Rahul Mehta

The prevailing zeitgeist around UAE capital markets is too short-sighted. Breathless ‘boomer’ commentators now wax eloquent about each day’s gyrations (for instance, that of Phoenix), along with corporate moves such as restructurings (by Drake & Scull, Uniion Properties) and buybacks (that by IHC). We await with bated breath from the same boomer analysts to point out that more than a third of returns in the domestic markets have been in the form of dividends, and not reflected in the stock price. My column for Gulf News today explores the shortcomings of the prevailing market 'wisdom' as it pertains to the fixation on UAE IPOs and first day gains. #economics #business #uae #dubai #gulfnews #news #businessnews #macroeconomics #dubaibusiness #dubaibusinessnews #finance #dubaifinance #financenews #uaenews #uaebusiness #uaeeconomy #dubaieconomy #assetprices #inflation #interestrates #moneysupply #propertymarket #dubaipropertymarket #realestate #dubairealestate #offplan #uaeinterestrates #markettrends #economictrends #banking #uaebank #centralbank #paymentplans #assetmarket #supplychain #economicgrowth #inventory #mortgagerate #uaemortgagerate #dubaimortgage #sameerlakhani #globalcapitalpartners #recession #boom #bust #monetarypolicy #uaemonetarypolicy #analysis #economicanalysis #marketanalysis #primarymarket #secondarymarket #ipo #adx #dfm #capitalmarket #capitalasset #stockmarket #stocks #uaestocks #dubaistocks #loans #credit #trading #leveragedtrading #fertiglobe #dewa #borouge #tecom #alansari #yahsat #valuation #value #alef #phoenix #crypto #alef #education #ai #artificialintelligence #dividends #capitalgains #returns #dividendreturns #capitalreturns #returnoninvestment #investindubai

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A Dubai-based fund-of-funds focused on backing emerging venture investors, has raised $5 million of the $10 million target for its debut fund. Amkan Ventures is connecting family offices in the Gulf region and emerging U.S.-based VCs — two groups unlikely to otherwise meet. A fund led by Female GP Raida Daouk El Jisr decided to raise a fund after helping a number of family offices and other institutions vet and invest in American venture firms and tech startups as a consultant and building out another prior employer's portfolio. #fundraising #investment #GCC #USfunds #venturecapitalists #limitedpartners #generalpartners #Funds #LPs #GPs #VCs #emergingfunds #fundmangergs

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No better partner to access the Saudi Arabia market than aramco, and Saudi aramco's Middle East venture capital investment arm Wa'ed Ventures continues to be active, investing in the $14 million Series A round of Stake, a #Dubai-based digital platform for real estate investment. The financing was led by Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP) with participation from Wa'ed Ventures, UAE sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Co. as well as US-based private investing platform Republic. The company aims to enter the Saudi market. It plans to become the first platform to allow individuals outside of the kingdom to invest in the local real estate market. I find this cross border investment opportunity in the GCC region particularly interesting as it facilitates capital flows into Saudi Arabia's growing property market! Using the fractional ownership model, Stake facilitates property investments starting from 500 dirhams ($136). It has over 500,000 users — 50% of whom are from outside of the United Arab Emirates. Stake plans to triple its headcount in the kingdom to 15 by the end of the year. #middleeast #alternativeassets #privatemarkets #startups #venturecapital #saudiarabia #unitedarabemirates #saudivision2030 #saudiaramco #proptech #fintech #capitalmarkets #sovereignwealthfunds https://lnkd.in/gZQJvDhp

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The Information is out with breaking news that OpenAI and their previously disclosed $150B valuation fundraise would be with the support of MGX, a $100B fund, out of the #UnitedArabEmirates as part of Mubadala Capital, with additional support G42. Sam Altman continues to amaze with the breathtaking speed and volume of fundraising he continues to garner for OpenAI. What do you think? #management #venturecapital #privateequity #capitalmarkets #AIfinanane https://lnkd.in/gMEyhfuf

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The GCC: A Strategic Investment Frontier. In the next decade, the GCC - especially Dubai - will stand as one of the world’s most compelling investment hubs. Projections show the region's economy growing at an average of 4% annually, driven by sectors like technology, renewable energy, and infrastructure. With Dubai leading the charge, the UAE alone is set to attract over $150 billion in FDI by 2030, according to the IMF. Why invest now? Dubai's strategic location offers unparalleled access to markets worth over $7 trillion across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Add to that its commitment to smart cities, AI, and renewable energy, and you're looking at a future-proof environment that rewards forward-thinking capital. The key isn't just identifying growth—but aligning with a region that’s built for the long term. As I often say, it's far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price. And the GCC is offering more than fair returns for those ready to make bold moves. W Ventures Holding

