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Smartkarma Press Releases

Jan 29
0

Smartkarma expands to North America with its innovative research platform for unconflicted and independent research in Asian equities

By | Smartkarma Press Releases

New US operations & NYC office to support US fund managers looking to the Asian markets.

SINGAPORE, LONDON, NEW YORK, January 29, 2018 – Smartkarma, Asia’s largest provider of independent investment research, today announced the opening of its New York City office, headed by 30-year industry veteran Warren Yeh. Smartkarma is well positioned to expand into American markets after recently completing its Series B funding round, led by Sequoia Capital. With a base in New York, Smartkarma aims to bring unprecedented on-the-ground reach and insight into Asian markets for US-based asset managers. Smartkarma has expanded from its headquarters in Singapore to five locations around the world, servicing a global client base comprising of some of the world’s largest asset managers.

By bringing together the best independent insight providers and asset managers in one collaborative ecosystem, Smartkarma is reinventing the way research is created and consumed, with timely insights delivered in an intuitive and engaging way. Smartkarma has demonstrated rapid growth since its launch in April 2016, with its top ten clients alone accounting for US$13.5 trillion of assets under management.

Raghav Kapoor, Co-founder and CEO of Smartkarma comments, “The demand for differentiated and unconflicted research is rapidly rising and US markets are no exception. Our Insight Providers, based in-country, provide US funds with local insight in areas underrepresented in traditional investment bank research, including IPO/M&A analysis, event-driven special situations as well as small and mid-cap company research.”

Smartkarma’s cloud-based platform brings together:

  • Over 400 Insight Providers covering in excess of 2,400 companies across 15 Asia Pacific markets.
  • Instant access to analysts, creating on-demand and real-time coverage which is invaluable to investors sitting in a distant time zone.
  • A unique Spotify-esque business model that enables asset managers to pay a single subscription for unlimited, personalised access to insight across all providers.

By adopting a model such as Smartkarma’s, with transparent subscription pricing. US managers are responding proactively to evolving regulatory changes such as MiFID II in Europe, which came into effect on 3rd January 2018 and has had a global impact. This aligns interests as many managers are starting to pay for research services out of their own P&L.

Leading Smartkarma in the US, Warren Yeh brings 30 years of buy-side experience in Asian and the US financial markets. Yeh notes, “As US investors hunt for alpha, many are looking for opportunities outside the domestic market of the US and see the emerging markets of Asia as still cheap, relative to historical levels and other asset classes. Smartkarma is an excellent fit for US funds investing into Asia, providing a level of transparency and independent insight that has not been available until now.”

Smartkarma media contact:

Chanda Shingadia

Tel: +44(0)7951163615

Email: [email protected]

About Warren Yeh

Warren Yeh is the Head of US Operations for Smartkarma and has over 30 years of industry experience. Prior roles include setting up and developing the New York office for Vickers Ballas’ – Singapore’s largest brokerage firm – as well as Managing Partner of Adapa Partners, LLC a long/short Asian equity hedge fund which he co-founded in 2000. Yeh has also managed the Japanese and Asian equity investments for the USAA International Fund and had various roles in the equity investment research space.

About Smartkarma

Smartkarma unlocks the value of independent insight, providing investors with high-quality, unique, expert opinion on timely themes and topics across companies, industries, and markets in Asia. Insight can be customized to individual investor needs and updated in real time as investment strategies change, helping investors consolidate relevant information and stay abreast of evolving, complex financial issues. In addition to large-cap bottom-up, coverage also includes frontier markets, small and mid-caps and in-depth event driven/IPO analysis, helping Smartkarma’s global client base generate new trade ideas.

Smartkarma saves investors and insight providers valuable time by providing new ways to create, engage with, and distribute insight with its innovative use of technology and direct access to experts through its responsive, intuitive platform. Its market changing business model also meets evolving regulatory requirements, such as MiFID II. For more information please visit www.smartkarma.com

Nov 06
0

Smartkarma Raises Series B Round Led by Sequoia Capital

By | Smartkarma Press Releases

Fundraise to drive international expansion and reshape the investment research industry

SINGAPORE, November 6, 2017– Smartkarma, Asia’s largest provider of independent investment research, today announced it has closed a Series B round of financing led by Sequoia India, which brings the company’s total funding to US $21 million.

Smartkarma is disrupting the traditional model of investment research, which has long been dominated by investment banks. It is a model in a state of flux: banks are under pressure from regulators to improve pricing transparency and resolve inherent conflicts between their research and investment banking departments. Many investment banks are also downsizing research desks due to cost constraints, resulting in a decline in the depth and breadth of coverage of certain stocks, assets and sectors.

Smartkarma’s platform connects investment managers with a large community of experts and analysts, and a wealth of independent, unbiased research. The company has seen rapid adoption since the launch of its platform in 2016.

