Latest news with #Iraqi-American
What's On
16-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- What's On
Did you know these brands were founded in the UAE?
From fashion to pet accessories to beauty and wellness, the UAE is bursting with homegrown brands that are redefining what it means to shop local. These creative concepts are born right here in the Emirates – each with a unique story, a strong sense of community, and products you'll want to shout about. The Giving Movement One of Dubai's biggest homegrown fashion success stories, The Giving Movement is making waves both for its stylish streetwear and its socially conscious mission. Launched in April 2020, this Dubai-born label blends fashion and philanthropy, donating Dhs15 to charity for every single item sold. But that's not the only thing setting them apart. Their collections designed for men, women, and kids are crafted entirely from 100% sustainable fabrics, with every piece sourced and produced right here in the UAE. Expect vibrant colourways and comfy cuts across their range of hoodies, joggers, t-shirts, jackets, and more, all at accessible price points from Dhs199. You can shop the latest drops online or visit them in person at their sleek Dubai stores. Locations: The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and City Centre Mirdif Shop online: @thegivingmovement Shimis Stretch your stress away at Shimis, a one-of-a-kind yoga studio tucked inside Alserkal Avenue. Founded by Simona Stanton, Shimis was born out of a desire to fuse fitness with mindfulness. And the result is nothing short of serene. This beautiful studio offers two distinct spaces for practice: The Box Studio: A dimly lit, heated room set at a perfect 34°C, designed to help you go deeper into your practice. The Green Room: Bathed in natural light and brimming with leafy plants, it brings the grounding energy of nature indoors. Whether you're flowing through vinyasa or finding stillness in yin, every class is thoughtfully designed to leave you feeling balanced in body and mind. Location: Warehouse 42, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz Times: Mon to Fri 7am to 9pm, Sat 8am to 4pm, Sun 8am to 8pm Contact: 04 284 2077 @ *A complete guide to building the perfect preloved wardrobe in Dubai* Huda Beauty What began as a beauty blog has grown into one of the UAE's biggest global success stories. Founded in 2013 by Iraqi-American entrepreneur Huda Kattan, Huda Beauty is a Dubai-born brand that has redefined the beauty industry, one bold product at a time. From iconic eyeshadow palettes to cult-favourite liquid matte lipsticks, Huda Beauty products have become staples in makeup bags around the world. But it doesn't stop at cosmetics. Huda has expanded the empire with Wishful, a glow-boosting skincare line, and Kayali, a luxury fragrance collection co-created with her sister Mona Kattan. With millions of fans and a mission to empower through beauty, Huda Beauty is more than just a brand, it's a movement. Locations: Sephora stores across the UAE Shop online: @hudabeauty Charlieholic One for the furry fashionistas, Charliholic is a homegrown pet accessory brand bringing serious style to your four-legged friends. Whether it's a special occasion or just time to refresh your pup's look, this Dubai-born label specialises in custom-made bandanas and bow ties that are as adorable as they are Insta-worthy. But Charliholic isn't just about cute designs; it's a brand with heart. A percentage of every sale goes directly to local animal shelters, so you can spoil your fur baby and support a good cause at the same time. Made with love and crafted for comfort, each accessory is just a DM away. @_charlieholic Images: Instagram > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Iraqi News
03-07-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
EQIQ invests $3M in Iraq's new digital bank venture
Baghdad ( – Venture capital firm EQIQ has committed $3 million to support the launch of a new AI-powered digital bank in Iraq, led by Iraqi-American finance executive Hussain Qaragholi. The investment is part of a $15 million funding round aimed at developing the country's first fully digital banking platform. The upcoming bank will offer AI-driven, mobile-first financial services designed to expand access and modernize Iraq's underdeveloped banking sector. Iraq, despite being the fourth-largest economy in the MENA region, remains significantly underserved in digital finance. Qaragholi, a seasoned banker with senior roles at Merrill Lynch, Citigroup, and Deutsche Bank, brings extensive experience in sovereign finance, fintech, and emerging markets. He has led major financial restructurings for Iraq and advised global institutions on capital strategies across the region. EQIQ views the digital bank as a strategic pillar in its plan to build Iraq's digital economy, alongside investments in fintech, logistics, and e-commerce. Based in Abu Dhabi, EQIQ has already deployed more than half of its first $15 million fund into five fast-growing tech startups since 2023.
