Binoy Talati, CFA, Managing Director of Enterprise Solutions for iCapital, joined Julie Cooling, Founder and CEO of RIA Channel, at iCapital Connect 2026 to discuss the need for strategic partnerships as large RIA firms scale.
Talati notes that firms are experiencing rapid growth and increasing institutionalization. As capital concentrates among large RIAs, $5 billion+, he finds that key challenges are coming to the forefront, including talent shortages, operational complexity, and sustaining organic growth.
As firms look to scale, Talati explains that they must decide whether to build a capable technology platform in-house or partner with platforms such as iCapital. Key considerations include cost, time to market, control, and client experience. Over the last five years, Talati notes a shift toward partnerships, as the complexity of scaling and product delivery increases amid today’s evolving market.
Talati emphasizes that technology remains the foundation of iCapital’s platform as approximately $1 billion is invested into its tech stack to support clients and anticipate future market needs. For example, iCapital acquired Parallel Markets to create an identity/investor passport to help advisors prepare for upcoming regulatory changes on January 1, 2028, when FinCEN rules will require RIAs to implement AML/KYC.
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