DIFC and PFG Launch Growth Debt Partnership in Dubai to Support Startu

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has formed a strategic partnership with Partners for Growth (PFG), a global specialty credit manager that lends to high-growth technology companies, to support companies across Dubai and the Gulf region seeking to scale. The deal will provide structured growth debt aligned to DIFC’s Strategy 2030 and Dubai’s D33 agenda, with room for global transactions where international businesses bring strategic value to the regional ecosystem. PFG brings over two decades of experience and has deployed more than $2.1 billion across over 250 companies worldwide, alongside a five-year track record in the Gulf that includes commitments to Tabby, TruKKer, Bayzat, Syarah, Huspy and Silkhaus. “Over the past five years in the GCC, we’ve seen first-hand the extraordinary ambition and execution of regional entrepreneurs," said Andrew Kahn, CEO and Co-Founder of PFG, commented. "Partnering with DIFC is a significant milestone that enables us to double down on this momentum and back the companies shaping the future. This collaboration gives us a powerful platform to continue delivering flexible, minimally dilutive capital to businesses ready to scale globally from Dubai.” Under the mandate, financing will target sectors including fintech, healthtech, insurtech, proptech, SME digital finance and spacetech. “Our mandate is to build the world’s most advanced financial centre in Dubai, stimulate the local venture ecosystem, and support the next generation of high-growth technology and innovation companies," Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, said in a statement. "This partnership with PFG and our shared belief that growth debt plays a vital role in scaling high-potential companies in the region and beyond. Together, we are expanding the range of funding tools available to founders and investors and accelerating the ambitions of the D33 Agenda.” PFG will take on full investment decision-making capabilities to the partnership and will lead origination, underwriting and portfolio management. A portion of capital may be deployed globally to back international businesses that contribute technology, talent or sector leadership to the regional ecosystem.