Did you get to attend the BAI Alternative Event last month? Vidrio Financial did, and came away with great insights around portfolio data transparency, private equity strategies, artificial intelligence and more.
Over 7 Vidrio Takeaways from the BAI Alternative Investment Conference
May 10, 2023 9:23:23 AM
Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence for Institutional Investing
May 2, 2023 8:54:50 AM
Vidrio details the finer points of AI and machine learning for allocators, and where the future is headed as we further leverage human expertise and software.
Vidrio on a ‘Clear Path’ for Data and Transparency in Private Markets
Apr 27, 2023 9:13:02 AM
Our recap of the Clear Path Analysis Private Markets Investor event covering challenges with Excel spreadsheets, data integrity and transparency.
Vidrio Takes on ALTS LA Event
Mar 31, 2023 9:21:14 AM
Fresh off the ALTS LA event, the Vidrio team breaks down some key takeaways on the minds of today's allocators.
Improving Alpha: Gitanjali Swamy on Building a Collective Intelligence
Mar 13, 2023 10:37:40 AM
In our latest episode, we speak with Gitanjali Swamy about the ways that those in the asset community can create better intelligence around the topic of diversity.
Allocator Spotlight Series: UBP finds HF opportunity amid a new era at global central banks
Feb 25, 2023 10:30:00 AM
By Susan Barreto, Editor, AlternativesWatch.com
Improving Alpha: Tensie Whelan Discusses Extracting Value from Sustainability
Feb 6, 2023 4:13:35 PM
In our sixth episode, we speak with Tensie Whelan about sustainability for institutional investors and how leaders can drive better financial and societal performance by embedding sustainability into their businesses.
Why is Private Credit Still the Hot Game in Town?
Jan 27, 2023 4:34:16 PM
Vidrio Financial takes a look into the private credit space, how allocators are rebalancing towards this asset class, and how we are assisting these strategies.
Improving Alpha: Greg Steinmetz on History’s Indispensable Asset Owners
Jan 24, 2023 1:25:54 PM
In our fifth episode, we speak with Greg Steinmetz about two of the richest people in history and how their contributions helped shaped the institutional investment arena today.
Improving Alpha: A Zero Sum Behavioral Psychology Approach for Innovative Allocators
Jan 6, 2023 11:59:28 AM
In our fourth episode, we speak with Shai Davidai, Columbia Business School on the psychology of those operating in finance. Listen below.
Vidrio Financial Takes on ALTS MIA Event
Dec 22, 2022 10:29:26 AM
Earlier this month the Vidrio team journeyed to Miami to get the latest downloads on ESG, regional alternative Investment strategies, and future investing trends.
Shadow Accounting: Navigating Investor 'Red Flags' and Improving Transparency
Dec 16, 2022 2:18:17 PM
Investors need to take note and align themselves with technology partners that constantly evolve to improve due diligence workflows and transparency.
Improving Alpha: Jonathan Grabel, LACERA on Consolidating a Strategic Allocation for Growth
Dec 9, 2022 10:34:00 AM
In our third installment, we speak to Jonathan Grabel, Chief Investment Officer, LACERA. Listen below.
Improving Alpha: Ben Samild, Future Fund on Innovating Investments for 35 Million Beneficiaries
Nov 28, 2022 12:53:43 PM
In our second podcast episode, we speak to Ben Samild, Deputy Chief Investment Officer, Portfolio Construction, Future Fund. Listen below.
Vidrio Financial Takes on ALTSTX Event
Nov 18, 2022 4:38:19 PM
Check out our recap of the ALTSTX event and see where the future of the 60/40 portfolio, inflation, and ESG risk metrics are headed in 2023.
Improving Alpha: Jeff Mindlin, ASU Enterprise Partners on Engineering a $1.3 billion Endowment for the Future
Nov 14, 2022 10:18:38 AM
Welcome to our first inaugural episode of the Improving Alpha Podcast Series. Learn how ASU Enterprise Partners is encouraging growth and innovation across their endowment.
Vidrio Financial Takes on ALTS Seattle Event
Oct 31, 2022 4:36:34 PM
Check out our recap of the Alts Seattle event and learn where allocators are shifting their investment strategies now.
The New Direction of ESG for Today's Allocators
Oct 11, 2022 10:12:38 AM
We review the latest on the ESG puzzle for allocators while also outlining how Vidrio Financial looks at ESG scoring.
David Barry, Director of Marketing, Vidrio Financial
‘Greenwashing’, is a cringe-worthy term for any allocator...
Uncertainty Takes Hold as Inflation Drives a Need for New Data Sets
Aug 16, 2022 12:48:43 PM
Institutional Investor portfolios are under more scrutiny as volatility continues to climb.
Federico De Giorgis, President, Vidrio Financial
Allocator Spotlight Series: Abrdn takes a tech-informed approach to risk management
Aug 12, 2022 9:31:15 AM
By Susan Barreto, Editor, AlternativesWatch.com
The SEC's New Approach to Private Market Portfolio Transparency
Jul 28, 2022 3:12:23 PM
Will market volatility drastically alter the level of transparency that allocators provide today and how will investors and the SEC respond?
