Opening the Door to Private Market Conversations
As markets evolve and portfolios become more sophisticated, astute and affluent investors are asking: What opportunities exist beyond traditional public markets—and how does one evaluate them responsibly?
That was the driving question behind our recent Private Markets Strategy Forum, held as part of HORAN’s Educational Event for Affluent Families, Investors, and Business Owners. The session brought together seasoned professionals in real estate, venture capital, and portfolio strategy to share their perspectives with HORAN clients.
As David Templeton, Principal and Portfolio Manager at HORAN Wealth, explains, this forum was created to meet the desire of our private Wealth clients for more education. "We’re seeing more clients ask about private equity, private credit, and real estate—because when used appropriately, these alternatives can offer diversification, potential returns, and even risk reduction within a portfolio."
Below, we capture key insights from the conversation, featuring short, expert-led video clips for those who want to see the highlights in just a few minutes. If you’d like to view the entire session video, your HORAN advisor can provide access.
The forum featured:
- Dan Dooley, CFP®, Chief Investment Officer at Coastal Ridge Real Estate
- Brad Zapp, CFP®, Founder and Managing Partner at Connetic Ventures
- David Templeton, CFA®, Principal and Portfolio Manager at HORAN Wealth
- Michael Napier, CFP®, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor at HORAN Wealth
Each brought a grounded perspective—from managing institutional real estate to an innovative approach building venture capital solutions. The goal was to inform—not promote—and to help clients explore how private markets are structured, accessed, and evaluated.
A Note on Intent and Risk
This forum was designed solely for educational purposes. Dan Dooley and Brad Zapp participated as subject matter experts to provide insight into the evolving landscape of private and alternative investments. Nothing in this session—or this blog—should be interpreted as a specific investment recommendation or solicitation.
Alternative investments can offer long-term wealth-building potential, but they also present distinct challenges, including higher risk profiles, illiquidity, and increased complexity. At Private Wealth at HORAN Wealth, we believe true financial empowerment comes from understanding both the opportunities and the risks. These types of investments are not appropriate for all investors and require thoughtful evaluation, strategic planning, and alignment with your personal goals, liquidity needs, and risk tolerance. Always consult your financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Real Estate: Institutional Scale, Demographic Strategy, and a Focus on Affordability
Dan Dooley, Chief Investment Officer at Coastal Ridge Real Estate, led the real estate portion of the Forum. His team manages over $5 billion in rental housing assets, with an emphasis on build-for-rent, student housing, and scattered-site apartment communities.
What stood out in Dan’s remarks was the structural clarity behind the firm’s investment thesis. Coastal Ridge focuses on rental properties priced just below the “trophy” segment, targeting affordability, demographic growth, and locations where supply-demand imbalances persist.
Dan also emphasized vertical integration as a risk management tool. Coastal Ridge owns and manages its properties directly, employing over 800 people across operations, which allows for greater control in execution, cash flow, and tenant experience.
*In this short video, Dan Dooley explains how his firm targets resilient rental sectors—like student housing and build-for-rent—through vertical integration, local expertise, and a focus on attainable pricing.*
Key Takeaways:
Strategy starts with structure. Coastal Ridge operates a vertically integrated platform that combines ownership and property management, improving alignment, cost control, and responsiveness.
Demand is driven by affordability and need. Their focus on student housing, small-format apartments, and scattered-site duplexes is rooted in data: rising demand, flat supply, and pressure on middle-income renters.
Build-for-rent cottages are a rising segment. These detached homes offer privacy and lifestyle flexibility for renters, without the cost or commitment of ownership.
This is not speculative real estate. Dan emphasized demographic consistency, local knowledge, and modest rent growth over hype or headline-chasing.
Institutional discipline applies to private markets. Even in a fragmented real estate landscape, there’s room for thoughtful, large-scale execution when the fundamentals align.
Key Considerations in Real Estate Investing
Real estate investments come with their own set of risks. They are highly sensitive to interest rate movements, which can affect borrowing costs and overall valuations. Markets can be cyclical and vary widely across regions and asset classes. For investors accessing real estate through private funds or alternative platforms, there may also be reduced liquidity, limited transparency, and a longer investment horizon—all of which require thoughtful due diligence and a clear understanding of the associated trade-offs.
Venture Capital: Behavioral Data, Broader Access, and a Shift in How Startups Get Funded
Brad Zapp, Founder and Managing Partner of Connetic Ventures, spoke candidly about how traditional venture capital has historically been hard to access—and how that’s changing. Connetic Ventures is leveraging a unique combination of AI and a focus on new ventures in the fly-over states, as opposed to Silicon Valley.
Brad began his career in wealth management, where he saw firsthand the barriers most investors faced: high minimums, limited access, and structures that weren’t built for advisors or their clients. That frustration led him to create a venture capital platform that could address those gaps, both structurally and strategically.
Connetic has launched the Connetic Venture Capital Access Fund, a SEC-registered closed-end interval fund—a publicly available product designed to provide diversified exposure to early-stage tech companies. But what sets Connetic apart is how they source deals. Instead of pitch meetings or personal networks, they utilize AI to analyze founders and prioritize opportunities based on behavior, not hype.
