For this issue of WealthTech Talks, we caught up with Kendrick Wakeman, Co-Founder and CEO of WealthTech Strategy Partners, the only investment bank focused solely on WealthTech.
In this interview, Wakeman shared his insight into why WealthTech Strategy Partners was founded to meet the specialised advisory needs of the WealthTech ecosystem and how its exclusive focus unlocks unique value for clients navigating complex strategic decisions. Wakeman also shared his views on the future of WealthTech, highlighting both the opportunities in adviser enablement and AI-driven infrastructure, as well as the challenges that founders face around capital access, differentiation and integration in a rapidly consolidating market.
“There are a lot of emerging WealthTech companies with amazing technology and vision, but a shortened runway in the new funding environment. Our approach is to combine the revenue-building services of a traditional consultant with the execution capabilities of an investment bank. Founders and venture capitalists know that we would not just drive them to a transaction. We take the time to really get to know the business and help build revenue first, which leads to a much better outcomes if it comes to raising capital or a strategic transaction.” — Kendrick Wakeman, CFA, Co-Founder and CEO of WealthTech Strategy Partners
Could you provide a brief introduction to your business?
WealthTech Strategy Partners is the only investment bank solely focused on the WealthTech sector. Our firm was founded to address a gap in the market: founders, investors and platforms in the wealth management space need advisers who deeply understand the nuances of WealthTech. Rather than act as a generalist or serve all of FinTech broadly, we chose to go deep, offering specialised M&A advisory, capital raising and strategic consulting services that align with the specific needs of the WealthTech sector.
Though the firm is relatively young, our team and advisory board offer decades of experience in financial services, operations, strategic advisory and investment negotiation. This has quickly earned us the reputation as a trusted adviser to early-stage and growth-stage WealthTech companies, as well as the investors and strategics who support them.
In the wealth management sector, what types of clients do you primarily work with and target?
We primarily work with founders and executive teams of early to mid-stage WealthTech companies, typically those with US$1 million to US$50 million in annual revenue, across the US and globally. Our clients include software platforms that serve financial advisers, RIAs, asset managers, broker-dealers, custodians and family offices, as well as infrastructure providers powering advisory workflows. We also advise private equity firms, venture capital groups and large strategic buyers that are looking to invest in or acquire WealthTech assets.
Why do your existing and target clients choose to work with you? What makes your solutions relevant and distinct from your competitors?
Clients choose us because we bring deep specialisation, not generalist advice. We know WealthTech inside and out. It is not a vertical we occasionally touch; it is all we do. This focus allows us to offer pattern recognition, buyer/investor alignment and market insights that generalist firms simply can not replicate. We also blend the capabilities of an investment bank with the mindset of an operator and a consultant, taking the time to understand each client’s unique challenges and positioning them for the best long-term outcomes, not just a transaction.
What is next for your business? Can you share the firm's current focus and future plans, such as product development, market expansion and strategic goals?
Our current focus is on expanding our strategic advisory services in key growth areas like TAMPs, adviser enablement and alternative investments. We have recently brought onboard additional senior advisers and are growing our coverage of both venture capital and PE-backed firms. Looking forward, we plan to deepen our relationships with institutional investors, expand internationally, and launch proprietary market research to help clients and partners better understand where WealthTech is heading. Everything we do is centred around helping the ecosystem grow, intelligently and sustainably.
Based on your experience in the wealth management sector, what key opportunities and challenges do you foresee for firms today and in the next three years?
Opportunities:
- The continued shift toward fee-based advisory and holistic planning is creating massive demand for flexible, integrated tech stacks.
- Consolidation among RIAs and BDs is opening the door for platforms that enable scale and adviser productivity.
- AI and data infrastructure are poised to redefine core workflows, creating differentiation for firms that invest early.
Challenges:
- The capital markets environment remains volatile, making fundraising and exits more difficult for early-stage firms as many investors, especially in the venture capital space, have prioritised liquidity and more mature companies.
- Integrating across legacy systems and fragmented data sources continues to limit innovation.
- As competition increases, WealthTech firms must find ways to stand out, either by vertical specialisation, feature depth, or ecosystem partnerships.
About WealthTech Strategy Partners
WealthTech Strategy Partners is the only investment bank focused exclusively on the WealthTech sector. We specialise in raising capital for WealthTech startups, executing full-service mergers and acquisitions, identifying strategic partnerships and advising on corporate venture capital initiatives. Our singular focus on WealthTech allows us to deliver unmatched market insight, deep industry relationships, and executional excellence tailored to the unique needs of founders, investors and strategic acquirers in this fast-evolving space.
For more information, click here to view WealthTech Strategy Partner's profile.
About the WealthTech Talks Interview Series
In the WealthTech Talks interview series, we interview senior executives from leading wealth management firms, solution providers, and WealthTech influencers to learn more about them, their journey, their perspectives on the market and how they see the future of wealth management.
Read the latest editions in the series below!
