Goldman Sachs launches private markets platform for wealthy clients seeking direct stakes in startups

Goldman Sachs has created a new alternative investments platform to expand offerings for wealthy clients and family offices seeking direct stakes in fast-growing private companies like SpaceX and Stripe. The platform combines Goldman's existing alternatives business with two new teams: one focused on direct investments in individual private companies (rather than broader private equity funds) and another on helping clients buy and sell those stakes. Kristin Olson, Goldman's global head of alternatives for wealth, said the move responds to the trend of companies staying private longer and going public at massive valuations, meaning early investors capture most gains. The AI investment boom has intensified demand, with Goldman steering clients toward AI infrastructure like data centers. The announcement formalizes Goldman's growing secondary advisory business and comes after the firm reported record quarterly revenue driven by AI-related activity.