In a very bold move, asset management giant BlackRock bought robo-firm FutureAdvisor, at a reported valuation of $152 million. Rather than competing against advisors, BlackRock is aiming to drive adoption of their asset management by making the robo technology free. This is a bold move by BlackRock, and every asset manager trying to soldier on without a digital advice platform to offer advisors will clearly get left in the dust. But if you’re an asset manager without a spare $150 mill lying around, have no fear — partnering with a technology company is assuredly less costly than buying one.