Marc Rowan on Private Markets, Software Repricing, and Capital Allocation

May 28, 2026

1:07

Marc Rowan on Private Markets, Software Repricing, and Capital Allocation

Picture this: in 1990, Marc Rowan leaves Drexel with just a cardboard box, and within a year, Apollo manages six billion dollars. Now, fast-forward, and Rowan explains how private markets are taking center stage in the global economy — especially private credit and tech-driven sectors like AI and data centers. According to Rowan, as shared in a16z’s conversation with David Haber, the rise of private capital isn’t just a trend — it's reshaping how the real economy gets financed. What’s fascinating is how private markets are increasingly intersecting with venture-backed tech, fueling innovations like robotics and AI infrastructure. Rowan emphasizes that enduring organizations don’t cling to the status quo — they adapt. That’s the kind of mindset that keeps businesses resilient in a rapidly changing world. And honestly, that shift — subtle now — is exactly the kind of signal that often signals the next big cycle, as discussed by content+a16zpodcast@a16z.com.

In 1990, Marc Rowan walked out of Drexel with his belongings in a cardboard box. Within a year, Apollo was managing $6 billion.

David Haber speaks with Marc Rowan, Cofounder, CEO, and Chair of Apollo Global Management, about building Apollo into one of the world’s largest alternative asset managers and how private capital is reshaping the global economy.

The conversation covers the rise of private credit, and why Rowan believes private markets are becoming increasingly central to financing the real economy. They also discuss AI, data centers, robotics, and the growing intersection between venture-backed technology companies and large-scale private financing.

Along the way, they reflect on leadership, institutional culture, and why enduring organizations must adapt rather than protect the status quo.

Resources:

Follow David Haber on X: https://x.com/dhaber

Learn more about Apollo Global Management: https://www.apollo.com

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Audio Transcript