What Pride Group does

Pride Group is a privately-held, non-banking diversified conglomerate headquartered in Dubai, UAE, founded in 1987 and led by Chairperson H.E. Shaikha Moaza Obaid Suhail Al Maktoum and CEO Aboobacker Mohammed Ali. It operates more than 10,000 employees across 43+ countries and 5 continents, with a network of 3,000+ independent representatives, affiliates and brokers, and manages over $2 billion in assets under management (approximately half in real estate across Asia, Europe and North America).

The group's core activity is building and operating financial market infrastructure in emerging economies — it has established wholly-owned commodity and derivatives exchanges including MEX Madagascar, MEX Ukraine and MEX Nepal, and joint-venture exchanges such as Bangla Mercantile Commodity Exchange (BMEx) in Bangladesh and Mercantile Exchange of Belize (MercBelize). Technology is delivered through proprietary trading platform subsidiaries KappSoft (est. 2005), AX1 Systems and Captain Information Technology, with financial training offered through Imperium Financial Academy (IMFA Global). Adjacent verticals include fintech (Pride Fintech at DIFC Innovation Hub), hospitality (Emarald Hotels & Resorts with 12+ India locations, Emarald Silent Valley Resort), real estate (Leader Properties, D Realtors, Emarald Mall), healthcare (Gardeno supplements brand, acquired 2021), and retail gold (Bakkah Gold and KEVA BOX JV).

Revenue is generated through a mix of exchange transaction and clearing fees, technology licensing to exchanges and financial institutions, subscription/training fees from IMFA, hotel and resort operations, real estate sales and rentals, and product sales across healthcare and gold retail. Go-to-market is heavily relationship-driven: senior leadership engages directly with heads of state and ministers to sign government MOUs for exchange establishment, while distribution is decentralized through the 3,000+ affiliate/broker network and operated subsidiaries in each market. No public pricing or revenue figures are disclosed.

Name

Pride Group

Legal name

Pride Group

Website

https://prideholding.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Pride Group is a Dubai-based private conglomerate that builds and operates commodity exchanges, fintech and trading technology platforms in emerging markets, alongside diversified hospitality, real estate and healthcare subsidiaries across 43+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Investment Management and Diversified Conglomerate Services

NAICS

Trusts, Estates, and Agency Accounts (52592), Jewelry, Watch, Precious Stone, and Precious Metal Merchant Wholesalers (42394)

SIC

Commodity Contracts Brokers & Dealers (6221)

akta.pro primary industry

Franchise Ownership Groups & Multi-Club Organizations (Multi-team owners, holding companies) (MPAKABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Men’s Health Supplements (Testosterone, Prostate, Vitality) (CRADAGAL)

Keywords

• Commodity exchange services
• Trading platform software
• Investment management
• Financial market infrastructure
• Real estate development

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Investment Management: Pride Group operates as a private investment management corporation with over $2 billion under management. The group manages diversified companies across multiple industries including finance, healthcare, IT, hospitality, real estate, e-commerce and manufacturing.
2. Exchange Operations: The group operates commodity exchanges (MEX Madagascar, MEX Ukraine, Nepal Spot Exchange) and earns revenue from exchange transaction fees and clearing operations. MEX Ukraine fosters the Ukrainian Derivatives Clearing house that clears and settles all trades.
3. Technology Licensing: Pride Group generates revenue through its technology subsidiaries including KappSoft (trading platform provider), AX1 Systems, and Captain Information Technology, which develop and license trading software to exchanges and financial institutions globally.
4. Financial Training (IMFA): Imperium Financial Academy (IMFA) generates revenue through financial education and training programs covering stock market, forex, bonds, commodities and cryptocurrencies for participants globally.
5. Real Estate and Hospitality: Revenue from Emarald Hotels & Resorts (12+ locations in India), Emarald Silent Valley Resort, Emarald Mall (Calicut), Leader Properties, and D Realtors.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Pride Group is a privately held diversified conglomerate that establishes and operates commodity and futures exchanges (e.g., MEX Madagascar, MEX Ukraine, MEX Nepal), licenses proprietary trading platform technology (Kappsoft, AX1 Systems, Captain Information Technology), delivers financial market training (IMFA Global), and runs hospitality (Emarald Hotels and Resorts), real estate (Leader Properties, D Realtors), and healthcare (Gardeno) businesses across 43+ countries under a network of 3,000+ independent representatives.

