[7] In 2014, after Cathie Wood's idea for actively managed exchange-traded funds based on disruptive innovation was deemed too risky by AllianceBernstein, where she was chief investment officer of global thematic strategies, she left and founded Ark Invest.

[13][14] As part of the deal, Nikko has exclusive rights to offer ARK products and investment strategies in Japan and the broader Asia-Pacific region.

[17] In November 2020, Resolute Investment Managers announced it would exercise its option to acquire a majority stake in the company.

[18][19][20] However, in December 2020, Cathie Wood repurchased the option, maintaining control of the company, while continuing to use Resolute's distribution services, obtaining financing from Eldridge Industries.

[28] They re-filed to launch the spot bitcoin ETF in the US on April 25, 2023; it was approved on January 10, 2024, and began trading the following day.

[33] On November 22, 2022, Cathie Wood stated her $1 million bitcoin price target by 2030 during an interview on Bloomberg TV.

[39] ARK publishes current analyses, transactions and portfolios, and also opens its research reviews to the public.

[37] The flagship ARK Innovation ETF has received accolades for its performance in 2017, 2020 and 2023, but is also considered by Morningstar to be the third highest "wealth destroyer" investment fund from 2014–2023, losing US$7.1 billion of shareholder value in ten years.