  • Over 400 independent analysts covering more than 2,400 companies across 15 Asian markets, now contribute to Smartkarma’s cloud-based platform.
  • Insights are published daily with active minute by minute discussions, where themes and ideas are debated, discussed and questioned among a community of experts, in real time.
  • Over 150 leading institutional asset managers have subscribed, including sovereign wealth funds, global asset managers, hedge funds, boutiques and family offices, worldwide.
  • The top 10 clients alone have over $13.5 trillion under management.

The company was founded in Singapore in 2014 by Raghav Kapoor, Jon Foster and Lee Mitchell who, together, have over 35 years’ experience in equity research, marketing and sales. Kapoor and Foster were also co-founders of Aviate Research, which was acquired in 2010 by Religare Capital Markets.

Existing investors, including Wavemaker Partners, Jungle Ventures and Spring Seeds, joined the Series B round led by Sequoia India. The continued support of these leading venture capital firms underscores Smartkarma’s future growth and market opportunity.

“The traditional equity research model has been broken for a while. Smartkarma is empowering independent researchers and creating a new paradigm of transparent pricing in this industry.” said Shailendra Singh, Managing Director of Sequoia Capital (India) Singapore Pte Ltd.  “The early success of the company is a strong testament to their innovative business model, and the team at Sequoia is excited to be part of this journey.”

Smartkarma will use the funds to consolidate its leadership position in the Asia Pacific region by strengthening its network of independent Insight Providers, augmenting the tools and features on the platform, as well as offering further services beyond the published content currently available. The additional funding will also support Smartkarma’s international expansion. In September, Smartkarma launched a UK office, which will serve as a hub to build out its independent research analyst community in Europe and support its buy-side investor clientele.

Smartkarma’s expansion comes at a time when the EU is rolling out MiFID II, banking legislation that will  force transparency around the supply and payment for research. That legislation, which comes into effect in January 2018, requires investment banks to charge for research, which has long been bundled with trading commissions and other services fees. Institutional investors are seeking innovative research solutions as the deadline for compliance with MiFID II approaches.

“We are immensely proud of the innovative ways Smartkarma is reshaping the investment research industry and the voice we are giving to independent Insight Providers. We recognized early on that the market was fractured and there was an opportunity to reinvent how research is created, shared and used in order to drive an unconflicted and efficient industry,” said Jon Foster, Co-founder and Chairman of Smartkarma. “This round allows us to extend our global reach and insight offerings to bring true value to investors.”

Smartkarma: Media Contact:  [email protected]

About Smartkarma

Smartkarma’s cloud based platform provides access to a wide range of independent research from over 120 investment insight firms, comprised of over 400 contributing analysts. Its community has written on more than 2,400 companies across 15 Asian markets, offering unconflicted, on the ground coverage in areas under covered by the traditional research providers, including frontier markets, small and mid-caps and in-depth, event driven IPO analysis. Smartkarma notably provides investors with direct access to research contributors, creating a strong correlation between research demand and supply.

Smartkarma saves investors and insight providers valuable time and provides new ways to create, engage with and distribute insight with its innovative use of technology and direct access to experts through its responsive, intuitive platform. Its market changing business model also meets evolving regulatory requirements, such as MiFID II. For more information please visit www.smartkarma.com

Sep 25
0

Smartkarma Expands into Europe to Bring Innovation and Transparent Pricing to European Investment Research, Addressing MiFID II Concerns

By | Smartkarma Press Releases

Smartkarma’s new UK office leads call for expert, independent research providers in Europe to join its collaborative, digital ecosystem   

SINGAPORE, LONDON, 25 September 2017– Smartkarma, Asia’s largest provider of independent investment research, today announced the opening of its new UK office to serve as a hub to build out its independent research analyst community in Europe and support its buy-side investor clientele. Arzish Baaquie, who joined the firm in 2014 and previously led the Special Situations offering, is spearheading the growth of Smartkarma in the UK and will build a team based in Baker Street, London.

Smartkarma’s move to the UK coincides with major banking legislation, MiFID II, which takes effect in January 2018 and is forcing transparency around the supply and payment of research. The goal for European regulators is the ‘unbundling’ of research; rather than assets managers receiving research ‘free’ from banks alongside trading revenues, it must now be transparently and fairly priced and paid for. As the deadline for complying with MiFID II is fast approaching, institutional investors are seeking ways to improve their strategies with new innovative solutions in how they search for, access and filter the best research.

“The research industry is under significant stress from MIFID II, and it is no secret that we plan to take full advantage of this fractured market. Our transparent subscription model and open access to the complete ecosystem of research and analysts means that investors are MiFID II compliant and can access independent research through an innovative, cloud-based platform,” says Jon Foster, Co-founder and Chairman of Smartkarma.

Innovation has been slow within the research sector, generally limited to research aggregators and traditional banks uploading current offline offerings online. Smartkarma has taken a different, network approach, one which has seen huge success across numerous other digitally disrupted industries, such as music, TV or film. Currently, with over 400 independent analysts based across 15 Asian markets, investment managers globally can take advantage of Smartkarma’s expert insights, delivered when and how they need it. This network is now set to expand across Europe to extend the benefits of the platform with further local, in-country coverage.

