Rise Growth Partners strikes inaugural RIA partnership

Nearly a year after Joe Duran first unveiled his vision for a synergistic financial partner for growth-minded RIAs, Rise Growth Partners has announced its first strategic investment.

Rise announced Tuesday that it has acquired a minority stake in Bleakley Financial Group, a prominent wealth advisory firm with over $10 billion in advisory assets as of June 30, 2024, marking Rise’s first step in its mission to support growth-oriented RIAs nationwide.

Bleakley, with a history spanning more than three decades, views the partnership as a critical step in its strategy to accelerate geographic expansion while maintaining its client-centered approach.

“As a firm built by advisors for advisors, our focus has always been on growth. We take pride in consistently delivering high-caliber planning and investment strategies to our clients,” Andy Schwartz, principal at Bleakley, said in a statement Tuesday.

He emphasized that Rise offers more than just financial backing, describing it as “a strategic partner with not only capital but also the expertise to expand a national firm that attracts top-tier growth-oriented advisors.”

Joe Duran, managing partner at Rise, highlighted how “Bleakley exemplifies all the essential pillars we seek in firms that we will partner with,” including its experienced management team, client-centric culture, and platform to let advisors perform at the fullest extent of competence and professionalism allowed by their license.

“From the inception of Rise and with each new addition to our team, our focus has never been solely on deal-making, but on making a meaningful impact,” Duran said.

In February this year, Rise got a financial kickstart for its vision as it secured a $250 million investment commitment from Charlesbank Capital Partners.

Duran first declared his vision to support the next generation of RIAs' growth ambitions during the Future Proof festival at Huntington Beach last September.

"We’re going to help build [these firms,]” Duran told InvestmentNews at the time. “We’re not just money. I wouldn’t do this if it was just money.”