GCC Forum 2025 | 31 January | Abu Dhabi
CONNECTING BUSINESS WITH CAPITAL IN THE GULF
Keynotes | Roundtables | Powered by B2BMatchmaking.AI
The Premier Networking Event to Grow Your Business in the GCC
The GCC Forum offers European Manufacturers, Technology Companies, Investors, and Service Providers an exclusive gateway to explore the vast investment potential of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar—all in one venue.
This VIP event provides unmatched access to insightful presentations on topics that matter most to European businesses, coupled with interactive roundtable discussions. These sessions offer a unique platform for you to showcase your projects and engage directly with influential decision-makers from the GCC, including representatives from government authorities, Private Equity Funds, Venture Capital Funds, Accelerators, Family Offices, Angel Investors, Sovereign Wealth Funds, Corporate Venture Funds, Business Councils as well as Free Zones and Mainland Zones.
What truly sets the GCC Forum apart is its cutting-edge GCC Forum App, delivering a personalized B2B matchmaking list. This AI-powered tool ranks participants based on how well they align with your business goals, from 99% to 1%, ensuring you connect with the most relevant contacts.
If you’re based in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, or any other European country and are seeking prime opportunities to expand your business in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, or Qatar, the GCC Forum 2025 is the definitive event to attend.
Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi, UAE
GCC Forum 2025
31 January | Abu Dhabi
CONNECTING BUSINESS WITH CAPITAL IN THE GULF
Keynotes | Roundtables | Powered by B2BMatchmaking.AI
AI-Powered B2B Matchmaking
The Premier Networking Event to Grow Your Business in the GCC
Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi, UAE
TARGET AUDIENCE
The GCC Forum offers European Manufacturers, Technology Companies, Investors, and Service Providers an exclusive gateway to explore the vast investment potential of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar—all in one venue.
This VIP event provides unmatched access to insightful presentations on topics that matter most to European businesses, coupled with interactive roundtable discussions. These sessions offer a unique platform for you to showcase your projects and engage directly with influential decision-makers from the GCC, including representatives from government authorities, Private Equity Funds, Venture Capital Funds, Accelerators, Family Offices, Angel Investors, Sovereign Wealth Funds, Corporate Venture Funds, Business Councils as well as Free Zones and Mainland Zones.
What truly sets the GCC Forum apart is its cutting-edge GCC Forum App, delivering a personalized B2B matchmaking list. This AI-powered tool ranks participants based on how well they align with your business goals, from 99% to 1%, ensuring you connect with the most relevant contacts.
If you’re based in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, or any other European country and are seeking prime opportunities to expand your business in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, or Qatar, the GCC Forum 2025 is the definitive event to attend.
INVESTMENT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE GCC
Experience the GCC FORUM 2025, your gateway to connecting with Private Equity Funds, Venture Capital Funds, Accelerators, Family Offices, Sovereign Wealth Funds, and Corporate Venture Funds from the Gulf region. Planning to expand your business into the booming economies of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, or Qatar? Don’t miss this unique opportunity to secure an exclusive invitation and gain access to invaluable discussions and partnerships in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
PRIVATE EQUITY FUNDS
Capital Injection | Strategic Growth
UAE|Oman|Kuwait|Bahrain|Qatar|Saudi Arabia
VENTURE CAPITAL (VC) FUNDS
Growth Capital | Mentorship and Guidance
UAE|Oman|Kuwait|Bahrain|Qatar|Saudi Arabia
ACCELERATORS
Intensive Support | Seed Funding
UAE|Oman|Kuwait|Bahrain|Qatar|Saudi Arabia
FAMILY OFFICES
Patient Capital | Flexible Investment Structure
UAE|Oman|Kuwait|Bahrain|Qatar|Saudi Arabia
SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUNDS (SWF)
Capital Resources | Government Support
UAE|Oman|Kuwait|Bahrain|Qatar|Saudi Arabia
CORPORATE VENTURE FUNDS
Strategic Alignment | Corporate Resources
UAE|Oman|Kuwait|Bahrain|Qatar|Saudi Arabia
B2BMatchmaking.AI
THE GCC FORUM BRINGS TOGETHER
The GCC Forum brings together an incredibly highly selective international mix of people—from Government Officials, Big Business Leaders, Startup Funders, Entrepreneurial Minds, Venture Capitalists, Investors, and High-Level Executives - to discuss and explore the potential of the GCC Market Heaven.
HE Abdulla Al Saleh
Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Economy | UAE
His Excellency Abdulla Al Saleh is Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Economy. He is the Chairman of the Competition Committee, Vice Chairman of UAE CSR Fund, a board member of the UAE Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Council, and Member of the UAE Digital Economy Council, Member of the UAE Gender Balance Council.
HH Sheikha Alanoud H. Al-Thani
Chair, TenX Ventures | QATAR
Her Highness Alanoud bint Hamad Al-Thani is a dynamic businesswoman, seasoned investor, and influential independent board member. She currently chairs TenX Ventures, among other family owned businesses. Alanoud previously served as Deputy CEO and CBO at the Qatar Financial Center, where she was pivotal in positioning Doha as a leading global financial and commercial hub.
