Apollo Global Management has announced the opening of a new office in Austin, Texas, aiming to transform the location into a strategic hub for talent, innovation, and long-term business growth. According to the firm, the new office will be led by Eric Needleman and Mike Downing. Despite the expansion, Apollo clarified that New York City will remain the firm’s global headquarters.
“At Apollo and Athene, we help meet the capital needs of businesses and economies while enabling individuals to retire with peace of mind. That mission has driven our innovation for more than three decades, and this new presence continues that DNA. Change is the only constant, and we prefer to lead it rather than react to it. Austin allows us to build the next generation of Apollo and Athene, including challenger models for parts of our own business, leveraging the talent, technology, and business environment that already exist in the region. That is why we chose Austin and Texas,” said Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo.
According to the firm, the new strategic growth hub will incubate new and emerging businesses across its asset management and retirement solutions platforms, focusing on the product cycle, distribution, infrastructure, and market-making. Additionally, it will serve as the launchpad for evolving the company’s approach to technology and operations, in close proximity to firms shaping the next phase of sector growth.
Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, stated: “Texas is the financial capital of America. Apollo made the right choice in selecting Texas for its new strategic growth hub. Our state is already home to the largest financial services workforce in the nation, and this major expansion in Austin will cement Texas’ global leadership in the sector. For innovative industry leaders seeking stability, speed, and scalability, there is no better place to invest and grow than Texas.”
Meanwhile, Kirk Watson, Mayor of Austin, highlighted that the city represents an excellent investment for companies due to its abundant supply of young, skilled, and creative talent. “Apollo chose Austin because of our talent, our magnificent natural environment, our rich cultural offerings, and our leadership position in the innovation economy. It is exciting that young Austinites graduating from local universities will have another opportunity to launch their careers right here at home, without needing to move to the East Coast or elsewhere. I am proud that Austin continues to be the destination of choice for companies looking to grow, innovate, and invest,” he noted.
Texas leads the nation in Fortune 500 company headquarters—a base that includes a growing concentration of advanced technology, microchip manufacturing, and defense tech firms alongside the state’s historical leadership in energy and infrastructure. Apollo views this ecosystem as ideal for supporting its next phase of growth and aligning with its vision of an ongoing global industrial renaissance.
Apollo’s new presence strengthens nearly two decades of partnerships in Texas, including strategic organizations that connect companies with the local innovation ecosystem. Texas already ranks among the firm’s top five capital bases, positioning Apollo to deepen relationships with innovative companies seeking long-term capital partners at the forefront of technology and financial services. Notably, Austin provides Apollo with access to a talent profile distinct from its other offices.
