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Our History

A strong future is built on a solid foundation.

Our Beginnings

We've been generating impact for clients for five decades

More than fifty years ago, as a graduate student at Harvard College, Jim Bailey realized that what he was learning at business school was not broadly being applied to how institutions ran their own finances.

So when he and Hunter Lewis formally launched Cambridge Associates in June 1973, they were driven by a simple but revolutionary idea: build outperforming diversified investment portfolios to meet each client’s investment objectives and have a positive impact on the world.

While much has changed since that first idea, our mission has remained the same—deliver investment outperformance alongside an exceptional client experience.

  • 19 average client tenure (years)*
  • 12 year average tenure of senior investment professionals*
  • 96% average annual retention rate**

Our Guiding Principle

We work hard to earn each client's trust and satisfaction

Today, we’re proud that our guiding principle is still at the core of everything we do, whether it’s staying on the leading edge of private investments, thoroughly integrating ESG and diversity into our robust due diligence, or working hard to transparently manage our clients’ portfolios with their best interests as our only priority.

 

We believe that success is ultimately driven by a deep and trusting partnership. We’re proud that many of the clients we began serving in the 1970s continue to work with us today.

 

*As of June 30, 2024.

**Not indicative of client satisfaction. Average annual rate for five years ending December 31, 2023.

View our Client Spotlights

Innovation Through The Years

Growing our asset classes and investment strategies by decade

How can we help build the right portfolio for you?