• Permira and Blackstone’s USD 525M investment will help Property Finder scale its platform, expand regionally, and capture new opportunities.
• General Atlantic sold part of its stake but retains a significant minority shareholding after backing Property Finder since 2018.
• Dubai’s USD 160B property market is booming, projected to grow 13% over five years, fueling demand for Property Finder’s services.

Property Finder

Private capital firms, Permira and Blackstone are purchasing a USD 525 million stake in the Middle East’s real estate platform, Property Finder.

General Atlantic, a cornerstone shareholder of Property Finder since 2018, has sold part of its stake in the company. However, it will still retain a significant minority shareholding.

Founded in Dubai in 2007 by Michael Lahyani, Property Finder is a real estate platform aiming to transform and improve how people buy, sell and rent homes in the region. This is ​​through its comprehensive listings inventory, trusted user experience, and suite of innovative products powered by technology and AI.

Michael Lahyani, CEO and Founder of Property Finder, said “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.”

Real Estate

This transaction will enable the real estate platform to leverage both Permira and Blackstone’s international expertise, alongside General Atlantic’s global network. Additionally, it will enable it to further scale its platform, expand into new markets. As well as capture emerging opportunities across MENA’s dynamic real estate sector. Furthermore, the transaction is still subject to customary approvals. 

This is significant because as Property Finder’s largest market, the Dubai real estate sector is currently booming. It was worth USD 160 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at 13% over the next five years. Additionally, the investment signals confidence in Property Finder’s ability to grow in the large and fast-developing property classifieds marketplace in the UAE and across MENA.