Business idea · Agency
Investment Fund Management
Investment Fund Management: Launching a managed investment fund that focuses on strategic asset allocation and value investing while charging fees based on assets under management. It was pitched on My First Million, hosted by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri, in the episode "I Ranked the Best & WORST Businesses to Start Before 2026 | Andrew Wilkinson" (aired November 7, 2025).
At a glance
| Podcast | My First Million |
|---|---|
| Hosted by | Sam Parr and Shaan Puri |
| Episode | I Ranked the Best & WORST Businesses to Start Before 2026 | Andrew Wilkinson |
| Aired | November 7, 2025 |
| Category | Agency |
| Real companies on the episode | Z1, Mercury, Kauai Donut Company, Pershing Square Capital Management, Cerrado, Twitch |
The problem it solves
This model provides everyday investors access to professional money management, which they might not have the expertise or time to pursue on their own.
How it makes money
Fee-based model with management fees and performance fees based on returns.
Skills you need
Financial analysis, investment strategy development, and client relationship management.
The market, and why this works now
Regulatory changes allowing for lower minimum investment thresholds make launching an investment fund more accessible. Engaging users through specialized subreddits focused on personal finance can create an initial revenue stream by attracting investors seeking professional guidance. A significant risk involves the high capital required to meet operational costs and compliance standards, which can delay profitability and increase the time needed to recover customer acquisition costs.
Our analysis, written after the episode. Not a quote from the show.
Real companies discussed on this episode
- Z1
A smaller web design agency acquired by MetaLab to handle smaller leads.
- Mercury
Mercury is a financial technology company that offers banking services tailored for startups.
- Kauai Donut Company
A donut shop located on Kauai, known for frying their donuts in coconut oil and using sweet potato in their recipes.
- Pershing Square Capital Management
A hedge fund managed by Bill Ackman that invests in public companies.
- Cerrado
A leading DJ software company that integrates deeply with hardware used by DJs.
- Twitch
A live streaming platform primarily for gamers, founded by Emmett Shear.
Where this idea came from
Podcast: My First Million, hosted by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri
Episode: I Ranked the Best & WORST Businesses to Start Before 2026 | Andrew Wilkinson
Aired:
Summarized from the episode transcript. The show does not say which speaker raised each idea, so we credit the show, not a person.