Strategic Investment Management for Discerning Investors

At Essential Management, we specialize in identifying and capitalizing on unique opportunities across alternative asset classes that traditional wealth managers overlook.

Our Story Meet Our Team

Our Evolution

From boutique investment firm to multi-asset management powerhouse

Rooted in Alternative Investments

Founded in 2010 by a team of former Wall Street analysts and commodity traders, Essential Management began as a specialist precious metals fund focused on physical gold and silver markets.

Our early success identifying undervalued mining assets during the commodities supercycle laid the foundation for what would become our multi-strategy approach to alternative wealth management.

"We saw how institutional investors systematically overlooked entire sectors simply because they didn't fit traditional portfolio models. This became our opportunity."

— Martin Cresswell, Founder & CEO

Strategic Milestones

2010

Founded as precious metals investment fund with $15M AUM

2014

Launched automotive investment division specializing in collector car markets

2017

Expanded into cannabis investment advisory during industry liberalization

2020

Formalized AI/tech investment practice through strategic partnerships

2023

Reached $850M AUM across 7 alternative asset classes

Our Leadership

Seasoned professionals with deep vertical expertise across our investment focus areas

Martin Cresswell

Founder & CEO

Former Goldman Sachs commodities strategist with 28 years experience in precious metals and hard asset investing.

Sarah Jennings

CIO - Technology Investments

Ex-Silicon Valley VC with deep AI/ML expertise, led investments in 3 unicorn startups during her tenure at Sequoia.

Daniel Rosetti

Head of Real Assets

15 years in classic automotive markets with Sotheby's and RM Auctions before joining Essential in 2016.

Our Approach

How we identify and capitalize on alternative investment opportunities

Niche Specialization

We focus exclusively on sectors where we can develop informational and analytical edges through specialized expertise.

Operator Alignment

We structure investments to align our interests directly with those of the operational experts executing our strategies.

Contrarian Timing

We enter markets when fundamentals are strong but institutional interest is temporarily depressed.

Alternative Investment Solutions

Diversify beyond traditional markets with our specialized investment strategies across tangible and innovative asset classes.

Our Investment Verticals

Focused strategies in alternative assets with compelling risk/reward profiles

Physical Assets

Precious Metals

Our precious metals strategy provides direct exposure to physical gold, silver, platinum and palladium through allocated bullion holdings, mining equities, and royalty streams. We specialize in navigating the unique market dynamics of physical metals.

Allocated Storage: Physical bullion stored in LBMA-approved vaults in Zurich, Singapore, and New York

Junior Mining Focus: Targeted investments in high-potential exploration companies with world-class assets

Macro Hedge: Historically uncorrelated returns that protect purchasing power during currency debasement

Minimum Investment: $50,000

Collector Markets

Automotive Assets

Our automotive investment platform focuses on blue-chip classic cars with documented provenance, low production numbers, and historical significance. We combine rigorous mechanical due diligence with deep market knowledge to identify appreciating assets.

Investor Garage: Climate-controlled storage and maintenance management for held assets

Co-Investment: Fractional ownership opportunities for select multimillion-dollar specimens

Auction Network: Preferred access to exclusive private sales and main auctions

Minimum Investment: $100,000

Innovation Economy

AI & Technology

Our technology investment practice targets fundamentally transformative innovations in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and quantum computing. We provide qualified investors access to pre-IPO opportunities through our extensive network in Silicon Valley and emerging tech hubs.

Early-Stage Focus: Preferential access to Series B-D rounds of leading AI startups

Technical DD: Proprietary technology assessment framework developed by former AI researchers

Applied AI: Special emphasis on sectors where AI creates measurable productivity gains

Minimum Investment: $250,000

Strategic Properties

Boutique Real Estate

Our boutique real estate strategy focuses on acquiring specialized properties in supply-constrained markets with unique demand drivers. We target hospitality, medical offices, and industrial properties where we can create value through hands-on asset management.

Niche Sectors: Cold storage, data center adjacent, behavioral health facilities

Value-Add: Targeting 500-700 basis points above market through strategic repositioning

Operational Expertise: In-house team with 120 years combined property management experience

Minimum Investment: $500,000

Emerging Industry

Cannabis Industry

Our cannabis investment strategy provides exposure to the rapidly evolving legal cannabis sector through a diversified approach targeting cultivation, retail, and ancillary businesses. We focus on operators with demonstrated execution in highly regulated environments.

State-Level Specialists: Deep contacts in licensing processes across key markets

Vertically Integrated: Priority on operators controlling the entire supply chain

Avoiding Hype: Fundamental analysis focusing on EBITDA-positive operations

Minimum Investment: $150,000

Our Investment Process

How we evaluate and structure opportunities across asset classes

Sourcing

Proprietary deal flow from our specialized networks in each vertical

Due Diligence

Vertical-specific checklists with 150+ data points evaluated

Structuring

Custom investment vehicles tailored to opportunity characteristics

Active Management

Hands-on approach with monthly performance reporting