What is NAO? The platform explained simply

Updated July 20, 2026

If you're looking into NAO, you probably want to know: what does the platform actually do? The short answer: NAO is a digital private markets platform that allows private investors to research and invest in selected alternative asset classes and institutional strategies.

You don't buy individual stocks through NAO. The focus is on private markets and alternative assets—investment areas that were long reserved for institutional investors, family offices, or high-net-worth individuals. Many of these products are long-term in nature, less liquid than publicly traded securities, and carry risks, including the potential for total loss.

What is NAO?

NAO is a digital co-investment and private markets platform for private investors. The platform aggregates hand-picked investments from alternative asset classes: Private equity, venture capital, infrastructure, private credit, hedge funds, structured products, and multi-asset solutions.

Many investors are familiar with stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds in their portfolios, but rarely have access to strategies that take place outside the stock market. NAO makes selected private market products digitally accessible and explains them so you can understand the key points before making a decision. Every fund in the NAO app is vetted by our investment team; we accept only 1 out of every 8 funds.

The co-investment model behind this is simple: capital from many investors is pooled to provide access to products and strategies that often require high minimum investments. Entry requirements vary by product, and savings plans are available for many offerings.

If you are looking for an app for quick stock trading, NAO is not for you. If you want to diversify your portfolio with alternative assets, you will find the right infrastructure here.

How does NAO work?

NAO works digitally via the NAO app. There, you will find hand-picked investment opportunities, information on opportunities and risks, as well as the relevant fund documents and the KID.

The process is intentionally straightforward: you register, check the available products in the app, and decide for yourself whether an investment fits your goals, investment horizon, and risk tolerance. This is not investment advice. NAO provides you with information, but you make the investment decision yourself.

The co-investment model is a key component here: many investors invest together through a structured solution, rather than each individual having to seek access to an institutional product separately. This allows NAO to open up selected private market strategies and significantly lower the entry barrier depending on the product.

In practical terms, this means: NAO is the digital starting point, while the actual investments are made through specific products, funds, or strategies. That is why checking the product details is so crucial. Duration, costs, liquidity, redemption options, and risks vary by offering.

What can I invest in through NAO?

Through NAO, you can invest in various alternative asset classes and institutional strategies. These include:

• Private Equity: Investments in non-publicly traded companies
• Venture Capital: Investments in young, innovative companies and start-ups
• Infrastructure: for example, energy, fiber optics, or other real utility networks
• Private Credit: Lending outside of traditional banks
• Hedge funds with alternative investment strategies
• Multi-asset solutions, which bundle multiple asset classes

Private markets can sound abstract. In practice, they often involve companies, projects, or financing that are not traded on the stock exchange every day. This is precisely why these investments differ from classic stocks or ETFs: they can provide access to different value drivers, but they usually require more time and have limited liquidity.

If you are particularly interested in young private companies, you will find a dedicated overview of this asset class on our Venture Capital page. If you want to dive deeper into private equity, the overview of the private equity funds from UBS and Partners Group can be a useful next step.

How does NAO differ from a broker or neobroker?

A classic broker or neobroker is built for exchange-traded securities. You can buy and sell stocks, ETFs, bonds, or derivatives there. Trading is often fast, highly transaction-oriented, and focused on liquid markets.

NAO operates by different rules. The platform focuses on private markets and alternative assets. Many products are designed for the long term, are less liquid, and require more explanation than a freely tradable stock. That is why NAO places greater emphasis on selection, context, and product information than on daily trading.

With a neobroker, you look at prices, orders, and short-term market movements. At NAO, the focus is on a different question: does an alternative asset class fit into your portfolio as a long-term addition? For this, the key factors are duration, liquidity, costs, and the risks you are able to bear.

The difference is fundamental: brokers open up access to the stock market. NAO opens up access to hand-picked private market and alternative asset products. Both can play different roles in an investment structure, but they operate according to different rules.

Who is NAO for?

NAO can be interesting for private investors who are already thinking beyond classic forms of investment and want to diversify their portfolio more broadly. Many users come to us with a simple question: what is available beyond stocks, ETFs, and savings accounts if I want to invest long-term and gain access to other asset classes?

NAO is particularly relevant for investors who want to understand private markets without having to struggle through inaccessible fund structures, high minimum investments, or technical jargon. The platform is aimed at people who make their own decisions but need clear information beforehand.

This includes beginners who want to invest in alternative asset classes for the first time, as well as more experienced self-directed investors who are considering private equity, venture capital, or infrastructure as a portfolio addition. Investors with larger assets also find digital access to curated private market strategies at NAO.

Your investment horizon is the deciding factor. If you think long-term, understand the risks, and want to explore private markets as a way to diversify your portfolio, NAO is the perfect place to start.

What are the key opportunities and risks?

NAO’s greatest strength is our selection process. Our investment team evaluates every fund against five strict criteria, and we only accept 1 out of every 8 funds. This allows private investors to explore asset classes that were long out of reach and add strategies to their portfolios that operate differently than publicly traded securities.

It is equally important to be clear about the risks. Alternative assets and private market products are often long-term in nature, meaning your capital may be tied up for the duration of the term. Redemptions are restricted or only possible at specific times, and losses—up to and including a total loss of capital—are possible.

Many products are also more complex than a standard ETF. That is why it is worth taking a close look at the documentation. You can find the fund documents and the KID in the NAO app, which contain the binding information regarding costs, risks, and other terms.

This page does not constitute investment advice but rather provides a general overview. Whether an investment is right for you depends on your personal situation, your investment horizon, and your risk tolerance.

Conclusion

NAO is a digital private markets platform for private investors. Through the NAO app, you gain access to hand-picked alternative asset classes and institutional strategies, ranging from private equity and venture capital to infrastructure and private credit.

The main difference between us and standard brokers or neobrokers is that NAO is focused on private markets, selection, analysis, and long-term growth. This makes the platform ideal for investors who want to supplement their portfolios with alternative assets and who want to understand exactly what is behind a product before making a decision.

FAQ

What is NAO in one sentence?

NAO is a digital private markets platform that allows private investors to evaluate and invest in hand-picked alternative asset classes and institutional strategies.

Is NAO a broker?

NAO is not a traditional broker for daily stock or ETF trading. The platform focuses on private markets, alternative assets, and curated investment opportunities.

Can I buy stocks through NAO?

Individual stocks cannot be traded through NAO. NAO provides access to hand-picked private market products, funds, and alternative investment strategies.

Which asset classes can I invest in through NAO?

‍Depending on current offerings, you can invest in private equity, venture capital, infrastructure, private debt, hedge funds, structured products, and multi-asset solutions through NAO.

What is the minimum investment amount at NAO?

Entry requirements vary by product. Many offerings allow for a savings plan. You can find the exact terms for each offer in the NAO app.

Who is NAO for?

NAO may be suitable for private investors who think long-term, want to understand alternative assets, and are considering private markets as a potential addition to their portfolio.

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