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Saudi Arabia

Matthew Salloway on venture capital, technology startups and investing across North America, the Middle East and Japan

May 14, 2021

Leading venture capitalist Matthew Salloway is on the hunt for innovative technology startups on behalf of his family office and fund and says the 5G economy is a 15 trillion-dollar economic opportunity.

Salloway is the chief executive of GSI Ventures, a top 50 Global Family Office, with a focus on venture capital and portfolio market expansion into the Middle East and North Africa region. He is also the co-founder and managing partner of SIP Global Partners, an international performance venture fund investing in global technology companies.

Infographic: Saudi Arabian family businesses

June 13, 2017

While Saudi Arabian family businesses do not dominate the economy to the extent seen with family firms in some other Gulf states, they nevertheless play a crucial role in the country’s economy. But ties to the petroleum sector makes some of them vulnerable to oil price fluctuations, as recent events show. Daniel Bardsley takes a look

A Family's Story: Governance and leadership in the Middle East

August 16, 2016

In the third of this four-part series of case studies, Zita Nikoletta Verbenyi reports on three governance challenges overcome by a diversified family enterprise from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In the third of this four-part series of case studies, Zita Nikoletta Verbenyi reports on three governance challenges overcome by a diversified family enterprise from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In respect of their wishes, we have kept the name of this family anonymous while trying to share as much detail as possible.

Billionaire Arab families revealed in new survey

April 21, 2016

The Arab world’s billionaire families have been revealed in an inaugural survey published by Forbes Middle East.

The Arab world’s billionaire families have been revealed in an inaugural survey published by Forbes Middle East.

With fortunes of up to $8 billion each, the 15 families listed have made their fortunes in an array of sectors, with several running conglomerates spanning multiple industries.

Topping the chart is the Olayan family, who owe their $8 billion to the Olayan Group, built up by the late Suliman Olayan. Along with partnerships with international brands such as Coca-Cola, the group is a stock market and real estate investor.

Outside experience: How to train the next generation

February 12, 2016

Externship programmes, where next gens work for another business or manage a different unit of the family business, are a popular way to train the next generation for the future responsibilities of running the family enterprise. But what should next gens look for in an externship, what are the benefits and is there a danger that they won't return?

Mariella Bottiglieri must have always been destined to enter the shipping industry.

The daughter of fifth-generation Italian shipping magnate Giuseppe Bottiglieri, she was more likely to spend her childhood summers on board a tanker with her father than at the beach building sandcastles. She even has a tanker named after her.

The Paper Prince: Abdullah Bin Mosaad Abdulaziz Al Saud

May 6, 2015

Gruelling hours and counting every penny. It’s a tough but conventional experience for many entrepreneurs. But the backstory of a Saudi prince? CampdenFB talks business with HRH Prince Abdullah Bin Mosaad Abdulaziz Al Saud, and how his tissue company is now helping to fund his biggest passion—sport

Al-Dabbagh Group's 2020 strategy to help crack Top 20 wholly-owned global family businesses

December 31, 2014

Family-owned conglomerate Al-Dabbagh Group has launched a 2020 strategy focusing on achieving a 20X20 target across the three core principles of giving, earning and sustaining.

Family-owned conglomerate Al-Dabbagh Group has launched a 2020 strategy focusing on achieving a 20X20 target across the three core principles of giving, earning and sustaining.

Patriarch of Kanoo empire dies, aged 72

August 5, 2014

Bahraini businessman Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo, chairman of family conglomerate Kanoo Group in the United Arab Emirates and Oman, has died, aged 72.

Bahraini businessman Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo, chairman of family conglomerate Kanoo Group in the United Arab Emirates and Oman, has died, aged 72.

Kanoo, who helped the company expand from its early shipping roots, died over the weekend, after a three-decade battle with diabetes.

Kanoo turned the company, established in 1890 by Haji Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo, into one of the largest family-owned businesses in the Gulf.

Today the group is focussed on retail, logistics, chemicals, shipping, oil and gas, and travel.

Saudi family uses app for private jet spending spree

July 18, 2013

Smartphone apps may traditionally have been seen as mediums to purchase music or gifts, but a Saudi Arabian family office has taken mobile commerce to the next level – chartering a private jet in a $500,000 (€381,000) transaction.

Booked through PrivateFly.com, the family office hired a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) – a converted 737, which includes an office, boardroom, lounge, bedroom and two bathrooms.

Infographic: GCC family businesses

April 23, 2013

The GCC might just have the highest concentration of family businesses in the world.

Business means family business in the Gulf Cooperation Council – comprising the six states bordering the Persian Gulf, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Among the best known are such firms as the Kanoo Group in Bahrain and the Al Masaood Group in the UAE. Many, such as Obeikan, the Al Khorayef Group and the Zamil Group, come from Saudi Arabia, which is by far the region’s most populous country.