Abu Dhabi Catalyst Partners, a $1 billion (Dh3.67bn) investment fund backed by the emirate’s strategic investment arm Mubadala Investment Company, is calling the capital’s international financial hub Abu Dhabi Global Market its home.
The new fund will target opportunities across asset management, specialty finance and financial infrastructure, ADGM said on Thursday.
The investment vehicle will leverage Mubadala’s extensive networks across key capital markets to seek attractive investment opportunities and, where applicable, will work with Mubadala’s investments team and portfolio companies to pursue ADGM-related opportunities.
Investment criteria will include the investees’ impact on job creation and engagement with the wider ADGM-based service ecosystem, ADGM added.
With more than 10 experienced investment professionals, half of whom are Emiratis, the fund will explore opportunities locally and abroad.
The establishment of the Mubadala-backed investment fund at the ADGM will “enable investments and capital flows” through Abu Dhabi, said Ahmed Al Sayegh, the UAE Minister of State, who is also the chairman of ADGM.
“ADGM remains focused on its role and responsibility as a leading international financial centre with trusted regulatory, judicial, commercial and dispute resolution regimes and infrastructure supporting the economic development of Abu Dhabi.”
ADGM, which is among the world’s fastest-growing onshore financial hubs, is becoming a destination of choice for global asset managers, international lenders, investment funds and tech companies.
The World Bank has also agreed to set up its UAE office at ADGM. Its new bureau will serve as the bank's platform in the country and its functions will include the facilitation of research on policy issues, providing technical assistance to local governments on appropriate sustainable development programmes, and supporting initiatives that increase shared prosperity.
“ADGM is rapidly building a reputation for ease of doing business while creating opportunities for pioneering firms to build and grow,” said Waleed Al Muhairi, chief executive officer of Mubadala’s alternative investments and infrastructure platform.
“This partnership will see a major new fund put its roots down in ADGM…. with Mubadala’s scale and networks across key international capital markets, I’m confident we will generate attractive returns while having a positive impact on the ADGM ecosystem of investors, investees and service providers.”
