Cerity Partners expands again through merger with VC firm

Cerity Partners is expanding its venture capital capabilities and offering to corporations and businesses, by merging with a specialist VC firm.

The independent wealth management firm is merging with Touchdown Ventures, a leading provider of advisory services for corporate VC programs.

Touchdown will operate as Cerity Partners Ventures and enable Cerity to expand its offering to include ‘venture capital as a service’ and enhance the firm’s services for private clients. The merger also boosts Cerity’s footprint in key growth-oriented markets, including Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

“Our partnership with Touchdown Ventures comes during a period of significant growth for Cerity Partners and will be instrumental in deepening our offering to corporate partners,” said Kurt Miscinski, CEO of Cerity Partners. “Touchdown’s best-in-industry VC professionals, coupled with our shared fiduciary commitment to deliver exceptional service in our clients’ best interest, make them an ideal partner. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome the Touchdown team.”

Cerity recently appointed 20-year industry veteran Todd Cassler to its leadership as chief growth officer, a newly created position for the Chicago-based RIA.

Touchdown was founded a decade ago and as part of Cerity it will gain additional experience and scale to serve startup entrepreneurs and their venture capital investors.

“Our relationship with Cerity Partners amplifies our team’s ability to provide the best possible venture capital services for corporations seeking access to external innovation. This merger reinforces the commitment of our team to continue our mission, and I speak for my co-founders in saying that we are excited to keep doing what we are doing together with our new colleagues at Cerity Partners.”

Note: Story updated to remove Touchdown's AUM which was incorrect in the supplied information.