Strive Asset Management

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Strive Asset Management
Company typePrivate (subsidiary of Strive Inc.)
Nasdaq:  ASST
Industry Investment management
Founded2022;3 years ago (2022)
Founders Vivek Ramaswamy, Anson Frericks
Headquarters,
U.S.
Key people
Matt Cole (Chairman and CEO)
Ben Werkman (Chief Investment Officer)
Arshia Sarkhani (Chief Marketing Officer)
Services Exchange-traded funds, Mutual funds, Wealth management
Parent Strive Inc.
Subsidiaries Asset Entities, Inc.
Website www.strive.com

Strive Asset Management is an American investment management firm founded in 2022. The firm operates mutual funds, exchange-traded products (ETPs), and wealth management services. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, it operates as a subsidiary of Strive Enterprises, Inc. and is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an investment adviser. [1] [2] The firm is known for opposing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, advocating a focus on increasing shareholder value.

Contents

History

Strive Asset Management was co-founded in early 2022 by Vivek Ramaswamy and former Anheuser-Busch president Anson Frericks. [3] The firm is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. [4] [5] It raised about $20 million from outside investors, [6] [7] including Peter Thiel, JD Vance, and Bill Ackman. [8] [9] [10]

Strive's flagship fund, the exchange-traded fund DRLL, launched in 2022 as an "anti-woke" energy sector index fund. [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [8] The fund focuses on the energy sector without incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. [16] [17] Additional ETFs, mutual funds, and a proxy voting platform were subsequently introduced to facilitate shareholder participation in corporate governance.

By November 2022, Strive reported managing over $500 million in assets under management. [18] Vivek Ramaswamy served as executive chairman [9] [10] before resigning in February 2023 to focus on his presidential campaign. [4] [19]

By 2024, the firm launched direct indexing services in partnership with Fidelity and Charles Schwab, providing customized portfolio management, tax-loss harvesting, and proxy voting tools. [20] [21] In 2025, Strive spun off its registered investment adviser (RIA) arm into an independent firm and consolidated advisory services under model portfolios and a collective investment trust (CIT). [22] [23] [24]

Digital asset initiatives

In September 2025, Strive announced plans to enter the digital asset market with a Bitcoin Bond ETF, focused on bonds issued by companies acquiring Bitcoin. [25] [26] [27] The announcement included a Board of Directors comprising Mahesh Ramakrishnan, co-founder of Escape Velocity (EV3); Pierre Rochard, chief executive of The Bitcoin Bond Company; James Lavish, managing partner of The Bitcoin Opportunity Fund; Avik Roy, co-founder of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity; and Jonathan Macey, professor of corporate law at Yale University, among others. [28]

In 2025, Strive merged with Asset Entities to form a publicly traded company under the Strive brand. [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] The merger incorporated the companies’ Bitcoin holdings into the combined entity’s treasury [34] [26] [35] and was supported by a $750 million private investment in public equity, with potential additional funding through warrants. [36] [37]

In September 2025, the firm announced the acquisition of Semler Scientific in an all-stock deal valued at $1.3 billion, increasing its combined Bitcoin treasury above 10,900 BTC. [38] [39] Strive also explored purchasing claims related to 75,000 BTC from Mt. Gox. [40]

Operations

Strive operates as a registered investment adviser providing asset management, fund distribution, proxy voting, and corporate governance services. Its investment products include sector-based ETFs, actively managed funds, and a direct indexing platform with shareholder engagement tools. [22] The firm submits shareholder proposals and correspondence to U.S. corporations regarding governance and diversity policies. [41]

Reception

In 2023, the firm acquired a stake in McDonald’s Corporation and requested changes to the company’s diversity policies as part of its governance efforts. [42]

In 2025, Morningstar assigned Strive a Below Average Parent Pillar rating, citing management turnover and strategic transitions, while noting low fees across its ETF and mutual fund products. [43]

