Public's Acquisition of Tornado Bolsters AI Investment Capabilities for Retail Clients
Public Acquires Tornado's Retail Brokerage Accounts
On September 8, 2025, Public announced its acquisition of Tornado’s retail brokerage accounts, enhancing its capabilities in the financial services sector. With this strategic move, Public aims to integrate Tornado’s innovative AI technology, providing over 85,000 newly transitioned customers with a broader scope of investment opportunities.
An Overview of the Acquisition
Tornado is renowned for its AI-powered platform designed to assist financial institutions, and its retail brokerage accounts are now part of Public's offerings. The transition assures that all existing Tornado brokerage customers can switch to Public’s active trading platform efficiently. This integration allows customers to trade across a diverse range of asset classes including stocks, ETFs, bonds, cryptocurrencies, retirement accounts, and options.
Stephen Sikes, COO of Public, emphasized the significance of this acquisition by highlighting the introduction of modern brokerage tools to Tornado's customers. The new platform will provide trading resources that leverage AI technology, enabling users to analyze market conditions in real-time and execute their investment strategies effectively. Sikes asserted, “Our Active Trading platform is designed specifically for those who seek to build and implement their own investment strategies.”
Tornado’s Continued Commitment
Post-acquisition, Tornado will retain its focus on supporting sophisticated financial institutions through its increasing range of AI research capabilities. Tornado's recent revenue surge of over threefold growth is attributed to heightened interest from various financial entities such as hedge funds, asset managers, and venture capital firms. The company’s CEO, Bernard George, expressed enthusiasm about the prospects that lie ahead. He noted, “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for financial institutions to expedite and scale investment processes using AI to drive efficiency and alpha.”
Both Public and Tornado are set to provide extensive resources to their members. Customers transitioning to Public will now have access to a range of investing products that include the groundbreaking AI research assistant, Alpha, in addition to the option to create customized indexes using Generated Assets. This reflects a significant leap for both firms, as they collaborate to equip investors with advanced tools that cater to their diverse needs.
About Public and Tornado
Founded in 2019, Public has established itself as a key player in the long-term investing space, drawing in billions in assets from affluent investors. With its headquarters in New York City, Public has raised over $400 million from notable investors like Accel and Tiger Global. On the other hand, Tornado, a trusted AI research and analysis platform, specializes in servicing the financial sector with AI-based solutions that streamline workflows for professionals in the industry. The foundation of Tornado comprises experienced hedge fund experts and Ivy League graduates, enabling the organization to stand out as a reliable partner to financial institutions managing extensive assets.
Conclusion
This announcement marks a crucial step for Public as it strives to enhance the investment landscape by integrating Tornado's established financial technology. By leveraging Tornado's capabilities, Public aims to empower a broader range of investors with advanced tools and insights to optimize their asset management strategies. The collaboration is expected to redefine the trading experience for retail and institutional investors alike, paving the way for future advancements in financial technologies.