Property Finder, the leading real estate platform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), announced that it has secured a $525 million investment in a landmark transaction led by Permira, with the participation of funds managed by Blackstone Growth. This major capital injection underscores the company’s growing influence in the regional property technology sector and highlights the increasing appetite of global investors for exposure to the MENA real estate market.
According to the announcement, General Atlantic, which has been a cornerstone shareholder in Property Finder since 2018, decided to sell part of its existing stake while continuing to maintain a significant minority shareholding in the business. The combined involvement of Permira, Blackstone, and General Atlantic reflects not only the long-term potential of Property Finder but also the confidence of some of the world’s largest private equity firms in the resilience and expansion prospects of the UAE and broader MENA property classifieds ecosystem.
Commenting on the transaction, Michael Lahyani, Founder & CEO of Property Finder, emphasized the strategic importance of welcoming new partners into the company’s shareholder base:
“By welcoming Permira and Blackstone alongside General Atlantic as strategic investors, we are accelerating our mission to reshape real estate across the region through technology, AI, and an industry-leading property platform.”
The transaction is expected to provide Property Finder with access to Permira’s deep international expertise in scaling technology-driven platforms as well as Blackstone’s extensive growth capital resources and operational know-how, all while continuing to benefit from General Atlantic’s global network and longstanding support. Together, these partnerships will enable Property Finder to accelerate innovation, strengthen its product offering, expand into new regional markets, and capture additional opportunities in MENA’s rapidly evolving real estate landscape. The deal remains subject to customary regulatory approvals.
The timing of the investment coincides with a period of exceptional momentum in the UAE real estate sector. Dubai’s property market alone was valued at approximately $160 billion in 2024 and is projected to expand by 13% over the next five years, creating strong tailwinds for digital platforms like Property Finder. The surge in demand for property technology solutions—from AI-driven listings to advanced analytics and user-friendly digital experiences—positions Property Finder as a critical enabler of transparency, accessibility, and efficiency in one of the world’s fastest-growing real estate markets.
