IHC gets the ball rolling on acquisition of Sammaan Capital

Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company (IHC) is set to acquire a 41.5% controlling stake in Mumbai-listed mortgage lender Sammaan Capital, as part of a USD 1 bn transaction, according to a press release. The move builds on an initial agreement made toward the end of last year. IHC will also secure board control as part of the transaction.

The details: The investment will be routed through Judan Financial, IHC’s newly formed Abu Dhabi-based financial arm that aims to consolidate global investments across banking and fintech. The agreement is being executed in tranches, with a portion already acquired and the rest to follow via warrants over 18 months. A mandatory open offer,which could raise the total stake to 63.3% if it sees full uptake, is expected, in line with Indian regulations.

Why it matters: Sammaan lends IHC immediate access to over 220 branches and a massive retail lending engine in one of the world’s fastest-growing credit markets. The pact strengthens the firm’s capital base while positioning IHC to tap India’s credit market, where NBFCs play a crucial role in financial inclusion and housing finance expansion.

IN CONTEXT- IHC plans to deploy USD 110 bn in India over the next five years across data centers, renewables, nuclear power, and infrastructure. It’s already partnered with Indian conglomerate Adani on digitization and energy, and with Haldiram Snacks Foods. More widely, the UAE and India are aiming to reach USD 200 bn in bilateral trade by 2032.

SMEs get another liquidity cushion

As cashflow pressure builds on small businesses, Dubai-based spend management platform Qashio is rolling out an SME support push, offering more than AED 10 mn in relief and incentives through a new program with Dubai Chambers, according to a press release. Running through June, the scheme combines waived setup fees for Qashio services, as well as deferred payments, and rewards with access to spend tools.

ICYMI- Relief is stacking up: As we previously covered, Dubai rolled out an AED 1 bn support package to cushion private sector pressure from the regional war, following earlier Central Bank of the UAE support to mitigate the fallout on local banks.

UAE investors back USD 10.1 bn healthtech firm Whoop

Mubadala + IHC back USD 10.1 bn Whoop: Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala and IHC-backed 2PointZero are part of a global consortium putting USD 575 mn into Boston-based wearable performance firm Whoop in Series G funding, according to a press release. The funding round valued the firm at USD 10.1 bn and was also backed by Collaborative Fund, Qatar Investment Authority, and athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James.

REMEMBER- Earlier this month, an unspecified subsidiary of 2PointZero acquired a stake in Whoop. The size and value of the stake weren’t disclosed at the time.

About the company: Whoop is a wearable fitness device that tracks sleep, recovery, strain, and long-term health and offers advice based on that data. Whoop has raised more than USD 900 mn so far, the statement read.

Mezza launches in UAE to finance hospitality groups

Hospitality financing platform Mezza has launched in the UAE, after having raised an unspecified amount in a seed funding round backed by angel investors, including the founders of PropertyFinder, Jellysmack, and the chairman of Deel, according to a press release.

More on Mezza: The startup offers upfront capital, between AED 20k and AED 10 mn, to restaurants and hospitality players in exchange for food and beverage credits which it gives out to its app users. Since launching in 2025 by Kevin Boubil (LinkedIn), Mezza has partnered with the likes of Gates Hospitality and Chic Nonna, with plans for additional partners in the pipeline.

The timing is on the nose. Hotel occupancy has plunged from peak season averages of 90% to 16% this month, with hotels slashing prices and cutting staff hours as the fallout of the regional war continues. Dubai recently introduced an AED 1 bn support package, which included allowing hotels to defer paying 100% of sales fees and AED tourism payments.

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