Description of the Firm
Sapere is a North Carolina limited liability company that was formed in 2002 by its principal owner, Scott
Trease, to offer a specialized investment approach to a select client base.
Investment Management
Sapere manages portfolios on a discretionary basis by primarily allocating client assets amongst various
equities, mutual funds, privately offered investment vehicles and private funds, some of which are managed
by Sapere in accordance with the investment objectives and investment policy statement of its individual
clients. Clients may also engage Sapere to advise on certain investment products that are not maintained at
their primary custodian, such as variable annuity contracts, and assets held in employer sponsored
retirement plans and qualified tuition plans (i.e., 529 plans). In these situations, Sapere directs or
recommends the allocation of client assets among the various investment options available with the product.
These assets are generally maintained at the underwriting insurance company or the custodian designated
by the product’s provider.
Clients are advised that it remains their responsibility to promptly notify Sapere if there are changes in
their financial condition or investment objectives for the purpose of evaluating and/or revising Sapere’s
advisory services.
Private Fund Management
Sapere serves as the investment manager to a number of private pooled investment vehicles (the “Private
Funds”). The Firm’s affiliate, Sapere Fund Management, LLC (“SFM”), is the general partner of the Private
Funds. The General Partner may be deemed to be performing advisory services to the Private Funds, and
therefore rely on Sapere’s registration under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the
“Advisers Act”). Interests in the Private Funds are privately offered pursuant to Regulation D under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Private Funds also currently rely on an
exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment
Company Act”).
Investment in the Private Funds involves a significant degree of risk. Relevant information, terms and
conditions relative to the Private Funds, including the compensation received by Sapere or SFM as the
general partner and/or investment manager, suitability, risk factors, and potential conflicts of interest, are
set forth in the Confidential Private Offering Memorandum, Limited Partnership Agreement or similar
shareholder agreement, and Subscription Agreement (collectively, the “Offering Documents”), which each
investor is required to receive and/or execute prior to being accepted as an investor in the Private Funds.
Given the above discussion relative to the objectives, suitability, risk factors, and qualifications
for
participation in the Private Funds, Sapere and SFM may give advice or take action with respect to the
Private Funds that differs from that for individual client accounts. To the extent that a particular investment
is suitable for both the Private Funds and certain individual client accounts, such investments will be
allocated between the Private Funds and the individual client accounts pro rata based on the assets under
management or in some other manner which Sapere determines is fair and equitable under the
circumstances to all of its clients.
Financial Planning and Consulting Services
Sapere offers clients a range of financial planning and consulting services including, but not limited to, tax
planning, budget analysis, investment planning, insurance planning, estate planning, retirement planning,
business planning, employee benefits planning, college educational funding, and charitable giving.
In performing financial planning and consulting services, Sapere will generally not verify any information
received from the client or, if applicable, from the clients’ other professionals (e.g., attorneys, accountants,
etc.) and is expressly authorized to rely on such information. Sapere may recommend the services of itself
and/or other professionals to implement its recommendations. Clients are advised that a conflict of interest
exists if Sapere recommends its own services. Clients are under no obligation to act upon any of the
recommendations made by Sapere under a financial planning or consulting engagement or to engage the
services of any such recommended professional, including Sapere itself. Clients retain absolute discretion
over all such implementation decisions.
Clients are advised that it remains their responsibility to promptly notify Sapere if there is ever any
change in their financial situation or investment objectives as identified in the client’s investment policy
statement found in the client’s executed investment management agreement, for the purpose of
reviewing, evaluating, or revising Sapere’s previous recommendations and/or services.
Customized Advisory Services
Sapere tailors its advisory services to accommodate the specific needs and objectives of clients. Sapere may
agree to certain client-imposed restrictions (such as, securities not to be bought or sold), if the Firm
determines, in its sole discretion, that such mandates will not interfere with the implementation of its
management strategy or prove overly burdensome to its back-office operations.
Wrap Fee Programs
The Firm does not sponsor or participate in any wrap fee programs.
Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2023, the Firm had approximately $345,086,282 in assets under management, all of
which was managed on a discretionary basis.