Institutional Investors

The Absolute Return Group was founded in 2005 with the belief that traditional investment solutions will not be able to fully satisfy the institutional investor in the future. The investment landscape is constantly changing, presenting challenges to many of the investment concepts and notions that have historically driven investment policy and asset allocation decisions. The investment disciplines utilized by the money management community are also changing allowing them to better take advantage of their full range of skills. The Absolute Return Group is focused on understanding the issues of relevance to both institutional investors and money mangers so that they can capitalize on the continual evolution of investment opportunities that are available in the capital markets.

Entrepeneurs

Mentoring and coaching early stage high growth companies to the path of success is also central to the efforts of the Absolute Return Group. Start-up entrepreneurs are restrained by limited resources, management talent and investment capital. Challenging the early thoughts of the entrepreneur and providing access to the required resources are pivotal the growth of any company. These early stage companies will eventually become investment opportunities for institutional investors in either the private or public markets.

Background information

Mike Napoli is the founder and Chairman of the Absolute Return Group,an institutional investment advisor.

 

Mike was the Chief Investment Officer and head of Wilshire Associates Hedge Funds Group and Funds Management Division. In this role he worked with large institutional investors in the implementation and monitoring of equity, fixed income and alternative investment programs.  Mike was a member of Wilshire’s Board of Directors, Chairman of Wilshire Mutual Funds and a Director of the Wilshire Emerging Markets Institute.

Mike has held senior positions with Bankers Trust Company and Drexel Burnham Lambert. 

Mike has been mentoring and investing in early stage companies since 1997. He is on the Board of Governors of the Tech Coast Angels and the President of its Inland Empire Network.

In 2008 Mike founded Performing Arts LIVE, a community service promoting performing arts events in Southern California. He is the Executive Director at Performing Arts LIVE and advises numerous Performing Arts organizations on a variety of strategic and marketing issues.