ARK Investment Management

What ARK Investment Management does

ARK Investment Management LLC is a privately held, founder-controlled US investment adviser founded by Catherine (Cathie) D. Wood in January 2014 and headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida. The firm specializes in thematic investing around disruptive innovation platforms — artificial intelligence, robotics, energy storage, DNA sequencing/multiomics, blockchain technology, autonomous mobility, fintech, and space exploration — and distributes those themes through a broad product platform spanning actively managed equity ETFs (flagship ARKK plus ARKQ, ARKW, ARKG, ARKF, ARKX), indexed thematic ETFs (PRNT, IZRL), the ARK Venture Fund interval fund for public-private crossover exposure, separately managed accounts (including crypto strategies via Eaglebrook Advisors), a structured options-overlay ETF (ARKT), and UCITS vehicles in Europe via ARK Invest Europe (formerly Rize ETF, acquired September 2023). The firm also operates the spARK Labs incubator and early-stage venture fund in St. Petersburg.

The firm's investment process rests on a proprietary "Open Research Ecosystem" combining top-down and bottom-up thematic analysis, with analysts organized by cross-sector innovation theme rather than by sector or geography. Its core analytical framework applies Wright's Law to model technology cost-curve declines and elasticity of demand, feeding five-year bottom-up valuation models per portfolio company that incorporate unit volume growth, cost declines, market adoption/penetration, share count growth, and future multiples. Revenue is generated primarily through asset-based management fees on ETFs (e.g., 0.75% expense ratio on ARKK and ARKX), augmented by fees on SMAs, mutual fund sub-advisory arrangements (American Beacon in the US, Nikko AM/Amova in Japan), UCITS ETFs in Europe, and management/performance fees on the ARK Venture Fund.

ARK sells to a globally distributed end-customer base of retail investors, financial advisors, and institutional clients — including pension funds and sovereign wealth channels in the US, Europe, DACH, the Nordics, Japan (via Nikko AM partnership), and Israel. The firm has historically been minority-owned by Resolute Investment Managers (since July 2016) and NAMA Investment Partners / Nikko Asset Management (since August 2017), but Cathie Wood remains CEO, CIO, and ultimate investment decision-maker. The firm has experienced material redemption pressure on its flagship ARKK ETF, with AUM declining from a peak of approximately $29 billion to $7.2 billion as of mid-2026, while simultaneously diversifying through the ARK Venture Fund (~$1.035B AUM in private side), the European UCITS platform, and new structured and crypto products.

Name

ARK Investment Management

Legal name

ARK Investment Management LLC

Website

https://ark-invest.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ARK Investment Management is a US-based, founder-controlled thematic asset manager founded in 2014, distributing actively managed and indexed ETFs, an interval venture fund, SMAs, and UCITS vehicles globally around disruptive innovation themes (AI, robotics, energy storage, genomics, blockchain, fintech, space).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Thematic Asset Management

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (52394), Open-End Investment Funds (525910), Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities (523)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable/ESG Equity (Active) (FSAAAIAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Portfolio Construction & Asset Allocation Advisory (FSAEAAAC), Values-Based/ESG & Impact-Focused RIAs (FSAAACAK), ESG/Sustainable Investment Advisory (FSAEAAAJ)

Keywords

• Thematic investment management
• Actively managed ETFs
• Disruptive innovation funds
• Venture capital funds
• Separately managed accounts

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. ETF Management Fees: Recurring asset-based management fees charged on actively managed ETFs (e.g., ARKK 0.75% expense ratio, ARKX 0.75% expense ratio, PRNT lower). Revenue scales directly with AUM across the ARK ETF suite.
2. Separately Managed Account (SMA) Fees: Asset-based fees on managed account services for financial advisors and institutional clients implementing ARK's thematic strategies. SMA services added in March 2016.
3. Private/Alternative Fund Fees (ARK Venture): Management fees and potential performance fees on ARK Venture Fund, an actively managed interval fund launched September 2022 that invests in private and public equity securities relevant to disruptive innovation. AUM approximately $1.035 billion as of mid-2026.
4. UCITS ETF Fees (Europe): Recurring management fees on European UCITS ETFs distributed through ARK Invest Europe (formerly Rize ETF, acquired 2023). Build-out of active ETF offerings in Europe under the UCITS framework.
5. Mutual Fund Sub-Advisory Fees: Sub-advisory fees from mutual fund partners including American Beacon Funds (US, since 2017) and Nikko AM/Amova Asset Management (Japan and Asia-Pacific, since December 2016).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Core offering

ARK Investment Management is a global asset manager that offers thematic investment strategies focused on disruptive innovation. Its core offerings include actively managed equity ETFs (ARKK, ARKQ, ARKW, ARKG, ARKF, ARKX), indexed thematic ETFs (PRNT, IZRL), an interval fund (ARK Venture Fund), structured strategies (ARK DIET Buffer ETF), and separately managed account strategies (Cryptocurrency, Cryptoasset), all built on a proprietary open research ecosystem that combines Wright's Law cost-curve modeling with bottom-up five-year valuation analysis.

