Overview

ARK Investment Management LLC (commonly referred to as "ARK" or "ARK Invest") is an American investment management firm based in St. Petersburg, Florida, that manages several actively managed exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and the ARK Venture Fund, a closed-end interval fund that invests in both public and private companies. It was founded by Cathie Wood in 2014. ARK funds were four of the top five best performing ETFs of 2025. As of 2025^([update]), it manages US$30 billion.

History

In 2014, after Cathie Wood's idea for actively managed exchange-traded funds based on disruptive innovation was deemed too risky by AllianceBernstein, where she was chief investment officer of global thematic strategies, she left and founded Ark Invest. The company is named after the Ark of the Covenant. Wood, a devout Christian, was reading the One-Year Bible at the time of founding. It is also a backronym for Active Research Knowledge.

In October 2014, the company launched its first four active funds: the Innovation ETF, the Genomic Revolution ETF, the Next Generation Internet ETF and the Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF. These were followed by the Fintech Innovation ETF in 2019 and the Space Exploration & Innovation ETF in 2021.

In 2017, Nikko Asset Management acquired a 15% stake in ARK following the success of a Global Fintech Equity Fund it partnered with ARK to launch in 2016. As part of the deal, Nikko has exclusive rights to offer ARK products and investment strategies in Japan and the broader Asia-Pacific region.

Investment strategy

ARK Invest focuses on investing in disruptive technology. These technologies include artificial intelligence, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, robotics, electric vehicles, energy storage, fintech, 3D printing and blockchain technology. It has also invested in cryptocurrencies. The company invests in stocks it projects to double in value over a five-year period.

On November 22, 2022, Cathie Wood stated her $1 million bitcoin price target by 2030 during an interview on Bloomberg TV. On that date, November 22, 2022, Bitcoin closed at $16,174; so, Bitcoin's price must increase 61 fold over the next 8 years to reach the $1M price target.

From 2014 to 2021, the ARK Innovation ETF averaged an annual 39% return on investment, over three times the return of the S&P 500 during that time. Street.com published on December 9, 2022: "Ark innovation ETF has dropped 63% so far in 2022 and is down 78% from its February 2021 peak. Wood has defended her strategy by noting that she has a five year investment horizon."

Risks

Critics such as James Grant and Jason Zweig warn that investors chasing outsized returns by investing in ARK ETFs may be disappointed, as "hot" funds and thematic ETFs generally cannot sustain their performance.

The flagship ARK Innovation ETF has received accolades for its performance in 2017, 2020, 2023 and 2025, but was considered by Morningstar to be the third highest "wealth destroyer" investment fund from 2014–2023. In January 2026, Morningstar ranked ARKK as the fifth best performing ETF of 2025, with ARK funds taking four of the top five spots.

In 2021, Morningstar noted concerns over ARK's sizable ownership in several of its smaller holdings.

Funds

In September 2022 ARK launched the ARK Venture Fund, a venture capital investment fund which is separate from their exchange-traded funds.