Arab Angel Fund founder Kyle Hendrick explores how Gulf investors can make the most of the United States’ tech start-up scene
In cafes and conference rooms across the world’s leading and emerging technology capitals, it is not uncommon to hear the same conversation-starter.
Members of the investment community invariably introduce themselves by giving their name before proudly pronouncing: “I am an early stage investors in such and such.”
This sense of pride and recognition generated by their involvement in an early stage tech start up investment does not currently exist in the Gulf Cooperation Council but is something that is on the horizon.
I have spent a significant amount of time working with sovereign investment vehicles, state-owned-enterprises, family offices and high-net-worth individuals from the GCC regarding their investments and the diversification of their portfolios.
When analysing the assets in the portfolios of a HNWI or family offices you will typically see some similar investment patterns. In most cases, these pattern investments include real estate, local capital markets, fixed income and longterm equities, a trading company, a local sponsorship agency and a hospitality or food and beverage entity. In some cases you have savvy investors that are engaged in hedge funds and private equity funds but rarely do you see allocation to the venture capital asset class.
I started to explore and learn more about why this was the case and what opportunities exist for investors to access the VC community in the United States.
Venture capital investments have not been a ‘foreign’ or ‘unchartered’ asset class to the likes of sovereign investment vehicles. The recent $3.5bn investment into Uber by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is testament to the confidence of VC-backed tech growth companies.
Bu hikaye Gulf Business dergisinin July 2016 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Gulf Business dergisinin July 2016 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Green lights
It hasn’t even been a full year that Stellantis, one of the world’s biggest auto companies, has been in existence. Still, its wheels are spinning furiously. Here’s what it has in store for the region
Purpose through corporate responsibility
Every organisation must deeply reflect about whether they are leaving behind a legacy or a liability, says Abdulaziz AlSowailim, EY MENA chairman and CEO
Analysing the layers of a coconut
When we have a sense of clarity as to our purpose in life, then we institute the correct practices and habits around us, and set realistic and achievable results
DUNES TO DOMINION
FOR A COUNTRY RICH IN TRADITION AND DRIVEN BY AMBITION, THE UAE’S JOURNEY DURING THE PAST 50 YEARS HAS BEEN UNPRECEDENTED. WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE NEXT 50?
Building strong
International investors are boosting Dubai’s residential property market, which has rebounded strongly from the Covid crisis, writes Aarti Nagraj
CHASING THE AMERCIAN DREAM
FOR SHAI ZAMANIAN, THE US IS A LAND OF LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES, AN AVENUE HE AIMS TO OPEN FOR FAMILIES WORLDWIDE VIA IMMIGRATION. HERE’S HOW HE IS BRINGING HIS GOAL TO FRUITION
OBITUARY: JOCELYN HENDERSON (1921-2021)
THE GRANDE DAME OF ABU DHABI – THE WIFE OF A FORMER DIPLOMAT – PASSED AWAY IN THE UAE CAPITAL AGED 100
THE DIGITAL DISRUPTORS
IN THE COMING YEARS, THE GCC IS EXPECTED TO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN SECTORS SUCH AS HEALTHCARE, MANUFACTURING, EDUCATION AND RETAIL, WHICH WILL HELP BOOST THE GROWTH OF ITS NON-OIL ECONOMY
Signed, sealed, delivered
Nicolas Baretzki, CEO of Montblanc, partnered with one of the world’s most recognisable luxury brands, Ferrari, earlier this year. Here’s where the partnership, and the German company as well, is headed next
UP, UP AND AWAY
AS THE FIRST IN-PERSON AIRSHOW TO TAKE PLACE SINCE THE OUTBREAK OF THE PANDEMIC, THE EVENT SAW SEVERAL DEALS ANNOUNCED
