Kopernik Global Investors

What Kopernik Global Investors does

Kopernik Global Investors, LLC is a Tampa, Florida-based, 100% employee-owned global equity investment management firm founded in July 2013 by David Iben, a 44-year industry veteran. The firm manages approximately $10 billion in AUM (as of 3/31/2026) across four core strategies — Global All-Cap, Global Unconstrained (long/short), Global Long-Term Opportunities, and International — delivered through multiple vehicle types including mutual funds, collective investment trusts (CITs), separate accounts, private funds, and a sub-advised UCITS structure (via Heptagon Capital).

The firm's underlying technology is fundamentally human-driven: bottom-up fundamental research with industry-tailored valuation models that differ substantially from conventional frameworks, supplemented by independent on-the-ground site visits and direct management engagement. The investment team averages 22 years of experience and operates with a high-conviction value approach that produces extreme active share (99.28% in the Global All-Cap Fund, 98.18% in the International Fund versus benchmarks MSCI ACWI and MSCI ACWI ex USA, respectively). Recent 1-year performance of 54.50% (Global All-Cap Class I) and 47.32% (International Class I) materially outpaced benchmarks of 20.01% and 24.91% respectively as of 3/31/2026, with 5-year annualized returns of 14.53% and 11.52%.

Kopernik generates revenue through asset-based management fees across its vehicle structures. Mutual fund Class A shares carry a 5.75% maximum sales charge with a 1.26% expense ratio, while Class I/Investor shares run between 1.01%-1.27% (some contractually capped until Feb 28, 2027). Distribution occurs through three motions: enterprise field sales to institutional investors and consultants (with dedicated Solutions and Investor Relations teams), direct-to-retail mutual fund distribution in the U.S., and event-driven brand-building through the annual Super Terrific Happy Day Conference and podcast/media presence. Customer segments span institutional investors (primary: pensions, endowments, foundations, sovereign wealth funds), mutual fund investors, qualified private fund investors, and CIT retirement plan sponsors.

Name

Kopernik Global Investors

Legal name

Kopernik Global Investors, LLC

Website

https://kopernikglobal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kopernik Global Investors is a 100% employee-owned Tampa-based global value equity manager founded in 2013 by David Iben, managing ~$10B AUM across four high-conviction strategies for institutional, retirement, and retail investors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Investment Management

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Open-End Investment Funds (52591), Other Investment Pools and Funds (5259)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Asset Solutions for Institutional (Pensions/Endowments/Sovereigns) (FSAAAJAJ)

Keywords

• Global equity management
• Value investing
• Investment management
• Active asset management
• Mutual fund management

Headquarters

HQ city

Tampa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Investment Management Fees: Kopernik generates revenue through management fees charged on assets under management across its four investment strategies: Global All-Cap, International, Global Unconstrained, and Global Long-Term Opportunities. Fees are charged across multiple vehicle types including mutual funds, separate accounts, private funds, and CITs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Kopernik Global Investors is a global equity investment management firm that builds concentrated equity portfolios through rigorous bottom-up fundamental analysis. The firm manages approximately $10 billion across four core strategies — Global All-Cap, Global Unconstrained, Global Long-Term Opportunities, and International — delivered through mutual funds, separate accounts, private funds, collective investment trusts (CITs), and UCITS sub-advised vehicles. Investment decisions are driven by independent, on-the-ground research and proprietary industry-tailored valuation models that seek companies trading at significant discounts to intrinsic value.

Product overview

Kopernik Global Investors is a global equity investment management firm offering four core investment strategies (Global All-Cap, Global Unconstrained, Global Long-Term Opportunities, and International) through multiple investment vehicles including mutual funds (Kopernik Global All-Cap Fund and Kopernik International Fund), separate accounts, private funds, and UCITS funds. The firm is launching a new Global Opportunities Strategy in 2026. All strategies are built on a shared value-oriented philosophy of bottom-up fundamental analysis, seeking securities trading at significant discounts to intrinsic value across global markets including developed, emerging, and frontier markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kopernik Global All-Cap Fund: Mutual fund investing in equity securities of companies across all market capitalizations globally, including emerging and frontier markets.
• Kopernik International Fund
• Kopernik Global All-Cap Strategy
• Kopernik Global Unconstrained Strategy
• Kopernik Global Long-Term Opportunities Strategy
• Kopernik International Strategy

