312: [Justin Kuyper] Openvest Democratize Access To Investment

aboutthatwallet
Oct 6
4 min read

Justin Kuyper Owner of OPENVEST x About That Wallet Podcast

Unlocking Financial Freedom with OpenVest: A New Era in Fintech

In a world where financial habits shape our future, OpenVest emerges as a beacon of innovation in the fintech landscape. Founded by Justin Kuyper, OpenVest is revolutionizing wealth management by making elite investment strategies accessible to everyone. "We've taken what the elite hedge funds and private equity firms are doing and distilled it for the everyday investor," says Kuyper.

Breaking Barriers in Investing

OpenVest is not just another fintech startup; it's a movement towards customer-centric investing. With a minimum investment of just $300, users can tap into high-performing investment strategies previously reserved for the wealthy. "We're giving users the opportunity to participate in investment returns they wouldn't find elsewhere," Kuyper explains. This approach not only democratizes investing but also builds user trust, a cornerstone of OpenVest's philosophy.

A Flat Fee Model for Maximum Value

Unlike traditional financial institutions that charge hefty management fees, OpenVest offers a flat fee model. "We're happy to break even at this stage to add more value over time," Kuyper states. This model ensures that users retain more of their returns, fostering long-term financial growth. As Kuyper puts it, "The compounding amounts, especially when starting with small amounts, make a massive difference."

Expanding Horizons

Currently available in 11 states, OpenVest plans to expand nationwide and internationally. "We anticipate this being a very big business," Kuyper shares, highlighting the company's commitment to growth and innovation. With a strong foundation and a focus on financial education, OpenVest is poised to lead the charge in transforming how we think about investing.

Join the Revolution

OpenVest invites you to be part of this financial revolution. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting, OpenVest offers a platform that aligns with your financial goals. "Try it out," Kuyper encourages. "There's no risk, really. Your investment is still in your name, and the potential for growth is significant."

Subscribe Now

Stay updated with the latest in fintech and investment strategies by subscribing to our blog. Join us as we explore the future of financial freedom with OpenVest.

Bio:

Justin Kuyper is the Co-Founder & CEO of Openvest, a fintech platform delivering actively managed, institutional-grade investment strategies to retail investors at a fraction of the traditional cost. He previously managed capital as a professional fund manager and holds an MBA with Honors from Columbia Business School. With a background in finance in NYC, Justin is focused on democratizing access to high-performance investing through technology, data, and thoughtful design.

Glossary of Key Terms

Term	Definition
Angel Investors	Individuals who provide capital for a business startup, usually in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity. In this context, they are described as people from the founder's personal and professional network (work, school) who are often investing based on their trust in the founder.
Backend Infrastructure	The underlying technology and licensed brokerage services that power the OpenVest platform. OpenVest is built on top of Interactive Brokers, a large, public, and fully licensed firm that handles custody and other core functions.
Compounding	The process where an asset's earnings are reinvested to generate additional earnings over time. OpenVest emphasizes that its combination of higher returns and low flat fees creates a "massive difference" in compounding effects over several years compared to traditional platforms.
Customer-Centric	A business strategy focused on providing a positive customer experience to build trust and long-term value. OpenVest's approach involves low flat fees, a willingness to break even at early stages, and prioritizing user wealth growth over extracting fees.
Expense Ratio	A fee charged by mutual funds or ETFs, expressed as a percentage of assets. The source contrasts OpenVest's flat fee with the expense ratios and other potential "embedded fees" charged by larger firms like Schwab.
FinTech	Financial technology; companies that use new technology to improve and automate financial services. OpenVest is described as a FinTech platform in the investing space.
Flat Fee	A fixed charge for a service, regardless of usage or account value. OpenVest charges a flat monthly fee (e.g., $3 for retail accounts) rather than a percentage of assets under management.
IRA / 401k	Retirement investment accounts. The source discusses these as accounts that users can move over to the OpenVest platform to achieve better growth and avoid the "overly diversified bundles of garbage" often found in employer-sponsored plans.
Network Effects	A phenomenon where a product or service gains additional value as more people use it. OpenVest experienced "strong natural network effects" by gaining over 120 users in its first two months without any paid marketing.
OpenVest	A FinTech investment platform available on iOS and Android that aims to give retail investors access to the high-performance investment strategies used by elite hedge funds and private equity firms for a low, flat monthly fee.
Proprietary Algorithms	The unique, internally developed methods OpenVest uses to identify and replicate the investment strategies of top-tier financial firms. These algorithms are the core of how OpenVest generates its outsized returns.
Sandwich Generation	The target audience of the podcast, defined as individuals who need to build strong financial habits to confidently manage their money.
Venture Capitalist (VC)	An investor who provides capital to startup ventures that are believed to have high growth potential. The source notes a preference to avoid VC funding in the current round to maintain long-term control and avoid giving up too much equity early on.