… Let's Talk RealAssetX

… Let's Talk RealAssetX

Author: PGIM March 17, 2026 Duration: 21:28

Real assets are undergoing a profound transformation. Once viewed as a traditional "buy‑and‑hold" asset class, they're now shaped by operational complexity, AI, energy systems, climate pressures and rapid technological convergence. As these forces accelerate, investors are increasingly asking: what does it take to stay ahead?

In this episode, Keshav Rajagopalan sits down with Naqash Tahir, Managing Director, Research, Development and Investments at RealAssetX, PGIM's innovation lab for real assets. They explore how RealAssetX was built to bridge the worlds of academia, venture capital and institutional investors, and why PGIM chose to create an upstream platform focused on research, validation and innovation before product design.

Subscribe to Speaking of Alternatives on your favourite podcast platform.

Key Takeaways:

● How Academia, Startups and Investors Form the Innovation Ecosystem – [06:00]

● From Concept to Application: AI-driven HVAC Optimisation – [15:00]

● What the Market Isn't Pricing In: AI, ESG Value Transfer & Tokenisation – [13:00]

● What's Next for RealAssetX: Global Expansion & Ready-to-Scale Technologies – [17:30]

 

*The views expressed are those of the speakers at the time of recording and may not reflect their current opinions. This content is not investment advice.*

Learn More:

• @PGIM on X: https://twitter.com/pgim

• @PGIM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pgim/

• PGIM on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pgim

Shareables:

"Real assets are no longer passive, they're operational, data driven systems shaped by AI, climate and infrastructure convergence." — Naqash Tahir

"To innovate in real assets, you need academia, startups and institutional capital working together. That's the ecosystem RealAssetX was built for." — Naqash Tahir

"The biggest risk in innovation is doing nothing. Failing fast is how you learn, adapt and stay ahead of the market." — Naqash Tahir

"The market still prices buildings like it's 2010. AI is creating NOI uplift that almost no one has modelled in yet." — Naqash Tahir

 


PGIM's Speaking of Alternatives offers a clear-eyed conversation about a part of the financial world that often feels shrouded in complexity. This isn't about dry lectures or sales pitches; instead, each episode sits down with seasoned practitioners and thinkers who operate in the trenches of private equity, real assets, hedge funds, and other non-traditional avenues. The dialogue focuses on the practical realities and long-term shifts within these markets, moving far beyond the fleeting news cycle. You'll hear how allocators are actually navigating current economic crosswinds, which structural trends are creating genuine opportunity, and how the very definition of "alternative" continues to evolve. The perspective is intentionally global, acknowledging that compelling strategies and risks can emerge anywhere. By demystifying the jargon and focusing on tangible insights, this podcast serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to understand the forces shaping portfolio construction today. It’s a monthly dose of nuanced analysis for investors, advisors, and the intellectually curious who recognize that the conventional playbook is rarely sufficient. Tune in for straightforward discussions that respect the sophistication of the topic without losing the listener in unnecessary abstraction.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 26

Speaking of Alternatives
Podcast Episodes
… Let's Talk Lower Middle Market Direct Lending [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:04
Lower middle market direct lending remains one of the most structurally underserved segments in private credit. As traditional banks have stepped back, specialist lenders are playing an increasingly important role in pro…
… Let's Talk MCP 2025 Annual Investor Survey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:10
Private equity secondaries have grown from a niche strategy into a core allocation for investors navigating volatility, slower exits and liquidity constraints. As markets evolve, secondaries are increasingly seen as an "…
… Let's Talk Private Credit Secondaries [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:50
Private credit secondaries are quickly becoming one of the most talked about opportunities in private markets. As the asset class grows rapidly, investors are looking for new ways to gain exposure, manage liquidity and e…
…Let's Talk Investment Grade Private Placements [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:25
In a world where fixed income markets are evolving, investment grade private placements stand out as a powerful tool for diversification and stability. This episode explores why these instruments remain a cornerstone for…
…Let's Talk Highlights from the PGIM EMEA Investor Forum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:05
Recalibrating resilience was the dominant theme at PGIM's sixth annual EMEA Investor Forum in London. In this episode, Keshav Rajagopalan shares key insights from sessions on private credit, structured fixed income, digi…
…Let's Talk Energy Mezzanine with Brian Thomas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:20
Energy mezzanine financing occupies a unique position between credit and equity, offering growing companies access to capital without diluting ownership. In this episode, Brian Thomas, Head of Real Assets, Private Credit…
…Let's Talk Asset-Based Financing with Edwin Wilches [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:01
In this episode, Edwin Wilches, Co-Head of Securitised Products at PGIM, joins Keshav Rajagopalan, to explore the dynamic and fast-evolving world of Asset-Based Finance (ABF). As traditional boundaries between public and…