Four advisors formerly with Merrill Lynch have launched Cardan Capital Partners in Denver, Colo., as an independent advisory firm with $700 million in assets under management, Dynasty Financial Partners announced Monday.

The firm will serve corporate executives, professionals, business owners and entrepreneurs in Denver, Vail and Aspen, as well in major markets nationwide.

Cardan is partnering with Dynasty Financial Partners, a provider of wealth management services and technology. Ross Fox, Matthew Papazian, Marti Awad and Sarah Keys are the founding partners of the new firm. The name Cardan comes from a sailing tool that keeps ships stable and balanced in both calm and choppy waters, Dynasty says.

Already one of the larger financial firms in Colorado, “Cardan Capital Partners team is poised for expansion, both by adding advisors and expanding their geographic footprint,” says Shirl Penney, president and CEO of Dynasty Financial Partners.