Our Story

Joseph Deitch, began with the fundamental desire to create spaces that deliver quality and build community. That philosophy has run through every initiative undertaken by Joe and the Deitch family for over 40 years.

The Deitch Family has since either founded, spun-out, or partnered in the development of multiple companies including Commonwealth Financial Network (financial services support) Advisor360 (wealth management technology platform), Claridge Ventures (venture investing program) and Southworth Development (golf, residential, and hospitality property development and management).

Our initial enterprise, Commonwealth Financial Network was founded in 1979. Today, the company is the largest privately held independent broker dealer with more than $250B in assets under management supporting thousands of investment advisors and RIAs. The firm’s unique, supportive culture makes it perennially named among the best places to work, as well as #1 for Independent US Financial Advisor Satisfaction by J.D. Power for nine years running.

Claridge Ventures, founded as the investment arm of the Deitch Family Office, has grown into a multi-disciplinary team led by Joe’s son Matt Deitch to invest in visionary founders addressing three core themes: 1) the changing buying patterns and needs of consumers; 2) solutions addressing the broken healthcare system; 3) and the digital infrastructure that can make it all possible in a secure way.

And notably, Joe’s desire to help scale change in the world spurred the creation of our innovative philanthropic initiative, The Elevate Prize Foundation. Founded in 2019, is a global non-profit that empowers social entrepreneurs and activists seeking to improve equality, education, and the environment with the resources, mentorship and capacity-building opportunities to deliver on their mission.