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Mubadala Backs Property Finder; PIF Reopens PwC Door; Vennre Lands Fresh Capital
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Happy Wednesday everyone!
Gulf capital markets are stirring this morning as sovereign wealth funds and venture investors reshape the region’s corporate landscape. Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala has joined new backers in a $170 million injection into Property Finder, strengthening its push to dominate real-estate technology across MENA. In Saudi Arabia, the Public Investment Fund has quietly lifted a year-long ban on PwC advisory work, reopening a crucial revenue channel for the consultancy amid tighter government spending. Meanwhile, Riyadh-focused fintech Vennre has secured $9.6 million to widen access to private-market investments for high-earning professionals—signalling continued appetite for financial innovation despite a more selective funding climate.
Property Finder Secures $170 Million From Mubadala And UAE Investors To Fuel Regional Expansion
What’s it About?
Property Finder has raised $170 million in fresh funding from Mubadala Investment Company, another UAE sovereign wealth fund, and BECO Capital. The round follows a $525 million investment in 2025 led by Permira and Blackstone Growth, bringing total equity raised to nearly $700 million, plus $250 million in debt. Mubadala and its sovereign peer each committed $75 million, while BECO invested $20 million.
Why it Matters?
The deal reinforces Property Finder’s status as MENA’s dominant property portal and a leading real-estate technology platform. Strong sovereign backing highlights confidence in the company’s profitability, data capabilities, and AI-powered products such as home valuation tools and agent solutions. It also signals Abu Dhabi’s ambition to scale national tech champions while aligning with the UAE’s broader push to build a world-class digital economy.
What’s Next?
Property Finder plans to accelerate product development, expand partnerships across the property lifecycle, and deepen its footprint across MENA. The new capital will support AI deployment, agent productivity tools, and marketplace transparency. With heavyweight regional and global investors on its cap table, the company is positioning itself to become the region’s central digital operating system for real estate in the years ahead.
Markets
EGX 30 | 47,821.99 | 0.66% |
DFMGI | 6,465.67 | 0.303% |
ADX | 10,355.31 | 0.887% |
Tadawul | 11,381.83 | 0.99% |
Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund Lifts PwC Ban After Year-Long Freeze In Kingdom
What’s it About?
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has lifted a year-long ban on awarding new advisory work to PwC, allowing the consultancy to pitch again for projects in the kingdom. The restriction, imposed in February 2025, followed a dispute involving PwC and NEOM. While audit work was unaffected, advisory contracts were halted, dealing a major blow to the firm’s Middle East business.
Why it Matters?
The ban forced PwC to cut around 60 partners and 1,500 staff across the region, underscoring how dependent global consultancies have become on Saudi government-linked work. Its removal signals a partial thaw with one of PwC’s biggest clients, but comes as Saudi Arabia reins in spending, cooling a consultancy boom that had made the Middle East one of the firm’s fastest-growing markets.
What’s Next?
PwC now faces the challenge of rebuilding relationships and competing for mandates in a leaner advisory environment shaped by tighter budgets. Consultants across the kingdom are adjusting to slower project pipelines after years of rapid expansion. While the lifted ban offers PwC a route back into flagship Saudi projects, the scale of future work will hinge on government spending priorities in 2026 and beyond.
Vennre Raises $9.6 Million To Expand Access To Private Markets For High-Income Investors
What’s it About?
Vennre has closed a $9.6 million Pre-Series A round using a hybrid equity-debt structure. The funding was co-led by Vision Ventures and anb seed Fund, with backing from Sanabil 500, Ace & Co, Plus VC and strategic angels. The wealth platform targets HENRYs by offering Shariah-compliant access to private market investments previously reserved for institutions and ultra-wealthy individuals.
Why it Matters?
The raise signals growing investor confidence in fintech models that broaden retail access to private assets. Vennre has already surpassed $40 million in transaction volume and appointed Dr. Ibrahim AlMojel as chairman of its Saudi board, underscoring momentum in the kingdom. Backers say the company aligns with Vision 2030 goals to deepen capital markets participation and modernise wealth management for high-income professionals.
What’s Next?
Vennre plans to use the capital to expand its client base, roll out new platform features and strengthen its footprint in Saudi Arabia. The company aims to build a full-spectrum wealth platform spanning private equity, venture capital, real estate and private credit, positioning itself to benefit from regulatory liberalisation and rising demand for alternative investments across the Gulf.
🦄 World of Startups
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Vennre Secures $9.6M to Democratise Wealth-Building in Saudi Arabia
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AI Integration Gains Momentum in UAE as Firms Reap Early Rewards
Argentum AI Taps Saudi Golf Leader Majed Al Sorour for Global Expansion Drive
SIRBAI and EDGE Forge Strategic UAE Alliance to Elevate Drone Autonomy
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🔍In other news…
🗓️ Plan Your Events (Jan-Feb 2026)
UAE
26-30 January: Gulfood 2026, Dubai
31 January-February 1: Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (Media Partners)
3-5 February: The World Governments Summit, Dubai.
9-12 February: World Health Expo (WHX), Dubai.
11-12 February: STEP Dubai Conference, Dubai Internet City. (Media Partners)
Saudi Arabia
28-30 January: Jeddah International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (JTTX), Jeddah.
2-4 February: Saudi Media Forum, Riyadh.
2-4 February: Women Leaders Summit and Awards KSA, Riyadh.
8-12 February: World Defense Show, Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, Riyadh.
Egypt
5-7 February: RiseUp Summit, Cairo. (Media Partners)
11-12 February: Ai Everything Egypt (Organized by GITEX Global), Cairo. (Media Partners)
Qatar
1-4 February: Web Summit Qatar, Doha. (Media Partners)
2-5 February: 21st International Conference & Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG2026)
