A look into how the ultra-wealthy invest their fortunes

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Ever wondered what it’s like to build a portfolio like a billionaire? It’s nothing like your 60:40 mutual fund. While most retail investors are stuck in the rinse-repeat cycle of stocks and bonds, the ultra-wealthy are playing an entirely different game. One spread across real estate, private equity, hedge funds, art, and even the occasional crypto moonshot.

Their way of investing isn’t just different, it’s better. Much better. And the data backs it up. Let’s unpack why that is, and what you can take from it (without needing a family office or a yacht).

The typical 60:40 portfolio is simple, and that’s the problem. It offers zero exposure to anything else. Think private equity, venture capital, real estate, or collectables that appreciate over time.

Meanwhile, the average ultra-wealthy portfolio looks more like this:

• ~25% Public Equities

• ~17% Bonds

• ~10% Private Equity & Venture Capital

• ~30%–35% Real Estate

• ~10% Alternatives (hedge funds, structured products, gold, crypto)

• ~5% Art & Collectables

This isn’t just for fun either, it’s a strategic move to reduce volatility, boost returns, and play both offence and defence when the markets turn.

Wealthy investors don’t think about liquidity in the same way the average investor does. That gives them a powerful advantage. They happily invest in highly-illiquid, long-horizon assets that often take many years to mature, but have outsized return potential.

They also don’t panic. While retail investors might sell low during downturns, the ultra-wealthy are rebalancing portfolios, buying distressed assets, and calling up their lawyers to structure the next tax-advantaged investment vehicle. A phenomenon more commonly known as “diamond hands” throughout Reddit investment communities…

From 2015–2024, billionaire wealth grew by +121%, while global equity markets (MSCI ACWI) grew by just +73% (source). That compounding gap, year after year, is what fuels the widening wealth divide. It’s not just that the ultra-wealthy have more money; they grow it faster, and lose less of it when markets stumble.

But it’s not just about access, it’s about how they invest: with a long-term view, broader diversification, and capital that works harder (and smarter) thanks to professional management and strategy.

We’re not saying you should go buy a Banksy and invest 10% of your net worth in a fintech startup tomorrow. But you can start thinking differently about portfolio construction.

Here’s what you can take away:

• Diversify beyond the public markets: There’s alpha to be found in alternatives.

• Think long-term: Iliquidity is a feature, not a bug.

• Access matters: Better investments require better networks and infrastructure.

• Don’t chase shiny objects: Follow a thesis, not FOMO.

• Stay patient: Wealth compounds, but only if you let it.

The ultra-wealthy don’t outperform just because they’re rich. They outperform because their portfolios are designed to do so. And slowly, thanks to platforms like Shuttle, this playbook is opening up to you too.

We’re building a community around Shuttle so we can invest like the 1%. That means access to vetted private market opportunities, diversification built in, and the kind of strategic advantage that’s normally reserved for institutions and insiders.

The game is changing. And we all deserve a seat at the table.

What we’ve been working on at Shuttle

• Preparing to launch our next opportunity for drop 2 next week 🚀

• Building pipeline for drop 3 coming in June ⏰

• More improvements to our backend due diligence tools ⚒️

• Some tweaks to Pay by Bank for a more seamless flow 💰

• Fixed a critical login issue related to Google sign in 🐛

The Unsophisticated Investor is brought to you by Scott & Rob, the founders of Shuttle. We’re both sick of private markets being a playground exclusive to the ultra-wealthy so we started a company to challenge the status-quo. Shuttle’s singular focus is to unlock private markets for Millennial and Gen Z tech professionals and help them build wealth through the highest performing private market opportunities.

Scott & Rob
Shuttle Co-Founders