Smartkarma’s community of analysts and experts coexist and collaborate on the Smartkarma platform, allowing investment managers access to independent and unbiased research and the authors that created it. By using a simple set of tools and personalised alerts and trending insights, information overload issues are addressed, removing clutter and bringing the most useful and timely research for any given event or investment strategy into focus One of the most innovative benefits to investors is the platform’s ability to provide differing opinions from multiple analysts, on the same topic. Never before have bullish and bearish insights been at the investors fingertips, enabling investors to join the dots and make their own profitable decisions.

Independent insight providers in Europe can register interest with Smartkarma and after a vetting process to ensure appropriate expertise and coverage, they can join the platform with publishing tools and data sets readily available. Analysts can maintain their focus on producing timely and effective research to the market, as Smartkarma facilitates the access of this content to market.

“We are the largest provider of independent research in Asia with over 400 analysts and I have been selected to help replicate that success in Europe,” says Arzish Baaquie, Head of UK at Smartkarma.  “As the industry continues to evolve, we have already shown that we have reinvented how independent research is created, supplied and consumed. We are rapidly expanding our network of insight providers across Europe and establishing operations in London is a natural next step.”

Smartkarma: Media Contact:  [email protected]

About Smartkarma

Smartkarma’s cloud based platform provides access to a wide range of independent research from over 120 investment insight firms, comprised of over 400 contributing analysts. Its community has written on more than 1700 companies across 15 Asian markets, offering unconflicted, on the ground coverage in areas under covered by the traditional research providers, including frontier markets, small and mid-caps and in-depth, event driven IPO analysis.  Smartkarma notably provides investors with direct access to research contributors, creating a strong correlation between research demand and supply.

Smartkarma saves investors and insight providers valuable time and provides new ways to create, engage with and distribute insight with its innovative use of technology and direct access to experts through its responsive, intuitive platform. Its market changing business model also meets evolving regulatory requirements, such as MiFID II.  For more information please visit www.smartkarma.com

About Arzish Baaquie

Smartkarma’s UK office will be led by Arzish Baaquie, who prior to Smartkarma, worked across several financial institutions, including Merrill Lynch, BNP Paribas and Bloomberg LP. His most recent role was at TC Capital, a boutique investment bank focused on mergers and acquisitions, where he spent three years advising on various transactions across Southeast Asia.  Arzish joined the Smartkarma team in 2014, and began writing insights under the Special Situations vertical, with a focus on merger arbitrage opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region.  He progressed to the position of Head of Special Situations, before taking a one-year sabbatical in 2016, to complete a Masters in Finance at London Business School. He is a recipient of the MAS Financial Scholarship, which is awarded to promising Singaporean financial sector professionals.

Sep 13
0

Smartkarma Partners with ULLINK to Offer Collaborative Independent Research Platform via the NYFIX Portal

By | Smartkarma Press Releases

SINGAPORE, 13 September, 2017 – Smartkarma, Asia’s largest provider of independent research, and ULLINK, a global provider of electronic trading and connectivity solutions to the financial community, today announced the immediate availability of the Smartkarma research platform via the NYFIX Portal. Targeting the growing need for transparent pricing and unconflicted research for the buy-side, driven by regulatory focus on unbundling research from current commission structures, the partnership gives NYFIX buy-side members access to quality, independent research on Asian markets.

Smartkarma’s cloud based platform provides access to a wide range of independent research from 135 investment insight firms, comprised of over 400 contributing analysts who have written on more than 1700 companies across 15 Asian markets. It offers unconflicted, on-the-ground coverage in areas that are typically less well covered by traditional research providers, including frontier markets, small and mid-caps and in-depth, event driven IPO analysis. Smartkarma notably provides investors with direct access to research contributors, creating a strong correlation between research demand and supply. Access via the NYFIX Portal makes this research immediately accessible to the NYFIX community of more than 800 buy-side participants.

Smartkarma co-founder, Jon Foster, notes, “ULLINK’s NYFIX community is one of the largest trading communities in the world, and we are excited to offer access to our research services for its members, helping them to develop more effective trading strategies and understand market movements in real time.”

ULLINK’s NYFIX Portal is a service delivery platform providing NYFIX members with access to a range of trading and investment services, provided directly by ULLINK and by a growing range of third-party vendors. Smartkarma is the first independent research platform to offer their service though the NYFIX Portal under the auspices of ULLINK’s Global Alliance Program (GAP), providing the NYFIX buy-side community with access to quality, independent research on Asian markets to improve their trading strategy formulation.

ULLINK’s Global Head of Business Development, Philippe Carré, commented, “We are delighted to partner with Smartkarma, our first partnership with such an innovative research platform. Smartkarma targets the macro trend for unbundling payment for research and execution services, and provides an innovative approach based on collaborative contributions from its community. We believe our NYFIX buy-side community will benefit hugely from access to this service, and integration with our NYFIX Portal makes such access seamless.”