Osama Al Rahma
Head of Business Development at Emirates Investment Bank | UAE
Osama has contributed to the upscale of the standards in compliance and AML/ CFT within the remittance industry in UAE and globally for more than three decades. He has developed many innovative products and services that had an impact on the financial inclusion of the unbanked and underbanked segments.
Munthir Alansari
Principal Advisor, Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia | SAUDI ARABIA
Munthir Alansari is a visionary leader and strategist, certified as a tourism expert and consultant. He is a member of the Panel of Tourism Experts on Measuring Sustainable Tourism at the UN Tourism and serves as a Principal Consultant at the Ministry of Culture and General Authority for Statistics in Saudi Arabia.
Hamad AlAmmari
Executive Director, Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) | BAHRAIN
Hamad is the Executive Director at Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) and advisor to the Chief Executive. Hamad works with governments, current investors, and prospective investors to support initiatives that enhance trade and business engagement between the rest of the Middle East and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Essam Al Tamimi
Chairman, Al Tamimi & Company | UAE
Essam Al Tamimi has over 35 years of experience in litigation and dispute resolution in the UAE and GCC counties. In 1989, he established what is now the largest firm in the Middle East & North Africa, Al Tamimi & Company. He has extensive experience in advising and assisting clients throughout the Arab region.
Ayman Al-Wadi
Group Executive Chairman, AW HOLDING INT'L | UAE
Ayman Al-Wadi is the Group Executive Chairman of AW Holding Int'l, a dynamic leader with a wealth of experience in international business development and strategic investments. Under his leadership, AW Holding Int'l has grown into a global powerhouse, driving innovation and success across multiple sectors. Ayman’s visionary approach and commitment to excellence have established him as a prominent figure in the global business landscape.
Ahmed Abdulla Al Nowais
Director of Business Development, Al Nowais Group | UAE
Ahmed Abdulla is currently the business development director for Al Nowais Group. He is in charge of setting and developing goals for Al Nowais Group’s revenue growth. He works hard to research, plan, and implement new target market initiatives. He is will connected to with the government and semi-government.
Dr. Abdulrazzak Alwafi
President, Alwafi Group, Jeddah | SAUDI ARABIA
Dr. Abdulrazzak combines academic excellence with over 20 years of strategic leadership in family businesses. As a Strategic Thinker and Consultant, he specializes in planning and preparing the next generation for family business succession (Real-estate, construction & hospitality business).
Abdulla Al Matrooshi
Specialist, Mubadala Investment Company | UAE
Abdulla is an Experienced Founder with a demonstrated history of working in the management consulting industry. Skilled in Political Risk Analysis, Critical Thinking, and Public Speaking, he holds a MA in Contemporary History and Politics from Birkbeck, University of London.
Dr. Hanan Al Mheiri
CEO and Founder, Hanan Empire | UAE
Dr. Hanan is the CEO and Founder of Hanan Empire. Through Hanan Empire she changes people’s life everyday showing them the path to majestic life. She has 17+ years of professional experience in the government of Dubai in various areas including knowledge management, innovation and future shaping.
Arda Atalay
Regional Director, LinkedIn | UAE
Arda is is the Regional Director at LinkedIn with over 27 years of experience in the technology sector. He leads a high-performing team of 50 professionals across 15 countries, focusing on delivering value and innovation to our customers and partners in the emerging markets.
Khalid Chami
Group Chief Financial Officer, Ali & Sons Holding LLC | UAE
Over the past 17 years, Khalid has played a pivotal role in creating value and addressing strategic challenges within renowned Family Offices across the MENA region. His expertise encompasses diverse sectors, ranging from automotive industry leaders such as Porsche, Audi, Skoda, VW, and MG, to the construction sector.
Jean-Philippe SYED
Investment Partner, Head of EMEA and India Private Equity at X12 Capital
Jean-Philippe is a Partner at X12 Capital, an investment firm specializing in special situations and growth equity across diverse asset classes and regions, with a focus on frontier and emerging markets such as Turkey, the Middle East/GCC, Africa, and India. He is also an ESG/impact specialist with a strong track record in Pharma and industrial roll-ups (ex. McKinsey, JPMorgan, DPI).
Christopher Langner
Chief Financial Officer, EM Ventures
Christopher has extensive expertise in capital markets and restructuring across Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. With 20 years of experience in emerging markets, he has met with senior executives, analyzed companies, and developed significant knowledge of bonds, stocks, and restructuring processes.
Aya Zaghnin
General Partner in the SWG PropTech / C-Tech Global Fund | SAUDI ARABIA
Aya Zaghnin is a dynamic professional with extensive experience in investment and consulting roles across various industries and regions. Currently serving as a General Partner at Startup Wise Guys and a Board Advisor at Presidio Advisors, she excels in strategic advisory and investment management.
Mohamed Abou Ismail
Senior Vice President, Project & Corporate Finance, Wholesale & Institutional Banking at Emirates Development Bank (EDB) | UAE
Mohamed is successful in extending investment solutions and advisory services for complex transactions. He is extremely adept at debt structuring, cross-selling banking products, establishing strong relations with C-Suite, leading business development, and deriving new revenue streams.