Gygmy Gonnot, Managing Director, Vidrio Financial
Vidrio Financial Recognized in Three HFM Categories for Outstanding Allocator Service
Jul 15, 2022 12:37:01 PM
See how Vidrio has impacted the industry in terms of data management, risk, and innovating our platform for allocators.
By David Barry, Marketing Director, Vidrio Financial
Allocator Spotlight Series: Investcorp-Tages: Data equals alpha
Jul 8, 2022 10:58:41 AM
By Susan Barreto, Editor, AlternativesWatch.com
Transparency Matters: A Risk Conversation with Investcorp-Tages CRO Diego Ferri
Jun 28, 2022 12:30:00 PM
What does the investment process look like in today's market, and how data management is integral to managing risk.
By Gygmy Gonnot, Managing Director and Partner at Vidrio Financial
Improving Portfolio Performance in the Face of 8.6% Inflation
Jun 16, 2022 10:07:12 AM
How CIOs are solving the inflation puzzle with the use of technology.
Reflections from the ALTSLA Conference: The Portfolio for the Future
Apr 14, 2022 8:15:00 AM
I had the pleasure of attending the Annual ALTSLA 2022 Conference at the end of March hosted at JW Marriott in Los Angeles which brought together leading industry experts covering alternative investments including hedge funds,...
Hedge Week in Miami: Reflections from iConnections Global Alts 2022
Feb 9, 2022 5:27:13 PM
Accompanied by Willett Bird and Zac Corona from the Vidrio biz dev team, I recently joined the thousands of investors, managers and industry elite who attended Miami’s so-called Hedgeweek, which saw multiple conferences and...
Making the Grade: Best Data and Information Provider
Oct 13, 2021 3:23:11 PM
We are pleased to have been shortlisted this year for both the AltCredit US and EU awards in the Best Data and Information Provider category. So what makes us top nominees in the category?
Crypto Craze Still Lacks Meaningful Institutional Investor Community
Sep 29, 2021 3:20:48 PM
In our latest Vidrio Views findings, recently covered by Hedgeweek, it is evident that while the craze of interest for crypto currencies and crypto related investment offerings persists to date, there are no meaningful examples...
Demystifying the Data Collection and Handling Process for Allocators
Aug 20, 2021 3:21:01 PM
The data collection and handling process is a critical element in providing a valuable front-to-back office solution that simplifies the overall investment management process for clients.
Due Diligence and Alternatives Allocations: The New Not-so-Normal
Aug 19, 2021 9:54:12 AM
Data integrity in the due diligence and allocation process has never been so important, as evidenced in the August 2021 publication of Vidrio Views, our monthly market survey of global allocators and LPs representing more than...
Rising Inflation Expectations Are a Boon for Alternatives Allocations
Jul 26, 2021 1:48:10 PM
Inflation expectations in the second half of 2021 have been moving higher,though whether this shift is temporary and range-bound is likely to become evident in the coming months as the Federal Reserve maintains its dovish ...
Data Management and the Vidrio Origin Story
Apr 14, 2021 9:36:27 AM
It has been more than ten years since Vidrio first launched to the market, but what many people don’t know is that the concept of Vidrio first emerged two decades ago. In this Q&A with our CEO, Mazen Jabban, we discuss the unique...
Thought Leadership Round-Up: Manager Research and Due Diligence
Mar 28, 2021 9:46:24 AM
It would seem the current trend of Zoom Diligence might be here to stay for some time, so in addition to our own recent thought leadership on the topic, we’ve rounded up the following summary of high value content covering...
An "Unprecedented" Year
Mar 16, 2021 10:04:50 PM
If we’d been told just a few years ago that the industry would be rocked by a global pandemic, our expectation would have been for complete panic across the industry. What we saw instead, just one year ago this week, was only a...
Private Markets Due Diligence in a New Era
Feb 26, 2021 8:46:29 AM
In our latest Coffee and a Conversation, Vidrio's Willett Bird met with Kamal Suppal, Chief Investment Auditor of the Boston-based, Emerging Markets Alternatives. The two discussed the nuances of conducting due diligence on...
Coffee and a Conversation Recap #1: Zoom Diligence
Nov 30, 2020 10:48:07 PM
Appropriately, we kicked off our new virtual Coffee and a Conversation series with a discussion about remote due diligence meetings, aka Zoom Diligence, and presented ideas for allocators who must now adapt their processes to...
Excel in Finance - More than a Tempest in a Teapot
Nov 5, 2020 5:07:07 PM
It has been more than 35 years since Microsoft Excel (originally for the Macintosh!) was first introduced to the world. Yet here we are in 2020 and there are firms across the globe that still use Excel to support at least some...
Adapting Investment Management Workflows to the “New Normal”
Oct 29, 2020 10:45:06 AM
“Workflow” has become an in-vogue term in recent years, generally defined as the sequence of repeatable processes through which a piece of work passes from initiation to completion. For fund allocators, workflows are employed...
