Alternative Investment Managers Tap Wealth Channel to Drive Capital Growth and Go Digital for the DIY Investor

A powerful transformation is underway in the world of alternative asset management. Once reliant primarily on institutional investors, alternative investment managers and sponsors are now increasingly turning to the human financial advisor "wealth channel" to raise capital for their funds. This strategic pivot is gaining momentum as data shows independent wealth is no longer a passive player in the alternatives space.
According to the inaugural CAIS Alternative Asset Manager Survey, a striking 93% of alternative asset managers now view the wealth channel as a higher priority than just two years ago. This shift reflects a broader reorientation toward the independent financial advisor and high-net-worth investor segments.
The Wealth Channel Takes Center Stage
Managers on platforms like CAIS are not only acknowledging this shift—they’re actively building infrastructure to support it. Key actions include:
- Hiring for Distribution: 82% of firms have hired new sales professionals focused specifically on financial advisors, more than double the figure from 2022.
- New Fund Structures: Over 80% of managers plan to roll out new funds or structures tailored to the wealth channel, including popular evergreen formats like interval funds, tender offer funds, and business development companies (BDCs).
- Product Line Expansion: Many sponsors are proactively expanding their product offerings in anticipation of increased advisor-led allocations to alternatives by 2026.
The move toward advisor-focused distribution models marks a fundamental evolution in how alternatives are sold. These managers are not just experimenting with the wealth channel—they are investing in it as a core growth driver.
Going Beyond Advisors: Alture Funds and the DIY Wealth Investor
While the human advisor channel is attracting major attention, the democratization of alternatives is not stopping there. Digital platforms like alturefunds.com are expanding capital access even further by targeting the digital-native, self-managed investor.
This growing cohort of DIY investors, often more tech-savvy and research-driven, is increasingly comfortable allocating to non-traditional asset classes—especially when presented through intuitive, direct-to-consumer platforms. Alturefunds.com acts as a bridge between these investors and alternative sponsors, offering curated access to private funds without the need for a financial intermediary.
Conclusion
The surge in alternative managers targeting the wealth channel is a sign of a maturing market—one that acknowledges the power of independent wealth and retail capital. With traditional advisors being supported through new fund structures and expanded sales teams, and digital-native investors gaining access through platforms like alturefunds.com, the landscape for alternative capital raising is diversifying rapidly.
As alternative asset managers look to grow and scale in a competitive fundraising environment, embracing both the traditional wealth advisor and the modern self-directed investor will be key to success in the years ahead.