Dubai Debt Deal: DIFC And Partners For Growth Join Forces To Fund Next Generation Tech Companies

The collaboration combines DIFC’s ambition to drive the future of finance with PFG’s expertise in asset-backed lending, which has seen the firm deploy more than $2.1bn across over 250 companies worldwide.

The partnership will provide structured growth debt to companies aligned with DIFC’s Strategy 2030 and Dubai’s D33 Economic Agenda, targeting sectors such as:

• FinTech
• HealthTech
• InsurTech
• PropTech
• SME Digital Finance
• SpaceTech

PFG’s involvement extends its five-year track record in the GCC, where it has already backed some of the region’s most prominent technology ventures, including Tabby, TruKKer, Bayzat, Syarah, Huspy, and Silkhaus.

Innovation economy

The new partnership reflects DIFC’s role in advancing Dubai’s global competitiveness and innovation ecosystem.

While the focus will remain on companies headquartered in Dubai and the GCC, part of the capital may also be deployed globally—targeting international firms that bring strategic value to the region through technology, talent, or sector leadership.

Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, said: “Our mandate is to build the world’s most advanced financial centre in Dubai, stimulate the local venture ecosystem, and support the next generation of high-growth technology and innovation companies.

“This partnership with PFG and our shared belief that growth debt plays a vital role in scaling high-potential companies in the region and beyond.

“Together, we are expanding the range of funding tools available to founders and investors and accelerating the ambitions of the D33 Agenda.”

Flexible capital

Andrew Kahn, CEO and Co-Founder of Partners for Growth, said: “We pioneered growth debt in Silicon Valley as part of our global mission to help founders grow without giving up control. Over the past five years in the GCC, we’ve seen first-hand the extraordinary ambition and execution of regional entrepreneurs.

“Partnering with DIFC is a significant milestone that enables us to double down on this momentum and back the companies shaping the future.

“This collaboration gives us a powerful platform to continue delivering flexible, minimally dilutive capital to businesses ready to scale globally from Dubai.”

PFG brings full investment decision-making capabilities to the partnership, ensuring agility and strategic alignment with the needs of founders in the region.

The firm will continue to lead on origination, underwriting, and portfolio management, ensuring that capital is deployed efficiently and with impact.

GCC innovation capital

Armineh Baghoomian, Managing Director and Head of EMEA at PFG, said: “We are proud to be working with the Dubai International Financial Centre. They have been instrumental in shaping the region’s innovation economy and their support is a strong vote of confidence in the role growth debt is already playing across the GCC.

“This partnership is a natural next step in a journey we have been on for several years. With DIFC behind us, we can scale our impact and back even more founders with the flexible capital they need to grow their businesses and reach new markets.”