What is the amount of the investment in Property Finder?

Permira and Blackstone are acquiring a $525 million minority stake in Property Finder.

Who are the other stakeholders in Property Finder?

General Atlantic, an early backer since 2018, has partially exited but remains a significant minority shareholder.

What does this investment signify for Permira?

This marks Permira's first investment in the Middle East, following the opening of their office in Dubai's financial district.

How has the Dubai property market been performing recently?

Dubai has experienced a post-pandemic property boom, with residential real estate prices surging almost 70% in the four years to December 2024.

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Home > Finance > Permira, Blackstone take $525 million minority stake in Dubai's Property Finder

Finance

Permira, Blackstone take $525 million minority stake in Dubai's Property Finder

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®

Posted on September 9, 2025

2 min read

Last updated: January 22, 2026

Permira, Blackstone take $525 million minority stake in Dubai's Property Finder - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review

Investment Overview and Market Context

By Hadeel Al Sayegh

Details of the Transaction

DUBAI (Reuters) - Permira and Blackstone Inc are acquiring a $525 million minority stake in Dubai-based classifieds firm Property Finder, according to a joint statement on Tuesday, in a sign of continued investor appetite in the emirate's real estate market.

Market Trends in Dubai's Real Estate

As part of the transaction, General Atlantic, an early backer of Property Finder since 2018, has partially exited but will remain a significant minority shareholder, the statement said.

Impact of Foreign Investment

The deal will give Property Finder access to the global expertise of all three private equity firms, Permira, Blackstone, and General Atlantic, as it expands its platform and targets growth across the Middle East and North Africa real estate market, the companies said in the joint statement.

Future Market Predictions

The companies did not disclose the valuation for the transaction, which is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

This marks Permira's first investment in the Middle East, and comes just months after the firm opened an office in Dubai's financial district.

Global private equity firms are increasingly establishing a presence in the Gulf region to be closer to sovereign wealth funds and capitalize on a growing pipeline of regional deals.

Founded nearly two decades ago, Property Finder is one of the region's leading real estate classifieds platforms, competing with rivals such as Dubizzle and Bayut.

Last year, Francisco Partners provided $90 million in debt financing to Property Finder to help the company buy out its first institutional investor. Since then, the platform has expanded regionally and is now targeting growth opportunities in Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Dubai, the Gulf's business and tourism hub, has experienced a post-pandemic property boom, fuelled by foreign investment and government-led residency reforms.

Residential real estate prices surged almost 70% in the four years to December 2024, according to Knight Frank.

The rally, however, may be cooling. In a May report, Fitch Ratings forecast double-digit price declines in Dubai's housing market in the second half of 2025 and into 2026.

(Reporting by Hadeel Al Sayegh; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)

Permira, Blackstone take $525 million minority stake in Dubai's Property Finder

Quick Summary

Permira and Blackstone Invest $525 Million in Dubai's Property Finder