Wingspan's $10B Fund Pits Stability vs. Disruption in Alpha Summit

By Patrick Griffin

NEW YORK, NY – January 08, 2026 – In an ambitious move set to potentially double its assets under management, global investment firm Wingspan Advisors (WSA) has announced the launch of the “WSA Century Investment Fund,” a new vehicle with a formidable $10 billion capital-raising target. The fund will focus on global sectors undergoing profound structural transformation, including technology, healthcare, energy, and finance.

However, the strategy behind this monumental fund is not yet set in stone. In a highly unusual public move for the typically discreet asset management industry, Wingspan will determine the fund’s leadership and core philosophy through an internal competition, dubbed the “WSA Alpha Summit.” The event will pit two of the firm’s senior portfolio managers, Johnathan Sterling and Mark Wexler, against each other in a formal debate over the soul of the new fund. The decision will hinge on a fundamental question facing investors today: in a world of rapid change, is the path to alpha paved with steady, risk-managed growth or bold, high-conviction bets on disruption?

A $10 Billion Ambition in a Shifting Market

The launch of the WSA Century Investment Fund represents a pivotal moment for Wingspan Advisors. The firm, which currently reports over $10 billion in assets under management (AUM), is effectively betting it can double its size by tapping into investor appetite for strategies geared towards long-term structural growth. This move comes as the global asset management industry enjoys a period of robust health, having rebounded strongly through 2024 and 2025 to reach a record estimated $147 trillion in AUM by mid-2025, fueled in part by significant inflows from individual investors.

Market sentiment appears favorable for such large-scale launches. Recent industry surveys show fund managers are overwhelmingly optimistic about asset growth, with many predicting a surge in new fund launches, particularly in alternatives and multi-asset strategies. The Canadian ETF market, for example, saw record-breaking inflows of $125 billion in 2025, with multi-asset funds proving especially popular. This suggests a strong demand for diversified products that can navigate complex market environments—a niche the Century Fund aims to fill.

Despite the buoyant conditions, a $10 billion capital raise remains a monumental undertaking fraught with challenges. The landscape is fiercely competitive, and success is far from guaranteed. The recent struggles of Jain Global, a high-profile launch that reportedly failed to reach its ambitious $8-10 billion target, serve as a stark reminder that even well-regarded managers can find the current fundraising environment difficult. Wingspan’s success will depend not only on the strength of its chosen strategy but also on its ability to convince institutional and private clients that its vision stands apart from a crowded field of competitors, many of whom are also launching thematic funds targeting similar growth trends.

The Battle of Philosophies: Stability vs. Disruption

At the heart of Wingspan's Alpha Summit is a classic investment debate embodied by its two contenders. The firm is not just selecting a manager; it is choosing a guiding philosophy that will shape its trajectory for years to come.

On one side is Johnathan Sterling, a portfolio manager who advocates for a diversified, risk-managed approach. His proposed strategy for the Century Fund is centered on achieving stable capital appreciation through a carefully balanced portfolio of global equities and index-based ETFs. According to press materials, Sterling’s methodology focuses on identifying companies with “consistent fundamentals and long-term growth potential.” His philosophy is one of prudence and patience, aiming for “sustained and predictable returns” by analyzing deep-seated market trends and macroeconomic shifts. He is said to favor established leaders, including those in the technology and clean energy sectors, that demonstrate resilience and a clear path to durable growth.

On the other side is Mark Wexler, a manager known for his thematic and high-conviction positions. Wexler represents a more aggressive, opportunistic approach. His strategy emphasizes “seizing short-term market opportunities” by making bold, concentrated bets on emerging industries poised for explosive growth. Wexler’s focus is squarely on the bleeding edge of innovation, targeting sectors like financial technology (fintech), artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain. He is described as an “adventurous fund manager” who believes these nascent fields, while carrying higher risk, offer the potential for “enormous returns in a short time.” His high-risk, high-return philosophy is designed to capture the outsized gains associated with early-stage, disruptive technologies that are fundamentally reshaping the global economy.

The choice between Sterling's steady hand and Wexler's adventurous spirit will send a powerful signal about Wingspan's risk appetite and its outlook on the future. The decision will ultimately reflect whether the firm believes the next decade of returns will be best captured by backing proven winners or by financing the disruptive challengers aiming to unseat them.

The Alpha Summit: A New Model for Transparency?

While internal debates over fund strategy are commonplace at investment firms, Wingspan’s decision to frame the process as a formal “Alpha Summit” is a distinct departure from industry norms. The firm stated the event is intended to offer “transparency into WSA’s decision-making processes and strategic outlook.” In an industry often criticized for its opacity, this public vetting process is a novelty. It transforms a typically behind-the-scenes personnel decision into a public-facing strategic spectacle.

This approach could be a savvy marketing tool designed to generate buzz and differentiate the Century Fund in a competitive market. By showcasing the intellectual rigor behind its selection process, Wingspan positions itself as a meritocracy committed to finding the best possible strategy for its clients. The summit allows both Sterling and Wexler to present their full methodologies and risk frameworks before the firm’s investment committee, creating a formal record of the strategic options considered.

This move is particularly interesting given Wingspan Advisors' corporate structure. Public records indicate the firm filed as an Exempt Reporting Adviser (ERA) with the SEC in late 2025. This status, which applies to firms that meet certain exemptions from full registration, suggests WSA may not have the same scale or public profile as some of the industry's largest players. For a firm in this position, the Alpha Summit could serve as a powerful tool to elevate its brand and demonstrate a level of institutional gravity typically associated with much larger managers.

Betting on a World in Flux

Regardless of who is chosen to lead it, the WSA Century Investment Fund is built on the premise that significant investment opportunities lie within sectors undergoing deep, structural change. The fund’s focus on technology, healthcare, energy, and finance is a direct bet on the transformative power of innovation.

In technology, this transformation is being driven by the exponential growth of AI, which is acting as a foundational amplifier for progress across all industries. Wexler’s interest in AI and blockchain directly targets this trend, while Sterling’s approach would likely favor established tech giants that are successfully integrating these innovations into their core businesses.

In energy, the global shift toward sustainability and decarbonization is creating a new generation of leaders in clean technologies. Sterling has explicitly mentioned optimism for this area, suggesting a focus on companies leading the energy transition. Wexler, by contrast, might seek out more speculative, early-stage technologies with the potential to disrupt the entire energy grid.

In finance, the rise of fintech and decentralized finance (DeFi) is challenging traditional banking and payment systems. Wexler’s strategy is tailor-made to capitalize on this disruption. Meanwhile, a Sterling-led fund might invest in incumbent financial institutions that are effectively adapting to the digital transformation, viewing them as more stable long-term plays.

The final decision at the Alpha Summit will therefore do more than just appoint a manager; it will define how Wingspan Advisors plans to navigate this new, dynamic, and opportunity-rich economic landscape for its clients.