VanEck Expands Private Markets Push with Late-Stage Growth Equity Hire
Event summary
- VanEck hires Christian Munafo as Portfolio Manager of Growth Equity to lead late-stage private growth investing.
- Munafo brings 20+ years of secondaries investing experience and has managed billions in private market transactions.
- VanEck's private investment lineup includes $224.5B in AUM as of February 2026, with funds focused on venture, digital assets, and blockchain ecosystems.
- Munafo's expertise extends across various private market fund structures, including drawdown vehicles and 1940 Act closed-end funds.
The big picture
VanEck's hire of Christian Munafo underscores the growing trend of companies staying private longer, shifting value creation away from public markets. With $224.5B in AUM, VanEck is positioning itself to capture this opportunity by expanding its private market capabilities. Munafo's extensive experience in secondaries investing and managing complex private market transactions will be critical in this strategic push.
What we're watching
- Strategic Expansion
- How VanEck's push into late-stage private growth investing will integrate with its existing early-stage venture and digital asset strategies.
- Market Access
- Whether VanEck can successfully bring institutional-quality private market opportunities to a broader range of global investors.
- Performance Metrics
- The pace at which VanEck's private investment lineup can attract significant capital commitments from institutional investors, corporations, and family offices.