BlueFive Capital, a newly established investment platform from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, has successfully closed its Founding Shareholders Circle investment round, securing a valuation of $120 million. The round was oversubscribed, reflecting strong investor confidence in the company’s ambitious global strategy.
Formed at the end of 2024, BlueFive Capital has already emerged as one of the fastest-growing asset managers in the region, with over $650 million in assets under management (AUM). Its leadership and investor base span key financial centres including London, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, Singapore, and Beijing.
The company is led by Founder and CEO Hazem Ben-Gacem, a seasoned private equity executive and former co-CEO of Investcorp, the Middle East’s largest non-sovereign private equity firm. Under his leadership, Investcorp grew its AUM from $10 billion to over $50 billion.
In a statement, Hazem Ben-Gacem said:
“This overwhelming confidence from 25 blue-chip shareholders validates our team’s expertise and our strategy to disrupt the value chain in high-growth financial markets. The GCC is our launchpad, but our vision is hemispheric: connecting institutional-grade platforms to underserved capital markets driving the next wave of global prosperity.”
The 25 founding shareholders include regional institutions, royal families, and family offices, in addition to leading finance executives from North America, Europe, and Asia. Due to strong demand, the offering was expanded beyond its initial scope to accommodate additional interest.
The firm’s board of directors reflects its global footprint and regional anchoring. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Isa Al Khalifa, former head of Bahrain’s national pension fund, serves as Chairman, while Lord Gerry Grimstone, former UK Minister of Investment, and Sheikh Mubarak Abdulla Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah of Kuwait act as Vice Chairmen.
BlueFive’s model focuses on institutional-grade investment strategies across emerging markets, with a commitment to bridging capital between developed and underserved economies. Its rapid growth in AUM and high-profile backing mark it as a key new player in the global asset management landscape.
The company plans to use the newly raised capital to expand its geographic reach, build out investment platforms, and accelerate the deployment of capital into high-growth sectors across the Middle East, Asia, and beyond.
With a 27-member team already operating across multiple international hubs, BlueFive Capital positions itself at the intersection of regional insight and global ambition, aiming to channel GCC capital into diversified global opportunities.
Management will retain a controlling stake in the company, ensuring alignment between long-term strategy and shareholder interests.