SEI and KKR team up to broaden access to alternative investments
SEI has entered into a new collaboration with KKR, a leading global investment firm, to make private market investments easier to reach for registered investment advisors, broker-dealers, and their clients. The integration centers on SEI’s e-subscription technology, which is designed to streamline how investors subscribe to offerings and complete required documents. The goal is straightforward: fewer hurdles, faster processing, and a smoother experience for advisors and clients who want exposure to alternatives.
Why demand for alternatives is climbing
Investor interest in alternative assets continues to build. Over the next few years, allocations to alternatives are projected to expand by about $1.2 trillion. Wealth managers are leaning in as well—roughly 85% plan to increase allocations to one or more alternative asset classes in the near term. Yet enthusiasm alone isn’t enough. Operational friction—especially manual paperwork and disconnected processes—still keeps many firms from scaling their use of these investments, even when client demand is clear.
A cleaner workflow for complex transactions
SEI is tackling those pain points with a streamlined technology workflow built for alternatives. The platform brings together electronic subscription documents, custodial forms, and electronic signatures so transactions can be completed with greater speed and accuracy. By reducing manual touchpoints and consolidating steps, the process helps advisors move from interest to execution more efficiently. For wealth managers, that means less time chasing signatures and forms—and more time focused on client portfolios and advice.
What SEI sees in the market
Kevin Crowe, Senior Vice President at SEI, underscored the momentum behind alternatives, noting, "This trend presents tremendous opportunity to broaden access to alternatives for advisors and wealth managers while delivering capabilities for enhanced portfolio diversification. With SEI's unmatched industry position, we build the cross-market connections that can enable this access, and we're thrilled to add KKR to our platform." The partnership aims to do exactly that: widen access while supporting diversification goals for clients who want private market exposure.
Evidence the model works
SEI’s alternatives platform already supports a broad slice of the market, serving more than 250 wealth management firms and 165 fund managers. To date, it has processed in excess of $4.3 billion in transactions. Those numbers point to a platform built to handle real volume. SEI’s acquisition of Altigo, a cloud-based technology platform, further signals the company’s commitment to deepening and enhancing its capabilities across the alternative investment lifecycle.
About SEI
SEI provides technology and investment solutions that connect the financial services industry. The firm focuses on investment processing, operations, and asset management, partnering with corporations, financial institutions, and ultra-high-net-worth families to support growth and informed decision-making. In total, SEI manages, advises, or administers approximately $1.5 trillion in assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the core benefit of SEI’s collaboration with KKR?
It expands access to private market investments for advisors and their clients, pairing KKR’s offerings with SEI’s e-subscription technology to make onboarding and transactions more efficient.
How does the e-subscription process help advisors and clients?
It centralizes electronic subscription documents and custodial forms and supports electronic signatures, which helps speed up processing and reduce manual steps in alternative investment transactions.
What’s driving the surge in alternative investments?
Investor demand for diversification is rising, and allocations to alternatives are expected to grow by about $1.2 trillion. Many wealth managers—around 85%—plan to increase allocations in the near term.
What hurdles has SEI set out to remove?
Operational bottlenecks, especially paper-heavy workflows and fragmented processes, have slowed adoption. SEI’s platform is designed to streamline these steps so managers can act on opportunities more quickly.
How established is SEI’s alternatives platform today?
It serves over 250 wealth management firms and 165 fund managers and has processed more than $4.3 billion in transactions, supported by the company’s acquisition of the Altigo technology platform.
