Keystone Global Partners

Forward-Thinking Wealth Management For Tech Founder

You’ve built your success;
now take control of your wealth.

When it comes to building your business, you know the importance of making critical decisions during your company’s lifecycle. The same goes for building and managing your wealth.

Your individual needs and goals are unique, and we honor that. But the key to reaching the next level is working with an advisor who is already familiar with where you’re coming from, where you’re going, and what it will take.

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Our Process

We may be the perfect firm for you, or we may not be the right fit for you. We designed this process to help you make an educated and informed decision.

There is no risk, cost, or pressure as you determine whether a relationship is a good fit.

Intro Call
Discovery Meeting
Our Analysis
Strategy Meeting
Think On It
Going “Live”

Intro Call

We want to ensure that we are the right fit for you. A 30-minute Intro Call will help both of us understand if your situation is a good match for our expertise. After all, you wouldn’t want to see a neurologist if you needed to fix a broken bone.

Discovery Meeting

During our Discovery Meeting, we ask you a number of questions to understand your financial goals, needs, and concerns. To give you our best advice, we need to fully understand your current situation to identify your potential opportunities. In advance of this meeting, we will request a few important documents that will drive our analysis and help shape some of the questions we ask you.

Our Analysis

Taking what we learned from our Discovery Meeting, we formulate a custom plan of action that best suits you. As independent fiduciary advisors, we will always provide advice based on your complete financial picture and what’s best for you rather than what’s simply suitable.

Strategy Meeting

During our Strategy Meeting, we will walk you through how we can address your identified concerns, capitalize on other opportunities, save on tax, and review any other areas where we can provide value or insight.

Think on It

We’re looking for long-term relationships with our clients. It’s important that you take as much time as you need to make a decision.

Going “Live”

We’re glad you’ve chosen us! We will walk you through the next steps of our Onboarding Process and begin executing on your plan.

Ready to Get Started?

Our Community of Clients

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Pre-Exit Founder

Read the Story

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Post-Exit Founder

Read the Story

Sound like you?

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FAQs

Will you help me solve any and all financial problems I may encounter?

What types of clients do you specialize in?

What services do you provide?

How do you help clients implement their financial plans?

Are your recommendations truly in my best interest?

What are all the different ways you get paid?

Why would I choose you as my advisor and not do it myself?

What are the benefits of working with an independent advisor compared to a bank or large advisory firm?

Do you use proprietary funds?

Where do you keep my money and how can I see it?

Will you help me solve any and all financial problems I may encounter?

Yes, and it’s likely we’ve helped others solve similar problems as well such as business sales, QSBS, tax minimization, estate, 401(k) plans, IRS audits, family deaths, disability, real estate, debt, social security, Medicare, health insurance, college, gifting, and most other financial issues.

What types of clients do you specialize in?

We work specifically with tech founders.

What services do you provide?

A relationship with Keystone involves comprehensive financial planning around retirement, insurance, estate planning, tax planning, and investment management.

How do you help clients implement their financial plans?

We firmly believe that even the best financial plan is of little value until it’s implemented. To help you achieve your goals without feeling stressed or overwhelmed by the noise along the way, we will work together to make the necessary decisions then we take care of the execution.

Are your recommendations truly in my best interest?

As an SEC Registered Investment Advisory firm, we are held to a fiduciary standard, which legally requires us to do what is in our clients’ best interests. This differs drastically from some of our competitors who are only held to the “suitability standard,” meaning that our competitors can make recommendations that are suitable but may not be in the clients’ best interests. Our commitment to an honest and ethical culture has allowed us to build deep, trusted relationships with our clients.

What are all the different ways you get paid?

We are only paid via one management fee. We believe this allows us to have an unbiased framework to select the best investments for you and to give you advice tailored to your needs, not ours. We believe compensation drives behavior, and the way someone is paid influences the work they do. Many financial firms have complex fee arrangements; we do not.

Why would I choose you as my advisor and not do it myself?

There’s certainly a possibility that if you put enough focus and energy into it, you could do it all yourself. But like everyone else, your time is limited and most people prefer to focus on family or business. We’re here to free up your time while leveraging our wealth of experience in addressing concerns, presenting solutions, and working toward your financial goals.

