Gulf Capital CEO optimistic about 2019, even as fundraising challenges persist - The National

Gulf Capital CEO optimistic about 2019, even as fundraising challenges persist - The National:

Gulf Capital, one of the largest venture capital firms in the Middle East with more than $3 billion of assets under management, is eyeing investments in high-growth sectors such as e-commerce and logistics, where it sees attractive returns despite a challenging environment for private equity, its chief executive said.

“Personally, I'm very excited about 2019,” said Karim El Solh, who is also co-founder and managing partner of private equity at the Abu Dhabi-based firm. “We're seeing more deal flows, more interesting companies in new sectors, at very attractive multipliers, and for me that’s what makes a good vintage.”

Last May, Gulf Capital acquired a strategic stake in financial technology (FinTech) firm Saudi Geidea, an electronic payments provider, for more than 1 billion Saudi riyals (Dh980 million), among other investments.