Knoxville native launches OneThirty Capital to bring sophisticated investment strategies home
“I was born and raised here in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. It's always been my dream to move back to Knoxville and try to start a business," said OneThirty's founder, Grayson Niehaus.
When imagining the hubs of investment management, cities like San Francisco, Miami, or New York often come to mind. But for Grayson Niehaus, founder of OneThirty Capital, launching his firm in East Tennessee is the realization of a long-held dream.
Established in early 2026, OneThirty Capital works with individuals, families and institutions to improve financial outcomes.
A dual-sided business model
The firm is structured to provide both broad oversight and niche opportunities.
“We have a fun component that’s in the alternative investment space, and then we also have a wealth management component,” Niehaus said.
While the investment side offers unique opportunities, the strategy remains highly disciplined by focusing on defined-outcome investing.
This model structures portfolios around particular outcomes, such as generating income or limiting downside risk, rather than simply tracking market indices.
From day trading to the University of Tennessee
Niehaus’s fascination with finance began long before he entered the professional world.
“I started reading about investing at the age of 15. My first book was a beginner’s guide to day trading online,” Niehaus said. “And then I just started reading a lot more books. I was tracking CNBC Bloomberg, just seeing what was going on with markets.”
For Neihaus, the draw was the ability to participate in the economy as an owner rather than just a consumer.
“You could go to restaurants, you could go to stores like Walmart, and instead of just purchasing an item from the store, you could actually have ownership in that store,” he said. “And I thought that concept was just so unique and so cool, and I just wanted to study it. So I did finance for my undergrad at the University of Tennessee, and then that’s just been my career ever since.”
A legacy of community impact
Neihaus’ commitment to the Tennessee ecosystem was evident during his time at the University of Tennessee (UT), where he sought to bridge the gap between local education and global financial careers.
“When I was an undergrad at the University of Tennessee, I started an organization called the Tennessee Capital Market Society. What I wanted to do was help students improve the potential outcomes for their careers. I didn’t want a student to have to choose between their dream school or their dream career,” said Niehaus.
After spending a decade gaining experience in major financial markets, Neihaus felt the pull to return to his roots. One Thirty Capital aims to expand local investment opportunities by bringing sophisticated strategies closer to home.
“I was born and raised here in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. I spent the last decade of my life in San Francisco and Atlanta. Really, it’s always been my dream to move back to Knoxville and try to start a business and be involved with this community.”
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