Future of finance: Alternative investments and ESG in focus in Frankfurt!

Future of finance: Alternative investments and ESG in focus in Frankfurt!

A panel on the study “Alternative Investments, Real Estate & ESG” recently took place at the financial center of Frankfurt am Main, with leading experts such as Sebastian Thürmer from artis ICM and Dr. Michael König from Primus Valor AG took part. The focus was on the discussion about the results of the study “Preferences of Institutional Investors for Real Estate and Alternative Investments 2025”. The results show that institutional investors are increasingly shifting their strategies towards alternative asset classes such as real estate, infrastructure and renewable energy. According to the study, investors are intensively concerned with asset allocation, particularly with regard to residential real estate in Germany and alternative investments such as private debt and infrastructure equity.

This development is supported by trends within the industry. According to an article by Springer, institutional investors are increasingly shifting their portfolio strategies into alternative investments, leading to significant growth in assets under management in private markets. Data shows that assets under management in private markets reached $9.8 trillion in the first half of 2022, up 33% year-on-year. This shift is also due to the fact that more than half of fundraising went to companies with formal ESG policies.

Events and discussions

As part of the special topic “Frankfurt am Main financial center meets real estate”, several events are planned that will deal with current trends in the finance and real estate industry. The dates are September 2nd, 18th and November 13th, 2025. Markus Hill will act as moderator to lead discussions about family offices and fund boutiques. In addition, Frankfurt will also meet with financial centers in Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Austria in the coming months.

Strategic Investment Advisors (SIA Funds AG) also invites you to two events on June 3rd and 4th, 2025 in Munich and Stuttgart to present their funds and strategies. Both the Long Term Investment Fund Classic and the Long Term Investment Fund Natural Resources are managed by SIA Funds AG.

Investment strategies in focus

Of particular interest is the AI ​​Leaders Fund, which specifically invests in companies that use artificial intelligence, as well as the India Real Estate Opportunity Fund from Seraina Invest. The latter manages assets of $80 million and focuses on real estate in Mumbai, where it targets an annual return of 15%. The performance in 2024 was already 13.5%. The project pipeline is worth $700 million, highlighting the potential of the Indian real estate market.

Another important aspect is the RERA law in India, which is intended to increase confidence in the real estate market. Mumbai is emerging as the main market for luxury real estate, which is also reflected in the sales figures - 84% of ultra-luxury real estate sales in India were recorded there in 2024.

New leadership structure

In a significant personnel change, Ingo Bofinger will become the new Managing Director of the Seraina Investment Foundation from April 1, 2025. These changes and the growing interest in ESG strategies demonstrate how institutional investors are adapting their strategies and preferences in an increasingly complex market environment.

The panel and accompanying events provide a platform for exchange on ESG considerations, impact investing and sustainable finance strategies and reflect the dynamic changes in the investment environment driven by structural challenges and new regulatory frameworks.