Product overview

ARK Investment Management is a global asset manager offering a platform-plus-modules architecture of thematic investment strategies rather than a single unified product. The core offering comprises actively managed equity ETFs (ARKK, ARKQ, ARKW, ARKG, ARKF, ARKX) anchored on flagship disruptive-innovation themes (AI, robotics, energy storage, DNA sequencing, blockchain, autonomous tech, fintech, space), supported by indexed thematic ETFs (PRNT 3D Printing, IZRL Israel Innovation, plus Circular Economy, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy, Environmental Impact, Global Sustainable Infrastructure, Sustainable Future of Food, USA Environmental Impact), complementary concentrated and structured strategies (ARK 10, ARK Early Stage Disruptors, ARK DIET Buffer ARKT, ARK Mobility-as-a-Service, ARK Metaverse, ARK Positive Change), the ARK Venture Fund interval fund for private/public crossover exposure, and separately managed account strategies for Cryptocurrency and Cryptoasset. The platform is underpinned by an open research ecosystem that publishes Big Ideas and a research center (articles, white papers, podcasts, videos, newsletters, crypto reports) and is distributed globally via ark-funds.com, ark-ventures.com, ARK Invest Europe (UCITS, post-Rize ETF acquisition), Japan (Nikko AM partnership), and Eaglebrook Advisors (cryptocurrency managed accounts).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ARK ETFs: The branded family of ARK exchange-traded funds (e.g., ARKK, ARKQ, ARKW, ARKG, ARKF, ARKX, ARKT, IZRL, PRNT) distributed via the ark-funds.com platform.
• ARK Venture Fund
• ARK DIET Buffer
• ARK Invest Europe
• spARK Labs by ARK Invest

Products and services

• ARK Disruptive Innovation ETF (ARKK) Flagship actively managed equity strategy (35-55 holdings) that invests in US-listed companies focused on disruptive innovation across AI, robotics, energy storage, DNA sequencing, autonomous vehicles, fintech, and 3D printing. Available to retail and institutional investors.
• ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) Actively managed strategy with 30-50 holdings seeking exposure to autonomous mobility, electric vehicles, robotics and automation, 3D printing, and space exploration. Available as ETF and Managed Account.
• ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW) Actively managed strategy of 35-50 holdings providing exposure to AI, deep learning, big data, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and blockchain technology. Available as ETF.
• ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (ARKG) Actively managed strategy investing in DNA sequencing technology, gene editing, CRISPR, therapeutics, agricultural biology, and molecular diagnostics at the intersection of healthcare and technology. Available as ETF, Managed Account, and Mutual Fund (Japan).
• ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) Actively managed strategy providing exposure to fintech innovations including mobile payments, digital wallets, peer-to-peer lending, blockchain technology, and financial risk transformation. Available as ETF, Managed Account, and Mutual Fund (Japan).
• ARK Space Exploration & Defense Innovation ETF (ARKX) Actively managed strategy investing in companies involved in space-related businesses such as reusable rockets, satellites, drones, and other orbital/suborbital aircraft. Available as ETF, UCITS, Managed Account, and Mutual Fund (Japan).
• ARK 3D Printing ETF (PRNT) Index-based equity strategy tracking the Total 3D-Printing Index across approximately 50 holdings covering 3D printing hardware, CAD and simulation software, 3D printing centers, scanning/measurement, and materials. Available as ETF.
• ARK Israel Innovative Technology ETF (IZRL) Index-based equity strategy tracking the ARK Israeli Innovation Index of 35-45 Israeli companies with disruptive innovation across health technology, communications, technology services, electronic technology, consumer services, and producer manufacturing. Available as ETF.
• ARK Venture Fund (ARKVX) Active private/public equity interval fund with 25-50 holdings providing broad exposure to disruptive innovation in both private and public markets via ARK's cornerstone themes. Available to qualified investors.
• ARK DIET Buffer ETF (ARKT) Actively managed options-overlay strategy that provides exposure to disruptive innovation via ARKK with rolling 12-month Outcome Periods structured to limit downside to approximately 50% and provide upside above a ~5% hurdle rate. Available as ETF.
• ARK Cryptocurrency Strategy Active managed account strategy offering exposure to cryptocurrencies governed by open-source networks; distributed via Eaglebrook Advisors as a separately managed account and alternative product for qualified investors.
• ARK Cryptoasset Strategy Active SMA strategy providing exposure to public-blockchain-issued cryptoassets facilitating financial-services and internet coordination (identity, reputation, data) outside traditional institutions.
• ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) Spot Bitcoin ETF providing direct exposure to Bitcoin, distributed through the ARK ETFs platform.
• ARK 10 Highly concentrated actively managed equity portfolio of public companies relevant to the theme of disruptive innovation, aimed at long-term capital growth.
• ARK Early Stage Disruptors Actively managed strategy providing broad exposure to early-stage disruptors in the public markets—newer public companies or established companies that introduced new technologically enabled products or services in early stages of development.
• ARK Mobility-as-a-Service Actively managed equity strategy targeting companies involved in self-driving vehicles, electric vehicles, autonomous ridesharing platforms, and aerial drones.
• ARK Metaverse Strategy Actively managed equity strategy investing in domestic and foreign companies focused on building the Metaverse, a shared virtual universe hosting 3D-rich virtual environments.
• ARK Positive Change Innovation Strategy incorporating companies most likely to deliver long-term capital growth and to positively impact global progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• ARK Circular Economy Indexed equity strategy providing exposure to the circular economy theme.
• ARK Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Indexed equity strategy targeting the cybersecurity and data privacy theme.
• ARK Environmental Impact Indexed equity strategy providing exposure to the environmental impact theme.
• ARK Global Sustainable Infrastructure Indexed equity strategy targeting global sustainable infrastructure opportunities.
• ARK Sustainable Future of Food Indexed equity strategy targeting the sustainable future of food theme.
• ARK USA Environmental Impact Indexed equity strategy targeting US-focused environmental impact opportunities.
• ARK Disruptive Innovation Strategy Actively managed thematic strategy providing exposure to disruptive innovation across AI, robotics, energy storage, DNA sequencing, autonomous vehicles, fintech, and 3D printing.
• spARK Labs Early-Stage Venture Fund Early-stage venture fund and angel network developed by ARK Invest and spARK Labs, focused on startups in AI, robotics, blockchain, energy storage, and multiomics biology.

