Smartkarma Press Releases

Singapore, 24 February 2025 – Smartkarma, a leading global investment intelligence platform, has significantly expanded its Equity Derivatives (EQD) coverage, strengthening research discovery and access for institutional investors.

This latest expansion aligns with Smartkarma’s commitment to delivering high-quality, independent analysis of stock and stock index-linked derivative and options strategies, ensuring investors have access to timely, data-driven insights in this growing asset class.

Expanding EQD Research Coverage

With the increasing institutional focus on equity derivatives and options-based strategies, Smartkarma now provides coverage of key derivative markets and volatility-driven ideas.

In the past 30 days, 56 EQD insights have been published on Smartkarma, covering topics such as volatility trends, relative value strategies, and structured options trades.

Top Insight Providers Driving EQD Research

Institutional investors on Smartkarma gain access to deep, independent analysis from our derivatives specialists, including:

🔹 Clifton Derivatives – Independent derivative and volatility research firm led by an ex-Portfolio Manager with 25+ years of experience across global equity derivatives markets. Specializing in event-driven strategies, relative value trading, and cross-asset volatility.
Latest research: HSI Index Options Weekly (Feb 17-21): Alibaba Reignites Momentum

🔹 Gaudenz Schneider – Financial economist with 20+ years of investment experience across sell-side derivatives trading and buy-side portfolio management. Applies quantitative strategy and empirical research methodologies to derivatives markets.
Latest research: Tencent (700 HK) – Surging Price, Strikes, and Volatility. A Novel Look with an Animated Chart

🔹 AceGama Advisors – Mumbai-based proprietary options and volatility trading desk led by Sankalp Singh, former Head of Options Trading at FX Concepts. Expertise in listed and OTC derivatives across equity, currency, and commodities.
Latest research: EQD / NSE NIFTY50 Vol Update / India Budget Event Dominates Local Options Markets.

🔹 MRM Research – Quantitative researcher and former Portfolio Manager at Capital Theory Investment Management, LLC. Specializing in statistical modeling of trend persistence and mean reversion across equities, futures, bonds, and FX spot markets.
Latest research: The KOSPI 200’s Rally: Profit Targets, Where to BUY

With this expansion, Smartkarma further strengthens its position as a leading provider of investment intelligence, delivering actionable insights across an ever-growing range of market opportunities.

About Smartkarma

Smartkarma is a global investment intelligence platform based in Singapore. It provides institutional investors with actionable insights, high-touch analyst access and specialist data subscriptions to make informed investment decisions. With a focus on innovation and technology, Smartkarma offers a wide range of data solutions and analytics across various sectors, including equities and commodities. Smartkarma Shareholders include the Singapore Exchange (SGX), Enterprise Singapore Seeds Capital,  Peak XV (formerly Sequoia Capital), Wavemaker and Jungle Ventures. Learn more at smartkarma.com.

Singapore, 13 February 2025 – Smartkarma, a leading global investment intelligence platform, has expanded its coverage to include all US IPOs with a deal size greater than $75 million, providing institutional investors with real-time insights, premium data analytics, and access to top-ranked analysts.

This latest expansion underscores Smartkarma’s commitment to delivering institutional-grade intelligence, ensuring investors have access to timely, high-quality analysis of the most significant market events.

Expanding ECM Research Coverage

With the growing significance of US IPO activity in global equity markets, Smartkarma now provides investors with comprehensive analysis on all US IPOs surpassing $75 million in deal size. In the past 30 days, 54 insights on 17 US IPOs have been published on Smartkarma.

Recent Equity Capital Markets (ECM) research on Smartkarma from IPO Boutique includes:

• Venture Global (VG): Rich valuation raises questions about being already priced for perfection. Read more
• Smithfield Foods, Inc. (SFD): Price sensitivity emerges in another IPO. Read more
• SailPoint, Inc. (SAIL): First software IPO of the year—Thoma Bravo seeks $11.5 billion valuation. Read more

Top Insight Providers Driving ECM Research

Investors on Smartkarma gain access to deep, independent analysis from leading Insight Providers covering ECM:

