W&F December 2017

www.wealthandfinance-news.com 26 Wealth & Finance International - December 2017 GIM is an independent, employee-owned investment boutique with a singular focus on the smaller cap sector of the market. Its clients benefit from this focus, as the team is not distracted by the potential conflicts associated with varying asset classes or hedge fund-like structures. Throughout GIM’s long history, its clients have enjoyed strong returns, both on an absolute basis and relative to the small cap benchmarks. Specific to the Focused Growth strategy (the underlying strategy for the Granahan U.S. Focused Growth Fund), its 10-year record since inception is in the top 1% of all U.S. equity strategies listed in the eVestment database. This exceptional performance is a reflection of the investment team’s focus on smaller companies that drive innovation and positive disruption in the global economy. Karen tells us a bit about the clients that GIM works with, and provides a bit more information on the investment strategy for the Granahan U.S. Focused Growth Fund . “Typically, our clients include well-respected financial service and private wealth firms, sophisticated plan sponsors, and individual investors. In a nutshell, our clients are those who seek to capitalize on the innovation and technological advances that drive the US and global economies. Our slate of micro/ small/SMID/mid-cap offerings is designed to fit the differing needs of investors, both institutional and private wealth clients. “The Focused Growth strategy, was conceived and funded by veteran investor, Drew Beja, CFA, in 2007. Based on client interest, GIM launched the Granahan U.S. Focused Growth Fund to mirror the time- tested Focused Growth strategy. Drew is the portfolio manager of the strategy and the U.S. Focused Growth Fund. While he oversees the Fund, Drew collaborates closely with, and benefits from, GIM’s team of veteran portfolio managers.” Featuring in the UCITS Fund of the Year Awards is a great honour for GIM, and For over 30 years, Granahan Investment Management (GIM) has been an investment boutique specializing in U.S. small cap equities, believing that a portfolio of well-positioned small cap companies can generate superior investment returns for the firm’s clients. We spoke to Karen Agnew, SVP and Director of Marketing who provides us with an overview of one of the leading boutique investment managers in the finance industry. A Desert Island Focus on U.S. Small Companies 1712WF15 Karen explains how the team feels to have been selected, and what it means to be recognised for all their hard work. “It is an honour for our firm to be recognized by Wealth & Finance International. It is our mission to help clients achieve strong investment returns. This award will allow more people to become familiar with GIM, our investment offerings, and the virtues of investing in high quality secular growth stocks in the smaller cap sector of the US market.” Critical to the Fund’s ongoing success, are the techniques that the team at GIM employ in order to stay ahead of developments in the small cap sector, as well as use of the right technologies to continue as a leading small cap boutique. “GIM is a bottom-up, fundamental shop. Each member of the investment team has deep knowledge and resources in their respective areas of expertise, including industry networks developed over many years. One of the most exciting things about small cap investing, is being at the forefront of innovation of new technologies and business models.” Fundamentally, the industry has become more sophisticated and technology- dominated. That said, Karen gives us GIM’s view on perhaps the largest challenge they believe investors face going forward. “A major challenge we hear from investors, is that they are struggling to meet their return requirements to enable them to meet their future obligations, which is not surprising given the overall low-growth of the global economy. There are few asset classes that offer good potential for high rates of investment returns.