Embarking on an investment journey while still being a Gen Z? That can feel like deciphering an alien language. Here is where Alinea Invest, the cosmic translator for Gen Z and women ready to navigate the financial universe, comes across. As they say, “Do nothing, and we will do it for you.”
Founded by two stellar women, Anam Lakhani and Eve Halimi, Alinea transforms the black hole of traditional investing into a supernova of opportunities. With features like fractional investing and thematic “playlists,” it makes user portfolios as unique as their Spotify Wrapped. Now young women wouldn’t have to go to their dads and brothers to understand what should they invest in.
Alinea is a wealth management platform built for Gen Z. It provides a community-based approach to investing and money management, with a focus on understanding, analyzing, and solving the financial challenges of the next generation.
Built by Women, for Women
Two young women, who founded the company in 2020 from a Barnard College, Columbia University, classroom, observed a significant difference among their classmates.
Some peers decided to invest, while others who lacked knowledge and confidence in the area chose to avoid it altogether.
The founders of Alinea had prior experience with global financial institutions such as Citibank and Goldman Sachs, and they wanted to use this experience to enhance the investment experience for women like themselves. These women had not been taught how to manage their finances effectively from an early age. The fact that Alinea originated in a classroom setting does not imply that the founders lacked a clear vision for their company.
As co-founder Anam Lakhani stated, “We co-founded Alinea to better serve young investors. They have largely been left behind by traditional financial services companies in addition to the upstart digital players.”
Investing, Now in Playlist Mode
The startup has leveraged technology to communicate with young people in a language they understand. At the heart of its innovation is an AI-powered virtual assistant known as the “AI Copilot,” designed to deliver personalized investment guidance. This feature learns from a user’s risk tolerance, age, and financial goals to recommend relevant stock strategies, helping users move from passive investing to more active decision-making. Another standout aspect of Alinea’s tech-driven approach is its use of AI to curate thematic investment “playlists.” These playlists align with users’ interests—ranging from climate action to women-led companies, which are matched through AI algorithms that analyze preferences and risk profiles. The result is a more intuitive and relatable investment experience for younger, values-driven investors.
Alinea is heavily utilizing social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to connect with young investors. This approach differs from traditional wealth management platforms, which typically expand their clientele and establish new connections through referrals from existing clients and professional networks.
Alinea uses popular platforms like TikTok and Instagram to share investment tips, promotional advertising, and user reviews to attract a wider audience.
Backed by the Best
This women-led wealth management startup has now secured $10.4 million in Series A funding, led by Play Ventures, with participation from GFR Fund, Y Combinator, Gaingels, FoundersX, F7, and Visible Ventures.
Previously, the company secured $3.4 million in seed funding in preparation for the release of a virtual AI assistant. Now, with both of this capital combined, the startup will be able to evolve its AI game to an even more advanced level.
The team is now planning to roll out an AI-powered financial coach named Allie, which, according to Forbes, will remove friction from the investing journey.
The new coach can provide personalized guidance based on a user’s income, goals, and experience level; suggest recommended actions; and align users with investments that match their values.The founders believe that providing the new generation with personalized feedback and investment strategies will empower them to successfully navigate their financial journeys.
Alinea Invest has quickly gained traction among younger investors, amassing over 805,000 downloads—70% of which come from Gen Z users. The platform’s rapid rise in popularity has also driven a sixfold increase in revenue. Much of this success can be attributed to Alinea’s intuitive design, personalized investment journeys, and a strong focus on financial education, all tailored to meet the values and habits of the Gen Z generation. By combining simplicity with smart technology, Alinea is redefining how the next generation engages with investing.