Dubai-based real estate technology company Property Finder has secured USD 250 million in debt financing from funds managed by Ares Management, marking one of the largest private credit deals for a MENA startup this year. The capital will be used to expand the company’s product innovation, invest in artificial intelligence-driven features, and accelerate regional growth.
The transaction follows a series of equity and debt moves that reflect growing investor appetite for Gulf technology companies with strong cash flow and market dominance. According to Bloomberg, the financing highlights how private credit firms such as Ares are increasing their presence in the Gulf, attracted by resilient growth and limited leverage across regional businesses.
Founded in 2007 by entrepreneur Michael Lahyani, Property Finder operates one of the Middle East’s largest digital real estate platforms. It competes with Dubizzle and Bayut across the UAE and neighboring markets including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar. The platform connects consumers, brokers, and developers through online listings, market analytics, and transaction tools.
This year, Property Finder reported significant financial growth, with UAE revenues rising from USD 30 million in 2021 to USD 117 million in 2024, according to Entrepreneur Middle East. The company’s UAE business posted an EBITDA margin exceeding 60 percent in the first half of 2025, signaling strong profitability as the region’s property markets surged.
The new financing comes months after a consortium including Permira and Blackstone invested USD 525 million in the company through a minority equity transaction, a deal that positioned Property Finder among the region’s best-capitalized private tech firms. The latest debt round gives the company additional flexibility to pursue acquisitions, expand data services, and enhance its AI recommendation systems.
For Ares Management, which manages more than USD 450 billion in assets, the investment aligns with its growing interest in alternative credit opportunities in emerging markets. The firm has been expanding its exposure to private credit deals in the Gulf as part of a broader strategy to capitalize on rising demand for non-equity growth capital.
The deal underscores the rapid maturation of the Gulf’s venture and growth-capital markets, where established startups are beginning to tap private credit rather than relying solely on equity rounds. It also signals that investor confidence in the regional property technology sector remains high, supported by strong fundamentals and continued digital transformation in real estate transactions.
For the UAE, the financing reinforces Dubai’s status as a leading hub for technology-led property innovation. It also reflects how well-capitalized regional startups are beginning to access global debt markets to sustain growth while preparing for potential public listings in the years ahead.
Ares Backs Dubai’s Property Finder with $250M debt financing