Pietro Calvaruso
General Counsel, Mintlayer | Chief Legal Office, The Private Office | UAE
Pietro serve as an Advisor at The Private Office of H.E. Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Duaij bin Khalifa al Khalifa. He is the General Counsel at Mintlayer Institutional, a leading blockchain-based financial platform. He provides legal guidance on various aspects of corporate, tax, banking, and financial law.
Abdur Rahim Ghulam Nabi
Chief Advisor to Director General, Dubai Airport Freezone | UAE
Abdur Rahim is Chief Advisor at Dubai Airport Freezone. He has leveraged a successful career in financial leadership & developed expertise in crafting/leading prestigious city level/market leading initiatives around special economic zones, disruptive innovation, halal economy, business & digital transformations.
Massimo Falcioni
Chief Competitiveness Officer, Abu Dhabi Investment Office | UAE
Massimo is an award-winning CEO with over 30 years of experience in both government and private sectors. He has been recognized as one of the Top 100 CEOs in the Middle East by Forbes in 2022 and ranked 13th in Forbes Middle East’s 2019 list of ‘Top 50 International CEOs Heading Local Companies.
Dr. Holger Bingmann
Investor, President of ICC Germany e.V., Managing Partner at Thinking Arabian.
Dr. Holger has extensive experience in founding and leading companies, with a strong focus on fostering connections between people and bridging diverse cultures. His vast expertise in working with European businesses and establishing networks in the GCC region makes him a unique specialist in this field.
Agnès Lopez Cruz
Managing Director, CCI France UAE | UAE
Agnès is an International expert in Management, Communication and Business Development with over 20 years of experience in the UK, France and the UAE. As a corporate strategist she has delivered targeted results respecting budget and HR resources, she has been involved, high level, in several negotiations and lobbying projects.
Alex Bdeir
Partner at Investcorp | UAE
Alex is a seasoned partner at Investcorp, bringing extensive expertise in private equity and strategic investments. With a proven track record in driving growth and value creation, Alex plays a key role in identifying investment opportunities and leading successful partnerships across various sectors. His deep knowledge and experience make him a trusted leader in the financial industry.
Roisin White Barrett
Managing Director, Clean Energy Business Council (CEBC) | UAE
Roisin serves as the Managing Director of the Clean Energy Business Council MENA, where she leads efforts to promote sustainable energy practices and the adoption of clean technologies across the region. With a rich background in international business development, Roisin has effectively facilitated the entry and growth of companies in overseas markets.
Richard Goblet
Managing Partner, MEA Globaleye Capital | UAE
Richard is an investment and M&A professional with a strong interest in emerging markets and innovation. He is currently serving as the Managing Partner MEA of a Swiss Family Office advisory arm to help family-owned groups from the Middle East & Africa transition to the next generation by supporting their vision through M&A operations.
Sanjiv Amar
Associate Director at Lunate
Sanjiv has over 14 years of experience in investment operations and fund administration. He oversees fund structuring, investor reporting, compliance, and relationships with external providers. He is an ACA and CFA Level III candidate, with a strong background in audit and assurance from KPMG.
Najeh Awad
Managing Director at Petley Partners
Najeh is an executive with over 30 years of global experience in Finance, Investments, Risk, and Operations. He has worked across various industries including Financial Services, Investment Banking, Construction, Real Estate, Education, Manufacturing, Government, and Non-profit Organizations.
GCC Forum Format
AI B2B MATCHMAKING
The AI B2B Matchmaking system integrated into the GCC Forum App represents a groundbreaking networking solution. Prior to the event, participants answer a set of multiple-choice questions. These responses are then processed using AI algorithms to determine the percentage of potential collaboration with each participant.
Interactive Roundtables
Engage in dynamic Interactive Roundtables where you can present your projects, discuss trends, and exchange ideas with fellow European businesses and GCC decision-makers. These intimate sessions offer a unique platform to explore strategic partnerships and investment opportunities across the region.
Keynote Presentations
Unlock exclusive insights from top industry leaders at GCC Forum 2025 through our Keynote Presentations. Focused on the most relevant topics for European businesses, these sessions provide a deep dive into the GCC’s investment potential, economic strategies, and emerging opportunities to drive growth and success in the region.
In-Person Participation
Join GCC Forum 2025 in person with PREMIUM Pass and connect directly with decision-makers and high-level influencers across the GCC. Experience unparalleled networking opportunities, exclusive face-to-face discussions, and hands-on engagement with key players driving growth in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.
Interactive Roundtable Discussions | PREMIUM PASS
This section features a Speed Business Dating format at round tables, each led by a moderator with expertise in areas of high interest for European manufacturers, technology companies, and service providers looking to expand in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.
The moderator will introduce the topic with a concise 15-minute presentation, followed by a 1-minute window for each participant to introduce themselves and share their interest in the topic. This fast-paced setup ensures meaningful interactions and maximizes opportunities for targeted business growth in the GCC region.
Apply for Participation
To participate, please submit an application. You will receive a response within two business days. If your application is approved, you will receive further registration details. Please note that we do not provide explanations for declined applications.
