Main Conference Day 1 - GT (Gulf Time, GMT+04:00)
‘Trumponomics’ and trade: with disruptive and retaliatory tariffs echoing those of the Great Depression era, shifting US-China dynamics and unpredictable policy swings, how are Gulf economies recalibrating strategies and positions? Are we witnessing the end of globalisation or the rise of regional realignment? How are geopolitical headwinds shaping oil, interest and inflation rates in the region today? What’s next for private markets in a world where politics drives economics?
How can firms secure 10–15-year commitments in a world that can’t see 10-15 weeks ahead? What factors are driving the Middle East’s unmatched growth potential for private capital? What moves are and should investors be making now to capture this in time? What are the current leading asset classes? How are leading firms breaking through any barriers to portfolio diversification?
What does ‘hands-on’ value creation and operational support really look like and how can fund managers know if they’re doing enough or too little? How can investors support founders in regions navigating trauma and instability? How are top GPs unlocking more value from existing assets instead of chasing new ones at any cost? How is meaningful board engagement best demonstrated when portfolio companies hit critical growth stages?
Beyond the CV: how are top firms identifying and developing local talent who truly understand the market, spot the right deals and ask the right questions? What does competitive compensation look like in today’s Middle East private capital landscape? In a region defined by ambition and movement, what are the most effective strategies for building loyalty and long-term stability?
How has the secondary market grown and what factors have driven this growth? As the region’s private capital market matures, how are secondaries managing vintage risk and portfolio velocity? How to determine if a co-investment is a sign of strategic alignment or simply a response to capital shortfalls. Which sectors are the best places to currently look for co-investment deals?
- Khuram Maqsood - Managing Director, Houlihan Lokey
- Philippe Ferneini - Partner, StepStone Group
A select number of GPs will present their fund to a group of LPs, individually, in a closed-door setting. Each GP will have 10 minutes to make their case, including time for audience Q&A.
These exclusive presentations are only open to pre-registered development finance institutions, endowments, foundations, insurance companies, single family offices, pension funds and sovereign wealth funds, subject to qualification.
For GPs: to apply for pitching, please contact Marcia Brissett at marcia.brissett@informa.com
For LPs: to join, please contact Foyin Awosika at foyin.awosika@informa.com
Are women gaining real influence in boardrooms or just seats at the table? In what ways can private capital alleviate the region’s youth unemployment crisis? What steps are firms taking to embed inclusivity into their decision making throughout the investment life cycle?
- Racha Alkhawaja - Managing Partner, Gate Capital
- Sara Nayef Al-Ateeqi - Vice Chairman and Acting CEO, Al Mal Investment Company
A candid closed-door conversation between LPs and GPs designed for transparency, trust and real insight. From performance and positioning to alignment and risk, nothing is off the table.
Limited seating. Spaces are first-come, first-served.
Run under the Chatham House Rule and closed to press.
Qualifying LPs, to register, please contact foyin.awosika@informa.com
GPs, to register, please contact munazzah.siddique@informa.com
Are ambitious businesses scaling faster than the legal frameworks designed to support them? With regulatory rules shifting across borders, how can investors future-proof cross-jurisdictional strategies in the GCC? In a world of sanctions, transparency concerns, political risk and overnight shifts, how can fund managers build resilient compliance frameworks without slowing capital flow? What harmonisation efforts should investors be watching to stay ahead of the curve?
What does the appetite for impact focused investment look like in the Middle East while the world debates the topic? What role can private capital play in scaling climate-tech solutions across the region? With social and governance metrics often overlooked, how can investors ensure impact beyond emissions? Which countries are championing sustainability and how can others learn from them while adapting to their own realities?
How are alternating geopolitical and macro realities – from the Levant to Washington – reshaping global LP appetite? With global GPs flooding the region, how are Middle Eastern LPs balancing inbound demand with performance discipline? Which three areas are LPs scrutinising most? As pressure builds for exits, what strategies can top performing GPs focus on to meet LP expectations in the short and the long run?
As consumer behaviour evolves, what defines a winning investment strategy in the Middle East’s youth-driven, value conscious market? What technologies and operational models are private capital firms prioritising to drive omnichannel success? What role can private capital play in helping home grown brands scale consumer sector businesses sustainably?