In 2001, while Patrick Nilles was working as an equities trader in Chicago, and his sister Michelle working as an IBM scientist in Silicon Valley, they had an idea. Why not bring their two skill sets and expertise together and build a successful trading firm? Patrick knew trading, Michelle knew technology. So they did, and for the next 9 years helped many traders become financially independent and successful trading in a market neutral environment. As time passed Patrick noticed more and more algorithmic trading occurring in the equities markets, making it increasingly difficult to compete as a manual trader. He adapted to this unfair advantage over him, and in 2007 began developing quantitative algorithms to compete with the larger firms, leveling the playing field. Patrick successfully co-founded a hedge fund in New York, where his dollar neutral, long/short trading strategy ran in full automation, and provided his investors with consistent returns. However, he continued to ponder the unfair advantage computer driven trading had over the manual traders and investors. He and Michelle had another idea. Why not make a retail version of their trading technology for others to benefit from? So they did it again, and in 2010 Iris was created, offering industry leading and the most advanced pairs trading technology available today.