Strive Asset Management

Strive Asset Management

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Investment management
Founded	2022
Founder	Vivek Ramaswamy, Anson Frericks
Headquarters	Columbus, Ohio , United States
Area served	United States
Key people	Vivek Ramaswamy (former executive chairman)
Products	Mutual funds, exchange-traded products (ETPs), wealth management solutions, direct indexing, proxy voting platform
Parent	Strive Enterprises, Inc.

Strive Asset Management is a U.S.-based investment firm established in 2022. It provides a range of financial products including mutual funds, exchange-traded products (ETPs), and wealth management solutions. The company’s headquarters are located in Columbus, Ohio, functioning as a subsidiary of Strive Enterprises, Inc. It holds registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a registered investment adviser. Strive is recognized for its opposition to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks, emphasizing shareholder value maximization.

History

In early 2022, Strive Asset Management was founded by Vivek Ramaswamy alongside Anson Frericks, the former president of Anheuser-Busch. The firm is based in Columbus, Ohio. Initial capital raised totaled approximately $20 million, with investors such as Peter Thiel, JD Vance, and Bill Ackman participating.

The company’s primary offering, the DRLL exchange-traded fund, debuted in 2022 as an energy sector index fund explicitly designed to reject ESG considerations, positioning itself as an "anti-woke" investment vehicle. Subsequently, Strive expanded its product lineup to include various ETFs, mutual funds, and a proxy voting platform intended to empower shareholders in corporate governance matters.

By November 2022, assets under management exceeded $500 million. At that time, Vivek Ramaswamy held the role of executive chairman until his February 2023 departure to pursue a presidential bid.

In 2024, Strive introduced direct indexing services through partnerships with Fidelity and Charles Schwab, providing clients with tailored portfolio management options, tax-loss harvesting capabilities, and proxy voting functionalities. The following year, the firm separated its registered investment adviser (RIA) division into an autonomous entity while streamlining advisory offerings into model portfolios and a collective investment trust (CIT).

Digital asset initiatives

September 2025 marked Strive’s announcement to venture into digital assets by launching a Bitcoin Bond ETF aimed at bonds issued by firms acquiring Bitcoin. Its Board of Directors featured notable figures such as Mahesh Ramakrishnan, Pierre Rochard, James Lavish, Avik Roy, and Yale law professor Jonathan Macey.

That same year, Strive merged with Asset Entities to create a publicly traded company under the Strive name. This consolidation incorporated both organizations’ Bitcoin reserves into the new company’s treasury and was supported by a $750 million private investment in public equity (PIPE), with additional capital potentially raised through warrants.

In September 2025, Strive completed an all-stock acquisition of Semler Scientific valued at $1.3 billion, increasing its combined Bitcoin holdings above 10,900 BTC. The firm also investigated opportunities to acquire claims associated with approximately 75,000 BTC from Mt. Gox.

Operations

Strive functions as a registered investment adviser delivering asset management services alongside fund distribution, proxy voting facilitation, and corporate governance advisory. Its portfolio includes sector-specific ETFs, actively managed funds, and a direct indexing platform integrated with shareholder engagement tools. The company actively files shareholder proposals and engages with U.S.-based corporations concerning governance practices and diversity initiatives.

Reception

In 2023, Strive acquired shares in McDonald’s Corporation and advocated for enhancements to the company’s diversity policies as part of its corporate governance efforts.

By 2025, Morningstar rated Strive with a Below Average Parent Pillar score, attributing this to changes in management and strategic direction, while also noting the firm’s competitive low fees on ETF and mutual fund offerings.