1. IPO Boutique – With over 20 years of experience in US Equity Capital Markets, IPO Boutique offers pre-IPO research, live trading analysis, and high-touch access to institutional investors.
   🔗 Latest research: SailPoint, Inc. (SAIL) – Blowout Expected as Investors Pile into First Software IPO of 2025
2. Aequitas Research – Specializing in IPOs, placements, and equity capital markets across the Asia-Pacific region, Aequitas Research applies a quantitative framework to deliver holistic views on new listings.
   🔗 Latest research: Alibaba (BABA) 3Q25 Preview: Benefit from Boycott Against Competitor and Disposals
3. Douglas Research Advisory – A seasoned research provider with nearly 30 years of expertise in Korean and Asian equity markets, covering technology, consumer, and M&A trends.
   🔗 Latest research: Block Deal Sale of About 278 Billion Won of Samsung Electronics by Samsung Life and Samsung F&M
4. Global Equity Research Ltd – Established by a team of experienced professionals, this firm focuses on delivering independent, conflict-free, bottom-up fundamental research across global markets.
   🔗 Latest research: HKBN (1310 HK): A Press Report Causes Trepidation
5. Andrei Zakharov – A seasoned investment professional with 10+ years of experience spanning equity capital markets, corporate treasury, investment banking, and portfolio management.
   🔗 Latest research: SailPoint IPO Valuation Analysis: Paying Debt With IPO Proceeds and $1B+ ARR in FY26

With this expansion, Smartkarma further strengthens its position as a leading provider of investment intelligence, delivering actionable insights across an ever-growing range of market opportunities.

About Smartkarma

Smartkarma is a global investment intelligence platform based in Singapore. It provides institutional investors with actionable insights, high-touch analyst access and specialist data subscriptions to make informed investment decisions. With a focus on innovation and technology, Smartkarma offers a wide range of data solutions and analytics across various sectors, including equities and commodities. Smartkarma Shareholders include the Singapore Exchange (SGX), Enterprise Singapore Seeds Capital,  Peak XV (formerly Sequoia Capital), Wavemaker and Jungle Ventures. Learn more at smartkarma.com.

Smartkarma has been included in Tracxn’s 2024 Soonicorn Club of Singapore, recognizing its potential to become a catgegory-leading FinTech company.

SINGAPORE, 17 September 2024: Smartkarma, a leading global investment intelligence platform, is proud to announce its inclusion in the 2024 “Soonicorn Club of Singapore” by Tracxn. This prestigious accolade highlights Smartkarma as one of Singapore’s top Tech companies with significant potential for growth and impact in the financial technology sector.

The Soonicorn Club is an exclusive list curated by Tracxn, celebrating startups that have demonstrated remarkable growth and innovation, with the potential to become unicorns. The selection is based on a rigorous analysis by Tracxn’s specialist teams, which evaluate companies across various metrics, including market size, investment by marquee investors, execution excellence, and future growth prospects.

“We are honored to be recognized in Tracxn’s 2024 Soonicorn Club of Singapore. This accolade is a testament to our team’s dedication to delivering innovative solutions and impactful insights to our clients and partners. At Smartkarma, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of investment intelligence and continuously evolving to meet the needs of the ever-changing financial landscape,” said Raghav Kapoor, CEO and Co-Founder of Smartkarma.

Smartkarma continues to revolutionize the investment intelligence landscape by leveraging the growing ecosystem of independent research providers, with a strong focus on integrating cutting-edge AI technology. Smartkarma remains committed to empowering investors and strategic decision-makers with real-time actionable insight, premium data analytics, and direct connectivity to top-ranked investment analysts.

—–ENDS—–

Media Contact

Arham Jain

Email: [email protected]

 About Smartkarma

Smartkarma is a global investment intelligence platform based in Singapore. It provides institutional investors with actionable insights, high-touch analyst access and specialist data subscriptions to make informed investment decisions. With a focus on innovation and technology, Smartkarma offers a wide range of data solutions and analytics across various sectors, including equities and commodities. Smartkarma Shareholders include the Singapore Exchange (SGX), Enterprise Singapore Seeds Capital,  Peak XV (formerly Sequoia Capital), Wavemaker and Jungle Ventures. Learn more at smartkarma.com.

SINGAPORE, 3 September 2024: Smartkarma, a leading global investment intelligence platform, has announced the acquisition of Helixtap, a prominent global commodities alternative data and insights platform. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in Smartkarma’s strategy to broaden its market presence and enhance its proprietary data services across critical global commodity supply chains.

