Introduction
As of 2025, private markets represent approximately $15 trillion in assets under management (McKinsey), with more than 15% now sourced from individual investors (Bain). This momentum underscores an accelerated democratisation of private equity and, more broadly, of private assets. Enabled by lower minimum commitments, supportive regulation, and the proliferation of access platforms, this asset class—historically reserved for institutions—has become a central pillar of sophisticated portfolio diversification.
Yet this acceleration comes with challenges. Investing in private assets is not improvised: behind performance promises lie specific mechanisms and risks that are often misunderstood. The future of democratisation will hinge on education; without it, adoption by individuals may stall on scepticism or misinterpretation.
Education is therefore not a “nice-to-have” but a precondition for sustainable integration of private assets in private wealth. Clarifying what private assets are, how their risk and return mechanisms operate, and where we stand in the cycle provides the foundation for informed, durable allocations—built with advisors, for long-term objectives.
Understand private assets before investing
Whether private equity, private credit, or infrastructure, private assets are inherently complex. Investing off public exchanges demands a grasp of distinct mechanisms: capital deployment through commitments and calls, valuation marks, longer holding periods, and liquidity constraints, among others.
A nuanced understanding is essential to accurately assess each investment’s nature. Education enables wealth managers and advisors to articulate—clearly and rigorously—how private assets create value and why they have become a cornerstone of modern portfolio construction.
At Private Corner, we are convinced of the structural role of private markets in building durable wealth and financing the real economy.
The specific mechanisms of private assets
Private assets are not passive exposures; they require active management and genuine expertise.
One defining feature is that committed capital is not funded upfront. Instead, it is called progressively. This sequencing of capital calls supports efficient deployment but implies immobilisation of capital—typically for 8 to 10 years at the fund level.
Performance also follows its own dynamics. The J-curve—charting a fund’s net asset value over its life—is emblematic: early years may show negative returns due to fees and initial investments, before value creation and exits drive positive outcomes.
Consequently, private assets operate on a long-term logic in which patience and manager selection are paramount. Understanding this mechanics means accepting that performance is not linear but progressive, asymmetric, and anchored in real value creation rather than the day-to-day volatility of public markets.
A market in full motion
Recent years have seen a proliferation of new entrants. Rigorous analysis is essential to evaluate the robustness of approaches and the results that can be delivered.
This rush toward private assets rests on several structural drivers:
- An ever more diversified offer
- Proliferating structures and wrappers
- Increasingly discerning investor demand
- A heightened need for education
Source: France Invest × Bpifrance × OpinionWay, June 2024
But access to private assets requires more than product shelves: it requires understanding, explanation, and ongoing guidance. This is precisely why Private Corner created the Private Assets Academy—a dedicated space for our partners to build expertise across the private-markets value chain and take perspective in a fast-moving environment.
A dedicated space for wealth-management professionals
The Private Assets Academy is designed for wealth managers, family offices, and private bankers who support clients seeking diversification, purpose, and performance. These professionals are on the front line of rising expectations: they must master a complex, evolving asset class and explain its implications with transparency and rigour.
Conceived as a practitioner’s toolkit, the Academy is a learning and sharing environment to:
- Explain the fundamentals of private equity and the broader private-markets universe
- Provide concrete markers on risks, liquidity, and taxation
- Equip professionals to design coherent, durable allocations
Training also builds confidence—both for the advisor and for the client, who better understands the rationale and time horizons at stake.
A 100% digital learning experience
The Private Assets Academy is a 100% digital platform, accessible at any time via our partners’ portal. It offers multiple formats to explore private markets:
- Videos: leading managers—e.g., from CVC, Ardian, or EQT—decode the fundamentals of private assets
- Podcasts: Private Corner experts deep-dive into key private-markets concepts
- Guides: comprehensive resources to consolidate and structure knowledge
- Opinion pieces: market analyses and expert perspectives on major private-assets themes
Conclusion
While private assets can appear complex at first glance, they now stand as a fully fledged pillar of wealth allocations. Wealth-management professionals increasingly seek to understand this asset class in order to integrate it methodically into portfolios and build complete, coherent, and durable private-asset sleeves for their clients. Education is central to that mission: it enables clear, rigorous explanations of how private assets create value and why they have become a cornerstone of modern portfolio construction.
FAQ
What are “private assets”?
Private assets encompass investments made outside public exchanges—such as private equity, private credit, and infrastructure—with specific mechanisms, time horizons, and risks.
How does private equity differ from public markets?
Private equity finances non-listed companies directly, with active value creation, limited liquidity, and long-term holding periods.
Why is education indispensable before investing?
Because core mechanisms—manager selection, capital calls, valuation, and liquidity—are technical and determine a proper understanding of the risk–return profile.
What are the principal risks of private assets?
Illiquidity, manager-selection risk, cyclicality, J-curve effects (timing of performance), and non-daily valuation marks.
How can I become a Private Corner partner?
Contact us via the form and check your eligibility. Upload the required documents. Once validated, access your partner portal to explore the Academy and Private Corner’s full offering.
