Investing in innovation: AI, Private markets & Global capital trends

Investing in innovation: AI, Private markets & Global capital trends - Tenity Insights from Davos 2025

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Investing today goes beyond capital it’s about partnerships, technology, and long-term vision. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, we explored these shifts with Charif Beainy, Chief Portfolio Strategy at Mubadala, and Andreas Bezner, Co-founder, CEO & CIO at Stableton. From the rise of private markets to AI-powered investment strategies and MENA’s expanding role in global finance, this conversation unpacks what’s shaping the future of investing.

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How AI and Private markets are reshaping the future of investing

As private markets expand, AI transforms investment strategies, and the MENA region gains prominence, institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, and asset managers are adapting to a new era of investing.With capital flowing into growth equity, pre-IPO opportunities, and AI-driven investment strategies, one question remains: Are private markets becoming more accessible, or will they remain exclusive to the elite?

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The rise of Private markets and the growth equity boom

Over the past decade, private markets have outpaced public markets, with institutional investors increasingly focusing on growth equity and late-stage private investments. Andreas Bezner, whose firm Stableton specializes in systematic investing in growth equity, explains:

“More value is created in private markets because companies are staying private for longer. Investors need new ways to participate.”

Many high-growth companies, including SpaceX for example, delay IPOs to maintain control and maximize private market valuations. However, this presents a challenge for traditional investors who are used to public markets' liquidity. Bezner notes that Stableton addresses this by providing secondary market access, allowing wealth managers and institutional investors to enter private markets more efficiently.

“Our goal is to make private market investing as seamless as public market investing offering structured, accessible products that remove barriers to entry.”

Mubadala’s investment strategy: MENA’s rising role in global finance

Mubadala, one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, is at the forefront of innovation-led investing, playing a crucial role in the MENA region’s emergence as a global financial powerhouse.The UAE has evolved into a strategic hub for venture capital, fintech, and alternative investments, attracting international hedge funds, asset managers, and fintech startups. Charif Beainy highlights Mubadala’s partnership-driven approach:

‍“Mubadala means exchange. Partnership is in our DNA. We work with VCs, sovereign funds, and institutional investors to drive long-term economic growth.”

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Through initiatives like Hub71, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a global investment hub, fostering fintech innovation and attracting world-class asset managers.

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“We are seeing a surge of asset managers, hedge funds, and VCs setting up shop in Abu Dhabi. The regulatory framework and investment environment make the UAE a prime destination for global capital.”

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Beainy underscores that Mubadala has embraced AI-driven investment models, integrating technology to enhance decision-making and optimize portfolios.This move aligns with the broader MENA fintech boom, where AI is playing a key role in optimizing financial services, risk assessment, and investment strategy.

“We’ve introduced AI-powered tools to help our investment committee analyze deals, identify trends, and generate insights faster than ever before.”

AI in investment strategy: A game-changer?

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing financial decision-making, from deal sourcing to portfolio optimization.

Mubadala’s AI-powered platform assists its investment team by conducting due diligence, summarizing key insights, and performing SWOT analyses on potential deals.

“We see AI as a tool to enhance not replace—investment decisions. It helps us spot trends, analyze deals, and generate insights faster than ever before.”

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Meanwhile, Stableton is integrating AI into its data analysis and secondary market investment models, helping to streamline processes and improve efficiency. Bezner notes:

“AI-driven market insights are helping us structure portfolios in a way that aligns with modern investors’ needs—offering liquidity, transparency, and optimized performance.”

These innovations reflect a broader trend across MENA and global markets, where AI is driving fintech adoption, digital banking, and alternative investment strategies.

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The future of private markets: more access or more exclusivity?

While private markets are growing, the debate over democratization continues. Will retail investors gain more access, or will private markets remain the domain of institutional investors and sovereign wealth funds?

Bezner sees a future where private markets become more accessible:

“In the next few years, the lines between private and public markets will blur. Investors will assess opportunities based on risk-adjusted returns, rather than simply whether a company is public or private.”

Beainy, however, believes private markets will always serve as a source of alpha for sophisticated investors. This dynamic is particularly relevant in the MENA region, where sovereign wealth funds and institutional capital play a dominant role in shaping the investment landscape.

“While accessibility will increase, the ability to generate outsized returns will still require expertise and deep market knowledge.”

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Final Thoughts: The UAE’s growing role in global investing

With AI disrupting investment strategies, private markets expanding, and MENA emerging as a major financial hub, the investment landscape is shifting rapidly.

The UAE is positioning itself as a global leader, attracting world-class investors, startups, and financial institutions.

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For investors, the key takeaway is clear:

“Private markets are no longer just an alternative they’re becoming the main event.”

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For more insights into fintech investment trends, corporate venture capital, and startup growth strategies, subscribe to Innovation. Connected – World Economic Forum Davos 2025 Edition.

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