A handful of forces, internal and external, are poised to transform the alternative assets industry. Leaders in private equity, infrastructure, private credit, and real estate are assessing the route forward to 2030. The alternatives industry has navigated a rapidly shifting landscape and macro headwinds over the last five years.

Now, with the decade more than halfway through, it is time to take stock of challenges and opportunities facing private markets managers. Private Markets 2030 explores how the industry can position itself for growth by leveraging AI, tapping into retail and private wealth markets, and addressing six key trends: Deglobalisation, Democratisation & Transparency, Industry Consolidation, Sustainability, Public Markets, and Artificial Intelligence. PEI Group editorial teams from Private Equity International, Infrastructure Investor, Private Debt Investor, PERE, PE Hub, Buyouts, Secondaries Investor, and New Private Markets explore the roadmap for alternative asset classes.

Starting in mid-October, each week for six weeks, a new theme will be tackled, with insights from thought leaders and data analysis. For Secondiers Investor readers, the series addresses how the global macro outlook and key developments across private markets will impact LP and GP behaviour, unlocking areas where these players may search for liquidity in the future. Artificial intelligence is touching every aspect of the industry, from internal applications to portfolio company value creation and investment opportunities, though risks like overhype and regulatory uncertainty remain.

Brookfield’s Stewart Upson notes that the edge in AI investing is operational know-how, as the rise of AI drives an unprecedented build-out of data, compute, and energy infrastructure. Private investors with deep operational expertise are uniquely positioned to generate long-term value. Public markets have evolved alongside a robust private market ecosystem, but companies are growing bigger and staying private longer.

Modelling public-private exposure and the rise of take-privates are key developments. Sustainability is being more closely tethered to value creation after an era of exuberance. Industry consolidation is occurring as pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and endowments face sharing access with wealthy individuals and insurance providers.

Managers are handling shifts via acquisition by larger peers or forming partnerships. Democratisation and transparency are opening alternative assets to non-institutional investors.