Today we are talking about raising capital from the Gulf. It is a very different experience in this part of the world — driven by relationships, trust, and a long-term investment into the region. Joining me is Rachel Zlatar, Founder of the Gulf Capital Institute. Thank you, Rachel, for joining us today.
Thank you so much for having me. Really excited.
Tell us about the Gulf Capital Institute and what you are doing.
We built the Gulf Capital Institute to bridge the education gap in private markets. There are so many people, businesses, founders, and investors that want to get involved in the region. But there are a lot of nuances to how things work here. It is not the Western world, not the US, not Europe. There are things you learn from trial and error — sometimes expensive mistakes. We want to help people understand the market before they make those mistakes.
How does the programme work practically?
We conduct live online sessions throughout a structured six-week programme. We take people through starting from the sovereign mandates — understanding what each specific country in the region is looking for. People often just think the Gulf is the UAE, but we look at the whole market. We go through family office ecosystems, venture capital, key topics like fintech, digital assets, secondaries. We do a deep dive into every aspect of private markets.
Has demand for Abu Dhabi-specific education grown?
Yes — definitely. I have had more and more demand for people wanting to understand what Abu Dhabi has to offer. They have done an incredible job putting themselves on the map, especially in fintech. The evolving regulatory landscape is making it much easier for businesses. There is a lot of excitement internationally around Abu Dhabi.
What do founders and fund managers get wrong about raising capital here?
Long gone are the days of flying in, having meetings, and leaving. The dynamic has changed radically. If your goal is to fly in and fly out, this is not the place for you. Everything here in business is built on relationships and on contributing towards this collective vision — not only for the UAE and Abu Dhabi, but for the entire Gulf. People who are really successful here are authentic to that.
What trends are you seeing in terms of what people want to learn?
There is a lot of interest in fintech in general and digital assets — what the landscape looks like, what the applications are. Another interesting trend is using the Gulf as a global corridor, as a base for doing business internationally. The evolving regulatory landscape makes it very accessible for businesses to be located here and bridge outwards to Asia, Africa, and other emerging markets.
On Emirati Women's Day, what is the real role of women in Gulf private markets?
I think it would actually surprise viewers. The role of women in business in this part of the world is far more involved than I have seen in other parts of the world, even the West. Emirati women are well-educated, smart, and a force to be reckoned with. The next generation taking on family offices and family businesses is really stepping up and taking strong leadership roles. The community of women here is incredible — so supportive, with so many initiatives helping women get seats on boards and build their businesses. Women are going to be the future.
Thank you so much, Rachel. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us today.
Thank you.