Product overview

Pride Group is a non-banking, private organization of diversified companies headquartered in Dubai. The company operates a portfolio of subsidiaries across multiple industries including: Exchanges (MEX Madagascar, MEX Ukraine for commodities trading), Information Technology (Kappsoft trading platforms, AX1 Systems, Captain Information Technology for exchange software), Education (Imperium Financial Academy for financial training), Real Estate (Leader Properties, D Realtors), Hospitality (Emarald Hotels and Resorts, Silent Valley Resort), and Healthcare (Gardeno supplements brand). Additionally, Pride Fintech serves as the group's fintech initiative based at the DIFC Innovation Hub. The group also has commercial operations through Emarald Mall. This is a diversified conglomerate structure rather than a unified product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MEX Madagascar: Mercantile Exchange of Madagascar - the only exchange to receive support for technical and business aspects from market participants.
• MEX Ukraine
• IMFA Global
• Emarald Hotels and Resorts
• AX1 Systems
• Kappsoft
• Pride Fintech
• Gardeno
• Bakkah Gold

Products and services

• Mercantile Exchange of Madagascar (MEX Madagascar) Subsidiary-operated commodity futures exchange in Madagascar; functions as a marketplace where market participants in the Malagasy commodity ecosystem can trade and receive technical and business support.
• MEX Ukraine Subsidiary-operated commodity futures exchange in Ukraine; the first exchange in Ukraine to trade commodity futures markets and the parent of the Ukrainian Derivatives Clearing House that clears and settles all exchange trades.
• Nepal Spot Exchange (MEX Nepal) Subsidiary-operated spot exchange in Nepal offering commodity trading infrastructure to market participants in the region.
• Kappsoft Trading Platform Proprietary trading platform provider established in 2005, offering online exchange platforms for commodities, futures, derivatives, and related asset classes to exchanges and financial institutions.
• AX1 Systems (AXI Trading Platform) Trading platform technology offering that consolidates disparate exchanges onto a single platform, marketed as in demand throughout the Middle East and Asia.
• Captain Information Technology Software Applications Software applications for commodity exchange participants, providing user-friendly tools for individuals and institutions to advance their investor decisions on Future Commodity Exchanges.
• Imperium Financial Academy (IMFA Global) Subscription-based financial training and education programs covering stock market, forex, bonds, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, delivered to enrolled participants globally.
• Emarald Hotels and Resorts Hospitality business operating 12+ hotel and resort properties across India, each with full-service spa amenities, serving tourists and business travelers.
• Emarald Silent Valley Resort Ayurvedic resort property located in Kerala, India, offering full-service spa treatments specializing in Ayurvedic therapies for getaway travelers.
• Leader Properties India-based real estate development business offering design, building, project management, and construction services as a general work contractor under the Emarald Group.
• D Realtors Dubai-based real estate business offering complete property solutions to customers, drawing on the experience and knowledge of the broader Pride Group.
• Emarald Mall Calicut Shopping mall in Calicut, India spanning over seven floors and housing more than 100 retail stores, including the Big Bazaar anchor tenant.
• Pride Fintech Fintech initiative of Pride Group housed at the DIFC Innovation Hub in Dubai, delivering advanced fintech solutions aimed at financial sustainability and socio-economic empowerment.
• Gardeno Healthcare Supplements Brand Healthcare supplements product brand under Pride Group's healthcare division, distributed across the GCC with plans to extend into North American and European markets.
• Bakkah Gold Retail Business Gold retail business operating under Pride Group offering gold products to retail customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $2 billion in assets under management, with half in real estate assets across Asia, Europe, and North America
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Trends Research and ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2021Trends Research and Consulting signed a collaboration agreement with Pride Group on April 1st, 2021 to enhance cooperation in training and investment. The agreement was signed by Sheikha Moza Obaid Al Maktoum, Head of Pride, and Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-President CEO of 'Trendz'.
• Modern Cinema GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 October 2017Modern Cinema Group Inc. (OTCPK: MOCI) signed an agreement with Pride Holding and Pride Group to launch the first-of-its-kind international futures exchange allowing individuals to buy and sell fractional interests in movies, television series and electronic games. Signed in Beverly Hills, California on October 5th, 2017.
• CHADIAN Investment CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHer Excellency Shaikha Moaza Obaid Suhail Al Maktoum – Director General of Pride Group and Honorable Hissein Idris Deby Itno – Chairman of CHADIAN Investment Corporation signed a Memorandum of Agreement. Pride Group engaged in project discussions with CHADIAN Investment Corporation and CARGO CASTLE FZCO.
• Deshbandhu GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPride Group and Deshbandhu Group formed a joint venture consortium to launch the Bangla Mercantile Commodity Exchange (BMEx) in Bangladesh, with Pride Group providing state-of-the-art technology to run facilities around the globe.
• Ashur International BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPride Financial Investments LLC signed a MOU with Ashur International Bank, a member of the Al Handal International Group. The cooperation involves transfer of financial technology (fintech) to the Iraqi market utilizing the local expertise of Al Handal International Group.
• KEVA BOXminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPride Group entered into a joint venture with KEVA BOX on Retail Gold and Diamond Business, expanding into the luxury retail segment.
• Gardeno / Vivante InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPride Group acquired the Gardeno Brand into its healthcare division. Gardeno is a supplements product brand distributed in the GCC, with Pride planning to introduce it into North American and European Markets through its global network. Agreement signed between CEO Aboobacker Mohammed Ali and Mohammed Munzir, CEO of Vivante International.
• QWASAR Silicon ValleyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteve Wilmarth of QWASAR Silicon Valley and CEO Aboobacker finalized discussions on the rollout of QWASAR campus that will provide up-skilling opportunities to thousands in the digital economy and technology education field.
• Crypto.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAlain Yacine, President of France and Brazil at Crypto.com, and his team visited Pride Group's office to explore potential business collaborations in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space.
• Hello GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHector Poh, Regional Director (SEA and MENA) of Hello Group, visited Pride Group's office to explore exciting business collaboration and expansion opportunities in Southeast Asia and MENA regions.
• UBC GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMr. Aboobacker, CEO of Pride Group, and Mr. Wajeeh Oudah, CEO and Co-founder of UBC Group, joined forces for an exciting new business venture with teams led by Nurettin Tayanc, Birol Oztoycan, Ali Oudah, and Mustafa Akyol set to redefine industry standards.
• pSwitch Services LimitedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPRIDE Fintech along with pSwitch Services Limited met with Mr. Yan Li, Founder & CEO of Beijing Wiseasy Technology Co., Ltd and their EMEA team to discuss strategic collaborations in financial services.
• Sas Alnakheel GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPride Group management met with Mr. Ahmed Al Hamid, Mr. Hasan Alzbeidi, and Mr. Nasir Alzbeidi of Sas Alnakheel Group to explore business opportunities in blockchain and cryptocurrencies. The two groups agreed on substantial cooperation in sharing market knowledge, operational expertise, and technological know-how.
• PK Sulpheeker & Company (Emerald Group)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPride Group made a new investment venture into infrastructure development in India through PK Sulpheeker & Company, established under the Emerald Group as a general work contractor. The company has grown into one of the leading contractors in Kerala with skills in design, building solutions, and project management services.
• Afghanistan Commercial Bank (ACB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfghanistan Global Commodity Exchange (AGCXL), a Pride Group entity, signed a MOU with Afghanistan Commercial Bank (ACB) as its clearing bank. MOU signed between Mr. Ahmad Siam Rahimi, VP AGCXL and Mr. Umashanker Rao K, CEO ACB.
• Zamara KenyaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA National Initiative began in Kenya to empower small businesses and the informal economic sector to access pension and insurance solutions, facilitated through a partnership between Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations and Zamara Kenya, with Richard Muteti of Pride Kenya signing the MOU.
• Antananarivo UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEX Madagascar conducted a Master Degree Course Program on Commodity Exchange & Financial Market at Antananarivo University, with training sessions for university management, faculty deans, and students.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX): UAE-based regional commodity exchange operating in the same Gulf corridor as Pride Group, offering futures across precious metals, energy and currencies. Compares directly to Pride's commodity exchange and clearing-house ambitions.
• Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX): India's largest listed commodity derivatives exchange, operating futures trading across multiple asset classes. Direct comparable to MEX Madagascar/Ukraine/Nepal in commodity exchange operations, though at materially greater scale and liquidity.
• International Holding Company (IHC): Abu Dhabi-listed diversified holding company chaired by a member of the Al Maktoum family, with a similarly sprawling portfolio across food, real estate, financial services, healthcare and industrial assets. Closest structural analogue to Pride as a UAE-anchored, royally-connected conglomerate.

