Dubai – Sharikat Mubasher: Creative Investments Holding, an investment platform focused on the creative industries, announced a $20 million first close as it targets raising up to $50 million to build a portfolio of brands and experiences across the Middle East and North Africa.

The company is being established by luxury and brands executive Mohamed Talaat Khalifa, through his investment arm Leo Equities, alongside founding investors Onsi Sawiris, Ali Abubakr and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA), according to a recent press release.

Headquartered across Cairo, Abu Dhabi and Milan, Creative Holding plans to acquire and develop businesses across four areas: food and culinary experiences, hospitality, fashion and retail, and lifestyle and entertainment.

The platform will take controlling or strategic stakes in businesses and provide capital and operational support to help them expand regionally and internationally.

Creative Holding said it is structured as a long-term investment company and is targeting a public listing on ADX, Tadawul or the London Stock Exchange within five to seven years.

The company is already evaluating its first potential acquisition in the heritage food sector and properties for Casa Leo, its planned boutique hotel concept.