 

About Smartkarma

Smartkarma unlocks the value of independent insight, providing investors with high-quality, unique, expert opinion on timely themes and topics across companies, industries and markets in Asia. Insight can be customized to individual investor needs and updated in real time as investment strategies change, helping investors consolidate relevant information and stay abreast of evolving, complex financial issues. In addition to large cap bottom up, coverage also includes frontier markets, small and mid-caps and in-depth event driven IPO analysis, helping Smartkarma’s global client base generate new trade ideas.

Smartkarma saves investors and insight providers valuable time and provides new ways to create, engage with and distribute insight with its innovative use of technology and direct access to experts through its responsive, intuitive platform. Its market changing business model also meets evolving regulatory requirements, such as MiFID II.  For more information please visit www.smartkarma.com

For more information please visit www.smartkarma.com

Contact:

[email protected]

Helen Toft +44 7989 420 445

 

About ULLINK 

ULLINK is a global provider of market leading multi-asset trading technology and infrastructure for buy-side and sell-side market participants, including NYFIX, one of the industry’s largest FIX based trading communities. Trusted by over 150 of the world’s top-tier banks and brokers, the company provides consistent, reliable access to the most current and innovative trading solutions available. Our multi-asset solutions allow you to connect to your desired markets, trade when and where you want, while being able to comply with global regulation. From our 10 offices covering all the major global financial centers, our team will advise on the best approach to address your challenges and deploy our technology.

For more information, please contact [email protected] or visit www.ULLINK.com.

Follow us on Twitter @ULLINK_News and LinkedIn

 

 

Jun 26
0

Quinlan & Associates sees significant role for alternative research models such as Smartkarma

By | Smartkarma Press Releases

Investment banking research departments face potential losses of up to USD 240 million by 2020

Singapore, London, New York, 26 June 2017 – Quinlan & Associates, an independent strategy consulting firm specialising in the financial services industry, has released a thought leadership paper, ‘A Brave Call,’ looking at the changes in the investment research industry triggered by MiFID II. The report forecasts some global investment bank research departments could face potential losses of up to $240 million by 2020, but also looks at how cost reduction provides an opportunity for significant market disruption and innovation as investors look for new ways to access research.

The report discusses the inherent conflicts between the research and investment banking departments of full-service investment banks, supported by empirical evidence around stock recommendations. ‘The structural complexity and costs of sell-side research departments remain stubbornly high’, said Yvette Kwan, co-author of the report, ‘whilst regulation to-date has failed to fully resolve the inherent conflicts’. For example, there is a heavy bias towards the provision of positive ratings by integrated brokerage houses.  When examining analyst recommendations across all major investment banks, an average of 43% of stocks covered by tier-1 banks and 48% of stocks covered by tier-2 banks were given a ‘buy’ recommendation, with a mere 12% and 7% tagged with a ‘sell’ recommendation respectively.

At the same time, Independent Research Providers (IRPs) have been steadily gaining traction, reflecting their capacity to produce high-quality, in-depth independent and local market analyses at a considerably lower cost than major sell-side brokerages. ‘We have seen a host of new IRPs emerge, with analysts from bulge bracket firms capitalising on low barriers to entry to set up their own firms, as well as consolidation amongst existing IRPs’, said Benjamin Quinlan, CEO of Quinlan & Associates and lead author of the report. From a buy-side perspective, the report explores the IRPs’ proposition, including specialised content and flexible payment options, which is especially compelling for smaller managers.

In the report, Quinlan & Associates discusses alternative research models available to brokers in the wake of this rising competition. Options include operating research out of a separately-owned entity, and outsourcing research to IRPs either directly or via online research marketplaces (ORMs), such as Société Générale’s partnership with Smartkarma.

Reviewing the Smartkarma platform, Quinlan and Associates highlight its benefits for both the independent research providers as well as the investment community:

  • For investors, Smartkarma provides new and alternative content, as well as the curation of content both through its upfront selection of insight providers and smart algorithms to filter content, and dynamic engagement between users and insight providers.
  • For insight providers, Smartkarma is not just a content distribution platform – through the use of content and work management tools, it is also a publishing platform. And whilst the platform is heavily reliant on technology, the humanistic aspects incorporated into the platform are particularly thought-provoking.  These include the collegiate support network for IPs where desired behaviour is directly reinforced through remuneration, and income smoothing which provides income stability.

‘The most important priority for brokers now is to start making decisions around the structural make-up of their investment research offering’, said Mr Quinlan, ‘as the status quo of the fully-integrated model is no longer an option.’

Jon Foster, co-founder of Smartkarma adds, ‘By creating a new model for investors to collaborate, add and extract value from our community of independent insight providers, we are changing the research landscape for global investors, removing the inherent conflict seen today, and providing timely access to insight in a cost-effective way. Smartkarma’s bull-to-bear ratio of ~60:40 is a telling indicator of the independence of our insight providers, supported by our innovative compensation model and intuitive platform, which drives collaborative behaviours and improved insight outcomes, matched to investors’ needs.’