What are the benefits of working with an independent advisor compared to a bank or large advisory firm?

Our independent and conflict-free approach allows us to find the best solutions for our clients. This gives you the advantage since larger firms might be compelled to make specific recommendations, sell proprietary products, or may be restricted in the advice and services they offer. We offer guidance customized to your needs and goals which is a personalized level of service, care, and attention larger firms just can’t provide.

Do you use proprietary funds?

At Keystone, we do not use proprietary products. We do not receive commissions or backend fees from any third parties. We do not earn compensation for recommending one fund vs. another. We believe this allows us to have the most unbiased framework to select the best investments for you and to provide advice tailored to your needs, not ours.

Where do you keep my money and how can I see it?

For your convenience and safety, we use Charles Schwab as the custodian for the majority of our client assets. Schwab administers more than $7 trillion dollars and we selected them to care for yours as well based on a variety of criteria including safety of assets, financial strength, and ease of use. As custodian, Schwab holds your funds and provides direct reporting to you. Your funds will be held in accounts under your name and can be viewed anytime online at Schwab.

Pre-Exit Founder

DISCLAIMER: THIS CONTENT IS PORTRAYING A HYPOTHETICAL CASE STUDY AND NOT BASED ON ACTUAL INDIVIDUAL CLIENT RESULTS.

Meet Brian, 32

Living in New York City, Brian spent 5 successful years as an employee at a large tech company before branching off and building a company of his own. In the past few years, Brian’s company has been gaining a lot of traction. In fact, he’s just completed a Series C round and thinks the company will be acquired or IPO within the next two to three years.

The Problem?

Brian knows the sale of his company will be meaningful for him, but it’s the first time he’ll be having an exit and just doesn’t know what to expect. He’s always been hardworking, leaving little time to devote to his personal finances. He’s made a decent salary but hasn’t accumulated as much savings as he knows he should.

Brian's Goals

Brian’s been dating his girlfriend for a few years, and he’s ready to pop the question soon. He’d ideally like to get married next year and purchase a home as well. In the back of his mind, Brian knows he should be saving for retirement too, but isn’t sure how important that is when he has a wedding and future house to think about.

How We Helped

Brian’s company has been getting a lot of press recently and as such, several financial advisors have been reaching out to him. He was encouraged by a friend to speak with the Keystone team. Based on the information he provided, we conducted a goals and needs analysis that helped shed some light on Brian's unique opportunities.

Goals and Needs Analysis Opportunities
First Time Selling a Business Personal tax planning in advance to maximize his after-tax outcome, evaluate if stock qualifies for QSBS making first $10mn of his stock sold exempt from Federal taxation
Upgrade to Better CPA Education on how his taxes and tax opportunities will change a lot in the coming years, introduction to a high-quality CPA
Needs Extra Cash for Wedding and House Walkthrough on options like taking money off the table via a secondary transaction or financing based on his ownership in company, etc
Lacking Estate Plan Keystone introduces him to a vetted estate attorney and guides him through the process of creating core estate planning documents such as trust, power of attorney, pour-over will, and healthcare directive
No Formal Cash Flow Planning or Budgeting Set aside an emergency fund, cash flow planning to calculate wedding budget and house-buying power, access to Keystone personal cash flow and balance sheet software
No Retirement Services Setup 401(k), determine asset allocation
First-Time Home Buyer Guide on how much to spend on a house, introduction to high-quality real estate agent, help obtaining best mortgage financing. Pay down credit cards, stop further credit inquiries
Lack of Time Engage a financial advisor who can quarterback his investments, planning, and taxes
Marriage Considerations Education on joint tax returns, pre-marital planning considerations

Post-Exit Founder

DISCLAIMER: THIS CONTENT IS PORTRAYING A HYPOTHETICAL CASE STUDY AND NOT BASED ON ACTUAL INDIVIDUAL CLIENT RESULTS.

Meet Matt, 37

Matt has just sold the company he founded after successfully building it up for 6 years. His company was acquired by a larger public company, and he received a part-cash part-stock deal with additional earnouts depending on company performance over the next two years. His stock compensation is subject to lockups and blackout periods. He plans to complete the two years then possibly pursue something different or take some well-deserved time off.

