Dan Ives exits Wedbush after 8 years to launch AI-focused merchant bank

Dan Ives, the prominent tech analyst, is leaving Wedbush Securities after eight years to start a merchant bank focused on AI opportunities.

"It's been a phenomenal eight years at Wedbush. But in looking at the next opportunity, it's to create a modern merchant bank with great partners, long-term capital and something I think will change the way Wall Street looks at investment banks," Ives said.

The new firm will combine proprietary research, strategic advisory, capital raising and investing under one roof, targeting technology, energy and financial sectors. Ives, who has covered technology stocks for more than 25 years, said he will continue publishing research while building the broader business. The move follows his recent initiation of SpaceX with an Outperform rating and a $190 price target, a call that showed his conviction in the space and AI sectors.

Ives' departure removes one of Wedbush's highest-profile voices at a time when AI-driven dealmaking is reshaping Wall Street. The analyst, known for bullish calls on AI beneficiaries and frequent television appearances, also served on the advisory board of Zeta Global and as chairman of Eightco Holdings, where he led a crypto treasury strategy centered on Worldcoin, the digital token associated with Sam Altman's identity venture. He launched his own clothing line last year, reflecting a personal brand unusual among sell-side analysts.

The move signals that top-tier analysts see greater value in combining research with direct investment as AI creates new opportunities. Ives said the firm aims to recruit talent from across Wall Street and position itself at the center of the AI-driven transformation reshaping industries. Investors will watch whether his bullish AI calls translate into deal flow for the merchant bank and whether this model attracts other high-profile analysts seeking to bridge the gap between research and capital deployment.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.