Latest news with #GulfIslamicInvestments
Arabian Business
3 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
UAE AI startups top pick for investors amid growing global buzz, proactive government support
UAE startups in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector are the latest top picks for venture capitalists (VCs) and private equities (PEs), who are pumping in top dollars into such ventures, betting big on the active governmental support to the sector and the current buzz on the sector globally, investment experts said. Growth-stage ventures in the health and fintech sectors are among the other preferred options for both regional and global investors. The region is also attracting higher levels of funding on the back of the rising influx of entrepreneurs and global talents amidst increased availability of 'capital looking for a home' and the government's open-hand policy to welcome innovators and digital nomads, they said. The rising scalability prospects for UAE startups on the back of a fast-growing market size, along with suitable spending power, is also aiding large-scale funding opportunities for investors. '[Of late], there is an increase in funding for startups proposing AI-related solutions to existing and new issues,' Pankaj Gupta, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Gulf Islamic Investments (GII), told Arabian Business. 'Investors are perhaps encouraged by the UAE's evident support for AI processes and education,' he said. Sector experts said the increased availability of capital looking for a home – besides real estate and equity stakes, for example – is likely to bring additional opportunities for canny innovators and startup support systems. The UAE is well-placed to benefit from this trend, given its established and supportive economic infrastructure, they said. Global trends impact early-stage funding Gupta said the current trend in global market capital flows affects early-stage investment, as any investor will want to understand what their likely return on investment is. When returns are low, some parties might seek additional risk, including larger allocations of venture capital, he said. Gupta, however, said: 'We are keen to continue to play our part. Through Eureka! GCC, we are ensuring funding support for startups and the existence of benevolent networks of mentors and advisers for early-stage companies.' Senior executives at some of the other investment firms said the UAE – as well as the wider GCC region – is fortunate to have a range of options for its investors, including early-stage companies and ideas. The region's policy of welcoming digital nomads and nascent business owners is also leading to a surge in the influx of young entrepreneurs and talents from around the world, attracting investors to the region, they said. Gupta, however, said funding is not the only resource that they require, though it is an important one. 'The process of mentoring and providing advice on how to set up and scale a business can be as valuable as cash,' he said. Gupta also said that although it's probably more difficult to secure early-stage funding for startups now across the GCC than, say, a few years ago, there are still well-established paths to win startup capital, notably in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. UAE's rising startup ecosystem Industry players said the rising trend of the startup sector funding in the UAE is highly significant, as with regional economic diversification gaining momentum, the role of private capital in nurturing non-oil sector startups and supporting national growth agendas is becoming highly critical. Entrepreneurs and innovators in the UAE, however, are fortunate to have a strong, government-created network of business support schemes such as D33, G42, etc that invest in selected ideas alongside private capital, they said. Gupta said the rising influx of global talent and founders to Dubai is also playing a key role in shaping the startup investment landscape in the UAE. 'It's inevitable that if you gather the finest collection of minds in the effective centre of the world – in geographic and airline terms – there will be a smarter set of solutions and startups being created,' he said. The UAE and other neighbouring governments encourage innovation, limited risk-taking and the support to challenge orthodoxy and established business processes. Industry watchers said the ability to stay and invest in the UAE, to educate one's family and build personal assets, also helps to remove a major challenge to entrepreneurs away from their home country. The growing market size, with suitable spending power enabling scalability for startups, is also a major reason for the influx of entrepreneurs and talents to the country and the region, they said. 'That's why we are seeing more success stories from the UAE and Saudi Arabia – the two largest GCC markets – where there are also other established routes to secure additional funding through IPOs, buyouts and other means of capitalising on developed startup and successful innovation,' Gupta said.
Fashion Network
20-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
India Family Mart raises $12 million in series D funding round
Value retail chain India Family Mart has raised $12 million (Rs 100 crore) in its series D funding round from Gulf Islamic Investments, Foundation Private Equity, Carpediem Capital Partners, Capri Global Holdings, HNIs, and promoter JP Shukla. The company will utilse the funds to fuel its retail expansion plans in the value retail segment across the country. It plans to set up 100 stores over the next five years and targeting to cross Rs 600 crore in revenue by 2029. Commenting on the investment, Hithendra Ramachandran, managing director at Carpediem Capital in a statement said, 'The company's focused approach to serving the underserved markets of Tier II, III, and IV cities, combined with its robust operational model and exciting growth trajectory, lays the foundation for building a strong leadership position in India's value retail sector.' JP Shukla, co-founder CEO added, 'The continued support from both new and existing investors is a clear endorsement of our vision and execution. With this fresh capital, we are poised to accelerate our growth, deliver greater value to our customers, and reinforce our leadership in India's value retail market.' Nysaa Retail, the holding company of India Family Mart was established in 2012. It currently operates over 65 stores across 10 states, primarily in tier 2, 3, and 4 cities.
