ASK Investment Managers (ASK IM) has entered into definitive agreements to acquire SageOne Investment Managers, an asset manager operating across portfolio management services (PMS) and alternative investment funds (AIF), strengthening its equity investment capabilities.
SageOne Founder and Chief Investment Officer Samit Vartak will reinvest in ASK and continue as Chief Investment Officer (Equities) of the combined asset management business. Blackstone will remain the majority shareholder of the platform.
SageOne team to continue investment strategy
SageOne has built a performance track record around a disciplined, high-conviction investment approach. Its SageOne Core Portfolio delivered annualised returns of 25.3% between April 1, 2012 and August 31, 2026, compared with 13.8% for the BSE 500 TRI.
Over the last three years, the portfolio delivered annualised returns of 19.4%, against 12.1% for the BSE 500 TRI. The SageOne investment team, led by Vartak, will continue to manage the investment function following the transaction.
Vartak to lead equities business
Vartak has 25 years of investment experience across market cycles and founded SageOne in 2012. He has since built the firm into an investment franchise focused on disciplined research and high-conviction investing.
The transaction will also provide SageOne access to ASK IM’s global distribution footprint. ASK IM expects the combination to strengthen its equity investment platform while expanding the reach of SageOne’s investment capabilities.
Combined platform crosses ₹85,000 crore
ASK IM and SageOne will bring together more than ₹85,000 crore in assets under management. The combined platform will also have a broader pool of investment talent, pan-India distribution capabilities and a global institutional network.
The companies expect the combination to support the development of new investment products and improve scalability. The transaction will combine ASK’s distribution and institutional reach with SageOne’s equity investment capabilities.
Management comment
Sameer Koticha, Founder and Chairman of ASK Group said, “Samit appointment as our CIO (equities) will strengthen our investment leadership and help us serve clients with a broader set of high-quality investment solutions.”
Samit Vartak, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of SageOne Investment Managers said, “Our ambition is to build one of the strongest investment teams improving our ability to deliver alpha for the clients. ASK and SageOne share a long-term approach and a strong belief in independent research.”
Ganesh Mani, Senior Managing Director at Blackstone said, “We are bullish on the long-term compounding value of Indian asset and wealth management businesses and continue to invest in ASK’s growth. We believe that SageOne is the right addition to the ASK platform and solidifies ASK’s equities asset management business.”