How Southeast Asia Became the Next Private Capital Hotspot with Omar Jackson of Berkeley Assets

Episode 3: How Southeast Asia Became the Next Private Capital Hotspot with Omar Jackson of Berkeley Assets

Omar Jackson of Berkeley Assets on asset-backed investing, Southeast Asia’s luxury ecosystems, and why $100M raises are easier than $20M

Show notes

Join Berkeley Assets Partner Omar Jackson for a wide-ranging conversation on building with tangible assets from UK social housing to Indonesian coffee processing to floating fuel storage, and why the firm is making bold moves in Southeast Asia.

Omar explains how Singapore’s VCC structures attract institutional capital, why branding and marketing are now critical even in private equity, and what’s changing in the LP landscape.

Expect candid lessons from his entrepreneurial start at 18, insights into cross-border capital flows, and a frank look at where private markets are headed next.

Key Topics

  • Tangible-first thesis: real estate, specialty coffee, floating fuel storage, and other asset-backed plays.
  • Southeast Asia focus: “luxury ecosystem” projects in Bali, Vietnam, and the Maldives, blending resorts, residences, and lifestyle infrastructure.
  • LP segmentation: when HNW investors fit (UK bridging/development finance) vs. when institutions dominate (regional mega-projects).
  • Singapore advantage: VCC structures, tax treaties, and digitization as risk mitigators.
  • Middle East vs. SE Asia capital: why significant wealth is parked in Singapore, not Dubai.
  • Fundraising barbell: why $100M+ institutional raises can be easier than smaller tickets.
  • Branding in PE: how presentation and positioning determine traction.
  • Entrepreneurship lessons: contracts, counterparty risk, and bouncing back from early setbacks.

What You’ll Learn

  • Why asset-backed strategies offer resilience in uncertain markets.
  • How Southeast Asia became a magnet for family offices and institutional LPs.
  • Why Singapore sits at the center of new capital flows.
  • How larger fundraising targets now attract more appetite than mid-market raises.
  • Why brand and marketing matter just as much as the underlying asset.

Links mentioned in this episode:

BERKELEY ASSETS: https://www.berkeley-assets.com/ ASSET CLASS: https://www.assetclass.com/

LinkedIn: Omar Jackson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omarpjackson/ LinkedIn: Ferdi Roberts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ferdiroberts/

Podcast Producers: Des McGouran Sam Roberts

Hosts

Ferdinand Roberts

Ferdinand Roberts

CEO & Founder of Asset Class, a leading asoftware company serving the Private Equity, Venture Capital and broader Private Capital sectors.

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Guests

Omar Jackson

Omar Jackson

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