Arab Investment Company

What Arab Investment Company does

Arab Investment Company (AIC) is a Kuwait-based, publicly-listed investment bank incorporated as a Kuwait shareholding closed company (k.s.c.c.) in late 2006 with an initial capital of 15 million Kuwaiti Dinars. The firm operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bukhamseen Group, one of Kuwait's largest conglomerates, and is headquartered at Crystal Tower in Kuwait City. AIC provides integrated financial services across asset management, corporate finance advisory, brokerage, direct investment, and credit/lending, holding a Capital Markets Authority license (No. AP/2016/0001) covering seven regulated activities plus Central Bank of Kuwait supervision for its lending operations.

The company's product portfolio spans four core lines. In asset management, AIC offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, custody services, and fund management covering traditional and alternative asset classes across GCC, international, and emerging markets — with total assets under management exceeding $500 million. Its corporate finance advisory practice provides M&A, equity capital markets (IPO and secondary offerings), debt capital markets, valuation, corporate restructuring, and due diligence services. The firm also offers securities brokerage, direct investment (PE, VC, real estate, infrastructure), and credit services (personal, corporate/SME, and micro lending). Governance is led by Chairman Saleh Al-Trad and Acting CEO Ahmed Al-Sadder, who also serves as CFO of the Bukhamseen Group parent.

AIC monetizes through multiple revenue streams: recurring management and advisory fees on its AUM base, transaction-based fees on brokerage and capital markets deals, professional services fees on M&A and advisory mandates, and net interest income from lending activities. Its go-to-market is relationship-driven direct sales targeting corporate clients, high-net-worth individuals, and SMEs/retail borrowers across Kuwait and the broader GCC region. The relationship-led model is institutionally supported by cross-referral from the Bukhamseen Group's diversified operating businesses.

Name

Arab Investment Company

Legal name

Arab Investment Company k.s.c.c. (الشركة العربية للاستثمار)

Website

https://arabinv.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Arab Investment Company is a Kuwait-based, publicly-listed investment bank (ticker AIC) under the Bukhamseen Group, offering asset management, corporate finance advisory, brokerage, direct investment, and credit services to corporate clients, high-net-worth individuals, and SMEs across Kuwait and the GCC region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Investment Banking

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (52394), Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities (523), All Other Financial Investment Activities (52399)

SIC

Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211), Investment Advice (6282), Investors, Nec (6799)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAHAOAL

Capital Markets Advisory (IPO Readiness, SPAC, ECM/DCM Advisory)

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/M&A, Transaction & Restructuring Advisory

SECONDARYFSACAAAI

Equity Capital Markets Advisory (Equity Issuance Strategy & Readiness)

Financial & Insurance/Capital Markets & Securities/Equity Capital Markets (ECM)

SECONDARYBPAJANAE

Real Estate Capital Markets Advisory (Debt/Equity Placement, Refinancing)

Business & Public Services/Real Estate Services (Brokerage, Property Management)/Real Estate Advisory & Consulting (Investment, Strategy)

Keywords

• Investment banking services
• Asset management services
• Corporate finance advisory
• Wealth management
• Brokerage services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sharq Hawalli

HQ country

Kuwait

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Asset Management: Discretionary portfolio management, custody and non-discretionary portfolio management, and fund management services for institutions and individuals with total assets under management exceeding $500 million.
2. Corporate Finance Advisory: Investment banking services including mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets, debt capital markets, valuation services, corporate restructuring, and due diligence services.
3. Credit/Lending: Personal lending, corporate lending (including SMEs), and micro lending under Central Bank of Kuwait supervision.
4. Direct Investment: Financing solutions to SMEs and consumers, secondary market transactions, and management of strategic direct investments across equity, fixed income, private equity, venture capital, alternative investments, infrastructure, and real estate.
5. Brokerage: Brokerage services for clients trading directly in financial markets including bonds, single stocks, and foreign exchange.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Arab Investment Company (AIC) is a Kuwait-based investment bank and asset manager that provides asset management services (discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, fund management, brokerage), corporate finance advisory (M&A, equity and debt capital markets, valuation, restructuring, due diligence), credit services (personal, corporate, and micro lending), and direct investment financing across equity, fixed income, private equity, venture capital, alternatives, infrastructure, and real estate. The firm is regulated by the Kuwait Capital Markets Authority and the Central Bank of Kuwait, and manages over $500 million in assets.