The acquisition underscores Smartkarma’s commitment to expanding its proprietary data capabilities and institutional coverage, particularly within the commodity and alternative data markets. By integrating Helixtap’s specialized insights and analytics, Smartkarma aims to deliver unparalleled value to its clients and stakeholders through enriched data offerings and enhanced market intelligence into commodities, as well as the related and fast-growing global electric vehicle market. 

Raghav Kapoor, CEO of Smartkarma, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition: “Helixtap brings its commodity DNA to Smartkarma, broadening our customer base, expanding our revenue opportunities, and underscoring our focus on proprietary data. With smart ideas and sound karma, we can cultivate a highly successful outcome.” Kapoor’s statement highlights the strategic alignment between the two companies, emphasizing the growth and innovation potential this acquisition represents.

Helixtap, headquartered in Singapore, is renowned for its expertise in the commodities sector, particularly in pricing complexities related to natural rubber, automotive, and EV industries. Farah Miller, CEO of Helixtap and now Head of Commodity Sales at Smartkarma, commented on the acquisition: “Being a part of Smartkarma marks a pivotal point in the Helixtap journey, empowering us in providing a wider range of innovative solutions to tackle the pricing complexities in the natural rubber industry, and greater automotive and EV sector. We look forward to leveraging synergies, unlocking new opportunities and driving even greater value for our clients and stakeholders together.” 

The strategic goals behind this acquisition are multi-faceted. By combining Smartkarma’s extensive institutional coverage with Helixtap’s specialized commodity insights, the combined entity will enhance its ability to offer comprehensive data assessments and analytics. This strategic blend is particularly timely, given the rapidly shifting dynamics in the global commodities market.

The acquisition comes at a time when we are witnessing an inflection in the demand for rubber amidst higher volatility, La Nina impacts and other supply disruptions. Additionally, new EU deforestation regulations (EUDR) are impacting the supply chain, alongside a strategic focus by various countries on the electric vehicle market and more funds growing their commodities desks. 

Smartkarma and Helixtap both share a strong commitment to leveraging technology to drive industry-leading insights and solutions. As one of Asia’s leading firms across important sectors of the economy, including equities and commodities markets, this acquisition positions the combined entity at the forefront of financial and market intelligence innovation. 

Smartkarma’s acquisition of Helixtap represents a pivotal development in the investment and commodities intelligence landscape. As the financial and commodities markets continue to evolve, this strategic move positions Smartkarma as a leading provider of comprehensive, technology-driven data solutions, equipped to meet the growing demands of its diverse client base.

—–ENDS—–

Media Contact

Arham Jain

Email: [email protected]

 About Smartkarma

Smartkarma is a global investment intelligence platform based in Singapore. It provides institutional investors with actionable insights, high-touch analyst access and specialist data subscriptions to make informed investment decisions. With a focus on innovation and technology, Smartkarma offers a wide range of data solutions and analytics across various sectors, including equities and commodities. Smartkarma Shareholders include the Singapore Exchange (SGX), Enterprise Singapore Seeds Capital,  Peak XV (formerly Sequoia Capital), Wavemaker and Jungle Ventures. Learn more at smartkarma.com.

About Helixtap 

Helixtap is a global commodities alternative data and insights platform headquartered in Singapore. Specializing in pricing complexities and market dynamics, Helixtap provides cutting-edge solutions and analytics for the natural rubber industry, automotive sector, and electric vehicle market. The company is known for its expertise in delivering accurate and actionable data to support decision-making across the commodities landscape. Helixtap’s clients include a mixture of clients in the physical and financial commodities markets globally comprising financial institutions, exchanges, commodities Trading desks and funds. Learn more at helixtap.com.

This press release is intended for informational purposes and provides an overview of the acquisition between Smartkarma and Helixtap. For more detailed information or to arrange interviews, please reach out to the contact listed above.

SINGAPORE, 26 July 2024: Smartkarma, the independent investment research network, is excited to announce the addition of two distinguished Insight Providers to its platform, further enriching the depth and breadth of coverage available to subscribers.

These new additions will provide actionable, data-backed insights, offering a comprehensive view of the global economy.

