Ceres Partners, an asset manager specialising in farmland investments, is to be purchased by WisdomTree, marking the global financial innovator’s entry into private markets.
WisdomTree has agreed to pay Ceres’s shareholders $275m (€237m) in upfront cash, plus an additional $225m payable in 2030 if certain revenue growth targets are achieved.
For WisdomTree, known for managing about $128bn in public stocks and bonds, the deal represents its inaugural significant entry into private markets, starting with a focus on real estate, particularly farmland.
WisdomTree said it aims to raise more than $750m in farmland assets by the end of 2030 for funds that charge 1% on investors’ assets and 20% of gains—substantially higher than the base fees on its ETFs.
WisdomTree said the acquisition delivers “immediate scale and long-term upside”, by bringing approximately $1.85bn in assets under management across approximately 545 US farmland properties spanning 12 states, predominantly in the Midwest.
Jonathan Steinberg, WisdomTree founder and CEO, said: “Farmland is one of the largest yet most underpenetrated real asset classes in the US, offering both scale and scarcity.
“This acquisition expands our leadership in innovative, income-generating investment solutions, while strategically accelerating our entry into private asset markets with a high-quality, scalable platform. It reflects our commitment to delivering differentiated exposures that drive long-term value for clients and stockholders alike.
“This strategic acquisition now positions WisdomTree to capitalise on the most significant structural growth opportunities in wealth and asset management today: ETPs, private markets, managed models and tokenisation.”
Perry Vieth, founder and CEO, Ceres Partners, said, “We are proud of Ceres’ long-standing partnerships and legacy with farmers. Joining forces with WisdomTree marks an exciting new chapter for Ceres. For nearly two decades, we’ve built a differentiated farmland investment platform rooted in performance, operational expertise and a deep understanding of US agricultural markets.
“This partnership brings product innovation, scale and distribution that will allow us to reach more investors seeking resilient, inflation-hedged and income-generating real assets. Together, we are uniquely positioned to capitalise on the next wave of growth in farmland —including solar, AI data infrastructure and water—with a shared commitment to innovation and long-term value creation.”
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