Iraq Business
02-07-2025
- Business
- Iraq Business
EQIQ Invests in Iraqi-US Banker's Digital Banking Venture
By John Lee. UAE-based venture capital fund EQIQ has announced a $3-million anchor investment in a new digital banking startup led by Iraqi-American finance veteran Hussain Qaragholi (pictured). The total $15-million funding round will support the launch and early growth of the next-generation, AI-driven platform. The new venture aims to transform Iraq's underdeveloped banking sector by providing scalable, customer-focused digital services. Iraq, the MENA region's fourth-largest economy, remains significantly underserved in digital finance. Qaragholi, founder of Phoenix Finance Partners, has held senior roles at Merrill Lynch, Citigroup, and Deutsche Bank. He played a major role in Iraq's $22-billion debt restructuring and sovereign bond offerings, and currently serves on RAND Corporation's Global and Emerging Risks Board. Mohamed Al-Hakim, Founding Partner at EQIQ, said: "Hussain's deep global financial expertise, combined with his strong connection to Iraq's economic landscape, positions him uniquely to lead Iraq into a new era of digital banking ... This isn't just about launching a bank- it's about laying the digital foundation for Iraq's future economy." Hussain Qaragholi added: "This is Iraq's leapfrog moment ... With EQIQ's backing, we are building more than a bank; we are building the rails for digital finance across Iraq and beyond." (Source: EQIQ) Tags: Abu Dhabi, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, cg, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Digital Transformation, EQIQ Ventures, featured, fintech, Phoenix Finance Partners, Rand Corporation, United Arab Emirates (UAE), United States, Venture Capital
Associated Press
02-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
EQIQ Backs Iraqi-American Veteran Banker to Revolutionize Iraq's Banking Services
EQIQ announces a $3 million investment as a apart of a broader $15 m round in a digital bank for Iraq led by Iraqi-American veteran banker Hussain Qaragholi 'This is Iraq's leapfrog moment. With EQIQ's backing, we are building more than a bank; we are building the rails for digital finance across Iraq and beyond.'— Hussain Qaragholi ABU DHABI, ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, July 2, 2025 / / -- EQIQ, a venture capital fund and venture builder led by founding partners with a track record of investing over $500 million in technology ventures and generating returns exceeding 3.3x, has announced a $3 million anchor investment in a next-generation digital bank led by Iraqi-American banker Hussain Qaragholi. The investment is part of a broader $15 million funding round to support the bank's launch and early-stage growth. The digital bank venture aims to transform Iraq's banking landscape by introducing a fully digital, AI-driven platform designed to increase financial inclusion and deliver customer-centric, scalable services to one of the MENA region's most underserved markets. Iraq, currently the fourth-largest economy in the region, offers significant untapped potential in digital finance. The initiative is led by Hussain Qaragholi, a veteran finance executive and founder of Phoenix Finance Partners. Over a two-decade career, Qaragholi held senior roles at Merrill Lynch, Citigroup, and most recently at Deutsche Bank, where he served as Managing Director in London. His expertise spans corporate banking, capital markets, and fintech. Qaragholi played a pivotal role in Iraq's $22 billion debt restructuring, earning the IFR Award for Global and EMEA Restructuring Deal of the Year, and executed $4.7 billion in sovereign bond offerings for Iraq. He also advised on Abu Dhabi's sovereign capital markets strategy, including the Mubadala-IPIC merger, and consulted for the International Finance Corporation (IFC). More recently, he has led fintech lending and blockchain initiatives with early-stage startups across Europe. Hussain currently serves on the RAND Corporation's Global and Emerging Risks Board. He holds two master's degrees from Georgetown University: an MBA and an MA in Contemporary Arab Studies, as well as fintech certifications from Oxford University's Saïd Business School. 'Hussain's deep global financial expertise, combined with his strong connection to Iraq's economic landscape, positions him uniquely to lead Iraq into a new era of digital banking,' said Mohamed Al-Hakim, Founding Partner at EQIQ. 'This isn't just about launching a bank, it's about laying the digital foundation for Iraq's future economy.' EQIQ's investment is part of its broader strategy to digitalize Iraq's economy into a unified trifecta encompassing fintech, logistics, and e-commerce. The new digital bank venture will serve as a cornerstone of this vision, offering seamless, tech-enabled financial services tailored for Iraq's evolving market. The team is actively engaging with technology partners, regulators, and investors to deliver a next-generation banking experience tailored for Iraq and beyond. 'This is Iraq's leapfrog moment,' said Hussain Qaragholi. 'With EQIQ's backing, we are building more than a bank; we are building the rails for digital finance across Iraq and beyond.' About EQIQ EQIQ is a venture capital fund headquartered in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), United Arab Emirates. Founded by serial entrepreneurs who have invested over $500 million in technology startups across the world, EQIQ operates as a venture fund and venture builder that invests in both greenfield and brownfield opportunities across e-commerce, logistics, and fintech in Iraq. Having secured its first close in 2023, the fund has deployed more than half of its initial capital commitments of $15 million in a portfolio of 5 high-growth tech startups. EQIQ Limited is an Authorised Person regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). This Marketing Material is intended solely for Professional Clients and must not be relied upon by any other Person. It is provided for information and marketing purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or an offer to invest in any fund or financial product. For further information: For inquiries: [email protected] Safwa Salim EQIQ [email protected] Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Business of Fashion
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business of Fashion
Huda Kattan Buys Back Huda Beauty
Huda Kattan has regained full ownership of Huda Beauty after buying back a minority stake held by private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners, the company announced Tuesday. Kattan, an Iraqi-American beauty influencer credited with driving the mid-aughts trend towards bold makeup looks, founded the Sephora and Boots-stocked prestige cosmetics brand in 2013 with a $6,000 loan. In 2017, she sold a minority stake in the business to TSG at a $1.2 billion valuation. 'Taking back full ownership of Huda Beauty is a deeply very important moment for me,' said Kattan in a statement. 'As we step into this new chapter, I'm more committed than ever to pushing boundaries, staying true to our roots, and showing up for our incredible community every step of the way.' Earlier this year, Huda Beauty sold its fragrance line, Kayali, to General Atlantic and Mona Kattan, a co-founder of the line and sister of Huda Kattan, buying out TSG's stake. Sign up to The Business of Beauty newsletter, your must-read source for the day's most important beauty and wellness news and analysis. Learn more: Beauty's Top M&A Targets for 2025 After a slow year for acquisitions, brands and investors alike are hoping that 2025 will yield bigger exits. But with most strategic buyers like L'Oréal operating with an even narrower lens, only a select few firms will make it across the finish line.
