In a significant step towards enhancing innovation in the real asset sector, ADGM Academy has partnered with PGIM to establish the RealAssetX Abu Dhabi Innovation Centre. Set to open in September, this new hub will streamline efforts to address challenges and seize opportunities in areas including real estate, infrastructure, and smart cities, while harnessing cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices.
The centre will focus on sustainable technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and deep tech within the real asset industry.
Located at the ADGM Academy offices, the RealAssetX Abu Dhabi Innovation Centre aims to unite global expertise in tackling emerging issues and exploring the vast potential of real assets. The collaborative environment is expected to foster innovation across multiple sectors, emphasizing the need for enhanced sustainability and technological integration.
ADGM Academy and PGIM Launch Real Estate Innovation Hub
This initiative follows the strategic alliance between PGIM and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), announced last December, which laid the groundwork for the establishment of the RealAssetX Abu Dhabi Innovation Centre.
Alessandro Borgogna, Advisor – Cluster Planning and Development at ADIO, stated, “Abu Dhabi is driving the next stage of innovation by integrating AI, sustainability, and digital transformation across global industries. RealAssetX Abu Dhabi demonstrates our commitment to strengthening the financial services sector and positioning the emirate as a launchpad for deep tech solutions that deliver value at scale.”
The RealAssetX Abu Dhabi Innovation Centre will concentrate on three pivotal areas: climate technologies, which will advance decarbonization and enhance environmental resilience; AI-driven decision-making that seeks to optimize asset management and investment strategies through sophisticated analytics; and breakthrough applications that explore blockchain technologies for real estate and smart infrastructure systems.
Mansoor Jaffar, CEO at ADGM Academy and Research Centre, expressed the vision for the centre: “We are committed to building a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures early-stage ventures and accelerates breakthrough technologies in real assets. Our partnership with PGIM, supported by ADIO, will enable the RealAssetX Centre to drive innovation, support sustainable development, and position Abu Dhabi as a global hub for deep tech and smart infrastructure.”
Both PGIM and ADGM Academy will responsibly guide the strategy and operations of the RealAssetX Abu Dhabi Innovation Centre. The centre is poised to deliver extensive research initiatives, ideation labs, hackathons, pitch competitions, and incubator and accelerator programs designed to spur innovation in the sector.
Mohammed Abdulmalek, Head of the Middle East at PGIM, concluded: “By combining PGIM’s global investment expertise with ADGM Academy’s commitment to talent and technology, we are creating a platform that will drive sustainable growth, unlock new value, and position the region at the forefront of deep tech and AI-driven transformation.”