Featured Member: Viewpoint Investment Partners

Viewpoint Investment Partners may be a young firm, but its roots run deep in Alberta’s entrepreneurial soil. Formed in the late 1990s as part of the Viewpoint Group, Viewpoint Investment Partners began its journey in its current form in 2016, driven by a vision of family, innovation and quantitative precision. As a family-founded investment management firm, Viewpoint blends data science with proven investment strategies to provide informed portfolio construction solutions for individuals, institutions and family offices.

“Viewpoint was created to serve a purpose beyond mere business transactions,” explains Rob Van Wielingen, President, CEO and Portfolio Manager.

“The importance of having fulfilled day-to-day experiences with each other and with our clients and partners is extremely important to us.”

A vision rooted in family and opportunity

For Rob, the journey into the world of investment management was unexpected but deeply fulfilling. Although his father was a successful entrepreneur in the field, family discussions rarely revolved around business. It was only during university, in his first finance class, that he discovered a passion for the discipline.

“I had this amazing professor, and I fell in love with the material: portfolio construction, capital allocation, the time value of money. It all just made so much sense to me,” says Rob.

This intellectual curiosity has been a constant in his career, yet he finds the most fulfilling aspect of his work lies in the people he interacts with daily.

“It is really about the people—my partners at the firm and our clients. I enjoy listening to people debate ideas and spending time with our clients and partners. That is really what keeps me motivated.”

Viewpoint’s journey from a family-operated investment venture to an investment management firm reflects its commitment to calculated growth. Rob emphasizes that Viewpoint was initially created for the family’s investment needs, leading to years of internal and external research to refine its strategies.

“We have built our investment strategies for our own family. Over many years of research, we realized we had created something remarkably interesting. So, in 2016, we decided to share it with others,” he explains.

Accepting outside capital, Rob notes, was both an opportunity and a calculated decision.

“It allowed us to build up our internal capabilities and build an all-star team with institutional quality infrastructure.”

By opening to external investors, Viewpoint set out to expand its reach without compromising its commitment to quality. This thoughtful balance between opportunity and preservation of values has defined the firm’s growth trajectory.

An evolving approach to finance and technology

With authenticity, intellectual honesty, curiosity and excellence the guiding principles for work done both inside and outside the firm, Viewpoint offers a collaborative environment where team members and clients can have frank, constructive discussions, even if perspectives differ.

“Intellectual honesty is particularly important to us. We are quantitative investment managers, and in a sense, hubris or ego is anti to our goal in research. It is easy to get stuck in positions, so maintaining that openness and humility is essential” says Rob.

As Viewpoint’s approach to investment management is grounded in a commitment to evidence-based strategies, the firm is also dedicated to technological advancement. Harnessing data science and continuously refining its technology-driven strategies is how the team at Viewpoint stays competitive in a crowded field.

“The client experience and the way we build and use technology are our two evergreen goals.”

While these goals drive Viewpoint’s day-to-day operations, the firm’s leadership also keeps an eye on the future. Growth and scaling are important long-term objectives, and Rob emphasizes the value of reaching both smaller and larger investors.

“We want to continue to grow and reach a wider audience.”

New audiences and expanded offerings

Recently, Viewpoint launched the Viewpoint Private Investment Council, a new service designed to make the firm’s investment expertise accessible to a broader audience, including smaller investors. This expansion has allowed Viewpoint to bring its technology-driven approach to clients with varying levels of capital, an accomplishment Rob is particularly proud of.

“With this new initiative, we’re able to accept investors with smaller amounts of money and reach a much wider audience,” he says.

The viewpoint team also aims to progress the firm's inclusivity and outreach efforts, particularly for small business owners who might otherwise lack access to such services.

As members of the Calgary Chamber, Rob explains that their membership is an invaluable resource, not just for networking but for connecting with the entrepreneurial spirit that runs deep in Alberta’s culture.

“The advocacy work that the Calgary Chamber does is important. We are better together in terms of knowledge-sharing, information sharing and representing the business community in Calgary more broadly.”

Looking ahead, the firm remains dedicated to enhancing its services, driving innovation and continuing to contribute to Calgary’s vibrant business community. As it moves forward, Viewpoint will remain focused on creating value, building trust and helping clients achieve their financial goals.

Learn more about Viewpoint Investment Partners here: https://viewpointinvestment.ca.