Vanguard Opens Private-Equity Platform to Individual Investors

Vanguard Group is opening its private-equity strategy to individual investors as the firm expands beyond its core business of low-cost index-based products.

Qualified accredited investors will have access in coming weeks and customers of Vanguard’s online personal adviser business will get it in the “near future,” Valley Forge, Pennsylvania-based Vanguard said Wednesday in a statement. An investor or family office must have at least $5 million of assets to meet the eligibility requirements, among other qualifications.

“Private equity has the potential to improve long-term investment outcomes of a broadly diversified portfolio,” Vanguard Chief Executive Officer Tim Buckley said in ...