Basic Capital

Basic Capital is rethinking the 401(k)! Instead of a one-size-fits-all retirement plan, they’ve built a modern benefit designed to give employees more investing power — including access to what they call the Retirement Mortgage. On stage, Abdul & Anjan walked us through how Basic Capital is helping companies increase participation, contribution rates, and long-term projected retirement balances - all while aligning incentives around real wealth creation. This is the kind of structural rethink we love spotlighting at Shortlist - bold, thoughtful, and designed to meaningfully improve people’s financial futures. If you were in the room, you felt it. If you weren’t, this video gives a glimpse. (FYI: They’re hiring 🫡)

a recap from last week 🫣 don’t miss out on feb 23! 🎥: @boundlesscreativenyc @eitan__miller

threw the best launch event in history. more to come 🫣 . . #nyc #nycevent #theshortlistnyc

Part two of the lineup is here. Revealing the second half of founders joining us on stage at our January Founder Showcase — NYC builders moving fast and building with intention. This completes a lineup we’re incredibly excited about. Hosted with our friends at @betaworks Full lineup now live 👀

The wait’s over 👀 Meet the founders stepping on stage at our Jan 27 Founders Showcase — a tightly curated lineup of NYC builders shaping what’s next. Six companies. Seed to Series B. Hiring right now. Hosted with our friends at @betaworks See you next week 🤭

😂 Scrolling through my Facebook feed like a pro, and BAM—my face pops up in a Basic Capital ad! Guess I’m the poster child for multiplying 401(k) power by 5x now! 😄📈 #BasicCapital #FacebookFail #AdSurprise #401kGoals #ScrollAndLaugh @basiccapitalapp @getbasiccapital

“Manifesto” (30 second cutdown) Director: @jacobkrupnick Agency: @wildcombo Client: @getbasiccapital Color: @alexia_films Edit, Sound Design/Mix: 🦋 See my project musings and full crew credits in my full-length video post.

Abdul Al-Asaad reflects on the lessons he learned at Goldman Sachs about the true power of credit: he highlights the striking contrast between how consumers borrow money to spend and how the wealthy use debt strategically to buy income-generating assets. In the Just Go Grind podcast, the co-founder of Basic Capital unpacks why understanding this difference can change the way you approach money and wealth-building.

We shut down Crosby Street and assembled 40 everyday Americans for the launch of Basic Capital. What an amazing experience. •••• Working directly with clients to bring big things to life is a unique joy. Huge thanks Nate & Abdul for the trust and insistence that we take a big swing ⚓️ @getbasiccapital •••• CREDITS Director: @jacobkrupnick Prod. Co: @wildcombo 
Producer: @ajmorsanutto 
DP: @dinosoren 
Camera Op: @taylor_antisdel 1st AC: @firstassistantcamera Prod. Coordinator: @sfspinmove 1st AD: @theholygrau 2nd AD: _bryanallen PAs: Tim Zeko, Jimmy Stanley, Dylan Morsanutto, Olivia Olsen, Dillon McNeill, Kenneth Zapata BTS Photography: @benfth.today 
Sound Mixer: @alankudan Gaffer: @bllfilms BB Electric: @alexandersarvide Technocrane: @jack.rosenfeld & @jacob_shayevich c/o @eps_remotes Wardrobe: @poets_in_a_car Begoña Berges Wardrobe Ass’t: @celine_bagg & Maria Flores
HMU: @magdascorpio & Aria Ferraro Location Mgr: Lifetold Casting: @damianbao Edit & Sound Design: @thebenhallman Color: @alexia_films Music Supervision: @westchannel @pcbayne

Most people know what it takes to invest: financial literacy, access, and capital. But it’s that last one that often holds them back. Abdul Al-Assad, co-founder of Basic Capital, wanted to level the playing field. By tackling the capital gap head-on, he’s helping more people take that first step toward investing, without waiting years to start.

When Abdul Al-Asaad-Assad realized he couldn’t even afford a single share of Tesla to invest in, it became clear that it takes money to make money. Building wealth isn’t just about opportunity, it’s about access. That's what led him to start Basic Capital, a platform designed to make investing more attainable. In the latest Just Go Grind podcast episode, Abdul shares the story behind the spark and the mission driving his work today.