As we are celebrating our 10th anniversary, we take a moment to reflect on our remarkable growth and success under the leadership of Abraham Cinta, the firm’s CEO. From a small team of visionaries to a global presence in the investment banking sector, ARC Group has navigated both challenges and market fluctuations to build a company that is poised for continued success.
The Beginning: Identifying a Market Gap
By 2013, the Chinese market was experiencing another shift in outbound investment trends. After periods of highs and lows in the early 2000s, a new wave of companies began looking to the U.S. capital markets, largely fueled by Alibaba’s IPO and renewed investor interest. At the same time, an influx of U.S. investment banks entered China, often leveraging the knowledge gap to structure deals that were far from favourable for local companies. Seeing this imbalance firsthand, the idea for ARC Group was born—a firm that could bridge the East-West divide, providing locally informed but globally connected financial advisory services.
This realization laid the groundwork for the formation of ARC Group in 2015. They sought to build a bridge between the U.S. capital markets and Chinese companies, providing a service that was locally informed but globally connected. “We were boots on the ground in China, understanding the local market and the opportunities in the U.S.,” says Abraham. The firm’s East-West focus became the cornerstone of its business model—a model that would allow ARC Group to grow and thrive in a competitive and complex market.
Building a firm from the ground up is never easy, and ARC Group was no exception. In the early days, Abraham and his team faced numerous challenges. “We were young and had very little capital,” he reflects. The early team was small, with just a handful of professionals, and gaining trust from the market was difficult. “No one really believes in you when you’re 25 and trying to advise companies,” says Abraham, recalling the struggles of breaking into an industry dominated by established players.
Despite these challenges, ARC Group persevered, built its reputation on consistency, and steadily grew into a trusted name in the investment banking space. “A lot of players have come and gone, but we’re still here,” Abraham notes. “That says something about the long-term approach we take.”
The Key to Success: Consistency and Relationship Building
Over the last decade, ARC Group has carved out a niche in the mid-market investment banking sector by consistently focusing on the long-term. While larger firms often focus on big-ticket deals and smaller firms struggle with scalability, ARC Group has managed to maintain its boutique approach, providing high-quality service and personalized attention to clients. Abraham credits this personalized approach as a key differentiator:
“One client for us is still important. We take care of them like we did in the early days when we had just a handful of clients.”
The firm’s East-West focus has also played a pivotal role in its success, with the team always striving to be closer to the companies it serves, whether that meant opening offices in places like Jakarta, Wuhan, or Mexico—places where the clients were located, not just where the financial centers are.
Navigating Market Volatility
The last decade has been marked by significant volatility in global markets, but ARC Group has proven its ability to adapt and thrive. Abraham shares that the key to navigating market fluctuations is staying adaptable and separating macro challenges from micro ones. “We understand that macro factors like market volatility affect things, but at the micro level, the process of taking a company public doesn’t change,” he explains. “We build something that can navigate these waves rather than fight them.”
ARC Group’s diverse business model—spanning capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, asset management, and management consulting—has been another key to its ability to withstand volatility. By expanding its service offerings, ARC Group has ensured that the firm isn’t solely dependent on any one market trend. “We knew that focusing only on capital markets would be risky. So, we diversified to build a balanced, resilient firm,” says Abraham.
Looking Ahead: Future Opportunities and Growth
Looking forward, Abraham is optimistic about the firm’s next chapter. Southeast Asia, particularly the cluster of markets in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, presents significant growth opportunities for ARC Group. “Southeast Asia is a promising area for growth. We see a lot of potential in these markets,” he notes.
At the same time, ARC Group remains open to global opportunities, constantly monitoring markets and adapting as necessary. “The world is becoming smaller,” Abraham observes. “There are plenty of opportunities in markets like South Africa and other emerging regions. And, as China’s relationship with the world continues to evolve, we’ll be ready to capitalize on that growth.”
As for the next decade, Abraham’s vision for ARC Group is clear: continued growth, attracting top talent, and strengthening the brand. “We want to build something that lasts,” he says. “In 10 years, we want to be known as a multi-billion-dollar company, and we’re on the right path to get there.”
A Message of Gratitude
As ARC Group celebrates its 10th anniversary, Abraham expresses deep gratitude to the employees, clients, and partners who have been part of the firm’s success. “When we started, we dreamed of getting here, but I never could have imagined how far we’d come,” he reflects.
“Looking back, I’m filled with gratitude for everyone who’s been on this journey with us. Thank you—it’s not enough, but it’s truly heartfelt.”
— Abraham Cinta, CEO, ARC Group
Author:
Abraham Cinta
CEO, ARC Group
Author:
Anna Sahlberg Carlsson
Marketing Manager
