Anson Funds Launches Dedicated Activist Fund Targeting Tech, Media and Telecom

Anson Funds is preparing to launch a dedicated activist fund focused on small and mid-cap companies in the technology, media and telecom sectors, according to people familiar with the plans. The move would formalize activism as a standalone strategy for the hedge fund, which has built a track record pushing for change at public companies in recent years.

AI as a catalyst

Portfolio manager Sagar Gupta, who will help lead the effort, has pointed to artificial intelligence as a major driver behind the strategy, arguing that AI-driven disruption is forcing boards at smaller tech, media and telecom companies to reconsider their strategic options faster than usual. That dynamic, in his view, creates openings for an activist investor to push for sales, spinoffs or other structural changes.

The new fund builds on Anson's recent activist track record, including a campaign pushing Lionsgate toward a potential sale, citing the studio's valuable content library as an underappreciated asset. Anson has grown its activism strategy into a meaningful part of its business, with assets tied to the approach surpassing $2 billion over the past year, and the firm is betting that a dedicated vehicle will let it pursue more campaigns at once without stretching its broader portfolio.