Edelweiss Asset Management (Edelweiss AMC) has launched a dedicated platform for Specialized Investment Funds (SIFs) called ‘altiva SIF’. This move is a strategic early entry into a fast-evolving investment space, as sanctioned by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). SIFs are a new asset class that aims to fill the gap between traditional Mutual Funds (MFs) and Portfolio Management Services/Alternative Investment Funds (PMS/AIFs). They offer investors a middle-ground solution, providing more portfolio flexibility while maintaining regulatory oversight and investor protection.
The launch of altiva SIF is a significant development in the Indian financial landscape, with Edelweiss AMC being one of the first to enter this new asset class. The brand name altiva is derived from “altitude” and represents the values of resilience, agility, and disciplined intent. The first SIF offering under this brand is expected to launch in the hybrid category, pending final SEBI clearance. This will be one of the first SIFs to be launched in India, catering to investors with a minimum investment threshold of INR 10 lakh.
SEBI introduced the SIF framework in a consultation paper in July 2024, recognizing the gap in the investment landscape. These funds will offer more advanced and flexible options than SIP-driven mutual funds, including the use of derivatives for active positioning. Edelweiss AMC’s entry into SIFs is backed by years of building deep capabilities in fundamental, factor-based, and fixed income investing. The fund house aims to offer purpose-built solutions to help investors build resilient, adaptive portfolios in a world of increasing market volatility and changing financial goals.
Other major fund houses, such as Quant, Axis, and Nippon, have also announced their plans to enter the SIF space. Edelweiss AMC expects a lot of new products in the near term, with over 60-70 SIF schemes potentially being launched across the industry in the next few years. However, the company has issued a cautionary note, highlighting that investments in SIFs carry relatively higher risks, including capital loss, liquidity constraints, and market volatility. Investors are urged to conduct thorough due diligence and carefully review scheme-related documents before making allocation decisions.
The launch of altiva SIF represents a fundamental shift in the investment ecosystem and Edelweiss’s commitment to redefining portfolio construction for a new era. With SEBI’s blessing and first-mover advantage, Edelweiss AMC is well-positioned to shape the evolution of Specialized Investment Funds in India. As investor preferences mature and market complexity grows, platforms like altiva SIF are expected to play a pivotal role in offering customized, dynamic, and regulation-aligned investment solutions that meet the ambitions of India’s next-generation wealth creators.