ADGM Academy (ADGMA) and PGIM, the investment arm of Prudential Financial, have established the RealAssetX Abu Dhabi Innovation Centre, scheduled to open in September in ADGMA’s Abu Dhabi offices. The partnership, supported by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, aims to introduce new tools for the real asset industry, covering infrastructure, property, smart cities, and related fields.
The centre will focus on three streams. First, it will advance climate technologies to accelerate decarbonisation and enhance environmental resilience. Second, it will employ AI-driven analytics to improve asset management and investment decisions. Third, it will explore applications such as blockchain, smart infrastructure systems, and innovative construction materials.
ADGM Academy and PGIM will oversee operations jointly. Activities will include ideation labs, hackathons, pitch competitions, and incubator and accelerator programmes. The development follows a strategic alignment reached in December between PGIM and ADIO to support deep tech in real assets.
ADGM introduced RealAssetX originally in 2023 as part of its innovation lab series. PGIM obtained a licence from ADGM earlier last year to operate in Abu Dhabi and establish a local innovation presence in global asset management.
The centre arrives at a time when Abu Dhabi seeks to enhance its fintech and proptech credentials. In 2024, ADIO announced an initial investment framework worth up to $250 million to accelerate partnerships between PGIM and local universities, incubators, and venture capital networks through RealAssetX, according to earlier ADIO announcements.
The RealAssetX centre will host its first public engagement activities in September. Industry observers say its success could accelerate the adoption of climate tech, AI and blockchain in the real asset market across the Gulf.