*In this clip, Brad Zapp shares how his firm created an advisor-accessible venture fund and developed “Wendal®,” an AI tool that screens startup founders based on behavioral signals. The goal: improve consistency, scale deal flow, and bring private innovation into reach.*
Key Takeaways:
Access is expanding, but structure matters. Connetic offers a venture capital mutual fund with daily pricing, diversification, and advisor compatibility. It's one of only four of its kind in the U.S.
Their strategy favors early-stage tech in overlooked markets. Rather than chasing unicorns, Connetic focuses on startups across North America, particularly in flyover cities and Canada.
AI plays a central role. “Wendal®,” their proprietary AI, screens thousands of founders using behavioral data to flag promising opportunities, reducing bias and increasing efficiency.
This is about long-term innovation. Brad framed venture investing not as trend-chasing, but as a way to thoughtfully support early-stage businesses while balancing the risk via structure and scale.
Risks in Venture Capital Investing:
This type of investment carries elevated risk. Venture-backed companies often have limited history and unproven models, making outcomes highly uncertain, and many may fail. Liquidity is also a concern, as venture funds typically involve long holding periods and limited capital access. Even when offered through a mutual fund, as discussed during the forum, these investments require careful evaluation. Investors should consider diversification, transparency, manager expertise, and alignment with their broader financial strategy.
Beyond Access: Why Liquidity, Fit, and Timing Still Rule
Even as access to private markets improves, not every opportunity is appropriate for every investor. That’s where the guidance and structure of the right financial advisor comes in.
To close the session, David Templeton shared how Private Wealth Services at HORAN Wealth helps clients evaluate when—and whether—private market investments may belong in a long-term plan. He emphasized the importance of matching strategies to each client’s liquidity needs, investment horizon, and personal goals.
Dan and Brad reinforced that message. Venture capital and real estate don’t operate like mutual funds or ETFs. Lock-up periods, capital calls, and delayed liquidity events are common and must be accounted for before any decision is made.
*This short clip highlights how private investments require longer timelines and different expectations. Dan and Brad share how liquidity works in their respective models, while David Templeton explains how HORAN helps clients align any private market decision with their broader plan.*
Key Takeaways:
Liquidity isn’t automatic. Many private investments require multi-year commitments and have limited redemption options. Understanding those terms upfront is essential.
Not every opportunity is the right fit. HORAN’s role is to help clients evaluate structure, timeline, and suitability—not to promote products.
Planning comes before placement. These discussions happen in the context of a broader financial plan, not as one-off decisions or isolated investments.
Ready to Learn More About Private Markets?
At Private Wealth Services at HORAN Wealth, we believe that clarity comes before commitment. Whether you’re curious about private real estate, venture capital, or any other alternative investment topic, our goal is to help you understand the opportunities—and the responsibilities—before making any decisions.
This article offers just a few key insights from our recent Private Markets Strategy Forum from our Private Wealth Educational Event: Fostering Connection, Unity, and a Legacy of Generational Wealth. If you’d like to view the full session recording, please reach out, and we’ll gladly provide access. Other videos from the event include:
Legacy in Focus: How to Strengthen Family Ties and Secure the Future.
Building a Thriving Business and Family: Discover how to achieve both business success and family unity.
A Hard Look at the Soft Issues of Family Wealth: Susan R. Schoenfeld, JD, LL.M., CPA, MBA. A nationally recognized thought leader and advisor to ultra-affluent families.
Contact your HORAN Wealth advisor or email us directly at PrivateWealth@horanwealth.com.
For over 75 years, HORAN Wealth has been helping astute investors, business owners, and families build more abundant and productive lives. We’re here to help you create a lasting strategy—one that reflects your values, your goals, and your legacy.
Meet the Speakers
Michael D. Napier, CFP®
Managing Partner, Wealth Advisor – HORAN Wealth
Michael helps clients craft detailed financial plans and coordinate investment strategies. As a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary, he focuses on building trusted relationships that go beyond numbers—helping families feel more confident about their future.
📧 MichaelN@HoranWealth.com | 📞 513.587.2704
David Templeton, CFA®
Principal & Portfolio Manager – HORAN Wealth
With more than 30 years of experience in financial services, David brings deep knowledge of capital markets and customized portfolio construction. He plays a lead role in security selection and manager due diligence for Private Wealth Services at HORAN.
📧 DavidT@HoranWealth.com | 📞 513.587.2753
Brad Zapp, CFP®
Founder and Managing Partner – Connetic Ventures
Brad is a venture capitalist and entrepreneur with a track record in building both financial and tech companies. As Founder of Connetic Ventures, he’s focused on making private investing more accessible and uses proprietary AI to do it.
🔗 https://www.conneticventures.com
Dan Dooley, CFP®
Chief Investment Officer – Coastal Ridge Real Estate
Dan oversees investment strategy and portfolio management for Coastal Ridge, a national real estate investment firm with more than $5 billion in assets. He brings 15+ years of experience and has led over $6 billion in acquisitions across the U.S. and Asia.
🔗 https://www.coastalridge.com
Make Sure to Attend Our Next Educational Event for Affluent Families, Investors, and Business Owners
Beyond the Balance Sheet: Building Family Trust, Purpose & Prosperity
November 12, 2025 | Hyde Park Country Club
Join us for an exclusive evening with Tom Rogerson, a global leader in family governance and legacy planning. His proven “7 Steps to Healthy Family Governance” has helped thousands of families strengthen unity, communication, and continuity across generations. Reach out to your financial advisor now, or contact us at PrivateWealth@horanwealth.com.