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SoFi has added three private market funds from CAZ Investments and AngelList Asset Management to its investment platform, making them available to SoFi Invest members.
The new funds expand SoFi's alternative investment offering with exposure to venture capital, private equity, private credit, real assets and stakes in alternative asset management firms. They are the CAZ GP Stakes Fund, the CAZ Strategic Opportunities Fund and AngelList Asset Management's USVC Venture Capital Access Fund.
Private market products have typically been aimed at institutional investors and wealthy individuals because of higher minimum investments, complex fund structures and limited liquidity. SoFi is positioning the additions as a way to bring some of those strategies to a broader retail audience through its app-based brokerage service.
The launch also extends a broader push by financial technology platforms to package private market exposure for smaller investors. Demand for alternatives has grown as investors look beyond listed equities and bonds, though these products remain riskier, less liquid and harder to value than mainstream assets.
The AngelList fund seeks long-term capital appreciation through investments in venture capital funds and underlying private growth companies across sectors including artificial intelligence, financial technology, healthcare and defence. Its exposure may include businesses such as OpenAI, Anthropic and Anduril, alongside other companies tied to innovation-led sectors.
The two CAZ funds take a different approach. The GP Stakes Fund focuses primarily on alternative asset management firms across private equity, private credit, real estate, infrastructure, commodity-related securities and venture capital. The Strategic Opportunities Fund targets broad exposure across mostly private markets through a mix of private equity, private credit, real estate, real assets and liquid assets.
Lower minimums
One of the most notable features of the launch is the lower entry point compared with many traditional private market vehicles. Minimum investments start at USD $500 for the USVC Fund and USD $2,500 for the two CAZ funds.
That is far below the thresholds often associated with private funds, where minimum commitments can run into tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. The lower barrier may make the products more accessible to self-directed retail investors, although it does not change the underlying risks of unlisted assets.
SoFi also said the funds intend to offer periodic, limited share repurchases. That structure may give investors more chances to access capital than conventional closed-end private market funds, though it still falls short of the daily dealing common in listed funds and exchange-traded products.
SoFi has paired the launch with educational material and reporting tools inside its app. Private market investing often involves specialist terminology, layered fee arrangements and less transparent valuations, which can make it harder for retail clients to assess risk and performance.
Broader strategy
The move fits into a wider effort by SoFi to build its investing business beyond listed stocks, exchange-traded funds and cryptocurrencies. Over the past year, the group has added private market products from other managers, including Cashmere, ARK Invest and Liberty Street Advisors.
That strategy reflects broader competition among digital brokerages and wealth platforms to attract customers with products once reserved for advisers, institutions and high-net-worth clients. Alternative assets have become an important battleground as platforms seek new fee streams and higher customer engagement.
At the same time, private market investing has drawn closer scrutiny as fund managers and distribution platforms market access to retail investors. Critics have warned that the appeal of marquee names in artificial intelligence and defence can obscure concerns over liquidity, fees, valuation uncertainty and the long holding periods often involved.
SoFi's customer base gives it a sizeable audience for such products. The company said 15.8 million members use its services across borrowing, saving, spending, investing and insurance-related products, while its technology arm serves more than 134 million global accounts for banks, financial technology firms and brands.
Anthony Noto, Chief Executive Officer of SoFi, said the expansion is aimed at investors seeking broader diversification but facing barriers to private markets.
"SoFi is making alternative investing more accessible for investors looking to diversify their portfolios but who have previously faced barriers to entry," said Anthony Noto, Chief Executive Officer of SoFi. "We're proud to expand our selection of investment opportunities across private equity, real estate, venture capital and more, giving members more ways to diversify their portfolios and pursue their financial ambitions."