The CAIA journey helped me deepen my understanding of the alternative investment space. After the CAIA program, I am better able to appreciate the finer nuances of investing through private equity, hedge funds, commodities, and real estate and this helped me immensely in my previous role when I was managing a multi-asset global investment portfolio and in my current role when I advise clients on private equity/M&A transactions.
Finance is my passion and I seek to be a life-long learner in this space. When I came across the CAIA program, I was immediately convinced of the value this course could provide for a professional like me working in the investment / financial advisory space. I have been able to utilize the learnings from the course in my professional journey and feel much more equipped in terms of my understanding of different investment options, the risks and returns of different asset classes post the CAIA program.
CAIA has always sought to be the global standard of learning in the Alternate Investments space, and it is a matter of pride to own the CAIA Charter. Further, being a part of the CAIA Association ensures that the process of learning is continued through valuable knowledge and thought pieces shared via networking sessions, publications, etc.
After 12 years of working in the Gulf, I moved back to India in 2022. I decided to be part of the CAIA family in India and had the opportunity to attend a CAIA India Chapter event in Mumbai where insightful conversations regarding the growth and outlook of PE in India with esteemed members of the PE / VC fraternity enabled me to have a good understanding of the PE / VC landscape in India. Similarly, when I relocated back to the Middle East in January this year, I was immediately able to connect with the CAIA Middle East Chapter in the GCC through an event in Riyadh, KSA. The GCC is witnessing a major evolution in terms of the growth and localization of alternative investments and the CAIA association provides access to an amazing network of peers that is invaluable to any professional operating in this space. We are witnessing a rapid evolution of the PE / VC investment space across the GCC driven by an emerging start-up eco-system which is providing investment managers with attractive options and a vibrant capital market which provides exit options. Over the coming years I expect the CAIA program to become a key requirement for young professionals seeking to work and grow in the alternative investment space in the region.
In my view it is important that as we grow in our professional careers, we continue the process of self-learning. Given the fast-paced development and emerging avenues of investment, it is imperative that as finance professionals we stay updated with the latest developments at all times. The best way to achieve this is by combining professional experience with academic learning. In my opinion, programs like CAIA are of immense value as they provide quality education through a highly flexible and accessible model.
About Kushagra Poddar, CAIA, CFA, MBA
Kushagra is a Partner at a specialized boutique consulting firm in Qatar and KSA, focused on corporate finance and deal advisory. He leads engagements related to strategy and transactions and assists companies in establishing and achieving their capital agendas. He earned a MBA in Finance from S.P. Jain School of Global Management and is a CFA Charterholder from ICFAI India.