Vicus Capital
Vicus Capital is a privately held Registered Investment Advisor operating a cloud-based investment platform that provides back-office support, 20+ investment programs, and practice management services to independent financial advisors, broker dealers, and institutional investors across the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersState College, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Vicus Capital does
Vicus Capital, Inc. is a privately held Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) headquartered in State College, Pennsylvania, that operates a B2B platform providing investment management, portfolio design, and practice management services to independent financial advisors, institutional investors, broker dealers, and RIAs across the United States. The firm traces its origins to 1978 (as Estate Architects, later PFG Financial Advisors) and was rebranded to Vicus Capital in 2015. Its core offering is a modular investment platform built around four pillars — Managed Solutions (20+ investment programs spanning strategic, tactical, and hybrid approaches), Custom Solutions (fully customized SMAs with tax and risk management), Open Architecture (advisor-as-PM and outsourced CIO), and Retirement Plans (3(21)/3(38) fiduciary services) — supported by an in-house Advisor Portal hosted on RedBlack Cloud and an 8-person investment operations team managing 2,000 investment models.
The technology stack includes a cloud-native Advisor Portal with webform tools, calculators, and client proposal generation; eMoney-based financial planning integration; IT and cybersecurity infrastructure; and multi-custodian connectivity through Fidelity Investments and Charles Schwab Institutional. Add-on modules — Financial Planning, Advisor Engagement (Vicus View weekly market update, Vicus EDGE monthly video series, semi-annual roadshows), Business Development, and Investment Management & Research — extend the platform into adjacent back-office functions that advisors would otherwise procure separately.
The business model is fee-based and recurring, generating revenue through ongoing management fees on managed account programs, platform access fees, subscription-based financial planning services, and professional services for practice management. Customer acquisition is sales-led with channel partnerships through broker dealers and RIAs, supported by content marketing (website, video series, weekly newsletter), industry events, and an Emerging Advisor Academy apprenticeship program. The firm is SEC-regulated, files Form ADV, and reports no outside equity funding, indicating a self-funded, founder/operator-led ownership structure (Eric Dare as CEO & President).
Vicus Capital firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Vicus Capital
- Legal name
- Vicus Capital, Inc.
- Website
- https://vicuscapital.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Vicus Capital is a privately held Registered Investment Advisor operating a cloud-based investment platform that provides back-office support, 20+ investment programs, and practice management services to independent financial advisors, broker dealers, and institutional investors across the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Vicus Capital industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wealth Management & Investment Advisory Services
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (52394), Other Financial Investment Activities (5239)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282), Finance Services (6199)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate Finance & Capital Advisory (BPAHADAB)
Keywords
Where Vicus Capital is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- State College
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Vicus Capital business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Fee-based Managed Account Programs: Vicus Capital offers fee-based managed account programs including managed solutions division (strategic, tactical and hybrid options), custom solutions division including separately managed accounts (SMAs), and open architecture advisor-as-PM structure. Revenue is generated through ongoing management fees rather than transaction-based commissions.
- Investment Platform Services: The firm provides investment management services through its platform including investment research and due diligence, model construction and trading, custom proposals and asset allocations. Fees are charged for access to the platform and associated services.
- Financial Planning Services: The Financial Planning department offers customized financial plans, enhancement and review of ongoing wealth strategies, eMoney implementation and ongoing support, and Certified expert consultation. Services are available as A La Carte or subscription plans.
- Practice Management Services: Comprehensive back-office support for independent wealth managers including business development, marketing, compliance, operations, and human resources services.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Vicus Capital product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Vicus Capital provides fee-based investment management programs and back-office support services for independent financial advisors and institutional investors. The firm offers 20+ investment programs spanning managed solutions, custom separately managed accounts, open architecture advisor-as-PM services, and 3(21)/3(38) retirement plan fiduciary services, complemented by financial planning, compliance, operations, IT, and marketing support delivered through a proprietary Advisor Portal.
Product overview
Vicus Capital is an investment management and advisory firm operating as a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core investment platform consists of four main components: Managed Solutions (20+ investment programs), Custom Solutions (fully customized portfolios), Open Architecture (advisor-as-PM and outsourced CIO), and Retirement Plans (3(21) and 3(38) fiduciary services). Supporting these are modular add-on services including Financial Planning (eMoney-based), Advisor Engagement (Vicus View/EDGE), Business Development, IT & Cybersecurity, and Investment Management & Research. The Advisor Portal serves as the central digital hub for advisor operations, with custody provided through Fidelity Investments and Charles Schwab.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Managed Solutions 20+ unique investment programs including mutual funds, ETFs, alternatives, and cash management, offering strategic, tactical, and hybrid investment strategies for various client wealth planning objectives. Targeted at financial advisors and their clients.
- Custom Solutions Fully customized portfolio services with tax and risk management, in-kind asset transfers, personalized transition strategies, and tax loss harvesting capabilities, tailored by Vicus Capital's investment professionals. Targeted at advisors and institutional clients with bespoke needs.
- Open Architecture Advisor-as-portfolio-manager and outsourced CIO services enabling independent advisors to maintain direct portfolio management control or leverage Vicus Capital's research and analytics team for investment consultation.
- Retirement Plans 3(21) and 3(38) fiduciary investment management services for qualified retirement plans, with access to a curated platform of recordkeeping and administration partners. Targeted at plan sponsors and institutional clients.
- Advisor Portal Secure cloud-based online platform offering robust access to applications including comprehensive webform tools, intuitive calculators, and client proposal generation capabilities for advisors and support staff. Migrated to RedBlack Cloud for cloud-native performance.
