Although the concept of an Alternative Investment Company (ASI) has existed in Polish law since 2016, interest in this form of activity has grown significantly only in recent months. An ASI is an entity whose core business involves collecting assets from various investors and investing them — in the interest of those investors and in accordance with a defined investment policy. So, what types of assets can an ASI invest in?

Scope of ASI Activity

To be legally recognized as an ASI, a company must be formally registered as such. To obtain ASI status, its primary business must be investment activity.

This includes, among other things:

  • Acquiring shares or equity in other companies
  • Investing in real estate
  • Purchasing financial instruments

Managing an ASI offers considerable flexibility in terms of investment targets. In addition to the areas listed above, an ASI may also invest in:

  • Securities
  • Works of art
  • Antiques
  • Valuable commodities (e.g., gold and precious stones)
  • Currencies
  • Real estate (again, including commercial or residential properties)