Goldman Sachs to acquire Innovator Capital Management, which is a provider of defined outcome exchange-traded funds – ETFs, in a transaction that is worth almost $2bn.
It is well to be noted that Innovator at present goes on to manage 159 defined outcome ETFs.
Apparently, Goldman Sachs Asset Management is going to add $28bn in assets under supervision – AUS from Innovator, thereby elevating its range of custom portfolio solutions along with active ETF offerings.
With Goldman Sachs to acquire Innovator Capital, the transaction is expected to conclude in Q2 of 2026 pending regulatory approval along with customary conditions.
Both Innovator and Goldman Sachs Asset Management go on to manage more than 215 ETF strategies across the world as of 30 September 2025, with more than $75bn in total AUS.
David Solomon, the chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, stated that by acquiring Innovator, Goldman Sachs is sure to expand access in terms of modern and world-class investment products for its investor portfolios.
The reputation of Innovator for innovation and leadership within defined outcome solutions goes on to complement their very mission to upgrade the client experience by offering sophisticated strategies that look to deliver targeted as well as defined outcomes for investors.
As part of the acquisition, the leadership team of Innovator will be joining Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
This includes Bruce Bond, the co-founder and CEO, John Southard, the co-founder and president, Graham Day, EVP and chief investment officer, and also Trevor Terrell, the senior vice president and distribution head. Besides this, over 60 employees from Innovator are anticipated to join the third-party wealth and ETF teams of Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
The business, interestingly, is going to function as a wholly owned unit of Goldman Sachs Asset Management with the same investment management as well as service providers.
It was Goldman Sachs Global Banking and Markets that served as financial advisor, whereas Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz as well as Willkie Farr & Gallagher went on to offer legal counsel to Goldman Sachs.
Oppenheimer & Co. was the financial advisor and Vedder Price the legal counsel to Innovator as far as this transaction was concerned.
Goldman Sachs also went on to announce the expansion of its Birmingham office, having an addition of 500 new roles in the coming years.