Tech analyst Dan Ives is exiting Wedbush for a new venture

Dan Ives, one of Wall Street’s best-known technology analysts, is leaving his longtime position at Wedbush Securities to launch a merchant bank that aims to combine research, consulting, capital raising and investing under one roof.

Ives, who spent the last eight years at Wedbush and has researched technology stocks for more than 25 years, said the new firm will seek to build what he describes as a “modern commercial bank” focused on helping companies and investors take advantage of opportunities created by artificial intelligence and other structural shifts in the economy.

“We had a remarkable eight years at Wedbush,” Ives said in an interview. “But as we look at the next opportunity, it’s to create a modern merchant bank with great partners, long-term capital and something that I think will change the way Wall Street looks at investment banks.”

The company, which Ives said will be officially announced in the coming weeks, plans to provide private research, strategic consultancy services, capital raising and investments in sectors such as technology, energy and finance. Ives said he plans to continue covering tech stocks in a research capacity while helping build the broader business.

The move marks an unusual career milestone for one of the sell-side’s most high-profile analysts; This analyst’s bullish calls for those leveraging artificial intelligence and energetic television appearances have made him a familiar face to investors. Known for his colorful jackets and outspoken style, Ives even launched his own clothing brand last year.

At Wedbush, Ives took on roles rarely seen among sell-side analysts; He served on the advisory board of Zeta Global and was briefly chairman of Eightco Holdings. At Eightco, he led a crypto treasury strategy centered around Worldcoin, the digital token associated with Sam Altman’s identity startup World.

Ives said the firm aims to recruit talent from across Wall Street and position itself at the center of industries reshaping AI-driven transformation.

“My career has almost reached a point like this,” Ives said. “In this AI revolution, upcoming opportunities need to be seen, and I think this company can do just that.”