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In a recent conversation with Economy Middle East, I shared my thoughts on the rise of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services in the UAE and KSA. With the rise and growth of fintech in the region, BNPL services are part of a broader shift towards a cashless society, enhancing financial transparency. Fintech, including BNPL, is a pathway to a financial services industry that is more accessible to the masses, technology-driven and enabling other industries. Additionally, the shift in consumer habits from cash-on-delivery towards digital payments was significantly enabled through the introduction of BNPL services on to e-commerce platforms, encouraging and enabling the shift. Around 55% of the region's population is under the age of 30 - and BNPL services appeal to a younger, tech-savvy population because it offers an easy, interest-free way to manage payments. Additionally, it contributes to financial inclusion because it provides access to individuals who don't necessarily have way to traditional financial institutions. In a region where many consumers are unbanked or underbanked, offering them the opportunity to make purchases they might otherwise be unable to afford is valuable. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/deB6CDrb

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From the fad of meme stocks to the recent trend of real estate launches with alluringly favorable payment plans, it seems that all investment common sense has been thrown out the window. My column in Gulf News today discusses the issues with this current market zeitgeist, and can be found here: https://lnkd.in/d9HUqwa4 #uae #dubai #economics #business #businessnews #news #finance #financenews #market #capitalmarkets #markettrends #memestocks #stockmarket #equity #equityfinance #investing #investment #roaringkitty #valuation #valueinvesting #growth #capitalassets #inflation #realestate #realestatemarket #property #propertymarket #dubairealestate #dubairealestatemarket #dubaiproperty #dubaipropertymarket #paymentplan #ipo #dubaiipo #uaeipo #primarymarket #secondarymarket #portfolio #wealth #value #valuecreation #wealthmanagement #warrenbuffet #us #usa #america #artificalintelligence #ai #speculation #salik #parkin #auction #marketplace #romanempire #rome #history #analysis #bubble #socialmedia #media #interestrates #monetarypolicy #aesop #pricegrowth #price #growth #gcp #globalcapitalpartners #sameerlakhani #gulfnews

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Insightful UAE CEO outlook from KPMG: * UAE's economy is forecasted to achieve 6.7% growth * world's leading destination for wealthy migrants (6700 by end of 2024) * 96% of CEOs are confident about their industry's growth

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The CVC game is unpredictable. We have to play both sides - the entrepreneur and the corporate. And it often feels like a see-saw! Thanks Arjun for probing deep.

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🏜️🌏 Looking to build in or expand to the Middle East? I just collated a list of the top 10 Family Offices to contact... Abdul Latif Jameel Al-Futtaim Majid Al Futtaim DAHER CAPITAL GROUP, LLC Zamil Group Holding Company ATOORO FUND Dynamic Loop Capital 1Digi Investment Management Al Fahim Group Anglian Omega Group (India) If you know someone who could use this list, or if I missed out on a fund you swear by, tag them below! Remember, in the Middle East, relationships are everything. Start building those connections now. Who knows? Your next big break might just come from one of these family offices. #StartupFunding #MiddleEast #FamilyOffices #TechExpansion

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What makes family offices in the Middle East unique... From my perspective, Middle Eastern family offices are an example of how tradition and innovation can coexist. Their ability to adapt and take advantage of new opportunities whilst staying true to their roots is a defining trait. Here are some great takeaways from an article in Forbes: → Assets Under Management (AUM) in the region are expected to increase by 46% by 2025, reaching over $500 billion. This rapid growth is impressive, however, only 43% of family offices have been operating for over a decade, indicating a relatively nascent stage compared to Western counterparts. → Succession and leadership transition are top priorities. With 75% of CEOs being family members, there's a strong emphasis on maintaining family values and legacy. → Traditionally focused on wealth preservation, there's a significant shift towards growth investments, especially in digital and fintech sectors. → 85% of professionals in family offices are male, but there's a notable rise in female leadership. This shift towards gender diversity is crucial as it brings fresh perspectives. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eX3EfcS2 #middleeast #gccfamilyoffices #familyoffice #privatemarkets

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Excellent work! A major transformation since inception in the industry.

