The Fund will enable Australian investors to access ARK’s disruptive innovation strategy; investing in the leaders, enablers and beneficiaries of innovations centered on robotics, automation, energy storage, genomic sequencing, and next generation internet technologies.
ARK defines disruptive innovation as the introduction of a technologically enabled new product or service that permanently changes an industry landscape by creating simplicity and accessibility while driving down costs.
Catherine Wood, Founder and Chief Executive Officer/ Chief Investment Officer of ARK said, “The Fund will enable Australian investors to access early-stage and emerging companies through listed global equity markets. We believe this offers long-term growth without the high costs and illiquidity typically associated with similar investments accessed through venture capital funds. “
The Fund’s investment team utilises an open research approach that is designed to identify innovation and its convergence across sectors, economies and geographies.
ARK is an affiliate of Nikko AM via an equity stake, which Nikko AM acquired in August 2017 to enhance its disruptive innovation focused investment solutions. Nikko AM’s Australian Managing Director Sam Hallinan explained that the ongoing partnership is highly valuable, ensuring that Nikko AM continues to create progressive solutions for clients.
“We are extremely excited to partner with ARK to launch this new Fund in Australia. By working closely with ARK and leveraging their unique investment model, we give Australian clients exposure to disruptive innovation, which is continuing to transform our world at an accelerated rate,” Mr Hallinan said.