Access offers immediate capital deployment and continuous investment without the typical fund term limits or cash drag (uninvested capital).
The fund accepts minimum investments of €100,000, making it more accessible than typical private equity funds that often require multi-million dollar commitments. It targets accredited US investors and other professional investors, offering diversified, flexible exposure to private markets through a diversified portfolio of private equity assets including secondaries, primaries, and direct co-investments.
Ardian Access leverages Ardian’s large global database of over 650 General Partners (GPs), 1,600 funds, and 10,000 portfolio companies to identify opportunities, with a focus on secondaries and co-investments under Ardian’s “buy what we know” strategy emphasizing high-quality assets and sponsors.
The vehicle is developed in partnership with fintech platform iCapital to provide seamless access and servicing for wealth managers and private investors, expanding access beyond traditional institutional investors. It is also designed to meet the growing demand from private accredited investors and their advisors, representing more than half of Ardian’s Limited Partners by number.
Mark Benedetti, Executive President at Ardian, stated that Ardian Access represents the continued expansion of the firm's Private Wealth Solutions team. Following the US debut, Ardian will launch Ardian Access SICAV-RAIF, a Luxembourg-based evergreen fund with a similar investment strategy.
Ardian Access brings Ardian's proven track record in secondaries and co-investments to sophisticated investors seeking scalable solutions. Over the last four years, Ardian's secondaries team has negotiated over $40bn in transactions, while its co-investment arm has supported over 140 portfolio businesses. The fund uses Ardian's secondary and co-investment platforms, which collectively manage over $104bn.
Private wealth investors will have access to the performance that institutional investors have benefitted from since Ardian's inception. Ardian Access requires a minimum investment of $25,000, making it accessible to a broader variety of accredited investors than standard private equity offerings. The offering is still subject to regulatory approvals and consultations with relevant employee representative bodies.
In summary, Ardian Access offers accredited US investors a more accessible, liquid-like private equity investment compared to standard closed-end private equity funds, which typically require higher minimums, involve locked-up capital for 7-10 years, and have less frequent liquidity opportunities. The fund combines Ardian’s established investment expertise with a flexible evergreen structure and technology-driven access to democratize private equity investing for wealthy individuals and their advisors.
[1] Ardian Press Release, "Ardian Access: Ardian Launches Evergreen Private Equity Fund for Accredited US Investors", 11 May 2023. [2] Private Equity International, "Ardian launches Ardian Access for US accredited investors", 11 May 2023. [3] Pensions & Investments, "Ardian launches Ardian Access, an evergreen private equity fund for accredited US investors", 11 May 2023.
- Ardian Access, the evergreen private equity fund launched by Ardian, a global private investment firm managing around $180 billion in assets, leverages AI and fintech platforms to provide seamless access to private equity investment opportunities for accredited US investors and other professional investors.
- Ardian, a renowned player in private markets, utilizes its extensive network of over 650 General Partners, 1,600 funds, and 10,000 portfolio companies in the private equity industry to power its AI-driven investment strategies, aiming to bring the benefits of private equity and finance to a broader audience through Ardian Access.