- Financial Planning Services Customized financial plans, ongoing wealth strategy review, eMoney implementation and support, and expert consultation for client meetings, available as A La Carte or subscription plans. Targeted at independent financial advisors.
- Advisor Engagement Services Services including book analysis, model mapping, Vicus View weekly market update, Vicus EDGE monthly business enhancement ideas, semi-annual roadshows, and in-depth product education for financial advisors.
- Business Development Services Business coaching, practice valuation, purchase negotiations, hiring assistance, advisor onboarding, and client account re-papering assistance for independent financial advisors.
- IT & Cybersecurity Services Cybersecurity solutions, business continuity systems, digital/virtual solutions, paperless office, cloud storage, archiving, compliance integrations, CRM support, email support, and spam/hacking triage for advisor practices.
- Investment Management & Research (IMR) Outsourced portfolio review and management team providing custom solutions, retirement plan services (3(21) and 3(38) Fiduciary), investment research, model construction and trading, and quarterly market commentary for advisors and institutional clients.
Quantifiable outcome
- 60% reduction in task time through cloud migration - tasks previously taking an hour can now be completed in minutes
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Vicus Capital
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Vicus Capital technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature4 records
Vicus Capital partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Fidelity InvestmentscoreFidelity Investments is one of the world's largest providers of financial services, offering investment management, retirement planning, brokerage, and other financial products to more than 20 million individuals and institutions through 5,000 financial intermediary firms. Vicus Capital participates in the Fidelity custodial ecosystem, providing advisors and their clients access to Fidelity's platform for custody, clearing, and brokerage services.
- Charles Schwab & Co.coreCharles Schwab & Co. provides comprehensive financial advisory services through its broker-dealer subsidiary, including Schwab Advisor Services for independent investment advisors. Vicus Capital participates in the Charles Schwab Institutional program, receiving custody, trade execution, clearance, and settlement services while also benefiting from referral and support services.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Vicus Capital competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AssetMark: AssetMark is a leading turnkey asset management platform (TAMP) serving independent financial advisors with managed portfolios, practice management, and technology tools — directly comparable to Vicus's investment platform and back-office support offering for RIAs.
- Orion Advisor Solutions: Orion provides portfolio accounting, CRM, and turnkey asset management platforms to RIAs and broker-dealers, overlapping with Vicus's investment management, technology, and back-office services for independent advisors.
- Envestnet: Envestnet is a large-scale wealth management platform offering managed portfolios, data analytics, and practice management to advisors — comparable to Vicus's combination of managed solutions, custom SMAs, and advisor back-office services.
- Brinker Capital: Brinker Capital is an investment platform serving independent advisors with managed portfolios, customized solutions, and practice resources — directly parallel to Vicus's investment platform and advisor-engagement model.
Broad incumbents
- SEI Investments: SEI's Wealth Advisor segment offers investment management, custodial, and practice management services to RIAs at much greater scale than Vicus, but with overlapping value propositions for independent advisor firms.
- Carson Group: Carson Group is a large, PE-backed RIA support platform providing investment solutions, marketing, compliance, coaching, and back-office services to independent advisors — a scaled, better-capitalized analog to Vicus's advisor-services platform.
- Schwab Advisor Services: Charles Schwab Advisor Services is a major custodian and platform serving independent RIAs, with whom Vicus partners but which also competes directly for advisor wallet share through bundled custody, technology, and platform services.
Emerging players
- Addepar: Addepar provides wealth management technology for advisors and family offices, including portfolio analytics and reporting — overlapping with Vicus's cloud-native platform and Advisor Portal functionality.
- CAIS: CAIS is an alternative investment platform serving RIAs with due diligence, operational support, and access to alts — adjacent to Vicus's "Open Architecture" offering and alternatives-focused investment programs.
- Riskalyze (Ion Wealth): Riskalyze (now part of Ion Wealth) provides risk-tolerance and proposal-generation tools for advisors, overlapping with Vicus Advisor Portal's calculators and client proposal generation capabilities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Vicus Capital social profiles
Digital presenceVicus Capital compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Vicus Capital financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Vicus Capital leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Vicus Capital funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Vicus Capital M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Vicus Capital
What does Vicus Capital do?
Vicus Capital provides fee-based investment management programs and back-office support services for independent financial advisors and institutional investors. The firm offers 20+ investment programs spanning managed solutions, custom separately managed accounts, open architecture advisor-as-PM services, and 3(21)/3(38) retirement plan fiduciary services, complemented by financial planning, compliance, operations, IT, and marketing support delivered through a proprietary Advisor Portal.
Is Vicus Capital a public or private company?
Vicus Capital is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Vicus Capital founded?
Vicus Capital was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Vicus Capital based?
Vicus Capital is headquartered in State College, United States, in the North America region.
How does Vicus Capital make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Fee-based Managed Account Programs are the primary driver. The others are investment Platform Services, financial Planning Services and practice Management Services.
Who are Vicus Capital's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AssetMark, Orion Advisor Solutions, Envestnet and Brinker Capital. Broad incumbents are SEI Investments, Carson Group and Schwab Advisor Services. Emerging players are Addepar, CAIS and Riskalyze (Ion Wealth).
Does Vicus Capital have an API?
No public API is recorded for Vicus Capital.
What industry is Vicus Capital in?
Vicus Capital's product category is Wealth Management & Investment Advisory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHADAB, Corporate Finance & Capital Advisory. Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6282.