The Problem?

After selling his company, Matt feels like he has a lot of cash but is still hesitant to raise his standard of living. He knows he shouldn’t hold cash and should invest it, but isn’t sure where to start.

Matt's Goals

Matt is married and has two children. He wants to buy a vacation home and is interested in venture investing as well as becoming an advisor to startups. In addition, Matt wants to start saving for his children’s education, and his friends have told him it’s important to have insurance for his family. These tasks have been sitting on his plate for years, but he feels overwhelmed and never finds the time to do them.

How We Helped

A friend of Matt’s suggested he speak with Keystone. Based on the information he provided, we conducted a goals and needs analysis that helped shed some light on Matt's unique opportunities.

Goals and Needs Analysis Opportunities
Company Acquisition Stock qualified for QSBS making the first $10mn of his stock sold exempt from Federal taxation saving Matt a material amount on taxes
What to do with Stock once Lockup Expires Education on his options and tax implications, established trading plan created to reduce single stock concentration risk while abiding by the lockups and blackout periods, with the ultimate goal to reduce concentration risk
Family Protection Selected guardians for his children, set up trusts to provide for children, and updated core estate documents including a will, trust, power of attorney, healthcare directive since his circumstances have changed since he first established them
Hesistant to Spend More Money or Raise Living Standard Created a personal balance sheet and forecasted cash flows to show Matt what would be sustainable and still conservative to give him comfortability in raising his lifestyle and living standards
Future Plans Helped Matt realize that work was optional in the near future, that he could start another business, never work again, or anything in between
Startup Investing Established an asset allocation based on Matt’s risk tolerance and return objectives, added a separate carve-out bucket specifically for venturing investing, and established a program to make venture investments
Feeling Overwhelmed Delegated several personal financial tasks to a financial advisor to guide and complete items for him
Wealth Transfer Incorporated tax-efficient gifting techniques to minimize taxes and maximize the amount of assets his heirs will receive
Interest in Philanthropy Education on philanthropic strategies which maximize donation power and considerations on using philanthropy in the future to educate his children to be familiar with investing and care about the community
Education Savings for Children Set up 529 accounts and front-loaded 5 years of contributions

Executive

DISCLAIMER: THIS CONTENT IS PORTRAYING A HYPOTHETICAL CASE STUDY AND NOT BASED ON ACTUAL INDIVIDUAL CLIENT RESULTS.

Meet Caroline, 42

Caroline is a working single mother with two teenage daughters. She has an accomplished corporate career and is the CMO of the company. She’s compensated generously with a high salary and bonus, which she uses to support her lifestyle and family.

The Problem?

The company Caroline worked for just went IPO and she has a lot of stock-based compensation that is subject to lockups and blackout periods. Because her company went IPO, several financial advisors have been reaching out to her, but she didn’t know where to start.

Caroline's Goals

Caroline owns a home with a mortgage. She came from a working-class family and has elderly parents who need assistance. On the financial front, she has been contributing to her 401(k), but is not sure how much she needs to retire or when she can retire. She also has made various stock investments in her brokerage account.

How We Helped

Caroline was encouraged by a colleague to speak with the Keystone team. Based on the information she provided, we conducted a goals and needs analysis that helped shed some light on Caroline's unique opportunities.

Goals and Needs Analysis Opportunities
Protect Children Set up term insurance and disability insurance, designated guardians, set up a trust to benefit children, established core estate documents
Stock Based Compensation Management Trading plan created to reduce single stock concentration risk, while abiding by the lockups and blackout periods, with the ultimate goal to reduce concentration risk
Retirement Savings Consolidated old 401(k) accounts Caroline wasn’t paying attention to, started to maximize contributions to current 401(k), maximized employee stock purchase program
Caring for Parents Keystone introduced a health care specialist to determine best options for her parents, coordinated with a tax advisor to claim all available deductions
Mortgage Review Refinanced mortgage to achieve a better interest rate and cost savings
Retirement Planning Established a financial plan detailing her goals, her current net worth, the expected income/expenses/taxes/investment returns, to show her the path to her retirement
Portfolio Management Concluded her portfolio did not match her risk tolerance and restructured her portfolio to match her risk tolerance and return objectives