Alquant has obtained a Finma licence for the management of collective assets and will launch a UCITS fund. Guillaume Bourquenoud, CEO of the quantitative asset management company, announced that the company initiated the application process at the end of 2020.

Bourquenoud explained: "We applied for a Finma licence as a manager of collective investment schemes with the aim of establishing a top-class quantitative asset manager in Switzerland. We have observed that many of our competitors are leaving the country for quantitative tasks. Alquant wants to create an innovation-orientated atmosphere that not only keeps talented quants in Switzerland, but also attracts people who would not normally consider a career in the financial sector. With this licence, we are in a position to launch our first UCITS fund by the end of the first quarter".

He also pointed out that the licensing process was challenging and particularly rigorous due to the relatively young age of Alquant's management team, prompting Finma to thoroughly scrutinise their investment management expertise. Obtaining this licence is a significant achievement that puts Alquant in line with internationally recognised and regulated Swiss fund managers.

Alquant, formerly known as GQF, was founded in 2018. Bourquenoud founded the company together with Chief Technology Officer Valentin Moullet and CIO Quang Pham.