Preserving the Edge:

At Crewcial, we have long been committed to inclusion and innovation, values that form the cornerstone of our investment philosophy and our approach to working with you, our clients. In light of recent developments, we want to take this opportunity to re-affirm our unwavering dedication to these principles and outline how we are actively working to ensure they remain more than just words.

A Commitment Rooted in Belief and Action

Immigration, and by extension the H1-B visa program, has been a cornerstone of the American growth story. It has fueled our economy with a wealth of talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit. These visas have brought some of the brightest minds to our shores, individuals who have shaped industries, driven technological breakthroughs, and contributed immeasurably to our shared prosperity. To question the value of such a program is to question the essence of what has made America a leader on the global stage.

According to the American Immigration Council, H-1B visa holders play a crucial role in filling skill gaps, particularly in STEM fields, complementing the US workforce and driving innovation; their presence has been linked to job creation and economic growth, with studies suggesting that increases in H-1B visas could lead to the creation of an estimated 1.3 million new jobs and add around $158 billion to the US GDP by 2045. And data from Boundless Immigration shows that despite rising application scrutiny, H-1B visas continue to power the tech industry, underscoring their critical role in maintaining America’s innovative edge.

But right at a time when global competition for talent is fiercer than ever, we are beginning to see policies that threaten to close our doors to the very individuals who could drive the next wave of growth and innovation. The tension between protectionist rhetoric and the undeniable need for the best and brightest talent, wherever it originates, puts us all at risk of losing the edge that has defined America for decades. We cannot afford to let the next Jeff Bezos or Sundar Pichai slip through our fingers because we failed to create an environment that welcomes disrupters and pioneers that were simply born elsewhere.

However, acknowledging the problem is not enough. We must act.

At Crewcial, we are taking concrete steps to ensure our commitment is evident in our work, our investments, and the support we provide to our clients.

Strengthening Our Commitment to Representation

Our approach to representation goes beyond optics—it is fundamental to how we view opportunities and risks. We seek talent, ideas, and perspectives that challenge conventional thinking because we believe that true creativity emerges from diversity of thought. Whether through our partnerships with fund managers, our due diligence processes, or the strategies we recommend, we actively seek out opportunities that embody this ethos.

By allocating capital to managers who understand the importance of inclusion and global perspectives, we aim to amplify the impact of diversity within our portfolios and across the broader market. This commitment is not merely philosophical; it is grounded in data and performance. For instance, early results from our analysis show that funds led by diverse teams often outperform their peers, reinforcing our belief in the value of representation.

The same principle is fundamental to responsible investing, extending even to portfolio construction. In a world where US mega-cap stocks dominate the narrative, the danger of consensus thinking becomes apparent. A historical analysis of growth versus value stocks reveals that while growth stocks experience boom-and-bust cycles, value stocks provide more consistent returns across different market conditions.

The lesson is clear: portfolios need to be resilient enough to weather these cycles while maintaining the flexibility to capitalize on new opportunities. Inclusion, intelligent diversification, and resilience go hand in glove. Expanding global talent pools remains one of the most effective ways to sustain innovation and economic growth. We actively seek out investment managers who leverage global networks to identify opportunities, recognizing that the best ideas and talent often originate from outside the traditional hubs.

A Global Approach for Future Success

As investors, we must look beyond today’s headlines and focus on the long-term implications of policies that could end up constraining talent. Crewcial is committed to helping you navigate these complexities, ensuring your portfolios are positioned to capitalize on opportunities wherever they arise regardless of domestic attitudes. Anything less would be an abandonment of our fiduciary responsibility.

We believe in the power of representation and the necessity of creating environments where innovation can thrive. Our work is driven by a deep sense of duty to our values and to you—to ensure your investments reflect your principles and position you for success in an increasingly interconnected world.

In closing, we invite you to consider the decade ahead. Will your portfolio be resilient enough to preserve wealth, purchasing power, and impact for your communities? Or will it fall victim to the dangers of consensus thinking and the neglect of global opportunities?

We understand that these are challenging times, but they are also times of great opportunity. By remaining disciplined and focusing on the long term, we can successfully navigate these uncertainties together.