Goldman Sachs launches private markets platform for wealthy clients and family offices

Cris Tolomia Wed, July 22, 2026 at 5:49 AM PDT | 2 min read

Goldman Sachs has launched a new platform aimed at giving wealthy clients and family offices direct access to fast-growing private companies, according to an internal memo.

The group, called the alternative investments platform, will be led by Matt Doherty, who will continue to oversee the bank's broader alternatives business. Alternative capital markets, which manage alternative investments for wealthy clients, will remain the core business within the platform.

Key Organizational Changes

• A newly formed private company investments team has been created by merging Goldman's fiduciary single-asset investment unit with its direct investment operation serving family offices.
• Goldman is also establishing a secondary advisory group to facilitate trading of private stakes and provide guidance to clients seeking to unwind positions held outside the bank.

Focus on Mature Companies

"There has been a lot of focus on the big growth tech names and getting clients access to those before they debut in the public markets," Kristin Olson, Goldman Sachs' global head of alternatives for wealth, told CNBC.

Olson noted that Goldman avoids early-stage ventures, instead concentrating on more mature companies with proven products, substantial revenue, and a credible path to profitability. Surging interest in artificial intelligence has further fueled demand for the asset class, and Goldman has been directing clients toward physical infrastructure supporting AI systems, such as data centers.

"Companies are going public at a trillion dollars," Olson said. "If you haven't participated along the way, you're clearly missing a big part of the growth cycle."

Track Record and Client Demand

Olson highlighted that Goldman's track record in brokering direct stakes in mature private companies spans roughly twenty years. Past examples include Facebook ahead of its 2012 market debut and, more recently, SpaceX, Stripe, and Canva. Rising client interest ultimately led Goldman's leadership to establish a dedicated structure for the business.

Strong Second-Quarter Performance

The announcement follows a strong second quarter for Goldman Sachs. The bank posted record quarterly revenue of $20.34 billion for the three months ended June 30, up 39% from a year earlier, driven by a surge in equities trading and dealmaking. Investment banking fees reached $3.40 billion, a 55% year-over-year gain.

Broader Wall Street Trend

Goldman's wealth and asset management push reflects a broader Wall Street trend: the most successful startups are staying private longer, allowing early investors to capture most of the valuation gains before public investors can participate. Goldman served as lead underwriter on the SpaceX IPO in late June, a deal structured to bring in up to $75 billion at a valuation above $2 trillion, according to Bloomberg.