About Smartkarma

Smartkarma unlocks the value of independent insight, providing investors with high-quality, unique, expert opinion on timely themes and topics across companies, industries and markets in Asia. Insight can be customized to individual investor needs and updated in real time as investment strategies change, helping investors consolidate relevant information and stay abreast of evolving, complex financial issues. In addition to large cap bottom up, coverage also includes frontier markets, small and mid-caps and in-depth event driven IPO analysis, helping Smartkarma’s global client base generate new trade ideas.

Smartkarma saves investors and insight providers valuable time and provides new ways to create, engage with and distribute insight with its innovative use of technology and direct access to experts through its responsive, intuitive platform. Its market changing business model also meets evolving regulatory requirements, such as MiFID II.

For more information please visit www.smartkarma.com

Contact:

[email protected]

Helen Toft +44 7989 420 445

 

About Quinlan & Associates 

Quinlan & Associates is an independent strategy consulting firm specialising in the financial services industry. The Company is the first firm to offer end-to-end strategy consulting services. From strategy formulation to execution, to ongoing reporting and communications, Quinlan & Associates translates cutting-edge advice into commercially executable solutions. With a team of top-tier financial services and strategy consulting professionals, and a global network of alliance partners, Quinlan & Associates provides its clients with the most up-to-date industry insights from around the world, positioning the Company as a leader in this field.

 

For more information, please visit www.quinlanandassociates.com.

Contact:

Benjamin Quinlan | CEO & Managing Partner

+852 2251 8725 | [email protected]

Apr 21
0

Smartkarma at the Top: Publishing the World’s Highest Investment Research from Mount Everest

By | Smartkarma Press Releases

Smartkarma’s cloud based platform enables independent research analysts to embrace flexible working

Singapore, Mt Everest – April 21, 2017 – Smartkarma, the leading online ecosystem for independent investment insight and analytics, today announces research published from Mount Everest basecamp using the Smartkarma platform. Dr. Paul M. Kitney, previously the head of strategy for Blackrock, who now publishes his highly respected “Animal Spirits” report on Smartkarma, has just released, “Animal Spirits: Dodd-Frank, Corporate Bond Market Liquidity & Macro-Financial Stabilization” from Mount Everest, while preparing for his ascent to the summit.

Between 2012 and 2016, the top 12 global investment banks saw a 10% reduction in research analyst headcount (Source: Coalition, Quinlan & Associates analysis). As this shrinkage of research teams continues, many top analysts are choosing to start their own independent research firms and look to platforms like Smartkarma to publish, distribute and monetise their services. For Insight Providers, the Smartkarma platform offers an easy, intuitive way to create and distribute research efficiently and flexibly. Smartkarma’s technology enables direct interaction across the network, ensuring that no matter where they are, analysts are engaged with their colleagues and clients.

Smartkarma unlocks the true value of independent insight, uniting a fragmented marketplace and providing investors with a selection of best-in-class research on Asia, all in one convenient portal.  Smartkarma supports Independent Insight Providers in all aspects of their business, allowing them to focus on what they do best, create great research and insight, from anywhere, anytime and on any device. Smartkarma’s rapidly growing platform currently provides global investors access to over 140 independent investment insight firms, including analysts, data scientists, academics and legal professionals. Its community has written on more than 1600 companies across 15 Asian markets, offering unconflicted, on the ground coverage including small and mid-caps stocks in frontier and emerging markets, and in-depth special situations and IPO analysis. On average, 25 insights are published daily with active minute by minute discussions, where themes and ideas are debated, discussed and questioned among a community of experts, in real time.

Dr. Kitney, Insight Provider at Smartkarma says, “Publishing to the Smartkarma platform strengthens the insight I create for the market. The tools and interaction with peers and investors ensure that my research is timely, appropriate and useful for the investor community. In addition, my company and my personal brand benefit extensively from access to the global investor community that uses my research. With the flexibility that the Smartkarma platform provides, I am finally able to combine work with fulfilling a lifelong dream.”

Jon Foster, co-founder of Smartkarma continues, “We are always thrilled to see how the Smartkarma platform enables flexible working for Insight Providers so that they can choose how and where to work. We can only commend such high-altitude publishing, taking Smartkarma to the top of the world, and we wish Paul every success in his ascent.”

About Smartkarma:

As a trusted information source, Smartkarma provides unconflicted and unmatched analysis, transparency and context into the Asian markets, helping global institutional investors confidently drive their investment strategies. Unlike traditional research companies, Smartkarma combines intelligence from the world’s premier analysts, academics, data scientists and strategists in one unique ecosystem. This customizable platform helps investors optimize research spending and enhance returns while accessing the widest range of global analysis of the Asian markets available.

We are on a bold mission to change the way market participants engage with research. By creating a new model for investors to collaborate, add and extract value from our tested and uniquely positioned global community, we are changing the research landscape for global investors. For more information visit us at www.smartkarma.com.

