10X Investments

10X Investments is a South African financial services firm established to simplify the retirement savings landscape. Founded in 2007 by Steven Nathan, the company emerged from his desire to offer a more transparent and effective investment solution. Nathan, who began his career in accountancy and later became an investment analyst, identified a need for a straightforward, low-cost approach to long-term saving after observing the complexities and high fees prevalent in the industry. The company launched its corporate umbrella retirement funds in 2008 and expanded into the retail market in 2009.

The firm operates on a direct-to-consumer and business-to-business model, serving private individuals, corporate retirement funds, and financial intermediaries. Its revenue is generated through a transparent, all-in fee structure based on the assets under management, which contrasts with the multiple layers of fees often found in the industry. 10X’s core business revolves around a passive investment strategy, primarily using index-tracking funds to manage client assets. This approach is built on four principles: strategic asset allocation, broad diversification, a focus on low fees, and creating portfolios based on the investor's time horizon. The firm contends that this methodology typically yields higher net returns for clients over the long term by minimizing costs that erode wealth.

10X provides a suite of products including retirement annuities, preservation funds, living annuities, and tax-free savings accounts. A key feature is its life-stage investment model, where portfolios are automatically adjusted to become more conservative as a client approaches retirement, aiming to protect capital. The company also offers the My10X online portal, allowing clients to monitor their investments and retirement goals. In 2022, 10X announced the acquisition of CoreShares, another index-investing specialist, a move intended to enhance scale, expand its product offerings, particularly in the ETF space, and broaden its reach within the intermediary market. Steven Nathan stepped down as CEO in 2021, after which the company appointed new leadership to drive its next growth phase.

Keywords: retirement savings, investment management, passive investing, index funds, South Africa, low-cost investing, retirement annuity, preservation funds, living annuity, tax-free savings, asset allocation, financial services, wealth management, pension funds, corporate retirement funds, direct-to-consumer, fintech, CoreShares, index tracking, umbrella funds