Product overview

Arab Investment Company (AIC) operates as a comprehensive investment bank offering multiple integrated financial services. The company provides Asset Management services including Discretionary Portfolio Management, Custody & Non-Discretionary Portfolio Management, Fund Management, and Brokerage. Its Investment Banking division offers Corporate Finance services such as Mergers and Acquisitions, Equity Capital Markets, Debt Capital Markets, Valuation Services, Corporate Restructuring, and Due Diligence. Additionally, the company provides Direct Investment financing for SMEs and consumers, Credit Services including personal, corporate, and micro lending. AIC holds CMA licenses for securities brokerage, investment advisory, portfolio management, collective investment scheme management, custodian services, investment control, and issuance management, making it a full-service financial institution serving both institutional and individual clients across Kuwait and the GCC region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Discretionary Portfolio Management Portfolio management service where AIC makes investment decisions on behalf of clients without requiring prior approval, covering traditional and alternative asset classes across GCC, international, and emerging markets. Targeted at institutions and individuals seeking professional discretionary investment management.
• Custody & Non-Discretionary Portfolio Management Custodial and advisory services where clients retain control over investment decisions while AIC provides custody and advice based on client needs and requirements. Designed for clients who want to keep decision authority while leveraging AIC's market expertise.
• Fund Management Management of traditional assets using a fundamental approach with robust risk control processes to protect and enhance clients' assets. Targeted at institutional and individual investors seeking pooled fund vehicles.
• Brokerage Trading services enabling clients to execute direct transactions in financial markets including bonds, single stocks, and foreign exchange. Targeted at clients seeking direct market access for securities and FX.
• Mergers and Acquisitions Advisory Advisory services supporting clients throughout M&A processes, including buy-side and sell-side transactions from assessment through execution. Targeted at corporations and entrepreneurs seeking strategic transactions.
• Equity Capital Markets Services covering IPOs, secondary offerings, corporate stock buybacks, and strategic equity and convertible securities to support client growth strategies. Targeted at corporations seeking equity financing solutions.
• Debt Capital Markets Creative debt solutions across public and private debt offerings for acquisitions, growth capital, financings, dividends, and recapitalizations. Targeted at corporations and issuers seeking debt financing solutions.
• Valuation Services Independent valuation services using comparable company analysis, discounted cash flow analysis, and leveraged buyout analysis methodologies. Targeted at clients needing independent business or asset valuations.
• Corporate Restructuring Assessment and restructuring services including leverage recaps, dividend recaps, and balance sheet restructurings based on client objectives. Targeted at corporations in need of capital structure or balance sheet adjustments.
• Due Diligence Services Confidential and unbiased due diligence reports and business analyses supporting client decision-making processes. Targeted at corporations and investors conducting transactions or investment evaluations.
• Direct Investment Financing and investment solutions for SMEs and consumers, secondary market transactions, and management of strategic direct investments across equity, fixed income, private equity, venture capital, alternative investments, infrastructure, and real estate. Targeted at SMEs, consumers, and strategic partners.
• Credit Services Lending services including personal lending, corporate lending (including SMEs), and micro lending, provided under Central Bank of Kuwait regulations. Targeted at individual consumers and SMEs requiring credit access.

Quantifiable outcome

• Leading M&A facilitator in Kuwait with major multinational clients
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Boubyan Capital: Kuwait-based investment firm offering asset management, advisory, and brokerage services. Competes with AIC for HNW and institutional clients in Kuwait's local market.
• KFH Capital: Investment banking subsidiary of Kuwait Finance House offering asset management, brokerage, advisory, and Islamic-structured products. Direct competitor in Kuwait with similar full-service breadth and CMA-licensed status.
• Kamco Investment Company: Kuwait-based investment bank and asset manager providing asset management, investment banking advisory, brokerage, and custody services. Closely overlapping product set and Kuwait-listed entity status make this a direct competitor for mandates.
• Al Imtiaz Investment: Kuwait-based investment company with asset management, investment banking, and direct investment operations. Directly comparable across the same service lines including principal investment activity.
• Markaz (Kuwait Financial Centre): Kuwait-based listed investment bank and asset manager offering asset management, investment banking, brokerage, and research with comparable mid-market positioning. Most direct local comparable given similar full-service model and Kuwait-listed status.
• NBK Capital: Investment banking arm of National Bank of Kuwait, providing asset management, brokerage, and advisory across MENA. Competes directly with AIC for Kuwait and GCC corporate finance mandates with stronger balance sheet backing.
• Global Investment House: Kuwait-based investment bank and asset manager with asset management, advisory, and direct investment services. Direct local comparable offering similar mid-market product mix.

Broad incumbents

• EFG Hermes: Regional heavyweight in MENA investment banking, brokerage, and asset management. Competes with AIC for GCC corporate finance mandates but with broader geographic footprint and significantly larger scale.
• Gulf Investment Corporation: Kuwait-headquartered GCC-owned investment bank and asset manager. Overlaps with AIC across asset management and direct investment activities but operates at larger scale with broader regional mandate.

Regional players

• Shuaa Capital: UAE-based regional investment bank offering asset management and advisory with regional focus. Adjacent competitor for GCC mandates though primarily UAE-rather than Kuwait-focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/arabinvco
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arabinvestmentcompany

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arab Investment Company