Media Contact:

Articulate Communications for Smartkarma
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 212 255 0080

Dec 01
0

Societe Generale offers innovative investment research solution with Smartkarma’s award winning equity research platform

By | Smartkarma Press Releases

New way for institutional investors to access Asia-focused equity research to meet with key MiFID II unbundling requirements

Singapore, Hong Kong, London, New York– December 1, 2016– Societe Generale today announces a new agreement with Smartkarma, a curated online platform for investment insight focused on the Asian markets. Under this global agreement, Societe Generale will provide its institutional clients access to a new form of equity research based on demand driven and customised content* provided by the industry’s highly ranked analysts**, academics, data scientists and strategists.

Societe Generale is the first global investment bank to have an agreement with an emerging fintech company to provide equity research that is compliant with evolving research unbundling requirements, such as MiFID II. Smartkarma’s rapidly growing platform currently provides access to over 100 investment insight firms, comprised of approximately 400 analysts. Its community of analysts have written on more than 1600 companies across 15 Asian markets, offering unconflicted, on the ground coverage, which in addition to large cap bottom up, also includes frontier markets, small and mid-caps and in-depth event driven IPO analysis. On average, 25 insights are published daily with active minute by minute discussions, where themes and ideas are debated, discussed and questioned among a community of experts, in real time.

Stephane Loiseau, Head of Cash Equities & Global Execution Services, Asia Pacific at Societe Generale said, “Societe Generale is excited to offer institutional investors an innovative solution to access high quality, independent equity research on Asian stocks with insightful investment ideas. This offering is complementary to our strong Cross Asset Research and Trading capabilities with access to over 125 markets and exchange venues globally. With this fast-growing ecosystem, we are providing clients with a new way to access research content that is compliant with the increased unbundling and transparent pricing requirements of research and trading services.”

Raghav Kapoor, CEO and Co-Founder of Smartkarma said; “In a short span, Smartkarma has emerged as the industry-leading model for research creation, distribution and monetisation. We are committed to bringing unbeatable efficiency and unprecedented transparency to the market while promoting revolutionary economics and seamless access. Smartkarma is excited to be working alongside Societe Generale in unveiling this new paradigm. Over the coming months we will work together to help clients optimise research budgets and meet evolving regulatory requirements without any need to modify workflow or add to administrative overheads.”

*Smartkarma provides investors with direct access to Insight Providers, creating a much stronger correlation between research demand and supply and addressing information overload concerns. Smartkarma’s predictive search engine matches research in real time with investor mandates, helping clients consolidate relevant information and stay abreast of evolving, complex financial issues.

** For full details of Smartkarma’s insight providers:

Insight Provider Directory: https://www.smartkarma.com/insight-providers/directory?sort=name
To see what is trending now: https://www.smartkarma.com/insight-providers/overview
For all available insights: https://www.smartkarma.com/insights

 

For further information, please contact:

Jerome Tam for Societe Generale
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: +852 2166 4232

Helen Toft for Smartkarma
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: +44 7989 420 445

Notes to the editors

Societe Generale

Societe Generale is one of the largest European financial services groups. Based on a diversified universal banking model, the Group combines financial solidity with a strategy of sustainable growth, and aims to be the reference for relationship banking, recognised on its markets, close to clients, chosen for the quality and commitment of its teams.

Societe Generale has been playing a vital role in the economy for 150 years. With more than 145,000 employees, based in 66 countries, we accompany 31 million clients throughout the world on a daily basis. Societe Generale’s teams offer advice and services to individual, corporate and institutional customers in three core businesses:

  • Retail banking in France with the Societe Generale branch network, Credit du Nord and Boursorama, offering a comprehensive range of omnichannel financial services on the leading edge of digital innovation;
  • International retail banking, insurance and financial services to corporates with a presence in developing economies and leading specialised businesses;
  • Corporate and investment banking, private banking, asset management and securities services, with recognised expertise, top international rankings and integrated solutions.

Societe Generale is included in the main socially responsible investment indices: DJSI (World and Europe), FTSE4Good (Global and Europe), Euronext Vigeo (Europe, Eurozone and France), ESI Excellence (Europe) from Ethibel and 4 of the STOXX ESG Leaders indices.

For more information, you can follow Societe Generale on twitter @societegenerale or visit www.societegenerale.com.

About Smartkarma

Smartkarma is a collaborative marketplace that is radically changing the way market participants create, distribute and consume investment insights. As a trusted information source, the Smartkarma community provides unconflicted and unmatched analysis, transparency, and context into Asian markets helping global institutional investors confidently drive their investment strategies. Unlike traditional research companies, Smartkarma combines intelligence from the world’s premier analysts, academics, data scientists and strategists in one unique ecosystem. Our customisable platform helps investors optimise research spend and enhance returns while accessing the widest range of global analysis of the Asian markets available.