References

  1. "Strive Asset Management Form ADV" (PDF). October 31, 2024. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  2. "IAPD - Investment Adviser Public Disclosure". adviserinfo.sec.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  3. John, Arit (September 21, 2023). "Vivek Ramaswamy made a splash on last month's debate stage. But does he have staying power?". CNN. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Benjamin, Jeff (May 4, 2023). "Strive Asset Management fills leadership vacuum created by CEO's run for president". Investment News. Archived from the original on July 29, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  5. Innovates, Dallas; Seeley, David (2024-11-01). "Vivek Ramaswamy's Strive Enterprises Relocates to Dallas, Launches Bitcoin-Focused Wealth Management Business". Dallas Innovates. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  6. Hyatt, John (April 26, 2023). "Who Is Vivek Ramaswamy, The Longshot GOP Presidential Candidate Who Helped Take Down Don Lemon?". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  7. "Inside Vivek Ramaswamy and Strive Asset Management". etf.com. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  8. 1 2 Kolhatkar, Sheelah (2022-12-12). "Vivek Ramaswamy, the C.E.O. of Anti-Woke, Inc". The New Yorker. ISSN   0028-792X . Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  9. 1 2 O'Donnell, Kathie (May 12, 2022). "Manager backed by Thiel, Ackman to launch ETFs emphasizing excellence over politics". Pensions & Investments. Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  10. 1 2 Piper, Jessica (May 14, 2023). "How Vivek Ramaswamy made a fortune before pivoting to politics". Politico. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023.
  11. Masters, Brooke; Temple-West, Patrick (February 24, 2023). "Vivek Ramaswamy's fund manager Strive sticks to its 'anti-woke' mission". Financial Times. Archived from the original on May 13, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  12. Wolman, Jordan (February 1, 2023). "The asset manager fighting ESG orthodoxy". Politico . Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  13. Ross Kerber (June 9, 2023). "'Anti-ESG' funds face slowing deposits, Morningstar says". Reuters. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  14. Williams, Amanda (August 16, 2022). "Vivek Ramaswamy launches Strive Asset Management to counter ESG investing". Financial Times. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  15. Au-Yeung, Peter Rudegeair and Angel (2023-05-27). "The Anti-Woke Presidential Candidate Who Wants to Crush ESG and Gut the Fed". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  16. Schwartz, Brian (May 12, 2023). "Vivek Ramaswamy's firm courts GOP officials as he pushes businesses to stay out of politics". CNBC . Archived from the original on July 28, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  17. Brush, Silla; Kishan, Saijel (September 1, 2022). "The Anti-ESG Crusader Who Wants to Pick a Fight With BlackRock" . Bloomberg News . Archived from the original on July 24, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  18. Chandler, Beverly (2022-11-16). "The US's Strive Asset Management raises half a billion in AUM in three months" . Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  19. Benjamin, Jeff (February 22, 2023). "Strive Asset Management chairman Vivek Ramaswamy resigns to run for president". Investment News. Archived from the original on July 29, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  20. Morris, Joe (Nov 29, 2024). "Strive Asset Management expands into anti-ESG direct indexing". www.ft.com. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  21. Benjamin, Jeff (Nov 6, 2024). "Strive Asset Management Expands Into Financial Advice". etf.com. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  22. 1 2 Rich, Alec (Sep 18, 2025). "Vivek Ramaswamy's Strive moves to 'wind down' RIA arm". citywire.com. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  23. Ponte, Brian (Oct 13, 2023). "Strive Asset Management plans move into model portfolios". www.ft.com. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  24. Rich, Alec (Oct 9, 2025). "Strive's RIA arm spins off as indie shop with new name". citywire.com. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  25. Wilkinson, Alf (2025-01-06). "Strive files to launch 'bitcoin bond' ETF". Financial Times. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  26. 1 2 Adejumo, Oluwapelumi (2025-05-07). "Vivek Ramaswamy's Strive makes bold move as first NASDAQ-listed asset manager with a Bitcoin treasury". CryptoSlate. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  27. Jafri, Assad (2024-12-26). "Strive Asset Management files for innovative bitcoin bond ETF aiming to disrupt traditional investing". CryptoSlate. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  28. "Strive Announces Board of Directors and Initial Bitcoin Strategy". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  29. "Form 425 - Strive Asset Management and Asset Entities, Inc". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. September 2025. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  30. "$1.5B Bitcoin Treasury Company Coming as Asset Entities Approves Merger With Strive". CoinDesk. CoinDesk. September 10, 2025. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  31. "Strive Asset Management combination with Asset Entities". www.davispolk.com. 2025-05-07. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  32. "Strive Asset Management to combine with Asset Entities to form first publicy traded asset management Bitcoin Treasury Company". TyN Magazine (in Spanish). 2025-05-22. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  33. "Strive Asset Management To Become First Publicly Traded Bitcoin-Focused Asset Manager". 2025-05-08. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  34. Zarraga Perez, Oscar (May 7, 2025). "Strive Asset Management Merges with Asset Entities to Launch A Public Bitcoin Treasury Company" . Retrieved Oct 18, 2025.
  35. "Vivek Ramaswamy's Strive Management plans to become first publicly traded Bitcoin treasury company". FXStreet. 2025-05-07. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  36. "Vivek Ramaswamy's Strive Secures $750M in Financing, Expands Bitcoin Strategy". Yahoo Finance. September 2025. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  37. "Strive Asset Management, Asset Entities Secure $750M PIPE Deal to Fund Bitcoin Acquisitions". Connect Money. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  38. "Strive Asset Management to Acquire Semler Scientific, $567 Million in Bitcoin in All-Cash Deal". Yahoo Finance. 2025-09-22.
  39. The Block (September 2025). "Vivek Ramaswamy's Strive to buy Semler Scientific in all-stock deal, boosting combined Bitcoin treasury above 10,900 BTC". The Block. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  40. "Strive Asset Management Eyes Acquisition of 75,000 BTC Claims from Mt. Gox". forklog.media (in Russian). 2025-05-21. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  41. Stankiewicz, Alyssa; Stewart, Lindsey (2023-10-30). "Strive Asset Management vs. Engine No. 1: How Did the Activists Vote?". The Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  42. Thomas, Lauren (2023-07-19). "Vivek Ramaswamy-Linked Firm Takes McDonald's Stake, Targets Diversity Policies". Wall Street Journal. ISSN   0099-9660 . Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  43. "Strive Asset Management". Morningstar. Retrieved October 18, 2025.