Brendan Gallagher, Founder of Lima Capital, discusses with Investors Mag the strategic, regulatory, and technological factors behind the firm surpassing US$1 billion in assets under management. Operating across Mauritius, Singapore, the Cayman Islands, and Bermuda, Lima Capital supports both institutional and emerging fund managers with scalable, cross-border structures. In this interview, Gallagher outlines how Lima is enabling access to digital assets, AI-driven funds, and blockchain infrastructure—while navigating complex global regulations and a rapidly evolving investment landscape.
What were the key drivers behind Lima Capital surpassing US$1 billion in Assets Under Management, and how do you plan to maintain this growth trajectory?
Surpassing the US$1 billion AUM milestone was driven by a combination of strategic partnerships, operational excellence, and our team’s deep expertise in fund structuring. A significant contributor to this success has been our ability to support major institutional clients, including a prominent listed insurance company in South Africa. By structuring an efficient and scalable fund for such a client, we reinforced our ability to handle large, complex portfolios while maintaining regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.
At the same time, we’ve made it much easier for emerging fund managers to get started. Traditionally, setting up a fund is expensive and full of regulatory and operational hurdles. We’ve broken down those barriers, offering fund managers access to institutional-grade structures at a fraction of the usual cost. This has helped talented investors bring innovative strategies to market without being held back by unnecessary overheads.
Our team is at the heart of this. We’ve got deep expertise across asset classes, jurisdictions, and regulations, which allows us to stay ahead of market shifts and continue delivering value. Looking ahead, our focus is on expanding globally, refining our operations, and leveraging technology to make fund management even more seamless. The goal is simple—let fund managers focus on making great investment decisions while we take care of everything else.
Fund structuring and operational excellence are central to your strategy. How is Lima Capital adapting these capabilities to meet the evolving demands of fund managers and investors?
The fund management industry is evolving rapidly, with fund managers demanding greater flexibility, faster execution, and operational efficiency. At Lima Capital, we continuously refine our approach to fund structuring and operations to stay ahead of these shifting needs.
One key area of focus is adaptability. Fund managers today require structures that can accommodate a wider range of asset classes, from traditional investments to emerging areas like AI-driven funds and digital assets. We design fund solutions that align with these evolving strategies while ensuring they remain fully compliant across multiple jurisdictions.
Operationally, we’re integrating technology–driven solutions to streamline risk reporting and execution. Our team works closely with fund managers to ensure they have the right infrastructure to support their strategy—whether that means faster onboarding, enhanced risk monitoring, or seamless back–office operations.
At the same time, regulatory complexity continues to increase, particularly with cross–border investments. Our expertise across multiple jurisdictions allows us to navigate these challenges efficiently, helping fund managers stay compliant without slowing down their operations.
Ultimately, our goal is to provide fund managers with a strong, flexible foundation that allows them to focus on what they do best—managing investments—while we take care of the complexities behind the scenes.
With a presence in Mauritius, Singapore, Cayman Islands, and Bermuda, how does Lima Capital leverage its global operations to provide clients with a competitive advantage in international markets?
Our global presence allows us to structure funds in jurisdictions that best align with a manager’s strategy, investor base, and regulatory requirements. Each of the regions we operate in—Mauritius, Singapore, Cayman Islands, and Bermuda—offers distinct advantages, and we help fund managers navigate these options to find the most effective setup.
Mauritius is a strong gateway into African and Asian markets, with a well–regulated investment environment and attractive tax treaties. Singapore is a global financial hub, particularly well–suited for venture capital and private equity strategies, given its strong investor networks and regulatory support for innovation. The Cayman Islands and Bermuda remain leading jurisdictions for institutional investors due to their robust legal frameworks and established fund ecosystems.
By having a presence across these key jurisdictions, we provide fund managers with flexibility. They can structure their funds in a way that optimises market access, regulatory efficiency, and investor confidence. Additionally, our global reach ensures we stay ahead of shifting regulatory landscapes, allowing managers to remain compliant without unnecessary friction.
Ultimately, our international footprint isn’t just about offering fund managers multiple options—it’s about giving them the ability to scale their strategies in the most effective way, backed by a team that understands the nuances of operating in different financial hubs.
Lima Capital focuses on technology-driven investments such as blockchain, digital assets, and machine learning. How do you see these sectors shaping the future of asset management, and what opportunities are you prioritizing?
Technology is fundamentally reshaping asset management, from how investments are executed to how funds are structured and operated. Blockchain, digital assets, and machine learning are at the forefront of this transformation, and we see significant opportunities in each of these areas.
Blockchain can revolutionise fund administration by enhancing transparency, security, and efficiency. Smart contracts and tokenisation are already streamlining processes like subscriptions, redemptions, and settlements, reducing operational friction and costs. As the industry matures, we expect more funds to integrate blockchain-based solutions into their infrastructure, making fund structures more agile and investor-friendly.
Digital assets continue to evolve as a recognised asset class, attracting institutional interest despite regulatory uncertainties. Our role has been to bridge the gap between traditional fund structures and digital asset investments, ensuring that managers can offer these products within a compliant, institutional-grade framework. The challenge has always been operational efficiency and regulatory clarity, and we’ve worked to create solutions that address both.
Machine learning is driving significant advancements in investment strategies, particularly in areas like quantitative trading, risk management, and portfolio optimisation. As AI-driven strategies become more sophisticated, fund managers need structures that can accommodate these new approaches while maintaining compliance and operational stability.
At Lima Capital, we are prioritising the development of fund structures that can seamlessly integrate these innovations. Whether it’s enabling institutional-grade exposure to digital assets, supporting AI-driven investment models, or leveraging blockchain for operational efficiencies, our focus remains on providing fund managers with the tools they need to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market.
What regulatory and market challenges do you anticipate in the fund management industry, and how is Lima Capital positioned to help clients navigate these complexities effectively?
Geopolitical issues pose significant challenges for fund managers, as rising tensions, trade restrictions, and shifting regulatory policies create market uncertainty and disrupt capital flows. Sanctions, foreign investment controls, and export regulations can restrict access to key markets, forcing fund managers to reassess their strategies and ensure compliance with evolving laws. Political instability and regional conflicts also contribute to currency volatility, asset repricing, and shifts in investor sentiment, requiring agile risk management and contingency planning.
Regulatory divergence further complicates the landscape, particularly in emerging asset classes like digital assets and AI-driven investments. Different jurisdictions impose varying rules, creating fragmentation and uncertainty for global fund managers. AI-powered strategies face growing scrutiny over transparency and accountability, while digital asset funds must navigate evolving classification and compliance frameworks. At the same time, increasing ESG and sustainability regulations demand enhanced reporting and governance, adding to operational complexity and compliance burdens.
Lima Capital helps fund managers navigate these geopolitical and regulatory challenges by providing access to well-regulated fund structures in key jurisdictions such as Mauritius, Singapore, Cayman Islands, and Bermuda. Our expertise in cross-border compliance, risk management, and operational resilience enables fund managers to focus on investment performance while ensuring regulatory alignment. Whether dealing with shifting geopolitical risks, structuring AI-driven or digital asset funds, we provide the infrastructure and support needed to operate efficiently in a rapidly evolving landscape.