Entrepreneur
15-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
1-India Family Mart Raises USD 12 Mn in Series D
The fresh funds will fuel 1-India Family Mart's expansion to 100 stores by 2029, focusing on tier II–IV cities and aiming to achieve INR 600 crore in revenue. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Value retail chain 1-India Family Mart has secured USD 12 million in its Series D funding round from a mix of existing and new investors, including Gulf Islamic Investments, Foundation Private Equity, Carpediem Capital Partners, Capri Global Holdings, several high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), and promoter JP Shukla. The fresh capital will be used to accelerate the brand's growth, with a sharp focus on expanding its retail footprint across tier II, III, and IV cities. The company plans to scale its store count from the current 65 outlets across 10 states to 100 stores by 2029, while targeting INR 600 crore in revenue. Earlier, the company raised INR 50 crore (USD 6 million) in Series B funding from Dubai-based Gulf Islamic Investments, while Suumaya Industries acquired a minority stake in its parent firm, Nysaa Retail Pvt Ltd. JP Shukla, Co-founder and CEO, said, "The continued support from both new and existing investors is a clear endorsement of our vision and execution. With this fresh capital, we are poised to accelerate our growth, deliver greater value to our customers, and reinforce our leadership in India's value retail market." Founded in 2012 by Jay Prakash Shukla and Ravinder Singh, 1-India Family Mart operates through mid-sized stores in tier III and IV towns, bringing affordable fashion, lifestyle products, and general merchandise to underserved markets. The company's centralised warehouse in Gurugram and a zero-reverse logistics policy ensure efficient operations by minimising waste. The brand's strength lies in its ability to deliver quality products at competitive prices, while maintaining a curated in-store experience. With a retail footprint of nearly 5 million square feet, it has built a strong presence particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. Hithendra Ramachandran, MD at Carpediem Capital, said, "The company's focused approach to serving the underserved markets… lays the foundation for building a strong leadership position in India's value retail sector." Jeremy Foo, Partner at Foundation Private Equity, added, "We have strong conviction that 1-India Family Mart will be able to capitalize on the strong tailwinds in the market segment it serves." The Series D round reinforces 1-India Family Mart's strategy of tapping into India's rising aspirational consumer base through efficient, value-driven retail.
Zawya
18-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
GII Saudi Arabia plans to double its US investments
Gulf Islamic Investments group (GII) plans a significant expansion of its US assets, aiming to double its existing portfolio of $750 million through GII Saudi Arabia in the next four years. The successful public offering of an allocation of zSpace's shares on the US Nasdaq in December 2024 brought GII to US public attention, in addition to several earlier US transactions. GII's expansion aims to focus on new investments in the US logistics, education and food production and processing sectors. The Saudi-based operations of GII, a leading global alternative investment company with $3.5 billion of assets under management, are the ideal base for this expansion. GII's existing operations in the kingdom include a CMA-regulated Category One financial institution in Riyadh, the largest Saudi dental and dermatological chain (Al Meswak) and a medical insurance provider (Abeer Medical), the largest bakery in western Saudi Arabia (Emad Bakeries), a logistics joint venture in Jeddah (with Logipoint) and a new hydroponic farm in Ta'if, near the holy city of Makkah (Badia Farms). The Chairman of GII Saudi Arabia and GII group Board Member Fawaz Al Tamimi commented: 'We are keen to expand our investments in the USA, a country that GII knows well since our inception in 2014. The US is well-known as one of the best markets for private debt and private credit opportunities, which will allow GII to scale up its existing operations in these asset classes'. -TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Gulf Today
18-03-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
GII Saudi Arabia plans to double its US investments in the next four years
Gulf Islamic Investments group (GII) plans a significant expansion of its US assets, aiming to double its existing portfolio of $750 million through GII Saudi Arabia in the next four years. The successful public offering of an allocation of zSpace's shares on the US NASDAQ in December 2024 brought GII to US public attention, in addition to several earlier US transactions. GII's expansion aims to focus on new investments in the US logistics, education and food production and processing sectors. The Saudi-based operations of GII, a leading global alternative investment company with $3.5 billion of assets under management, are the ideal base for this expansion. GII's existing operations in the Kingdom include a CMA-regulated Category One financial institution in Riyadh, the largest Saudi dental and dermatological chain (Al Meswak) and a medical insurance provider (Abeer Medical), the largest bakery in western Saudi Arabia (Emad Bakeries), a logistics joint venture in Jeddah (with Logipoint) and a new hydroponic farm in Ta'if, near the holy city of Makkah (Badia Farms). The Chairman of GII Saudi Arabia and GII group Board Member Fawaz Al Tamimi commented: 'We are keen to expand our investments in the USA, a country that GII knows well since our inception in 2014. The US is well-known as one of the best markets for private debt and private credit opportunities, which will allow GII to scale up its existing operations in these asset classes'. For more information visit: and
