Brightplan LLC (San Jose)


Brightplan LLC is an internet adviser based in San Jose. It manages $2.5 million of regulatory assets for 120 client accounts. It has been registered with the SEC as an adviser since 2016 and has operated in the jurisdictions of California, Missouri, Nebraska, and Texas.

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Brightplan provides financial planning services, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, and selection of other advisers. It prepares financial plans for more than 499 clients. On top of advisory services, the firm doesn't engage in other business activities.

Brightplan: assets under management

The assets under management (AUM) of Brightplan LLC is $2.5 million, all of which is managed in discretionary accounts. The firm's AUM has grown by 627% since the beginning of its operation, and the company doesn't manage any assets belonging to foreign clients.


The firm manages $2.5 million in discretionary accounts. On average, the discretionary accounts where all decisions are made on behalf of the client hold $20.83 thousand each.

Investments

The firm invests in investment and business development companies the most. They account for 91% of the total AUM. The second-largest asset type is cash and cash equivalents, which make up 9% of the firm’s portfolio.

Fees & Commissions

The advisory firm has several streams of revenue. Clients pay Brightplan LLC for their services and products based on a percentage of assets under management and fixed fees. Compensation based on assets under management promotes a long-term relationship between a client and the adviser and helps align mutual interests. These fees don’t include brokerage commissions, interest, taxes, and other account expenses.

What kind of clients Brightplan serves?

The firm provides services to individuals and high net worth individuals. The largest group of clients of Brightplan is individuals with 82 clients and $1.44 million of assets under management. Among the 3 most similar advisory firms, Brightplan has the 2nd highest percentage of individuals out of all clients.


The amount of regulatory assets under management is $2.5 million for 90 clients that can include trusts, estates, and 401(k) plans and IRAs of individuals and their family members. None of the firm’s clients are foreign persons or businesses.

Brightplan doesn't advise any private funds.

Careers at Brightplan LLC

The company employs 21 people that are either part- or full-time employees. 19 percent of the employees work as investment advisers or researchers. 3 employees are registered as investment adviser representatives with the state securities authorities.

There isn’t anyone with the role of looking for and bringing in new clients on behalf of the firm. The firm doesn’t compensate employees in addition to the salary for bringing in new clients. Employees don’t receive compensation from other entities for client referrals.

Michael H Woods has served as the Chief Investment Officer since 1 Aug 2016. Sayed Mohammed Darwish joined the executive team most recently as the Chief Compliance Officer.

Direct owners and executive officers



Name Entity Date acquired Ownership Employer ID
Justin Hayes Schleifer Chief compliance officer 1 Apr 2016 Other 5977433
Prumentum Group Inc. Managing member 1 Apr 2016 25% - 50% 810982120
Llc Awaken Partners Member 1 Apr 2016 25% - 50% 81-1473109
Llc Coco Partners Member 1 Apr 2016 25% - 50% 47-3867564
Michael Christopher Kisch Coo 1 Apr 2016 Other 6689512
Michael H Woods Chief investment officer 1 Aug 2016 Other 4604568
Jeremy Niel Armstrong Chief compliance officer 1 Jul 2017 Other 1675339
Sayed Mohammed Darwish Chief compliance officer 1 Sep 2017 Other 6863530

Indirect Owners

The SEC currently registers 4 indirect owners.

Name Entity Date acquired Ownership Employer ID
Robert Martin Wallace Director 1 Jan 1986 Other 806678
Gateway Advisors Inc. Managing partner 1 Apr 2015 Other 77-0133454
Marthin Frederick De Beer Managing member 1 Apr 2016 75% - 100% 6688800
Great Purposes Llc Managing member 1 Apr 2016 75% - 100% 47-3289313

Based in San Jose

The principal office where Brightplan LLC performs its advisory services is located at 75 East Santa Clara St., San Jose, CA 95113 The mailing address of the firm is 15466 Los Gatos Blvd., Los Gatos, CA 95032. It doesn’t run an office outside of the United States.

You can reach the main office by calling the phone number 408-933-6188. The normal business hours are 9am-5pm on Monday - Friday. You can find more information about the New York firm at brightplan.com.