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Singapore-based venture capital (VC) firm Golden Gate Ventures landed its first $100 million MENA fund Wednesday, with $20 million in commitments from Qatari investors, as the firm plans to break into the MENA region. First funding Anchor investors of the fund include Al Khor Holding W.L.L, Al @Attiya Group and Sheikh Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani, a statement from Golden Gate Ventures showed. This is the first international VC fund to be established and managed within Qatar. It will focus on powering startups in sectors such as alternative energy, green technology, business-to-business (B2B) artificial intelligence (AI), and energy-related deep tech. Other sectors that the fund will cover include fintech, health tech, and edtech. Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority Michael Lints Golden Gate Ventures #venturecapitalists #fundraising #Investement #GCC #Qatar #Fundmangergs #FamilyOffices #edtech #healthtech #fintech #VCs #GPs #MENA #B2B #AI #Deeptech #energytech

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This is a noteworthy move for global private markets advisory firm Campbell Lutyens to establish an office in Dubai - the capital markets hub of the Middle East and most connected city to the #India market, and frankly to the world. The region, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, has a core base of increasingly sophisticated investors into global alternative asset strategies as more #familyoffices are being established and several relocating to the region. Then there is the growth of #wealthmanagers and perhaps local #endowments & #insurancecompanies. As one peer noted, the old days of flying in and out to cover the regional capital market base is "colonial". You need to be on the ground and committed long-term to engage and deliver results in the region. Well done and congratulations Phiras Soubra and Team! #middleeast #unitedarabemirates #alternativeassets #capitalmarkets #fundraising #institutionalinvestors #limitedpartners #fundmanagers #offices #localpresence #dubai #saudiarabia https://lnkd.in/gwxaUC7t

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🎙️ Shared my latest insights with Asharq Business اقتصاد الشرق on the evolving VC trends across MENA, with a special focus on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia! In our discussion, we dove into the key findings from our MAGNiTT H1 report and explored: - Why investors are increasingly shifting toward early-stage investments - The critical role Fund of Funds like SVC and Jada Fund of Funds play in driving innovation and funding within the Kingdom - The government’s strategic focus in #KSA, led by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia - The continued dominance of #FinTech, which is set to be further catalyzed by the upcoming 24 Fintech event in #Riyadh in September (Fintech Saudi | فنتك السعودية) - The next big sector for investors: Deep Tech Catch the full interview below 👇 You can also download our H1 Emerging Venture Market Report here: https://lnkd.in/d52uW2cH What are your thoughts? Will we see an uptick in investment in H2? 👀 Bloomberg #Venture #Investment #Funding #MAGNiTT #VC #SaudiArabia #Innovation #KSA

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The increasing sophistication of Saudi Arabia's institutional investor base over the past 7 years continues to fascinate me, and Riyadh-based SVC has been at the forefront, executing investment partnerships such as this $30 million commitment to global $84 billion+ AUM growth private markets fund manager General Atlantic, with the aim to attract global fund managers to Saudi Arabia and deploy capital in later stage, high-growth companies. SVC is an investment firm established in 2018 and is a subsidiary of the SME Bank, one of the development banks of the National Development Fund (NDF). SVC aims to stimulate and develop financing solutions for startups and SMEs from pre-Seed to pre-IPO by investing $2 billion through investment in Private Capital funds (Venture Capital, Private Equity, Venture Debt, Private Debt) and co-investment in startups and SMEs. The focus of this venture will be on investing in high-growth, tech-enabled companies within Saudi Arabia.  The initiative aims to bolster #innovation and entrepreneurship in the region, particularly in key sectors such as #consumer goods, financial services, #healthcare, life sciences, and #technology.  No doubt, General Atlantic are one of the best and most established partners for this endeavor. Congratulations Nabeel Koshak and the SVC Team in Saudi! #partnerships #saudiarabia #alternativeinvestments #fundmanagers #capitalmarkets #saudivision2030 #riyadh #mena #gcc #privatemarkets #growthequity #startups #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #privateequity #institutionalinvestors

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UAE stock markets have hit $1 trillion in market capitalisation, primarily driven by initial public offerings as well as strong earnings, as the Arab world’s second-largest economy continues to grow amid diversification efforts. The total market capitalisation of the two bourses that make the UAE market is bigger than Milan or Madrid, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. While dwarfed by the nearly $3 trillion Saudi Arabian Tadawul stock market, the UAE is larger than most emerging markets, barring a few like India and China, the data shows. This growth has been driven by successful IPO activities, increased foreign investment inflows, and notably, strong corporate earnings across key sectors.”There has been a flurry of listings in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the last two years on the back of a push from the government to boost liquidity as well as growing investor demand. There are currently 100 firms listed on the ADX, while on DFM it is 68. #UAE #stockexchange #investments #IPO #Dubai #Abudhabi #GCC #Privatequity #hedgefunds #Familyoffices #Venturecapitalist #fundraising https://lnkd.in/gFaSjxwT

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