Faisal Belhoul, Vice-Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry
In alignment with Dubai’s ambition to achieve the status of a major technology hub, the Dubai Digital Investment Co. aims to raise around 1 billion dirhams from an IPO listing and they have been granted permission to launch a greenfield investment company that focuses on technology primarily. Along with this, he also plans on investing in regional and global technological opportunities. Belhoul genuinely believes that the greenfield listing will enable retail and private investors to build exposure in the technological sector.
Idriss Al Rifai, Founder, Fetchr
Fetchr has been one of the leading enterprises and has strived to quite rapidly reach the status of a technology unicorn valued at $1 billion. Reports had stated that Fetchr became one of the best funded start-ups as it has already been successful in raising over $52 million with four funding rounds. It is revolutionising and drastically aiding in the transformation of redefining the delivery services and logistical chains sector.
Thomas Flohr, Chairman, Vista Global
Vista Global has revolutionised to become one of the leaders in private aviation industry in Dubai and is estimated to have a worth of almost $1 trillion. Vista Jet and XO offer a subscription model that is aimed at transforming the benefits of sharing economy. Also between the years, 2020 and 2024, it is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 55% and is supported by the new entries in the market as only 10% of people will be able to afford to fly private. It has gained the stature of a sole alternative to jet ownership as the group of this platform only holds approximately 2% of the market share.
Zeeshan Ali Khan, Co-Founder, Emerging Markets Property Group
Emerging Markets Property Group has acquired the status of a unicorn in April 2020 since it received a valuation of over $1 billion. Since then this company has been successful in keeping a track record of success every year. With over 6,000 people ranging from 16 countries, it is considered a melting pot of cultures that are brought together to create the best classified experience in the world. The OLX Group has become the largest and the sole shareholder of EPMG, owing to 39% of the company and the new investment. It was after OLX led with the existing shareholders raised a $50 million round that EMPG had achieved the status of a unicorn.
Andres Arenas, Founder, Kitopi
Paving the way towards being the world’s leading and most attractive cloud kitchen platform, this Dubai-based cloud kitchen has raised its Series C funding round 2 led by Softbank’s Vision Fund of $415 million. With the initiation of their cloud kitchens, they have successfully doubled the order volume and expanded their subscription-based meal plans. Kitopi achieved the status of a unicorn in the month of July 2021 with a valuation of over $1 billion and has also seen an overall business growth of 300% since 2020. Their cloud kitchen model has also been rendering profit margins of over 20%. This company has implemented a strategic data powered product that is aimed to satiate hunger.
Arman Salah, Founder, Pisiq
This Dubai based startup inaugurated in the year 2016 is typically a research and development group that has its main focus on fostering prospective talents and startups that assists to improve the quality of people’s lives. It works primarily in the sector of artificial intelligence, consulting, information technology, internet and product research. With almost 3 funding rounds since its inception, it has successfully raised over a $1 billion. It has around 5 investors and has witnessed a hiking growth since attaining the status of a unicorn.
