Smartkarma, Asia’s largest provider of independent investment research, today announced the opening of its Frankfurt office, headed by Tim Bruenjes. After recently completing its Series B funding round, led by top-tier venture firm Sequoia Capital, Smartkarma looks to fast-track its growth across Continental Europe offering the MiFID II compliant research network of over 400 independent research providers.

Smartkarma brings together independent insight providers alongside investors and portfolio managers in a unique, global research network. Asset managers can engage directly, in real time, on the Smartkarma platform with access to a full range of research services, from published insight, through to analyst calls, corporate access, financial models and bespoke projects with expert Insight Providers. The flexible, cloud-based model engages independent research providers to publish research as it happens in the markets and incentivises the entire network to collaborate on the generation of ideas. This presents the buy-side with an innovative channel for obtaining investment ideas and themes, that are discussed, debated and questioned by the community of unconflicted research providers.

Smartkarma’s predictive search engine matches research in real time with investor mandates, helping clients consolidate relevant information and stay abreast of evolving, complex financial issues. With transparent, subscription-based pricing the platform’s design also ensures compliance needs are also fulfilled. Clients have complete confidence that they can operate in a safe and compliant environment, with access to all the information, data and functionality necessary to be in full control. More than 165 buy-side clients have already subscribed to the research network, with $13.5 trillion in assets under managed by the top 10 clients alone.

On average, 30 insights are published per day with the breadth of coverage exceeding 2,700 companies across 15 Asia Pacific markets. Smartkarma analysts often focus in underrepresented areas, including IPO/M&A analysis and event-driven special situations, as well as small and mid-cap company research. Insight Providers range from large established independent research firms to research boutiques and independent analysts, alongside academics, data scientists and strategists.

Jon Foster, Co-founder and Chairman of Smartkarma comments, “The demand for unconflicted, unbundled research is rapidly rising following the implementation of MiFID II. Our innovative research platform provides the buy-side with transparent pricing and instant access to Insight Providers, creating on-demand and real-time coverage and feedback, which is invaluable to investors sitting in European time zones.”

Head of Continental Europe for Smartkarma, Tim Bruenjes, brings 18 years of buy-side experience in global financial markets and notes, “As European investors hunt for alpha and respond to the evolving regulatory landscape, many are looking for opportunities outside the domestic market and see the emerging markets of Asia as an excellent fit for their investment strategies. Smartkarma offers European funds investing into Asia and those looking for differentiated coverage outside of European markets, an unparalleled, compliant and cost-effective research solution for idea generation.”

The Frankfurt office opening follows the recent announcement that Smartkarma is expanding their Insight Provider network to focus on European investment research. Predominantly in-country, Smartkarma is currently requesting independent research providers to apply via their website www.smartkarma.com.