The Smartkarma community is on a mission to challenge conventional thinking and change how we view, value and drive idea generation to foster a new standard of industry dialogue and cooperation. As a trusted information source, Smartkarma provides unconflicted and unmatched analysis, transparency and context into the Asian markets, helping global institutional investors confidently drive their investment strategies. Unlike traditional research companies, Smartkarma combines intelligence from the world’s premier analysts, academics, data scientists and strategists in one unique ecosystem. This customisable platform helps investors optimise research spending and enhance returns while accessing the widest range of global analysis of the Asian markets available.

We are on a bold mission to change the way market participants engage with research. By creating a new model for investors to collaborate, add and extract value from our tested and uniquely positioned global community, we are changing the research landscape for global investors.

For more information visit us at www.smartkarma.com or follow us on Twitter @smartkarma.

Sep 23
0

FOW Asia Honors Smartkarma with Best New Technology Award

By | Smartkarma Press Releases

Smartkarma brings transparency and efficiency to the institutional research market with its collaborative investment research platform

Singapore – September 23, 2016 – Smartkarma, the premier provider of collaborative solutions for investment research, has won the Futures and Options World (FOW) Asia Award for Best New Technology – Trading and Execution. The win further solidifies the company’s position as a market leader, delivering innovative solutions to help transform the investment research industry.  

Smartkarma was recognized for its unique marketplace model, which is changing the economics of the investment research industry. Smartkarma clients are provided unlimited access to research from over 70 contributing firms whom offer unconflicted and unmatched analysis and transparency into the Asian markets, helping global institutional investors drive their investment strategies.

Smartkarma’s unique platform not only delivers a high quality, efficient and cost effective solution in response to the lack of transparency and efficiency in the status quo, it helps investors meet evolving regulatory requirements under MIFID II. The Smartkarma platform also facilitates collaboration amongst research providers, breaking down the traditional silos that have existed in the market. Smartkarma fosters a community amongst research professionals where knowledge and expertise can be shared, resulting in new insight and a higher quality research product for clients. Its proprietary technology, including its predictive search engine, curates every piece of research and matches it to investor mandates, helping clients manage portfolio risk and stay abreast of evolving financial issues.

“FOW’s recognition validates our efforts to spark a revolution in the creation and consumption of investment insight,” says Raghav Kapoor, CEO and Co-Founder, Smartkarma. “The industry is in need of change and we are honored that the Smartkarma platform has been recognized for helping it achieve those goals.

The FOW Asia Award for Best New Technology – Trading and Execution, recognizes a company which has solved a problem creatively, opened up new possibilities, or changed the way participants approach the market.

About Smartkarma:

As a trusted information source, Smartkarma provides unconflicted and unmatched analysis, transparency and context into the Asian markets, helping global institutional investors confidently drive their investment strategies. Unlike traditional research companies, Smartkarma combines intelligence from the world’s premier analysts, academics, data scientists and strategists in one unique ecosystem. This customizable platform helps investors optimize research spending and enhance returns while accessing the widest range of global analysis of the Asian markets available.

We are on a bold mission to change the way market participants engage with research. By creating a new model for investors to collaborate, add and extract value from our tested and uniquely positioned global community, we are changing the research landscape for global investors. For more information visit us at www.smartkarma.com.

Media Contact:

Articulate Communications for Smartkarma
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 212 255 0080

Sep 02
0

Tim Bruenjes, Former Head of APAC Equity Trading at PIMCO joins Smartkarma

By | Smartkarma Press Releases

Smartkarma responds to increasing global demand for collaborative investment research platform with key European hire

Singapore and Frankfurt, Germany, September 5, 2016 – Smartkarma, the premier collaborative marketplace for Asian investment research and analysis, announced today that Tim Bruenjes has joined its growing team in Europe. Following the completion of another successful funding round, which brings total investment to date to USD 7.5 million, this key European hire will help Smartkarma continue on its mission to deliver much needed change to the global investment research industry.

Tim joins Smartkarma in a newly created role based in Frankfurt, Germany, reporting to the Head of Business Development. He will focus on driving the company’s further expansion into European markets, utilising his experience running multi-asset trading desks across Asia. Tim’s background as Head of APAC Equity Trading at PIMCO and before that at Deutsche Asset Management Asia makes him uniquely qualified to recognise the strength of the Smartkarma business model and the opportunities it brings to investors and research analysts alike.

“The role of research in the investment model is changing. Not just because of regulatory pressure, but because the market is demanding change,” says Tim Bruenjes, Global Business Development, Smartkarma. “Smartkarma has a unique offering that brings together investors and insight providers to deliver a higher quality of research, to a wider market, at a transparent and realistic price point. I’m thrilled to be joining such a dynamic team that has acted on this need.”

“Europe is a natural market for Smartkarma as European asset managers grapple with the new MIFIDII requirements,” says Jon Foster, Chairman and Co-Founder, Smartkarma. “Currently, 35% of our clients are based in Europe, a number which is expected to grow significantly with the enhanced focus on regulation. Tim brings a deep understanding of the asset management industries in Asia and Europe and this unique vantage point makes him the perfect person to champion Smartkarma’s growth across the continent.”