Broad incumbents

• EFG Hermes: EMEA-focused investment bank with brokerage, asset management and securities services across frontier and emerging markets. Comparable to Pride's investment management, brokerage representative network and exchange-adjacent financial services.
• Dubai Holding: State-linked Dubai conglomerate operating across real estate, hospitality, financial services and investments. Compares to Pride in geography and diversified financial-and-real-estate model, though at substantially larger scale.
• Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ): Sovereign-backed Abu Dhabi holding company with assets across financial services, logistics, healthcare, food and real estate. Comparable as a UAE-anchored, government-relationship-driven diversified investment platform.

Regional players

• Nairobi Securities Exchange: Frontier African exchange where Pride operates adjacent SME/informal-sector financial inclusion initiatives through Pride Kenya. Comparable as an African market infrastructure platform.
• Bahrain Bourse: Regional MENA exchange operating across multiple asset classes. Comparable in scope and regional positioning to Pride's exchange subsidiaries.

Emerging players

• Bakkah Gold / Malabar Gold & Diamonds: GCC-based gold and jewellery retail groups referenced in Pride's enterprise relationships and JV activity (KEVA BOX JV). Comparable in retail gold/diamond operations to Bakkah Gold and KEVA BOX.
• Chagoury Group: West African diversified conglomerate with operations across infrastructure, real estate, financial services and hospitality. Comparable to Pride as an emerging-market diversified investment group with government-tied deal flow.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/prideholding
• Facebookfacebook.com/PrideHolding

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries19 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 Pride Group