AI-Driven Financial Planning in Volatile Markets: Conquest Planning's Strategic Play for the Future

The financial planning sector is undergoing a quiet revolution. As markets swing between booms and busts, advisors and investors increasingly turn to technology to navigate uncertainty. Conquest Planning Inc.'s recent $80 million Series B funding round—led by Goldman Sachs and joined by a roster of top-tier investors—signals not just a vote of confidence in the company but a broader bet on AI's role in reshaping how wealth is managed. For investors, this moment crystallizes a compelling opportunity in a sector where artificial intelligence is becoming the engine of stability.

The Case for AI in Volatile Markets

The allure of AI-driven financial planning lies in its ability to process vast data sets and simulate outcomes at speeds human advisors cannot match. In volatile markets, where interest rates, geopolitical risks, and inflation create daily uncertainty, traditional planning tools often lag. Conquest's Strategic Advice Manager (SAM) addresses this gap by automating scenario analysis, enabling advisors to stress-test portfolios, retirement plans, and estate strategies against countless variables. For instance, during the 2022 market downturn, advisors using SAM could quickly assess how rising rates would impact client mortgages or retirement withdrawals—a task that might have taken days manually.

The funding will further enhance SAM's capabilities, particularly in dynamic content creation and onboarding efficiency. A key innovation, SAM Bytes, empowers self-directed investors with bite-sized guidance on critical decisions like debt management or first-home purchases. This democratization of sophisticated planning tools could unlock a $12 billion U.S. market for robo-advisors and hybrid platforms, according to a 2024 McKinsey report.

Why Conquest Stands Out

Conquest's positioning is both geographically and technologically strategic. With over 60% penetration in Canada's financial advisor market and rapid U.S. expansion, the company benefits from a defensible moat: institutional partnerships. Its integration with platforms like BNY Pershing's Wove system ensures seamless adoption by large wealth managers, which in turn drives network effects. The addition of Goldman Sachs' Jade Mandel to the board underscores Wall Street's belief in Conquest's potential to scale.

The company's focus on ultra-high-net-worth estate planning is equally shrewd. As wealth inequality grows, the ultra-wealthy seek tailored solutions for tax-efficient transfers and multi-generational strategies—areas where AI's predictive analytics can add immense value. Conquest's pre-mortem/post-mortem planning tools, now under development, could become a premium service in this niche.

Data-Driven Growth Signals

The financial sector's shift toward AI is not theoretical. Consider the performance of companies at the intersection of finance and machine learning:

While the S&P 500 has seen modest gains in 2025, FETF—tracking firms like Plaid and Klarna—has outperformed, reflecting investor optimism in financial innovation. Conquest's Series B places it at the epicenter of this trend, with Goldman Sachs' involvement signaling institutional credibility.

Risks and Considerations

No investment is risk-free. Conquest faces competition from legacy financial software firms like Morningstar and BlackRock, which are also doubling down on AI. Regulatory hurdles in cross-border markets like the EU's AI Act could complicate expansion. However, Conquest's existing partnerships and focus on compliance—evident in its integration with regulated platforms—mitigate these risks.

The Investment Thesis

For investors, Conquest's Series B is a microcosm of a broader macro story: the financial industry's need for scalable, AI-powered solutions in an era of volatility. While the company is still private, its trajectory mirrors public peers like Betterment (acquired by JPMorgan) or Personal Capital, which saw valuations surge as they proved their models.

If Conquest goes public—a possibility given its growth metrics—the shares could attract institutional interest. In the near term, investors might consider overweighting in FinTech ETFs or thematic funds focused on AI in financial services. The market's demand for tools that turn chaos into clarity is only growing, and Conquest's SAM platform is primed to capitalize.

In a world where uncertainty is the only certainty, AI-driven financial planning is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity. Conquest's latest funding round is a clear sign that the future of wealth management is here, and it's powered by algorithms.

This analysis suggests that investors should monitor Conquest Planning's progress closely. For those seeking exposure to AI's disruption in finance, the sector's long-term growth potential—bolstered by Conquest's execution—makes it a compelling space to engage with.