Next Generation Trust Company Partners with KJLK & Co. to Offer Accredited Investors Access to Alternative Assets via Self-Directed IRAs

Next Generation Trust Company, a custodian of self-directed retirement plans, has announced a strategic partnership with KJLK & Co., LLC, a move that will allow accredited investors holding self-directed IRAs to access the Square One Fund platform, a dual-track private investment vehicle. The partnership, revealed by Next Generation CEO Jaime Raskulinecz, aims to embed a broadly diversified portfolio of alternative assets into retirement accounts, potentially offering a new avenue for investors to hedge against market volatility and enhance long-term returns.

The Square One Fund, operated by KJLK & Co., allocates capital across private equity, venture capital, private credit, hedge fund strategies, real estate, and infrastructure. It utilizes parallel fund structures under Sections 3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, accommodating both qualified purchasers and accredited investors. This structure provides streamlined access to alternative strategies through a single, professionally managed ecosystem, addressing common barriers such as lack of liquidity and heavy due diligence burdens for individual investors.

Joseph LaTurner, principal of KJLK & Co., emphasized the fund's disciplined approach, stating, "Our team consistently compares intrinsic value against cost, adhering strictly to our value-oriented investment philosophy, principles and fundamentals regardless of broader market cycles." He noted that the fund offers greater redemption flexibility than many comparable private funds, a feature that could appeal to investors seeking liquidity in traditionally illiquid asset classes.

For investors, the process to participate involves opening and funding a self-directed account with Next Generation, then deploying retirement assets to subscribe for a limited partnership interest in the fund. As a Rule 506(c) offering, all investors' statuses must be verified by an independent third party, ensuring compliance with securities regulations.

The partnership also holds implications for registered investment advisors (RIAs). Raskulinecz highlighted that independent fee-based advisors can work with Next Generation to expand their clients' access to alternative assets while retaining the client relationship and assets under management. "When their clients open a self-directed IRA at Next Generation, those advisors retain the client relationship and assets under management, and continue collecting their customary fees while helping their clients build a more eclectic portfolio," she said.

LaTurner selected Next Generation as the strategic partner due to the team's entrepreneurial spirit and operational flexibility, which he said "reflects positively on what we do on the quantitative and portfolio management side." Next Generation Trust Company is officially featured under "Products" on the KJLK website as the preferred self-directed IRA custodian for its alternative strategy and private market products.

This development is significant as it potentially democratizes access to institutional-grade alternative investments for individual accredited investors through their retirement accounts. By integrating such assets into self-directed IRAs, investors may achieve greater portfolio diversification and non-correlated returns, which could be particularly valuable in uncertain economic climates. The partnership also underscores the growing trend of alternative assets in retirement planning, as both firms aim to educate and serve investors and advisors seeking to go beyond traditional stocks and bonds.

For more information about Next Generation Trust Company and its self-directed IRA services, interested parties can visit NextGenerationTrust.com. Details about KJLK & Co. and the Square One Fund are available at convictionfunds.com.