Nahda Capital Partners, a newly established private equity platform headquartered in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), has filed for the registration of its inaugural fund. The firm is preparing to commence fundraising for a target of approximately $300 million to invest in mid-market companies across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
A ‘Renaissance’ for Regional Businesses
The firm’s name, “Nahda,” translates to “renaissance” in Arabic, reflecting its mission to build enduring partnerships and contribute to the region’s real economy. Nahda Capital Partners will have a particular focus on supporting local founders, family-owned businesses, and institutions navigating generational transitions or seeking institutional capital for their next phase of growth.
Strategy and Investment Focus
Led by Founder and Managing Partner Iñigo de Luna, the firm is deploying a control-oriented strategy primarily targeting the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Nahda will take majority stakes in resilient founder-led and family-owned businesses that are benefiting from the region’s structural growth.
The firm’s operational value-creation model will concentrate on professionalisation, operational improvements, strengthening governance, and pursuing selective buy-and-build expansion strategies. Key target sectors include food production and distribution, healthcare, education, and industrial technology. The investment approach is also guided by principles aligned with Sharia-compliant investing, such as a focus on real-economy assets and disciplined governance.
Leadership and Regional Conviction
The founding partners bring extensive international experience in private equity and investment banking, with a historical track record generating an approximate 36% gross IRR across multiple economic cycles.
“Nahda Capital Partners was established to partner with high-quality mid-market businesses across the GCC that can benefit from long-term capital and hands-on operational support,” said Iñigo de Luna. “These are difficult days and the priority is safety and de-escalation. At the same time, we view this as a severe but temporary shock rather than a change in the long-term trajectory of the UAE and the region. Our conviction has not changed: the GCC is structurally strengthening as a place to build businesses and allocate long-term capital.”
Subject to regulatory approval, the firm expects to begin fundraising in the coming weeks.
About Nahda Capital Partners
Nahda Capital Partners is an Abu Dhabi-based private equity platform headquartered in ADGM, focused on control investments in mid-market businesses across the GCC. The firm partners with founders and family shareholders to support generational transition, professionalisation, and regional expansion through hands-on operational value creation. Nahda targets resilient, real-economy sectors including food production and distribution, healthcare, education, and industrial technology.
Source: Zawya
