3 Largest Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) in Virginia

2. Sands Capital Management, LLC = ~$44.6B+ in AUM

Founded in 1992, Sands Capital Management, LLC is an Arlington, Virginia-based investor in pioneering startups worldwide. The firm's approach combines fundamental analysis with inspired thinking to identify unique businesses (with sustainable above-average growth) that are essentially shaping the future. Often, they possess game-changing qualities that allow them to create their own growth drivers through new product development, entering new markets, or innovating within existing markets. Concentrated investing - allocating more money to (what the firm believes) are the right types of wealth-creating businesses - has been a powerful way to magnify the impact of their stock selection over time. While some investors assert that a concentrated portfolio poses greater risk in terms of higher short-term volatility, Sands Capital Management believes that portfolios diluted with larger numbers of holdings may introduce the risk of not knowing the businesses well enough. Today, the firm serves the long-term growth objectives of institutions and fund sponsors in over 40 countries - though its geographic focus is primarily in the eastern United States and the United Kingdom. 

Quick Hitters:

- Founded: 1992
- Headquarters: Arlington, VA
- Discretionary Assets: ~$44.6B+
- Non-Discretionary Assets: $0
- Total AUM: ~$44.6B+
- Specialties: Investment philosophy & approach, stewardship, public & private growth strategies, venture capital

3. Investure, LLC = ~$28.6B+ in AUM

Founded in 2003, Investure, LLC is a Charlottesville, Virginia-based registered investment advisor serving as the outsourced investment office to endowments and private foundations where building a high-quality organization in-house is not economical or preferable. The firm is responsible for asset allocation and manager selection in multiple asset classes including (but not limited) to fixed income, global public equities and alternative investments including hedge funds and private equity. Investure is a growing, fast-paced, high-energy culture where there is a vast opportunity for learning. The firm intentionally limits the number of clients it serves so that they can provide optimal levels of service for each. As an independent, employee-owned company, Investure offers the experience, continuity and infrastructure needed to execute long-term, multi-asset class investment strategies. 

Quick Hitters:

- Founded: 2003
- Headquarters: Charlottesville, VA
- Discretionary Assets: ~$17.2B+
- Non-Discretionary Assets: ~$11.3B+
- Total AUM: ~$28.6B+
- Specialties: Fixed income, global public equities, hedge funds

RIA Review:

In general terms, a registered investment advisor (RIA) is a firm advising or managing the wealth of high-net-worth individuals or institutions. Directly regulated by the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), RIAs offer a wide range of financial services — from wealth and investment management to direct lending and personal finance education, etc. An important distinction regarding RIAs is the fiduciary obligation to always act in the best interest of their clients.

For more information on RIAs, check out our recent blog post: Exploring the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) Channel, or visit the FINTRX Resource Library below.