Creative Holding Launches With $20 Million to Build Global MENA Brands

Creative Investments Holding has launched with $20 million in initial commitments towards a planned $50 million investment platform focused on building and scaling MENA-born brands across culture, hospitality and lifestyle.

The company was established by veteran luxury and brands executive Mohamed Talaat Khalifa through his investment arm Leo Equities, with founding investors including Onsi Sawiris, Ali Abubakr and Egypt’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency. Creative Investments Holding has a presence across Cairo, Abu Dhabi and Milan, while finance executive and arts specialist Heba Makhlouf will lead finance, governance and compliance.

The platform is targeting $50 million in total commitments and will acquire, create and grow businesses across four areas: food and culinary experiences, hospitality, fashion and retail, and lifestyle and entertainment. It plans to take controlling and strategic stakes, alongside providing growth capital and operational support, and is structured as a long-term holding company rather than a traditional investment fund.

Creative Investments Holding is targeting a public listing on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, the Saudi Exchange or the London Stock Exchange within five to seven years.

“The region has world-class heritage, craftsmanship and taste, what it has lacked is a patient, institutional home to grow its brands into international champions. Creative Investments Holding is that home. Culture is our capital,” Khalifa said in a statement.

The company launches with an active pipeline, including a potential first acquisition in the heritage food sector, as well as evaluations of properties for Casa Leo, its first proprietary boutique hotel concept.