Bundesverband Alternative Investments e. V. (BAI) was founded July 4th, 1997 in Bonn by well known members of the industry. It is the lobby association for Alternative Investments in Germany.

Alternative Investments are innovative investment strategies and asset classes which are serving a better diversification of investments, and thereby the optimization of the return/risk profile of the portfolio.

BAI perceives itself as a catalyzer between professional German investors and suppliers of Alternative Investment products worldwide, and lobbies that German institutional and professional investors are able to diversify their investment with regard to Alternatives better and more easy. BAI is considering a broad diversification which includes Alternative Investments as indispensable, in particular in terms of safeguarding long-term retirement pensions and the provision of money for construction, maintenance, and development of public infrastructure and renewable energies.  

BAI-members are recruited from all areas of the Alternative Investments’ industry, e.g. banks, investment companies, Hedge Funds and Private Equity Funds as well as service providers. Members are involved early in the activities of the association, and they are welcome to propose their suggestions in numerous working groups. At present, BAI counts more than 120 national and international member companies and is growing continuously.
  

Responsibilities, Objectives and Achievements
On objective of BAI is the increase of the awareness level of alternative asset strategies and asset classes, as well as the improvement of their understanding in public. BAI cooperates with various national and international organizations and industry associations. Furthermore, it pursues the goal to achieve legal reforms as well as the development of law on behalf of its members and their investors, and to design an attractive and internationally competitive regulatory environment for the investment in Alternatives.

BAI is contributing to several legislative procedures and consultations on a national and an European level, and is participating as an expert in hearings.
In this context, meetings with representatives at political level and from the competent committees are taking place, especially in Berlin and Brussels. Furthermore, BAI is holding an intense dialogue with national and international legislative and supervisory bodies (BaFin, Bundesbank, ESMA, EIOPA, ISOSCO), and is continuing its efforts to ensure that in the administrative practices of these bodies, the interests of the AI-industry are taken into account.

Service 
Apart from the general tasks, BAI informs its members through publications, circulars and the association’s website about current market and legal developments concerning Alternative Investments. For these purposes, the BAI-Newsletter is distributed every other month not only to members and decision makers at BMF and BaFin, but also to institutional investors, issuers of Alternative Investment products, well known editors and publishers of national and international newspapers and magazines and other interested parties. 

The organisation of seminars and conferences to improve the understanding of alternative investments and to offer a platform for members and third parties to discuss related topics is also part of the BAI package of measures. For this reason, BAI organises in co-operation with Deutsche Börse AG and Eurex an annual conference which takes place in September/October (www.forum-ai.com). Furthermore, the association hosts the BAI Alternative Investment Insight and the BAI Alternative Investor Conference (www.ai-conference.com) which intends to bring market participants together to exchange their know-how and to contribute to the comprehension of Alternative Investment in the public. Those conferences as well as further arrangements such as Round Tables offer product suppliers, institutional investors, providers of the Alternative Investment industry and other interested parties an outstanding opportunity to exchange thoughts, to receive information about new market trends, and aim to bring together investors and suppliers of Alternative Investments. 

Every year, members of the BAI-board and the BAI team are involved in lectures and seminars - a sign that the know-how of the associations’ specialists is acknowledged by the Alternative Investments industry. 

Further interesting events and association activities are constantly planned.

The portrait of the BAI is available for download at the Info Center. Please take a look at the event section as well. 

Membership 
We gladly inform you regarding the criteria for membership, the association fee and any other questions you may have. Please contact us. 
The BAI works in close co-operation with: