Apollo to Invest $1.4b in Abu Dhabi Developer Aldar

Apollo to Invest $1.4b in Abu Dhabi Developer Aldar
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Apollo to Invest $1.4b in Abu Dhabi Developer Aldar

Apollo to Invest $1.4b in Abu Dhabi Developer Aldar

Apollo Global Management (APO.N) will invest $1.4 billion in Abu Dhabi developer Aldar Properties (ALDAR.AD), including a land joint venture and an equity investment in the company's real estate unit, the pair said on Monday.

The commitment will be made by Apollo managed funds and clients and include a $500 million investment in a land joint venture and a $100 million common equity investment in Aldar's real estate investment unit, the companies said, Reuters reported.

New York-based Apollo would also invest $800 million in the unit, Aldar Investment Properties, through perpetual subordinated notes and mandatory convertible preferred equity, they said.

The land acquired in the joint venture from Aldar's landbank could later be developed or sold. Apollo will hold a minority stake in the real estate investment unit through the common equity investment,

"Aldar’s ability to attract a long-term partner such as Apollo, underscores the strength of Aldar’s business franchise," Aldar Chief Executive Talal Al Dhiyebi said.

Apollo Chief Executive Marc Rowan said Apollo was "pleased" to serve as a long-term capital partner to Aldar.

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter. The cash proceeds would be used to fund Aldar's growth plans.

Aldar last week said it planned to spend nearly $1.4 billion of existing capital this year acquiring recurring revenue generating assets such as commercial and residential property.



Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Holding Buys $400 Million Stake in xAI

xAI logo is seen near computer motherboard in this illustration taken January 8, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
xAI logo is seen near computer motherboard in this illustration taken January 8, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
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Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Holding Buys $400 Million Stake in xAI

xAI logo is seen near computer motherboard in this illustration taken January 8, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
xAI logo is seen near computer motherboard in this illustration taken January 8, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) said on Wednesday it has acquired a key stake in xAI Corporation, an artificial intelligence company founded by US billionaire Elon Musk for 1.5 billion Saudi Riyals ($400 million), becoming the second largest investor in X and xAI.

The acquisition of the new stake is part of xAI’s Series C funding round, said KHC in its filing to Saudi bourse Tadawul.

This transaction follows KHC's previous investment at the same value in xAI during its Series B funding round.

It further solidifies KHC's strategic partnership with Elon Musk, and follows its strategic stake in X (Twitter), held since 2015, KHC stated.

A post on X said Prince Alwaleed bin Talal became the second largest shareholders in Musk’s two companies, X & xAI.

In November 2022, the Saudi prince moved almost 35 million Twitter shares through the Kingdom Holding Company, worth about $1.9 billion at the $54.20 per share sale price. That made him the “second-largest investor” in the new parent company.
Funding Rounds

The funding rounds consist of several fundraising events in which startups or existing companies raise funds from investors to continue building their infrastructure and accelerate research and development.

The rounds start with a “seed round” of funding where a startup typically raises money from the owners to cover initial operating expenses and then expand to Series A, B, and C funding rounds as the company develops to raise additional capital.

In terms of risks, Series B funding is generally less risky than Series A funding, while Series C is less risky than Series B and is typically used by companies that are growing rapidly and need additional capital to fund their expansion.

Musk's xAI Series C funding round included the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and the Oman Investment Authority (OIA).

Participants included Morgan Stanley and BlackRock, which were described as two of the major investors in the fundraising round.

KHC, in which Public Investment Fund (PIF) owns a 17% stake, said xAI has a $45 billion valuation with the latest funding round, indicating a significant increase from its $25 billion valuation during the Series B funding round, the filing showed.

Following the announcement of the acquisition, the shares of KHC, listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange, rose by 0.44% to 9.16 riyals.

xAI’s strategy focuses on developing leading AI models and working closely with other technology companies associated with its founder, including Tesla, SpaceX, and X, whose application has over 500 million users.

KHC said this transaction further solidifies KHC's strategic partnership with Elon Musk, and follows its strategic stake in X (Twitter), held since 2015.

It forms part of KHC’s business model of securing early stakes in emerging technologies and its ambition to lead and innovate within the AI industry, it added.