Illuminated Funds Group

In the early '80's, interest rates were over 11% for extremely short term paper. One-year AA debt was 15%. Clients had a need for a six-month cash cushion and a predictable, even cash flow. This cash account could be reasonably laddered to take advantage of the spreads. This simple approach, understanding both the clients needs and the markets, created opportunity. It also created the beginnings of an investment advisory business that peaked at $440 million by the late 1990's. Venture capital expertise was layered on in the early '90's. A private fund was formed and over the next ten years a pool of portfolio companies was created. The breadth of the companies chosen was broad, with choices in media, investment, finance, real estate development, agriculture, optics, and software. This fund continues today, with links to several companies highlighted here. Beginning in 1999, expertise in the entire real estate spectrum was added, including development, finance, acquisition, design and construction, management, leasing, and disposition. Throughout its history, the team has been elected to numerous profit and non-profit corporate boards, increasing the governance acumen. One of these boards is the Investor's Circle, a network of over 130 venture capital investors, all having an eye towards the triple bottom line. Illuminated Funds Group Inc. was incorporated in 2006 as the natural extension of the entire range of skill and knowledge sets.