Advertisement
Permira and Blackstone have taken a USD 525 million minority stake in Dubai-based real estate classifieds platform Property Finder, reflecting continued investor interest in the emirate's property market. General Atlantic, an early investor since 2018, has partially exited while maintaining a significant stake. The deal will give Property Finder access to global expertise from all three private equity firms as it expands across the Middle East and North Africa. The platform is also targeting growth in Saudi Arabia and Turkey amid a shifting Dubai property market.
Permira and Blackstone have jointly acquired a USD 525 million minority stake in Property Finder, one of the leading real estate classifieds platforms in Dubai. This investment reflects ongoing interest from global investors in Dubai's real estate market. General Atlantic, which has supported Property Finder since 2018, has partially exited but will continue to hold a significant minority stake in the company. Advertisement
The investment is expected to provide Property Finder with access to the combined global expertise of Permira, Blackstone, and General Atlantic. The company aims to use this support to expand its platform further and pursue growth opportunities across the Middle East and North Africa. While the transaction's valuation has not been disclosed, it is subject to standard regulatory approvals.
This transaction marks Permira's first investment in the Middle East, following the opening of its Dubai office earlier this year. It comes amid a broader trend of global private equity firms establishing a presence in the Gulf to be closer to sovereign wealth funds and take advantage of growing deal pipelines in the region.
Founded nearly twenty years ago, Property Finder competes with other regional platforms such as Dubizzle and Bayut. The platform has been steadily expanding its reach, including plans to enter the Saudi Arabian and Turkish markets. Last year, Property Finder secured USD 90 million in debt financing from Francisco Partners, which helped the company buy out its first institutional investor and support further regional growth.
Dubai has experienced a post-pandemic property boom, driven by foreign investment and government-led reforms that have made residency more accessible. Residential property prices surged nearly seventy percent over the four years leading to December 2024, according to Knight Frank. However, there are signs that the market rally may be easing, with Fitch Ratings forecasting double-digit price declines in Dubai's housing sector in the latter half of 2025 and into 2026.
Source- Reuters
5th Jun, 2025
25th May, 2023
11th May, 2023
27th Apr, 2023
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
