BlackRock and Artivest Partner to Expand Investor Access to Alternative Investments

BlackRock (NYSE: BLK), a global leader in investment management, risk management, and advisory services, has partnered with financial technology firm Artivest to provide broader distribution and efficient access to its alternative investment strategies to an expanded segment of qualified investors through their advisors. Artivest’s technology-driven investment platform connects a wider audience of investors with alternative investment opportunities that have traditionally been available only to institutional investors.

BlackRock, which has been managing alternatives for more than three decades, has approximately $120 billion in assets under management across alternative investment strategies. Advisors will now be able to access BlackRock’s private infrastructure investment opportunities with the ease, efficiency and high-touch service that they have come to associate with the firm.

The BlackRock / Artivest partnership will provide the advisor community with:

• A custom site for convenient, secure review of select BlackRock offerings
• Specialized access funds for lower-minimum investing
• Streamlined online processes for client onboarding and reporting
• Educational content and full-service support to make complex strategies more accessible

“This relationship is a first-of-its kind for BlackRock and highlights our continued focus on providing leading portfolio solutions to our advisors and their clients,” said Hollie Fagan, Head of BlackRock’s RIA business. “RIAs in particular are placing a greater emphasis on illiquid alternatives to insulate their clients from market volatility while seeking to deliver competitive market returns.”

“We are honored that BlackRock has chosen Artivest to help expand and improve advisors’ access to alternatives for their qualified clients,” said James Waldinger, founder and CEO of Artivest. “BlackRock is not only the largest asset manager, but is also among the industry’s leading innovators. We’re thrilled to be working together with their world-class team to bring next-generation alternative investment solutions to BlackRock’s vast network of advisory clients at scale.”

“Over the past several years we’ve seen a growth in interest in infrastructure from advisors and their qualified investors looking for opportunities that potentially provide differentiated sources of return over the long term,” said Jim Barry, global head of BlackRock Real Assets. “Through this partnership, we will be able to offer a larger segment of investors streamlined and more cost-effective access to illiquid infrastructure opportunities.”

About Artivest

Artivest is a technology-driven alternatives investment platform that connects the wider audience of financial advisors and suitable investors with premier private equity, hedge fund, and other alternative strategy providers at lower minimums. Artivest's technological, financial, legal, and operational expertise powers a seamless experience for investors and a scalable point of access for managers of alternative products. With brokerage services provided by Artivest Brokerage, LLC, the firm’s affiliated FINRA-registered broker-dealer, Artivest provides a complete end-to-end solution.

About BlackRock

BlackRock is a global leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients. At June 30, 2016, BlackRock's AUM was $4.890 trillion. BlackRock helps clients around the world meet their goals and overcome challenges with a range of products that include separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares® (exchange-traded funds), and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers risk management, advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions®. As of June 30, 2016, the firm had approximately 12,700 employees in more than 30 countries and a major presence in global markets, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East and Africa.

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