Fund placement Switzerland is considered one of the most important financial centres for alternative investments in Europe. According to Preqin (2023), alternative funds in Switzerland now manage over CHF 900 billion, with annual growth of 10 %. Private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, private debt and real estate funds, which have established themselves as a complement to traditional asset classes, are particularly popular.
Institutional investors such as pension funds, insurance companies, foundations and family offices are increasingly looking for alternative investment strategies to secure returns in a challenging market environment. The demand for long-term, stable and diversified investment solutions is growing continuously.
Current developments in the Swiss market for alternative investments
Alternative funds in Switzerland are benefiting from stable market dynamics and strong investor interest:
- Private equity & venture capital: Swiss pension funds have increased their allocation to private equity to an average of 12% to secure long-term capital growth (IPE, 2023).
- Hedge funds: Switzerland is a global centre for hedge fund strategies. Alternative UCITS funds have recorded an annual growth of 9% in the last five years (EFAMA, 2023).
- Real estate & infrastructure: Property and infrastructure funds continue to be in demand as institutional investors increasingly focus on stable, inflation-protected income. This asset class now accounts for 20% of the portfolios of many pension funds (Swiss Funds & Asset Management Association, 2023).
Despite the strong growth, there are regulatory and operational challenges that asset managers must take into account when placing their funds in Switzerland.
