Dan Ives has left his position at Wedbush to launch a new merchant bank, Yorkville Ives & Co., which will focus on artificial intelligence investment strategies. The firm aims to influence the tech, energy, and financial sectors through integrated advisory services.
A New Venture in AI Banking
Yorkville Ives & Co. will operate as a merchant bank, offering advisory services that combine investment banking with direct capital deployment. The firm's stated goal is to reshape how AI investments are structured and executed, targeting companies and projects that are pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence.
Ives brings experience from his time at Wedbush, where he was a senior analyst covering technology and AI. The new venture is a departure from traditional investment banking, focusing specifically on the intersection of AI with energy and finance.
Focus on Three Sectors
The firm will concentrate on three key industries: technology, energy, and financial services. In each, Yorkville Ives & Co. plans to provide integrated advisory services that go beyond simple M&A or fundraising. The idea is to offer strategic guidance that helps clients navigate the rapid changes AI is bringing to these sectors.
Energy, in particular, is an area where AI is increasingly used for optimization, grid management, and exploration. Financial services are being transformed by AI in trading, risk assessment, and customer service. Technology remains the core driver of AI development itself.
What's Known About the Launch
No details have been released about initial clients, funding, or the size of the team at Yorkville Ives & Co. The firm's launch comes at a time when AI investment is booming, with venture capital and corporate funding pouring into the space. Whether the merchant bank model will gain traction in this niche remains an open question.
Ives has not publicly commented on the move beyond the announcement. The firm is expected to begin operations immediately, though no specific deals or partnerships have been disclosed.
