Key Takeaways from Lincoln’s Private Capital Event

Nov 2025

Key Takeaways from Lincoln’s Private Capital Event

In October 2025, Lincoln International proudly commemorated the launch of its Middle East office in Dubai. Firm leaders partnered with the International Valuation Standards Council to host an exclusive Private Capital Event, featuring a panel of esteemed guests to present insights on global market trends and regional developments. Their key takeaways are shared below.

Summary

Lincoln International partnered with the IVSC to host an exclusive Private Capital Event, featuring a panel of esteemed guests to present insights on global market trends and regional developments.
Sign up to receive Lincoln's perspectives

1: Dynamic Landscape in the Middle East

Private capital investments and transactions in the Middle East, particularly within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), continue to see significant growth. Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deal value in the MENA region grew by approximately 150% year-over-year in H1 2025, with the UAE posting increases of more than 300% in M&A and 50% in equity capital raised during the same period. The region isn’t just keeping pace with global trends; in many cases, it is setting them. Government initiatives and sovereign wealth funds are driving strategic investments in infrastructure and drawing global talent, further accelerating market momentum.”

Srividya Gopal | Managing Director, Lincoln International

As investors and lenders throughout MENA continue to diversify beyond traditional bank funding, the regional focus is shifting to private equity, private credit structured financing and fixed-income alternatives. The rapid growth of wealth inflows, family offices and innovation-driven firms within UAE reflect a deepening regional ecosystem for alternative investments.”

Ron Kahn | Managing Director & Global Co-Head of Valuations & Opinions, Lincoln International

Global and regional private investment markets, particularly within the GCC, are experiencing accelerated growth driven by new partnerships, innovative fund structures and diversified asset participation. The recent policy push toward democratizing access to private markets has broadened investor inclusion and stimulated product innovation. This evolution is reshaping capital formation and reinforcing the integration of alternative assets into mainstream investment portfolios.”

Mostafa Elkaliouby | Middle East and Africa Director, International Valuation Standards Council

There is significant growth in investor interest across MENA’s venture capital, private equity and real estate markets. Continued opportunities are being driven by both government-backed initiatives and organic enthusiasm from global investors seeking meaningful diversification in their investment portfolios.”

Siddique Khan | Director, Merak Capital

The Middle East’s private market ecosystem is rapidly evolving. Trends formerly seen primarily in the U.S. and Europe are now taking hold regionally. These include the rise of private credit (e.g., FinTech platforms for small and medium-sized enterprise lending) and increased investor access to private market funds.”

Mark Dymock | Operating Partner, Standard Chartered Ventures

2: Standardization of Governance and Valuations

Rapid development and growth must be balanced by trust and responsible governance, informed by global best practices and learnings. MENA’s market growth must include a widespread focus on independence and transparency in the valuation processes, using international standards to arrive at robust, high-quality and reliable valuations. This is not only an investment manager’s fiduciary duty, but also crucial information to empower strategic decision-making for stakeholders.”

Srividya Gopal | Managing Director, Lincoln International

Market regulators and participants are calling for greater transparency, robust frameworks and continued innovation, particularly as fintech, AI and digital assets increasingly intersect with mainstream finance. The expanding role of real-economy assets in structured products, like trade and future-flow receivables, signal a shift in how risk and value are assessed.”

Ron Kahn | Managing Director & Global Co-Head of Valuations & Opinions, Lincoln International

As private assets become more accessible, robust valuation governance and harmonized regulatory frameworks are increasingly critical to maintaining transparency and investor confidence. The adoption of International Valuation Standards (IVS) as a common language is crucial to ensure consistency and comparability across global and regional markets. Meanwhile, the MENA region continues to demonstrate strong capital markets momentum, with record equity issuance and M&A activity underscoring growing regional sophistication.”

Mostafa Elkaliouby | Middle East and Africa Director, International Valuation Standards Council

A range of regulatory bodies is overseeing valuation standards across MENA, and industry leaders must stay agile as frameworks and market conditions continue to evolve. As asset-backed finance grows prominent in the region, resilient leadership will be essential to address strategic capital gaps, mobilize capital efficiently, and deliver long-term value for investors.”

Siddique Khan | Director, Merak Capital

Despite robust expansion in regional M&A, secondary markets for venture capital and private equity are still at a relatively early stage in the Middle East. For growth in these areas to catch up, rigorous governance and standardized valuation practices are essential. Recent growth highlights the ongoing challenges of market benchmark-based valuations and the pressing need for robust valuation frameworks.”

Mark Dymock | Operating Partner, Standard Chartered Ventures

3: Asset-Backed Finance as a Growth Engine

Dubai and the GCC are solidifying their roles as major hubs for global ABF, with rising interest in unconventional structures such as receivables, warehouse and venture debt facilities. For valuation and structuring professionals, these developments underscore the importance of adapting models and processes to capture evolving asset types, regulatory expectations and cross-regional opportunities across MENA and APAC.”

Ron Kahn | Managing Director & Global Co-Head of Valuations & Opinions, Lincoln International

Asset-backed financing has rapidly emerged as a key mechanism for addressing liquidity challenges and supporting growth in private markets around the world, and MENA is no exception. Innovative structures including NAV loans, collateralized fund obligations and bespoke securitizations are enabling investors to unlock value while effectively managing risk. This sector’s maturation is evident as fund managers adopt structured financing to drive flexibility and support long-term portfolio growth.”

Mostafa Elkaliouby | Middle East and Africa Director, International Valuation Standards Council

Looking Ahead with Lincoln

The Middle East’s private markets are expected to continue expanding and innovating, and Lincoln’s regional experts are uniquely positioned to help clients unlock opportunities in this fast-moving landscape. Reach out today to see how our unified global platform can help you navigate the years ahead.