Wealthfront Funding and Business Model Explained

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Wealthfront's funding story is a fascinating one.

Wealthfront was founded in 2011 by Andy Rachleff and Dan Carroll, and it has since become one of the largest robo-advisors in the US.

The company has received funding from top-tier investors, including Founders Fund, Ribbit Capital, and Greylock Partners.

Wealthfront's business model is built around providing low-cost, automated investment management services to its clients.

Wealthfront Funding Details

Wealthfront has raised a total of $274.2 million over 8 rounds of funding.

Wealthfront's latest funding round was a Convertible Note for $69.7 million, led by UBS on September 2, 2022.

Wealthfront's valuation in January 2018 was $500 million, making it one of the most valuable fintech companies at the time.

Here's a breakdown of Wealthfront's funding rounds:

Wealthfront's revenue is not publicly disclosed, but it's clear that the company has been growing rapidly since its launch in 2011.

Funding Valuation and Revenue

Wealthfront has raised a significant amount of funding over the years, with a total of $274.2M raised across 8 rounds.

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The company's latest funding round was a Convertible Note for $69.7M on September 2, 2022, led by UBS.

Wealthfront's valuation has been publicly disclosed only once, in January 2018, when it was $500M.

The company's revenue is not publicly disclosed for all funding rounds, but for the 2022 Convertible Note round, it was $X.XXB((X.XXx))FY XXXX.

Here's a breakdown of Wealthfront's funding rounds:

Note that the valuation for the Series G round is listed as $500M, but it's unclear if this is the pre- or post-money valuation.

Deal Terms

Wealthfront's deal structure is available for 5 funding rounds, including their Series G from January 04, 2018.

The company has a clear deal structure in place, outlining the terms for each funding round.

Wealthfront's Series G funding round occurred on January 04, 2018, providing a specific example of their deal structure in action.

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Funding Roundup: 450% Growth

Wealthfront has had an incredible year, growing by a whopping 450%. This impressive growth is a testament to the company's innovative approach to investment management.

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The company's CEO, Adam Nash, attributes this success to the changing attitudes of millennial investors. They want an automated solution that is low-cost and based on passive investing.

Wealthfront's automated investment service has managed to grow to over $800 million in assets. This is a significant milestone for the company, and it's clear that their approach is resonating with investors.

The company's funding round, led by Index Ventures and Ribbit Capital, has brought in $35 million. This brings Wealthfront's total funding to $65 million, a significant amount that will help the company continue to grow and serve its target demographic.

For another approach, see: Your First Million Arlan Hamilton

Investors and Growth

Wealthfront has a total of 64 investors, which is a significant number of people who believe in the company's mission and vision.

One of the notable investors is UBS, an investment bank from Switzerland that invested in Wealthfront's Convertible Note funding round. This funding round was completed on September 2, 2022.

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Wealthfront has also received funding from several venture capital firms, including Social Capital, Index Ventures, Greylock Partners, and Spark Capital. These firms have invested in multiple rounds of funding, with Social Capital and Index Ventures investing in Series D, E, F, and G rounds.

Here's a breakdown of the number of investors and the type of funding they provided:

With this funding, Wealthfront has been able to grow significantly, with a 450% growth rate last year, according to CEO Adam Nash. This growth has also enabled the company to manage over $800 million in assets.

Wealthfront's Business Model

Wealthfront's platform helps clients build and manage a diverse investment portfolio at a lower cost than traditional financial services.

The company's core is its engineering-centric culture, which means it leverages its software to provide professional financial advice.

Wealthfront derives its value from its underlying software, which is a unique approach in the financial services industry.

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The service provides personalized online investment advice and manages the investment account for clients.

Wealthfront charges a monthly advisory fee based on an annual fee rate of 0.25 percent after the first $10,000 invested.

The company doesn't charge an advisory fee on the first $10,000 invested.

Wealthfront's goal is to make sophisticated investment advice accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation.

Wealthfront's Milestones

Wealthfront has come a long way since its inception in 2008. The company was founded by a group of entrepreneurs, including Andy Rachleff and Dan Carroll, who aimed to provide low-cost, automated investment services to the masses.

In 2009, Wealthfront launched its first service, a robo-advisor that used algorithms to create diversified investment portfolios for clients. This marked a significant shift in the financial industry, as it made high-quality investment management accessible to a wider audience.

Wealthfront's user base grew rapidly, reaching 50,000 users by 2011. The company's innovative approach to investing and its commitment to transparency and low fees helped to drive this growth.

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By 2013, Wealthfront had surpassed $1 billion in assets under management. This milestone demonstrated the company's ability to scale and its potential to become a major player in the financial industry.

Today, Wealthfront is one of the largest independent robo-advisors in the US, with over $20 billion in assets under management. Its success has paved the way for other fintech companies to enter the market and has raised the bar for traditional financial institutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the parent company of Wealthfront?

As of January 2022, Wealthfront is a subsidiary of UBS, a global financial services company, following its acquisition for $1.4 billion.

Is there a downside to Wealthfront?

Yes, Wealthfront has fees, with underlying fees potentially increasing to 0.46%, and some features requiring higher account minimums, such as $100,000 for risk parity and US direct indexing

What happens if Wealthfront goes out of business?

If Wealthfront ceases operations, customer assets are typically transferred to another registered brokerage firm, ensuring their safety and protection. Learn more about the safeguards in place to protect your investments

Krystal Bogisich

Lead Writer

Krystal Bogisich is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, she has established herself as a versatile writer capable of tackling a wide range of topics. Her expertise spans multiple industries, including finance, where she has developed a particular interest in actuarial careers.

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