VestGen Wealth Partners Secured Growth Capital
The Chicago-based registered investment advisor platform received funding to support its mergers and acquisitions strategy.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Financial Planning
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Chicago-based VestGen Wealth Partners has received growth capital from Willow Tree Credit Partners. The firm plans to use these funds to expand its ongoing mergers and acquisitions activity.
Why it matters
This infusion of capital supports the platform's strategy of acquiring businesses from retiring advisors. The firm acts as a transition vehicle to help next-gen advisors take over practices while keeping senior professionals on as mentors.
VestGen has grown to include 19 firms with $8.5 billion in assets, compared to the 10 practices and $5.3 billion in assets held at its founding. The company continues to prioritize scaling its footprint through acquisitions.
The players
VestGen Wealth Partners
This is a Chicago-based registered investment advisor platform that specializes in acquiring advisory practices from retiring professionals.
Willow Tree Credit Partners
This is the firm providing growth capital to support the ongoing merger and acquisition activities of the investment platform.
Josh Gerry
He is the founder of the firm who served as chief executive until his departure from the position in 2026.
Jason Hanavan
He is the current chief executive of the firm who succeeded the founder in the leadership role.
The details
VestGen provides a platform for newer advisors to inherit practices from retiring partners, who serve as consultants during the transition. In 2025, the firm expanded its service offerings by launching a dedicated retirement plan advice division.
Timeline
VestGen was founded in Chicago in December 2024.
The firm launched a retirement plan advice division in 2025.
Josh Gerry stepped down as chief executive in 2026.
Market Landscape
The firm's rapid expansion reflects a broader industry shift toward consolidation as older advisors look to exit the business. By creating a formalized platform for practice transitions, VestGen positions itself to capture market share from traditional, non-integrated firms.
Clients of advisors within the VestGen network should see consistent service models even as their primary contact eventually nears retirement. This acquisition model is designed to ensure a smooth transition of client accounts between generations of advisors.
The takeaway
The move demonstrates how private credit firms are increasingly backing platforms that solve succession planning issues for small advisory businesses. Investors and clients should monitor how these expanded resources influence the quality of long-term wealth management services.
Further reading
For more information on how firms manage growth, explore Financial Planning.
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Do you support private investment firms providing growth capital to independent wealth management practices?