Smartkarma is radically changing the way global institutional investors create, distribute and consume investment insights. Through a single subscription, clients gain unlimited access to a large, fast growing pool of Insight Providers, which together make up the widest range of analysis on the Asian markets available. The company came out of closed beta in April 2016 and is now used by over 140 global professional institutions, with over 70 Insight Providers delivering insight onto the platform.

For press and analyst inquiries please contact:
Articulate Communications for Smartkarma
[email protected]
+1 212 255 0080

To request a demo, please contact us at [email protected].
To download the Smartkarma Press Kit please visit press.smartkarma.com.

About Smartkarma

Smartkarma is an independent financial research platform that is radically changing the way market participants create, distribute and consume investment insights. As a trusted and unbiased information source, we provide differentiated research and transparency into the Asian markets that global institutional investors need to confidently drive their investment strategies. We combine intelligence from the world’s premier analysts, academics, data scientists and industry experts in one collaborative marketplace to help investors improve efficiencies, enhance returns, and optimize their research spend while accessing the widest range of global analysis of the Asian markets available.

We are on a bold mission to change the way market participants engage with research. By creating a new model for investors to collaborate, add and extract value from our tested and uniquely positioned global community, we are changing the research landscape for global investors. For more information visit us at www.smartkarma.com.

Jun 01
0

Smartkarma raises $4.7million USD; Positions its Premier Collaborative Research Marketplace for Global Leadership

By | Smartkarma Press Releases

Latest investment brings total raised to $7.5 million USD

New York/Singapore, June 1, 2016 – Smartkarma, the premier collaborative marketplace for Asian investment research and analysis, has closed its second strategic funding round, raising $4.7million USD to further expand its unique investment research offering.

Smartkarma’s platform officially launched from closed beta in April 2016. This funding will be used to build on a number of key milestones already achieved during its first year of operations. These include usage by 140 global professional institutions, a 267% year on year growth in platform activity, and a sharp acceleration in the number of Insight Providers joining the platform.

The latest round brings the total capital raised to $7.5million USD, with investments from five institutions including Wavemaker Partners, Jungle Ventures, an arm of the Singapore government, an investment group led by Mr. Koh Boon Hwee, former Chairman of Singapore Telecommunications, as well as several prominent industry leaders such as Mr. Tan Chin Hwee.

“Smartkarma’s global client base is expanding rapidly and our relevance in today’s investment research industry is undeniable given the final MiFID II rules announced this year,” says Raghav Kapoor, CEO and Co-Founder of Smartkarma. “We are thrilled to be driving industry change by providing a radically different approach for the creation and consumption of investment insight. The success of this funding round is testament to our model.”

“In Smartkarma, we see the makings of a global leader looking to positively transform an industry that is in need of profound change. We are very excited to be working alongside them in supporting their mission and achieving long-term success,” said Mr. Koh Boon Hwee, former Chairman of Singapore Telecommunications.

Smartkarma intends to build on its global momentum by further growing its ecosystem of Insight Providers and expanding platform offerings. These would include the addition of sophisticated research applications, complementary data services and engagement tools. “We like to invest in businesses that fundamentally change the economics of an existing industry,” said Amit Anand, Founding Partner of Singapore based Jungle Ventures. “We are very excited about partnering with the team at Smartkarma as they look to reshape the financial research industry in Asia and beyond.” Smartkarma is also working with government agency International Enterprise (IE) Singapore to further its expansion into overseas markets.

Smartkarma is radically changing the way global institutional investors create, distribute and consume investment insights. Through a single subscription, clients gain unlimited access to a large, fast growing pool of Insight Providers, which together make up the widest range of analysis on the Asian markets available.

“Smartkarma is positively impacting the global research paradigm. Smartkarma not only provides better research, as it is able to access a broader intellectual base, but it also assures its ultimate end users that the content is free from any biases and conflicts,” said Paul Santos, Managing Partner of Wavemaker Partners.

For press and analyst inquiries please contact:
Articulate Communications for Smartkarma
[email protected]
+1 212 255 0080

To request a demo, please contact us at [email protected].
To download the Smartkarma Press Kit please visit press.smartkarma.com.

About Smartkarma

Smartkarma is an independent financial research platform that is radically changing the way market participants create, distribute and consume investment insights. As a trusted and unbiased information source, we provide differentiated research and transparency into the Asian markets that global institutional investors need to confidently drive their investment strategies. We combine intelligence from the world’s premier analysts, academics, data scientists and industry experts in one collaborative marketplace to help investors improve efficiencies, enhance returns, and optimize their research spend while accessing the widest range of global analysis of the Asian markets available.

We are on a bold mission to change the way market participants engage with research. By creating a new model for investors to collaborate, add and extract value from our tested and uniquely positioned global community, we are changing the research landscape for global investors. For more information visit us at www.smartkarma.com.