By Chicago-based Halo Investing aims to bring increased transparency and availability to traditional structured notes market.
MINNEAPOLIS ” April 18, 2019 ” Allianz Life Ventures, part of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life®), has announced it has invested in Halo Investing, Inc. during the company’s most recent Series B financing round.
Halo is the world’s first independent, multi-issuer technology platform for structured notes, which have traditionally only been available to wealthy investors because they require a minimum investment of over $1 million. The Halo platform leverages analytics to help financial professionals transparently manage structured note portfolios for clients, allowing them to monitor notes, analyze trends and sell for access to secondary liquidity.
“We were especially interested in Halo because of their belief that all investors should have access to the same investment products,” said Corey Walther, head of distribution relationship management and business development, Allianz Life. “In addition, they are doing some innovative work with the power of their analytics and automation capabilities, and we are excited to assess how that can be applied to the annuity marketplace.”
“Our goal with Halo is to bring transparency, price competition and independent liquidity to the structured note market,” said Biju Kulathakal, CEO and co-founder, Halo. “Built with the financial professional in mind, the Halo platform allows them to access products that can help protect their client’s assets and meet their financial goals.”
Halo has raised $11 million from venture capitalists including an affiliate of Piton Investment Management, William Blair Circle, an affiliate of William Blair, and Allianz Life Ventures. The funds will allow Halo to continue to expand its operations around the world and better facilitate its rapidly growing business. In addition, Halo plans to use the money raised to pursue two strategic initiatives aimed at drastically changing the way structured products are manufactured, purchased and traded.
About Allianz Life Ventures
Allianz Life Ventures, part of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life), makes investments in North American companies with potential market traction and a demonstrated ability to drive innovation. Allianz Life Ventures is uniquely positioned to leverage the financial strength and in-house expertise of Allianz Life to help our partners succeed. Active in all investment stages from seed and early stage to growth, current partners include: Core Innovation Capital II, LP, Blooom, Inc., Tomorrow Ideas, Inc., LifeYield, LLC, Gainfully, Inc., Vestwell Holdings, Inc., Ladder Financial, Inc., Covr Financial Technology, Inc. and Halo.
Halo Investing is not a broker/dealer. Securities offered through Halo Securities LLC, a SEC registered broker/dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC. Halo Securities LLC is affiliated with Halo Investing Insurance Services and Halo Investing. Halo Securities LLC acts solely as distributor/selling agent and is not the issuer or guarantor of any structured note products.