Webinar Recap: Managing Risk and Improving Alpha with Customization
Oct 14, 2020 10:16:36 AM
Vidrio's CEO, Mazen Jabban joined a virtual panel of fellow industry leaders for the October 9th Talking Hedge Webinar: Managing Risk and Improving Alpha with Customization. The panel was part of the Talking Hedge Santa Monica...
13F Disclosures – A More Nuanced View
Oct 9, 2020 10:58:47 AM
Nearly three months ago, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) announced the Proposed Rule on Reporting Threshold for Institutional Investment Managers, which proposes an amendment to raise the threshold for reporting...
DIY Allocation?
Sep 1, 2020 7:44:11 PM
In their recently published investor update, Alternative Assets, H2 2020, Preqin reported that investors are not giving up on alternative assets and many expect to increase commitments.
Business as Usual?
Jul 28, 2020 7:53:22 PM
In this post, Antonio Simonini, Vidrio's head of Client Services and member of our senior management team reflects on the effects of the current pandemic on the industry, Vidrio's own preparation and response, and the ways in...
Ready for the "New Normal?"
Jul 28, 2020 7:12:12 PM
When it comes to business continuity and infrastructure readiness, what does your new normal look like today, and are you preparing for whatever tomorrow’s “normal” may be?
Vidrio Advanced Analytics Using Machine Learning
Jun 25, 2020 12:00:00 PM
The application of advanced algorithms and machine learning to the data collection and analytic services we offer is the one of the latest innovations to help clients solve complex allocation needs and build more efficient...
Fund Allocator's Solution Series: Multi-function Single-vendor
Jun 24, 2020 12:54:15 PM
For firms that desire continuity across all their teams, the multi-function single-vendor solution is a reasonable choice for the benefit of reporting alone. This level of centralization helps prevent discrepancies in data,...
Fund Allocator's Solution Series: Multi-vendor
Jun 8, 2020 6:55:38 PM
One of the most widely used solutions capable of catering to an array of individual specialties is a combined patchwork of disparate tools and services for each functional need. While this approach seemingly allows allocation...
Fund Allocator's Solution Series: Custom-built
May 18, 2020 12:04:24 PM
While there are trillions of dollars in the finance world managed on spreadsheets, there are a select few who choose to take on the task of creating their own custom-built software solution for portfolio management.
The reasons...
Fund Allocator's Solution Series: Spreadsheets
Apr 27, 2020 10:50:52 AM
Spreadsheet software such as Excel may be the de facto system for financial institution's portfolio management, but should they be? With increasing staff, volumes of data, assets, and client responsibilities, spreadsheets quickly...
Allocators Face New Obstacles in Pandemic While Redeeming from Funds
Apr 8, 2020 2:34:48 PM
In the current pandemic environment, while some of the funds that asset allocators are invested with are finding ways to profit, many funds are performing poorly. Some will close as a result. Across the board, we see allocators...
Buy vs. Build for Institutional Allocators
Mar 31, 2020 12:00:00 PM
There are both advantages and disadvantages to custom building systems for cross-portfolio asset management vs. buying an existing off-the-shelf vendor solution. Is there a happy medium?
Allocating in a Bear Market
Mar 23, 2020 5:11:28 PM
Covid-19 and a crash in the oil markets have triggered a bear market that may lead to a recession. While the complexion of this bear market is different from 2008-9, there are applicable lessons from the last recession that can...
Holistic Portfolio Management Tools in Times of Market Stress
Mar 3, 2020 12:11:25 PM
Covid-19 has caused businesses of all types to look at their disaster preparedness and business continuity planning. For fund allocators, the market downturn caused by coronavirus fears brought the importance of high-quality...
Conference Notes - Agecroft "Gaining the Edge" 2019
Nov 6, 2019 4:17:08 PM
Year after year, Agecroft does an excellent job bringing together a mix of funds, allocators, and service providers for their hedge fund allocator conference. Here are the top takeaways from Agecroft's "Gaining the Edge" in 2019:
5 Good Reasons You Should Know Vidrio
Sep 11, 2019 12:00:00 AM
Vidrio is a Technology Enabled Service for fund allocators. We collect a full range of data from external managers for our clients so they can focus on more value-added tasks. We use all this data to power a range of functions...
We've Been in Development for 25 Years
Sep 1, 2018 3:24:00 PM
Vidrio is the first Technology Enabled Service for allocators. We’re also undoubtedly the oldest. The origins of Vidrio go back to 1994 when we established one of the early funds of hedge funds. Along the way, we developed...
The “Service” in SaaS
Jul 11, 2016 12:00:00 AM
Investment managers traditionally develop custom internal technology or implement multiple vendor solutions to manage their investments. Historically, these were the only products that could provide mature products across all...
Seeing Both Sides of the Risk Coin
Jun 27, 2016 12:00:00 AM
For investors placing money with hedge funds, calculating the risk of these investments is a multi-faceted problem.
Some risk elements, like standard deviation, are relatively easy to calculate: track performance over time and...