EIGHTClouds: Your gateway to GCC consumer business PE opportunities

EIGHTClouds: Your gateway to GCC consumer business PE opportunities

EIGHTClouds Holdings, a Dubai-based alternative investment firm established in 2022 and specializing in private equity, credit and real estate throughout the GCC region, applies an active ownership model – which saw the firm report an unrealized gross internal rate of return of 88.2% January 2022 to April 2025, significantly outperforming the S&P500’s 13.8% over the same period.

With a firm commitment to Shariah compliant investing, “we’re not just your typical PE company. We are a strategic investor and get more involved operationally, providing expertise and vision to help SMEs transition from strong local players to globally successful businesses,” explained Business Development Director Gavin Pearson.

With a track record of its AuM surging by 40%, and the aggregate value of portfolio companies rose by 35% in 2023 alone, EIGHTClouds has unveiled a new strategy that targets “No Exit Plan” consumer businesses by acquiring founder-led or family-owned companies with strong brands but lacking succession plans.

“Our edge lies in fast execution, industry expertise and flexible deal structures for smooth transitions through a ‘Buy & Build’ approach, where we create synergies and scale efficiently, with exits via strategic sales or secondary buyouts,”

In targeting these well-established companies – that cut across the retail, food and beverage, health and wellness, and direct-to-consumer sectors – EIGHTClouds can drive growth through professional management, operational improvements and digital transformation, while expanding geographically.

Applying well-honed industry insights, the firm identifies suitable businesses where the current owner is approaching retirement to better capitalise on favorable valuations and seamless transitions. The target investment criteria is that of consumer businesses with annual revenues of US$1-20 million with EBITDA margins of 10%+ and meaningful growth potential.

What makes this approach extra compelling is the high prevalence of familyowned businesses globally. Taking a more focused stance, EIGHTClouds has found that about 90% of businesses in the GCC region are family-owned – creating a large pool of potential acquisition targets.

Even more persuasive is that records from various regulatory databases tend show that 70% of family businesses do not pass ownership to the next generation, increasing opportunities for exits or acquisitions.

Family Business Survival Rates

This focus to deliver some of the largest potential returns is underpinned by projections that the GCC region, and the UAE in particular, will continue to witness a growing affluent population of consumers with a large spending per capita – which could more than double over the next decade.

“The UAE is known for its high, above average income levels, particularly in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The presence of affluent consumers creates opportunities for businesses in various sectors, including luxury goods, hospitality, retail and financial services.”

This EIGHTClouds Murabaha Offering, certified by Amanah Advisors, is exclusively available to sophisticated investors with a US$50,000 minimum commitment and the total amount to be raised is US$20 million.

Term Sheet

Key Executives & Board of Directors