Core Insights - Charles Schwab (SCHW) announced an agreement to acquire Forge Global Holdings, Inc. (FRGE) for approximately $660 million in an all-cash transaction, resulting in a 1.7% increase in Schwab's shares [1][9] Company Overview - Forge Global, based in California, provides accredited investors with access to private markets through a direct marketplace and proprietary data, having facilitated over $17 billion in private company share trades as of September 30, 2025 [2] Acquisition Details - Schwab will pay $45 per share in cash for Forge Global, with the merger approved by both companies' boards and expected to close in the first half of 2026, pending customary conditions [3] Strategic Rationale - The acquisition aligns with Schwab's strategy to enhance private market capabilities for retail and advisor clients, leveraging its comprehensive wealth management solutions [5] - The addition of Forge Global's platform aims to capitalize on growing investor demand for early exposure to startups, enhancing portfolio diversification [6] Future Plans - Post-acquisition, Schwab plans to offer Forge Global's products to ultra-high-net-worth clients and expand access to over 1 million retail clients and registered investment advisers, with further enhancements for all qualified investors [4] Market Position - Schwab's CEO highlighted the potential for significant growth in private securities, leveraging access to 46 million client accounts and $11.6 trillion in client assets [7] - The acquisition is expected to diversify Schwab's revenue streams and drive revenue growth as transactional activity in private markets increases [7] Performance Metrics - Over the past year, Schwab's shares have increased by 22.3%, compared to a 27.2% growth in the industry [8]

Core Insights - Qapita, a Singapore-based equity management platform, has successfully raised $26.5 million in a Series B funding round led by Charles Schwab, which will enhance its service offerings for U.S. startups [1] - The partnership with Charles Schwab introduces the Schwab Private Issuer Equity Services platform, enabling startups to manage cap tables, administer stock plans, and prepare for public listings [1][6] Company Overview - Founded in 2019 by Ravi Ravulaparthi (CEO), Lakshman Gupta (COO), and Vamsee Mohan (CTO), Qapita focuses on helping private companies track ownership, manage employee equity, and facilitate secondary share sales [2] - The platform serves approximately 2,700 companies, with around 70% based in India and 20% in Southeast Asia, including Singapore and Indonesia [4] Market Position - Qapita began as a cap table management platform, addressing the reliance on spreadsheets in many companies, and has since expanded its offerings based on customer feedback [3] - The startup has captured a significant market share in India, counting about half of the country's unicorns among its customers [4] Competitive Landscape - The partnership with Charles Schwab positions Qapita to compete more effectively in the U.S. market, where it has previously had limited presence [5] - This collaboration allows Qapita to automate cap table processes and integrate with Schwab's wealth management network, enhancing its competitive edge against firms like Carta and Morgan Stanley's Shareworks [6]