StashAway’s access to private markets has expanded significantly as the digital wealth management platform introduces new semi-liquid portfolios designed for UAE-based high-net-worth individuals. The launch follows a year of strong performance for StashAway’s HNWI client segment, which contributed more than 75 percent of the company’s growth in the UAE over the past 12 months.
The new offerings focus on private equity and private infrastructure, managed by global private market specialist Hamilton Lane, which oversees assets of more than USD 956 billion. The portfolios come with lower minimums, lower fees, and monthly liquidity, addressing long-standing barriers faced by affluent investors seeking access to institutional-grade private market opportunities.
The expansion comes at a time when nearly 10,000 new millionaires are expected to relocate to the UAE by the end of 2025, reflecting the country’s growing role as a global wealth hub. With rising demand for alternative investments, the shift toward digital wealth management platforms has accelerated across the region.
Growing Appetite For Private Market Investments
Private markets continue to reshape the global investment landscape. Recent data indicates a steep decline in the number of publicly listed companies, falling to just 2,800, compared to more than 18,000 private businesses generating annual revenues above USD 100 million in the United States. As a result, future wealth creation is expected to increasingly concentrate in private markets.
With StashAway’s new portfolios, UAE-based investors can now access private equity strategies with target net annual returns of 10 to 12 percent, along with private infrastructure exposure across sectors such as energy, digital networks, transport, and utilities.
Michele Ferrario, Co-founder and CEO of StashAway, said: “We’ve seen tremendous demand from high-net-worth investors who value the transparency and unbiased wealth advisory that we offer. Now, we’re bringing that same trusted experience to private markets, making it simple for investors to access high-quality, institutional-class opportunities.”
The new portfolios offer significantly lower minimums and fees than traditional private banks, which often charge up to 3.5 percent. StashAway clients pay management fees as low as 0.5 percent. Investors also benefit from shorter lock-up periods, enabling flexible access to capital as financial needs evolve.
Raaed Sheibani, UAE Country Manager at StashAway, added: “A diversified portfolio with exposure to private markets is vital for high-net-worth investors seeking to build long-term wealth. But many clients tell us that high minimums and long lock-ups of traditional private market funds make it hard to get started or maintain the right allocation. We’re committed to making these opportunities more accessible. Our semi-liquid offering does exactly that – providing flexible access without tying investors into multi-year lock-ups.”
Strengthening Long-Term Portfolio Performance
Both portfolios offer multi-manager and multi-sector diversification through a single investment. Historically, private infrastructure and private equity have outperformed public markets while delivering lower volatility. A 10 percent private infrastructure allocation to a traditional 60/40 portfolio from 2014 to 2024 increased returns by 5.3 percent and reduced volatility by 10.6 percent.
These new offerings form part of a broader suite of HNW solutions at StashAway, which already includes Private Credit and unbiased advisory through StashAway Reserve. The platform, regulated by the DFSA and headquartered in the DIFC, continues to strengthen its role as a key player in the UAE’s evolving wealth management ecosystem.
