By Dr. Remko Van Ekelen – Chief Executive Officer, Amergeris Wealth Management Group AG | Sam van Gisbergen, Global Head of Capital Markets, Amicorp
Many investment managers have a strong strategy.
What they do not have is the time, budget, or infrastructure required to launch a traditional fund.
The challenge is simple: opportunities move quickly, while traditional fund establishment often does not.
The Problem
Launching a conventional investment fund may involve:
- Significant setup costs
- Multiple service providers
- Lengthy approval processes
- Extensive operational infrastructure
- Ongoing governance requirements
For emerging managers and specialist investment firms, these barriers may delay market entry and increase costs before assets are raised.
The Alternative: Actively Managed Certificates
Actively Managed Certificates (AMCs) offer managers a way to bring investment strategies to market without establishing a full fund structure.
An AMC allows investors to gain exposure to an actively managed strategy through a single certificate while benefiting from professional administration and operational support.
Why Managers Choose AMCs
Faster Time to Market
AMCs may often be implemented significantly faster than traditional fund structures, allowing managers to focus on investment opportunities rather than operational complexity.
Lower Operational Costs
Instead of building a complete fund platform, managers can leverage existing infrastructure and administration capabilities.
Strategy Flexibility
AMCs can accommodate:
- Hedge fund strategies
- Multi-asset portfolios
- Private debt strategies
- Thematic investments
- Structured investment solutions
Real-World Example
A private markets manager identified an opportunity in infrastructure debt but needed to launch quickly to secure investor commitments.
Rather than spending months establishing a traditional fund platform, the manager used an AMC structure to implement the strategy efficiently while maintaining institutional governance standards.
The result was faster market entry and lower setup costs.
Why Investors Care
Investors increasingly seek:
- Transparency
- Robust governance
- Professional reporting
- Efficient execution
AMCs can provide these benefits while giving managers the flexibility needed to implement sophisticated strategies.
What Should You Consider?
The right structure depends on:
- Investor profile
- Asset class
- Geographic focus
- Regulatory requirements
- Fundraising objectives
A traditional fund may still be the best option for some strategies. For others, an AMC can provide a faster and more cost-effective route to market.
Download the Investment Launch Checklist
Before selecting a structure, download our Investment Launch Checklist to compare setup timelines, operational costs, governance requirements, and investor considerations across different investment vehicles.
If you would like to setup a call with us to discuss this further, please be in contact with us here.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, regulatory, investment or financial advice. Structures, products and solutions referenced herein may not be available or suitable in all jurisdictions and remain subject to applicable laws, regulations and regulatory approvals. Readers should seek independent professional advice based on their specific circumstances before making any structuring, investment or governance decisions.