Gunnar Gombert STRATEGY CONSULTING

The latest wave of acquisitions and strategic expansion among leading alternative asset managers is about far more than an active M&A environment. It points to a deeper reconfiguration of the private markets industry. What firms such as Blackstone, Apollo, KKR, Carlyle, Brookfield, and EQT are building is not driven by short-term deal opportunism. It reflects a structural transition toward scaled, diversified private market platforms that operate across multiple strategies under one roof.

Understanding AI as a Strategic Lever, Not a Tool Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept but a foundational technology reshaping industries. In real estate, the question has shifted from whether to adopt AI to how it can be embedded to generate measurable business value. The key insight is that value does not emerge from isolated tools, but from integrated, company-specific AI systems.

MIPIM 2026 in Cannes is approaching at a pivotal moment for the global real estate industry. The market environment has fundamentally shifted over the past two years, and this year’s discussions are expected to reflect a more disciplined, risk-aware and strategically focused industry.