• Vincy Ip, Global Healthcare Strategist

Vincy Ip joins Smartkarma with over a decade of experience in the healthcare sector, particularly in the Greater China region. She has held key positions at UBS and CLSA, leading the MedTech sector and achieving top client interaction rankings. Her career also includes roles at BNP Paribas, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley.

Vincy’s strength lies in her extensive industry connections and her ability to deliver in-depth, actionable insights. She combines a strong regional focus in Greater China with a keen understanding of global healthcare trends, especially in Japan, Korea, and the US. Vincy is also adept at organizing investor trips and field visits to engage with key healthcare players across Hong Kong and China.

• Alex Ching-Yiu Ng, Founder of Fortress Hill Advisors

Alex Ching-Yiu Ng is a seasoned macro researcher and analyst with a robust background in economic, investment, and quantitative research. He has served as an Asia economist at Continuum Economics and as a researcher at the Asian Institute of International Financial Law. His career includes providing insights into economic and political risks in China and the Asia-Pacific region for clients like Siemens and Daimler.

Alex’s unique edge comes from his diverse experience across government economics, academia, and custodian banking. He founded Fortress Hill Advisors in 2019, leading a team dedicated to delivering premium macro economic and financial research, focusing on regions such as Hong Kong, China, and the US.

Stay in the loop and check out their exclusive insights on Smartkarma.

About Smartkarma

Smartkarma is the independent investment research network that provides differentiated, independent analysis on companies, markets, and industries across the world. Smartkarma’s online platform empowers asset managers and private accredited investors who want to access market-moving, differentiated intelligence; corporates who need to maximise their outreach; and analysts who wish to reach global investors with their written reports and bespoke services. In 2021, Smartkarma received the Knowledge Enterprise Award at the Singapore FinTech Festival Global FinTech Awards. Smartkarma is backed by notable investors such as Sequoia Capital, SGX, Wavemaker Partners, Jungle Ventures, and Enterprise Singapore. Learn more at smartkarma.com

SINGAPORE, 29 May 2024: Smartkarma, the independent investment research network, is pleased to announce significant additions to its roster of Insight Providers.

The following additions further enhance the breadth and depth of global coverage available on Smartkarma, providing subscribers with actionable and data-backed insights, and offering a more comprehensive view of the global economy.

1. Michael Allen, Director, Azabu Research

Michael Allen specializes in turnaround situations and short-ideas in the Japanese stock market. He is best known for his innovative and prescient coverage of Japanese retail companies as a sell-side analyst over a span of more than 30 years. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions at Japan Advisory and Anova Fund, a market-neutral, sector-neutral fund.

More recently, he produced research at Macquarie Japan and Jefferies. Michael holds certificates in corporate governance from both the Board Director Training Institute of Japan and the Wharton School. His comprehensive research focuses on distressed equities in Japan, and his reports are known for their thoroughness, including forensic tests for fraudulent overstatement of assets and understatement of liabilities. Michael’s unique approach combines rigorous market and industry analysis with detailed earnings models and direct access to the analyst.

2. Douglas Busch, Founder, Chartsmarter.com

Douglas Busch is a market technician who has spent over 30 years on Wall Street. He has a diverse background, including roles in market making, proprietary trading, and foreign securities trading. Douglas specializes in independent equity research, consulting, and portfolio reviews across all asset classes in global markets. He was a nationally ranked tennis player.

His expertise lies in leveraging his deep understanding of technical indicators and market trends to offer portfolio managers actionable investment guidance and refine their timing across various asset classes, helping to uncover hidden market opportunities.

3. Avien Pillay, Founder, daaimon

Avien Pillay is a multi-skilled investment professional with over 20 years of experience in both developed and emerging markets, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. Throughout his career, he has held multiple roles, including Vice President of Emerging Markets at AllianceBernstein, where he co-managed a $1.5 billion fund and specialized in pharmaceuticals among other sectors. He also served as Head of Research at Old Mutual Wealth, overseeing both local and global research initiatives, and analyzed key sectors including healthcare at Cadiz Asset Management.

Avien specializes in healthcare research in both emerging and developed markets. His approach combines bottom-up and top-down analysis with a strong bias to qualitative analysis, generating actionable investment ideas.

