‘Smart city’ tech the driving force for Pictet’s latest fund

PICTET Asset Management, the Swiss investment group, has launched a fund to invest in new technologies aimed at meeting the challenges posed by rapid global urbanisation.

Pictet’s new fund will invest in businesses working to improve infrastructure, real estate and public transport.

They will focus on so-called “smart cities” that harness data collected from the public to become more efficient and sustainable.

Pictet’s senior investment manager Ivo Weinohrl said: “Cities are having to adapt to manage rapidly growing populations, while seeking to reduce their environmental impact. This is creating abundant investment opportunities for our clients.”

“Smart city” technologies could include sensors embedded in roads to better manage congestion and pollution, or new methods designed to reduce water and energy use. Other technologies could improve public transport facilities by determining whether more services are needed at certain times of day.