New Zealand investors can now access arguably the world’s most exciting investment fund, uniquely comprising global
products and services characterised by world-changing disruptive innovation.
Nikko AM NZ will today formally announce the launch of the Nikko AM ARK Global Disruptive Innovation Fund, through its
established global partnership model with US-based ARK Invest. This partnership will now allow New Zealanders to invest
into a PIE fund focussed solely on the leaders, enablers and beneficiaries of the disruptive innovations that are
changing the way the world works. These include products and services within the fields of robotics, automation, energy
storage, genomic sequencing, artificial intelligence and next generation internet technologies.
Talking ahead of Nikko AM NZ’s annual FOREWORD investor insights summit in Wellington today, NZ managing director George
Carter says that he’s delighted to now be able to bring the ARK Invest strategies and capabilities to New Zealand.
“Our world is fuelled by technological change. Advances in science and technology continue to happen at pace, and new
innovations are being thought of everyday. As a global asset management firm, we believe disruptive innovation is a key
component to investing in the future, and we aim to provide solutions that allow New Zealanders to access these
opportunities.”
ARK Invest 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’. Focused solely on disruptive innovation, it uses an open research platform that converges inputs from thought leaders,
social media interactions and crowd-sourced insights to ideate and then size and direct the investment opportunity.
ARK CEO and Chief Investment Officer Cathie Wood, who is here in New Zealand to launch the fund at FOREWORD, says
innovation typically needs time and maturity before gaining mass market adoption, which is why it doesn’t necessarily
fit with traditional investment models.
“The ARK Fund enables 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,” says Wood.
“Over time, innovation will displace industry incumbents, increase efficiencies, and gain majority market share. More
importantly, disruptive innovation impacts and concerns all of our lives and changes the way the world works.”
For New Zealand investors, access to the fund will be available directly through Nikko AM’s direct-to-consumer
robo-advice platform, GoalsGetter. However, while the opportunity to be an invested player in the world’s future is
undoubtedly an exciting one, George Carter cautions that it is not necessarily a suitable option for everyone.
“By working closely with ARK and leveraging its unique investment model, we can now give clients exposure to the growth
that accompanies disruptive innovation, which is continuing to transform our world at an accelerated rate. But with
innovation comes the risk of constant and sometimes extreme ups and downs, therefore this fund is intended for long term
investors with a high risk tolerance who are seeking diversification from more traditional portfolios.”