Marshall Smith is a seasoned WealthTech investor and corporate development leader with over 18 years of experience in WealthTech, Fintech and SaaS. He is the Managing Director of First Rate Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of First Rate Inc, the global leader in data aggregation, performance, and reporting solutions for over 500 Wealth Managers, Family Offices and Asset Managers across five continents.

Marshall leads the strategy and execution of minority investments in early-stage WealthTech startups, as well as majority acquisitions of successful WealthTech platforms globally. He also co-founded and serves on the advisory board of WealthTech Strategy Partners, a boutique advisory firm that helps early-stage WealthTechs. Additionally, he is a co-founder, board director, and accelerator selection committee member of The Founders Arena, a unique and first-of-its-kind go-to-market accelerator for WealthTech companies. 

Marshall holds the CIPM credential from the CFA Institute and has published multiple white papers on risk management and performance measurement. He is passionate about fostering innovation, collaboration, and impact in the WealthTech ecosystem.

Marshall lives in Southlake, Texas with his Wife Shannon and four kids. They are involved in Business as Mission, Adoption and Foster Care Ministry and serving their local church.

During our conversation, he discusses: 

• The definition of WealthTech and its relation to FinTech
• The importance of progressive product market fit
• Key factors for evaluating investment opportunities in WealthTech
• Hiring talent worldwide
• Importance of angel investors adding strategic value beyond capital
• Navigating sales cycles and target markets within WealthTech

Connect with Marshall

LinkedIn | X

Stuff We Reference

• First Rate Ventures
• WealthTech Strategy Partners
• Bloomberg Terminal
• Wall Street Journal
• Fispoke
• First Rate Fispoke Press Release
• Owl ESG

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All opinions are personal and may not reflect the views of The Diligent Observer. Not investment advice.