Property Finder Secures $525 Million Strategic Investment Led by Permira

Dubai, UAE – September 9, 2025 - Property Finder, the leading property classifieds platform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), announced today a strategic investment totaling $525 million, led by funds advised by Permira, with Blackstone Growth investing significant capital alongside them.

The combined investment represents a meaningful minority stake, reinforcing Property Finder’s position as the region’s most prominent online property portal and a technology innovator in the fast-growing MENA real estate market.

General Atlantic Retains Stake, Sells Partial Share

As part of the transaction, General Atlantic, a cornerstone shareholder since 2018, has sold part of its stake while retaining a significant minority shareholding.

Permira, Blackstone, and General Atlantic bring a wealth of global expertise and a strong track record of investing in leading online classifieds platforms, including Adevinta ASA, one of the world’s largest classified businesses.

The involvement of three major international investors underscores their confidence in Property Finder’s growth potential and the rapidly evolving property classifieds sector across the UAE and broader MENA region.

UAE Property Market Growth

The UAE is the largest market for Property Finder, with a 2024 property market value of approximately $160 billion. The market is projected to grow 13% over the next five years, driven by strong demand for housing, commercial developments, and digital transformation in the real estate sector.

Property Finder has played a pivotal role in reshaping how people buy, sell, and rent homes, offering:

• A comprehensive inventory of listings
• Trusted user experiences
• Technology and AI-powered tools to streamline property transactions

CEO Michael Lahyani on a Transformative Moment

“This partnership represents a defining moment in Property Finder’s journey,” said Michael Lahyani, CEO and Founder of Property Finder. “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. This investment is a clear vote of confidence in Property Finder, in the UAE, and in the vast opportunity ahead. I want to thank our customers and partners, users, regulators, and the incredible Property Finder team whose dedication continues to fuel our growth story.”

Investor Perspectives on the Deal

David Erlong, Partner and Global Co-Head of Consumer at Permira, highlighted the platform’s strength and potential:

“We are delighted to partner with Property Finder, a market leader in one of the most dynamic property markets. This investment builds on our track record of backing leading digital platforms with powerful network effects and deep consumer engagement. Property Finder’s scale, technology, and brand trust create a strong platform to capture long-term growth as the MENA real estate sector digitizes.”

He added that the deal reinforces Permira’s commitment to the region, especially following the recent opening of their Dubai representative office.

Robert Hou, Vice President at Permira, added:

“We are excited to be supporting Property Finder’s management team given the sustainable, structural drivers fueling growth going forward, and to bring global best practices to support the company’s continued expansion across the MENA region.”

Blackstone’s Strategic Vision

Paul Morrissey, Senior Managing Director at Blackstone Growth, emphasized the company’s alignment with Property Finder’s innovation and market leadership:

“We are excited to partner with Property Finder, a clear market leader with a strong track record of innovation in the MENA region’s property sector. This investment reflects our confidence in the company’s growth potential and our commitment, together with Permira and General Atlantic, to supporting its mission to make property search and transactions more seamless for consumers and partners alike. It also underscores Blackstone’s long-term conviction to invest in high-quality businesses across the region.”

General Atlantic’s Continued Support

Chris Caulkin, Managing Director and Head of Technology for General Atlantic in EMEA, commented:

“We are proud to have supported Property Finder’s journey for over six years, helping it flourish into a leader in MENA’s classified property marketplace. Today’s transaction allows us to crystallize part of the value created, while importantly, we remain strongly invested in Property Finder’s future. We look forward to partnering with Permira and Blackstone to unlock the next phase of expansion for Michael and the team.”

Scaling for Regional Expansion

With this new capital, Property Finder plans to:

• Scale its platform across MENA
• Expand into new markets
• Leverage the expertise and networks of Permira, Blackstone, and General Atlantic to capture emerging opportunities in the region’s dynamic real estate sector

The investment will also accelerate the company’s vision to digitize real estate transactions and enhance its suite of AI-driven products.

Advisors on the Transaction

The transaction remains subject to customary approvals.

• J.P. Morgan acted as sole placement agent to Property Finder and General Atlantic
• Moelis & Company served as Independent Financial Advisor to Property Finder
• Axis Arbor Partners LLP acted as Debt Advisor
• Cooley LLP served as Legal Advisor to Michael Lahyani
• Citigroup Global Markets Limited was sole advisor to Permira
• Clifford Chance, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, and Dechert acted as legal advisors to the respective parties