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability8 records

Feature6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• First Trust Advisors: First Trust offers a broad lineup of actively managed thematic ETFs (e.g., NASDAQ Cybersecurity, fintech, clean energy) that compete with ARK's ARKF, ARKQ, ARKW, and ARKX products across retail and institutional channels.
• Global X ETFs: Global X is a thematic ETF sponsor with comparable actively managed and indexed strategies targeting disruptive technology, genomics, fintech, robotics, and blockchain themes, directly competing with ARK's themed product suite for advisor and retail flows.
• WisdomTree Investments: WisdomTree is an ETF sponsor offering thematic and ESG strategies overlapping with several ARK themes (innovation, fintech, blockchain), and competes head-to-head in the U.S. and European advisor channels.
• VanEck: VanEck is a specialty ETF issuer with thematic products spanning gold, semiconductors, digital assets, and innovation themes that directly compete with several ARK ETFs in advisor and self-directed retail accounts.
• ProShares: ProShares is a thematic and leveraged ETF issuer with products in blockchain, AI, and disruptive technology that overlap with ARK's thematic strategies and compete for similar investor mandates.
• Invesco (ETFs): Invesco is a large active ETF sponsor (including QQQ) with a growing thematic and disruptive-innovation product set that competes with ARK for both retail and institutional thematic ETF allocations.

Broad incumbents

• State Street Global Advisors (SPDR ETFs): State Street's SPDR franchise is one of the largest ETF platforms globally and offers overlapping thematic exposures, competing with ARK's ETFs in both institutional and advisor channels.
• Vanguard: Vanguard is the dominant low-cost index ETF provider and a broad incumbent in the asset management space; its scale and distribution pose ongoing fee-compression and share-of-wallet competition for ARK's actively managed thematic products.
• BlackRock (iShares): BlackRock is the world's largest asset manager and ETF sponsor (iShares), with growing thematic and innovation-themed ETF offerings that compete with ARK at scale and provide a much broader platform for distribution and cross-selling.

Emerging players

• Roundhill Investments: Roundhill is a smaller, emerging thematic ETF issuer focused on innovation-driven themes (metaverse, AI, cybersecurity) that compete directly with select ARK strategies for thematic mandates from advisors and self-directed investors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/arkinvest
• Facebookfacebook.com/ARKInvest
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ark-investment-management

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments81 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ARK Investment Management