4. Garvit Bhandari, Founder, GSBR Research

Garvit holds an MBA in Finance and brings wide-ranging experience from a diverse professional career in consulting and finance-centered roles. As the Founder and CEO of GSBR Research, he has led the company for over 11 years, specializing in independent fundamental analysis on equities in developed markets.

GSBR Research is renowned for delivering excellence in financial modeling, initiation coverage, earnings updates, valuation, sector write-ups, and thematic research, with a proven commitment to scalability, cost-effectiveness, and quality.

Stay in the loop and check out their exclusive insights on Smartkarma.

About Smartkarma

Smartkarma is the independent investment research network that provides differentiated, independent analysis on companies, markets, and industries across the world. Smartkarma’s online platform empowers asset managers and private accredited investors who want to access market-moving, differentiated intelligence; corporates who need to maximise their outreach; and analysts who wish to reach global investors with their written reports and bespoke services. In 2021, Smartkarma received the Knowledge Enterprise Award at the Singapore FinTech Festival Global FinTech Awards. Smartkarma is backed by notable investors such as Sequoia Capital, SGX, Wavemaker Partners, Jungle Ventures, and Enterprise Singapore. Learn more at smartkarma.com

SINGAPORE, 22 April 2024: Smartkarma, the independent investment research network,  is pleased to announce significant additions to its roster of Insight Providers.

The following additions further enhance the breadth and depth of global coverage available on Smartkarma, providing subscribers with actionable and data-backed insights, and offering a more comprehensive view of the global economy.

1. Sankalp Singh, Founder, AceGama Advisors
   Starting as a buy-side analyst in 2004, Sankalp Singh advanced to senior roles in investment research and options trading at FX Concepts in New York. In 2012, he founded AceGama Advisors in India, focusing on derivative strategies in multiple asset classes. Their approach combines proprietary analytics and data systems to inform their trading decisions and strategies and have started developing a research product on the NSE uniquely for Smartkarma.
2. David Mudd, Asian Hedge Fund Manager, L/S Equity, Macro
   David Mudd, a veteran hedge fund manager based in Hong Kong, brings over 20 years of experience managing Asian Long/Short Equity funds. His approach blends macroeconomic analysis with detailed, bottom-up analysis, augmented by advanced technical analysis to identify thematic investment opportunities across Asia-Pacific.
3. Mark Jolley, Lead Analyst, Transparently.AI
   With nearly four decades of experience, Mark Jolley has a storied career in investment strategy, advising major global funds and accurately predicting significant economic downturns. At Transparently.AI, he now leads efforts to employ AI to detect early signs of accounting manipulation and fraud. Their system focuses on uncovering potential corporate failures early, showcasing high accuracy in predicting high-profile fraud cases akin to Enron or Wirecard.
4. Rikki Malik, Analyst/PM in Asia-focused, long-short, equity hedge fund
   With a 12-year background in Long/Short Equity and as a Chartered Accountant, Rikki Malik is a seasoned professional with a comprehensive top-down macro analysis approach. His expertise allows him to seamlessly transition into selecting investment themes and stocks that promise value. This method helps him navigate the complexities of the Asian financial landscape, developing strategic investment insights.
5. Mohshin Aziz, Global Mobility/Transport, L/S Equity
   Specializing in aviation, Mohshin Aziz has extensive experience across continents and a deep focus on the aviation industry, covering airlines, travel tours, airports, airport retail & services, OEMs, online travel agents, aircraft lessors, air cargo/logistics in the APAC region. He leverages an active watchlist of 190 companies across 41 countries to identify compelling investment opportunities in the cyclical aviation sector.

Stay in the loop and check out their exclusive insights on Smartkarma.

About Smartkarma

Smartkarma is the independent investment research network that provides differentiated, independent analysis on companies, markets, and industries across the world. Smartkarma’s online platform empowers asset managers and private accredited investors who want to access market-moving, differentiated intelligence; corporates who need to maximise their outreach; and analysts who wish to reach global investors with their written reports and bespoke services. In 2021, Smartkarma received the Knowledge Enterprise Award at the Singapore FinTech Festival Global FinTech Awards. Smartkarma is backed by notable investors such as Sequoia Capital, SGX, Wavemaker Partners, Jungle Ventures, and Enterprise Singapore. Learn more at smartkarma.com