Perigon Bets on AI and Proprietary Tech for Next Growth Phase

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – March 09, 2026 – Perigon Wealth Management, a fast-growing firm with approximately $11.2 billion in client assets, has announced a significant strategic pivot, launching the development of a proprietary organic growth platform. This move, supported by the high-profile appointments of Jon Seif as Managing Director of Digital Strategy and Luke Samuels as Senior Director of Business Development, signals a deliberate shift from an M&A-fueled expansion to a more sustainable, technology-driven future.

The initiative aims to create a wholly-owned, scalable system that integrates data analytics, artificial intelligence, and targeted marketing to systematically grow its client base. For a firm that has successfully used acquisitions to expand its national footprint, this heavy investment in building an internal growth engine from the ground up represents a forward-thinking bet on the future of wealth management.

A Strategic Pivot Beyond Acquisitions

In the competitive Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) landscape, growth is paramount. While many firms rely on mergers and acquisitions to scale, industry data suggests that sustainable, long-term success is increasingly tied to a firm's ability to generate organic growth—attracting new clients and assets independent of market performance or acquisitions. Top-performing RIAs often distinguish themselves with organic growth rates that far exceed the industry average of around 3%.

Perigon's latest move directly addresses this challenge. After years of significant M&A activity, the firm is now looking to institutionalize its growth processes to capitalize on its expanded scale. "To take full advantage of our significant M&A activity over the past several years, Perigon identified developing a meaningful, internal and wholly controlled organic growth platform as a key strategic priority," said Arthur Ambarik, Perigon's CEO.

This strategic pivot reflects a broader industry recognition that traditional, referral-based growth models are no longer sufficient. With evolving client demographics, particularly the rise of tech-savvy investors who conduct extensive online research, firms must build a sophisticated digital presence and a systematic approach to client acquisition. Perigon's decision to build rather than buy its core growth technology underscores a commitment to controlling its own destiny. "We are building infrastructure that gives us full visibility from prospect to revenue, strengthens accountability and equips our advisors with scalable tools tailored to their client segments," Ambarik added.

Building the 'Growth Engine': Data, AI, and Expertise

The centerpiece of Perigon's strategy is a unified platform that combines digital marketing, business development, and AI-powered insights. The goal is to create a seamless, measurable process that adapts to modern consumer behavior and supports the specialized niches of its advisors. Leading this ambitious project are two industry veterans with deep experience in financial technology and digital marketing.

Jon Seif, the new Managing Director of Digital Strategy, will spearhead the firm's data, AI, and technology implementation. His background is a testament to the hybrid expertise required for such a role, with nearly two decades of experience as both a financial advisor and a technology leader at firms like Betterment, Envestnet/Yodlee, and Catchlight, a fintech incubated within Fidelity Labs. His experience is crucial for building the digital infrastructure that Perigon believes will power its next expansion phase.

"The firms that will emerge as leaders in the next decade are building integrated platforms that combine data, technology and human expertise to drive sustainable organic growth," Seif stated. "Perigon is committed to building a scalable, advisor-centric growth engine, and that creates a powerful opportunity to help advisors deepen client relationships, expand wallet share and attract new clients in ways we can measure and optimize."

Working alongside Seif is Luke Samuels, who joins as Senior Director of Business Development. Samuels is tasked with bridging the gap between digital strategy and operational execution by creating and managing lead generation and conversion programs. His marketing leadership experience at high-growth firms including Wealth Enhancement Group, Empower, and Personal Capital provides him with a playbook for standardizing how a firm attracts and onboards new clients.

Empowering Advisors, Enhancing the Client Journey

While the platform is designed to drive firm-level growth, its success hinges on its ability to empower individual advisors. Perigon's leadership has emphasized that the initiative is fundamentally 'advisor-centric.' The industry is replete with examples of new technology failing to gain adoption because it complicates, rather than simplifies, an advisor's daily workflow. Perigon aims to avoid this pitfall by focusing on tools that deliver clear value.

For advisors, the new platform promises a more efficient and effective way to grow their practice. Instead of relying solely on personal networks and referrals, they will be supported by a systematic engine designed to connect them with qualified prospects. "Our focus goes beyond generating leads in order to help the right clients find the right advisors," said Michael Mignosi, Perigon's Senior Director of Organic Growth.

This systematic approach is expected to free up advisors' time, allowing them to focus on what they do best: providing personalized advice and nurturing client relationships. The integration of AI and data analytics can provide insights that help advisors be more proactive, anticipate client needs, and identify opportunities for expanding relationships with existing clients.

This enhancement of the advisor's capabilities directly translates to a better client experience. In an era where clients expect seamless digital interactions and personalized service, a tech-enabled advisor is a significant advantage. The platform's focus on the entire journey, from the first point of contact to the delivery of financial advice, is designed to meet the high expectations of modern investors and build loyalty from the outset.

A Competitive Gambit in a Crowded Field

Perigon's investment in a proprietary growth platform is a bold move in a crowded and rapidly consolidating RIA market. The firm, already recognized by Barron's as a Top 100 RIA Firm in 2025 and by AdvisorHub as one of 50 RIA Firms to Watch in 2026, is not content to rest on its laurels. This initiative can be seen as a strategic gambit to create a durable competitive advantage.

Many of Perigon's competitors are also investing heavily in technology and marketing to fuel organic growth. Firms like Wealth Enhancement Group and Private Advisor Group have made technology a core part of their value proposition for advisors. By choosing to build its own system, Perigon is betting that a custom-fit solution, tailored to its specific model and advisors, will yield superior results compared to off-the-shelf software. This approach allows the firm to own its data, control the client experience, and allocate capital to growth initiatives with a clear, measurable return on investment.

By bringing in seasoned leaders like Seif and Samuels, Perigon is signaling to the market and to potential advisor recruits that it is serious about becoming a leader not just in size, but in strategic innovation. This initiative represents a comprehensive effort to transform growth from an individual art form into an institutional science, a transition that may well define the most successful wealth management firms of the next decade.