Products and services

• Kopernik Global All-Cap Strategy Global equity strategy investing in companies of all market capitalizations across developed, emerging, and frontier markets, seeking capital appreciation by investing in securities trading at significant discounts to risk-adjusted intrinsic values. Soft closed to new investors effective April 30, 2026.
• Kopernik Global Unconstrained Strategy Long/short equity strategy seeking absolute returns by taking long positions in undervalued companies and short positions in overvalued companies across global markets of all capitalizations.
• Kopernik Global Long-Term Opportunities Global crossover strategy seeking long-term positive real returns by investing in public equities and real assets including commodities, natural resources, streams, and royalties. The related fund stopped accepting new investments effective December 31, 2025.
• Kopernik International Strategy International equity strategy focusing on mid- to large-cap equities across developed, emerging, and frontier markets outside the U.S., investing in securities trading at significant discounts to risk-adjusted intrinsic values.
• Kopernik Global All-Cap Fund Open-end mutual fund seeking long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities of U.S. and non-U.S. companies across all market capitalizations. Available to U.S. investors in Class A and Class I shares.
• Kopernik International Fund Open-end mutual fund investing primarily in equity securities of companies across mid- to large-market capitalizations globally, with up to 15% in U.S. businesses with significant international activities. Available to U.S. investors in Class I and Investor Class shares.
• Global Opportunities Strategy Mid- to large-cap global equity offering managed by Co-CIOs David Iben and Alissa Corcoran, introduced as the Global All-Cap Strategy soft closes to new investors.
• Separate Accounts Customized investment accounts managed according to individual client specifications and regulatory requirements, offering Kopernik's investment strategies in a separate account structure for institutional clients.
• Private Funds Private fund vehicles for qualified investors providing access to the Global All-Cap, Unconstrained, and Global Long-Term Opportunities strategies, accessible through the SEI Investor Portal.
• Collective Investment Trusts (CITs) Collective investment trusts for retirement plan participants available for the Global All-Cap and International strategies, managed through the SEI Trust Company CIT Dashboard.

Quantifiable outcome

• Kopernik Global All-Cap Fund Class I returned 54.50% over 1 year and 14.53% annualized over 5 years (as of 3/31/2026), outperforming MSCI ACWI Index which returned 20.01% and 9.49% respectively.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Kopernik announced signing on to the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment in 2018, demonstrating commitment to integrating ESG considerations into investment practices and ownership policies.
• SEI Investments CompanycoreOthersSEI provides middle and back-office support as well as fund administration services for Kopernik's mutual funds and other investment vehicles. Also serves as the trustee for Kopernik's Collective Investment Trusts through SEI Trust Company.
• Heptagon CapitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeptagon Capital serves as the UCITS Advisor for Kopernik, enabling the firm to offer its investment strategies in a UCITS fund structure for international distribution.
• Jefferies LLCcoreOthersJefferies LLC serves as prime broker for Kopernik, providing securities lending, trade execution, and other brokerage services.
• Kaufman RossincoreOthersKaufman Rossin provides tax and audit services for Kopernik Global Investors.
• Alston & Bird LLPcoreOthersAlston & Bird LLP serves as legal counsel for Kopernik Global Investors.
• Walkers GlobalcoreOthersWalkers Global provides international legal counsel services for Kopernik Global Investors.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dodge & Cox: 100% employee-owned, San Francisco-based value manager running mutual funds and institutional strategies with a long-term, contrarian approach. Directly comparable in ownership, philosophy, and value discipline.
• Harding Loevner: Independent global equity manager with international, emerging markets, and frontier strategies offered through institutional separate accounts, mutual funds, and UCITS. Closely comparable in international/frontier mandate and active share profile.
• Third Avenue Management: Fundamental value manager with global and real-asset strategies, including exposure to commodities and natural resources. Closely comparable to Kopernik's Long-Term Opportunities strategy focus on real assets and lower-liquidity securities.
• Orbis Investments: Private global value manager offering long-only and long/short funds to international and institutional clients, with a strong emphasis on fundamental research and contrarian positioning. Comparable in investment style and global reach.
• Pzena Investment Management: Publicly listed global value equity manager running institutional separate accounts, mutual funds, and UCITS vehicles. Direct comparable in classic value style, institutional focus, and multi-vehicle distribution.
• Tweedy, Browne Company: Privately held, employee-owned global value equity manager with bottom-up fundamental research and a long-term horizon. Highly comparable in ownership structure, philosophy, and global mandate.
• First Eagle Investment Management: Independent, value-oriented global asset manager offering mutual funds and institutional strategies with an emphasis on downside protection and contrarian investing. Closest comparable to Kopernik in philosophy, client mix, and product structure.
• Longleaf Partners: Value-oriented equity manager offering mutual funds to institutional and retail clients with concentrated, high-conviction portfolios and a long-term horizon. Comparable in concentrated, contrarian value style.

Broad incumbents

• Artisan Partners: Publicly listed multi-boutique asset manager with several global equity strategies, including value-oriented offerings, distributed across mutual funds, separate accounts, and UCITS. Comparable in product breadth and global distribution, though much larger.

Others

• Heptagon Capital: London-based asset manager serving as Kopernik's UCITS advisor for international distribution. Related as a strategic distribution partner rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kopernik-global-investors-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Kopernik Global Investors