A song of ice and fire - how Palantir, Bridgewater, and Addepar influenced Opto

When we talk internally about Opto’s approach and edge, we like to say that we are the product of a successful marriage between Silicon Valley software engineering and cutting-edge high finance.

This marriage of intellectual heritages is well exemplified by two of Opto’s co-founders; Jacob Miller brings his experience at Bridgewater Associates and Matt Reed his tenure at Addepar. Here we’ll explore some of the major philosophical pillars, along with how they weave together to create the new fabric of Opto.

Interestingly, both co-founders converged on the idea that we should seek truth as a first order goal. While others fixate on vanity metrics and commissions, our primary focus is client success, which is served by developing the most analytical, data-driven, and systematic approach to investing in private markets.

I take thee Bridgewater

As we mature in our explorations, we seek to emulate how Bridgewater demonstrates its industry-best approaches and frameworks “in the open” - through white papers, macroeconomic reports, and books (Principles by Ray Dalio being a local favourite).

From the “Principles” philosophy, we have also emphasized that open debate and meritocracy is the only way to achieve a truth-seeking culture. This makes us much more nimble than others in the space using a more traditional approach.

This focus on truth and understanding also pervades our sales strategy. Unlike many firms that focus on aggressive client acquisition, Opto (like Bridgewater) can afford to be strategic about the partners with whom we choose to work. The complex, sometimes opaque nature of private markets means it’s better to work exclusively with those with an aligned philosophy. By finding those who want to also do right by their own clients, we get much better results working together and rejecting the all-too-common “pay to play” schemes. This isn’t a place for the passive.

And take thee Addepar/Palantir

As an 8VC Build company, Opto has been imbued with the spirit (and graduated talent) of Addepar and Palantir. Both take a unique approach to client interactions that applies technology deftly in a client-obsessed manner.

Their model was famously inspired by how top-tier French restaurants operate. In a Michelin-starred establishment, the waitstaff is deeply integrated into the kitchen to holistically ensure a world-class dining experience. If a guest attempts to order the wrong wine with their fish, the waiter will simply tell them no - because their role is not just to serve, but to curate and elevate the experience. Similarly, institutions are often not structured to ask for the right technology solutions, and traditional software vendors simply give them what they ask for, rather than what they actually need.

At Opto, we embrace this same approach. Our goal is not to offer a static product or be a consulting service just taking orders, but rather to serve in alignment with our clients’ ambitions. Just as Palantir forward-deployed software engineers (FDEs) don’t merely capture product feedback but redefine the very scope of their customers’ challenges, our approach at Opto means embedding deeply into our clients’ ecosystems. We do not merely provide tools or investments - we provide transformation.

Speaking of which, we follow the path of “show, don’t tell.” Early employees of both Palantir and Addepar love talking about product bake-offs between them and legacy products where the other prospective vendors would show up armed with powerpoint presentations - and they’d have a working piece of software to share instead. Nothing builds more trust than being able to get into the product and envision how it’s going to work - even if it’s going to need a lot more work, it invites prospects and clients into the co-development process. It validates their input. It also results in better client outcomes with on-time delivery!

Happily Ever After

Much like Bridgewater’s radical transparency and the Palantir/Addepar FDE-esque approach, this approach does not allow for passive client engagement. We challenge assumptions, push for deeper integrations, and actively participate in reimagining how private markets investments can be structured and optimized within a broader portfolio. This approach sets us apart from those who are merely powerpoint jockeys and commission chasers.

At Opto, we are not interested in playing by the old rules of high finance or big tech. We are interested in rewriting them so that both our technology and our approach to investment can unlock new frontiers of value for our clients. This fusion of a deeply engaged, opinionated software strategy with radical truth-seeking provides us with an unparalleled edge. Opto is not just here to deliver what’s expected - we are here to change the game entirely.

Let us show (not tell) you what we mean.

For disclaimers, visit https://www.optoinvest.com/disclaimers.