Transactions
May 2018
New York, NY
has acquired
New York, NY
Background
Founded in 2005, New York based RIA in a Box LLC ("RIA in a Box"), has become a market leader in providing SaaS-based compliance solutions to Registered Investment Advisors (“RIAs”). The company serves more than 1,600 RIA clients at the State and SEC-registration levels. RIA in a Box’s proprietary platform helps these RIAs navigate regulatory compliance challenges, improving workflows, and visibility.
Having advised on more than a dozen recent transactions in the wealth management technology space, Marlin & Associates (“M&A”) was very familiar with RIA in a Box and the competitive landscape in which it operates and had been in contact with the Company since 2011 when it transitioned to the current management team as part of its acquisition by Search Fund Partners, a search fund.
Late in 2017, M&A became aware that RIA in a Box was considering strategic options, and approached Aquiline Capital Partners (“Aquiline”) as a potential partner. M&A believed Aquiline, with its track record of helping portfolio companies achieve success in capital markets, compliance and wealth management technology, would be an excellent partner to help take RIA in a Box’s business to the next level. Aquiline agreed – and engaged M&A as its financial and strategic advisor to pursue RIA in a Box.
On May 22, 2018, 10-days after entering into exclusive negotiations, private equity funds managed by Aquiline Capital Partners acquired a significant majority interest in RIA in a Box.
The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
M&A’s thorough understanding of the marketplace, competitors and potential follow-on acquisition opportunities enabled the firm to provide valuable support to Aquiline throughout the deal process. M&A put together a financial model to support Aquiline’s analysis, conducted a review of RIA in a Box management’s business plan, orchestrated due diligence reviews and helped Aquiline with bidding. M&A is pleased to have advised Aquiline on this very important transaction.