At the Forbes Middle East Top Advisors & Investors Summit in Abu Dhabi (10–11 February 2026), the tone was clear: investors in the region are becoming more process-driven and selective. Kylla’s Investment Manager for the GCC Region, Victoria Gabaraeva, attended the summit to stay closely aligned with the latest investment trends in the region and to ensure that Kylla’s co-investment strategy remains in step with local and regional investors. The winning edge is no longer just access to capital, but clarity of structure, speed of execution, and institutional-grade readiness.
The summit, hosted by Forbes Middle East in partnership with Beltone Holding, brought together senior voices across finance, advisory, and government-linked platforms.
Who was in the room
A notable feature of the programme was the concentration of decision-makers — including senior leadership from Beltone Holding, Kuwait Finance House, and e& — alongside executives active in wealth management and financial services.
Why this year matters
Across MENA private capital is evolving from relationship-led deal flow toward a more institutional approach. That shift has two implications:
- More discipline in how deals are structured and executed;
- Higher requirements for data, governance, and investability even at the growth stage.
The agenda reflected that direction: from AI adoption in advisory workflows to private equity playbooks, plus a dedicated focus on real assets, including real estate.
Four signals that stood out
1. Structure is becoming a trust signal
Investors increasingly expect a clear transaction logic: target use of funds, governance, and a well-defined round structure (timeline, milestones, decision gates). Process clarity is now part of credibility especially for cross-border transactions.
2. Due diligence expectations keep rising
Due diligence is no longer treated as a late-stage step. Teams are expected to be ready earlier: clean financial reporting, consistent KPIs and a coherent equity story.
3. AI is moving into the core of investment workflows
AI and digital tools are increasingly embedded in screening, analytics, risk monitoring, and portfolio decision support.
4. ESG and real assets remain part of the long-term playbook
ESG is increasingly treated as portfolio hygiene, not a marketing layer. At the same time, real assets, including real estate, remain a key allocation theme in regional portfolios.
Takeaways for founders and investors
For investors and corporate finance teams:
- The region is moving toward faster cycles — but only for assets that meet institutional standards.
- Cross-border opportunities increasingly sit at the intersection of capital, policy alignment, and execution capability.
Looking ahead
For Kylla, the signal aligns with what we see across the GCC: investors are prioritising structured execution, cross-border scalability, and disciplined governance — alongside technology-driven decision support. Kylla continues to expand its partner network across MENA to support clients with cross-border transactions, capital raising and strategic growth scenarios.
Investment Manager
GCC region
Kylla Corporate Transactions
