Visionaries are most sought out in the investment business. Most investors are looking for visionaries that can help them stay ahead of the upcoming trend. To provide them with a life-changing insight into the economy and world at large, the key question here is – what really makes a visionary? Being a visionary requires an approach deeply ingrained in integrity. This is the value that enables a visionary to remain humble in their approach, admit mistakes, learn from their mistakes, and ultimately, approach the world with an objective mind. A person who encompasses this blue-eyed approach to future investments is Dr. Mohamad Hamade, the CEO of Amanat Holdings (“Amanat”), an investment gateway to some of the best investment opportunities in the MENA region.
An expert in both healthcare, and education setups, Dr. Hamade, joined Amanat Holdings as the Chief Investment Officer in 2017. Back then, Amanat Holdings held 1.7 million dirhams in cashflows from its paid-in capital of 2.5 billion dirhams. Months into Hamade’s tenure, Amanat Holdings invested 1.2 billion dirhams.to close 5 successful transactions, deploying 80% of the company’s paid-in capital from 29% within 10 months.
Providing a Safe Haven for Investors
According to a 2020 report by Deloitte, venture funding for health tech doubled to US$14 billion. Deloitte anticipates a stronger growth for funding in 2021, thanks to increased promising solutions, open data platforms, and growing demand. The growing demand in the industry is clearly visible, thanks to advanced technologies like 3D printing, growing AI use in research, and increased digitalization. However, anticipating next-gen innovation is often a tricky business. Amanat promises access to such investments for global investors while providing a safe haven for investors who are unfamiliar with the edtech, and medtech landscape.
A Treasured Investment in Experience
Dr. Mohamad believes his background in healthcare remains key to his vision. He was on the board of various medical, and education institutions before joining Amanat Holdings. He asserts, “I observed a growing disconnect between their setups, and the rapidly changing business equation. Bridging this gap was essential to deliver next-gen healthcare and education.” He adds that the opportunities for healthcare and education investments in Middle East are rising. For example, in its vision 2030 document, Saudi Arabia, and UAE have offered support for private-public partnerships with various legislative reforms. Egypt 2030 plan also identifies education, and healthcare as key sectors for national growth. Amanat Holdings has dedicated its immense expertise in pursuit of this robust future for investments. A cornerstone of this visionary future investment at Amanat Holdings is Abu Dhabi University Holding Company. The University was rated as the best by regulators in UAE recently. Amanat Holdings acquired a 35% stake in Abu Dhabi University in March 2018, beating all estimates while contributing to the future of quality education in UAE.
Dr. Mohamad’s vision for investors has inspired tremendous confidence among shareholders recently. He notes that Amanat Holdings today is one of the largest investors in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Middle East. Furthermore, when he took over the reins as CEO in 2020, the market cap for Amanat Holdings stood at1.6 billion dirhams. In 2021, Amanat’s market cap almost doubled to reach 3.1 billion dirhams. Despite these tremendous strides, Dr. Mohamad notes investing in upskilling its people remained the best investment Amanat Holdings has made. He asserts, “We want to lead with a vision of integrity, and commitment. The only way to achieve that is to empower our people to become leaders”. Dr. Mohamad invested in this vision during one of the most difficult periods in modern business history. During Covid-19 pandemic, the company invested in training its nursing staff, and teachers. The training program connected them with the best of modern technology. The results astound many to this day. Despite the worries and gloom surrounding the covid-19 pandemic, Amanat made a record profit of AED 235 million for its shareholders in the same year.
A new investment in Cambridge Medical and Rehabilitation Centre (CMRC) facility is an example of Amanat’s proactive approach recently. Amanat invested 871 million in acquiring 100% of the business in March 2021 and invested a further AED 46 million in acquiring the Abu Dhabi facility’s real estate for CMRC in September. The investment is in line with UAE and Saudi Arabia to create a quality social infrastructure. Dr. Mohamad expresses, “post-acute care, and rehabilitation are some of the most under-served areas in healthcare. Hence, we can create dedicated space for quality healthcare with promising returns for shareholders”.
Success Mantra to Beat Pandemic Blues
Dr. Mohamad believes investing in core values of commitment, integrity, empowerment, ambition, and partnerships are the mantra to success. Amanat did a profiling of its employees and found that these values remain core to the individual values at Amanat. Dr. Mohamad notes, “Companies in sectors like healthcare and education have to ultimately serve the larger purpose. As a team, apart from being result-oriented, our core values reflect what define us as individuals, and as a team in delivering that purpose”. The core value structure at Amanat Holdings seems to be paying off very well. During the pandemic-led global outlook, the company has plans to invest in new subsectors of education, and healthcare businesses. Amanat plans to increase its footprint regionally, with increased faith in its team to take on daunting challenges, and expertise to gain the highest return for its investors.
This newly found exuberance led to the company to sign four major transactions in 2021, with 2 new major investments. Amidst a global pandemic, the path towards future investments remains challenging. However, healthcare, and education remain some of the most promising sectors globally. According to Dr. Mohamad, his biggest challenge was to define a strategy to transform Amanat from being a regular investor to becoming a leader in investments in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other countries. He notes, “Our journey of navigating, and overcoming tough financial weathers like Covid-19 pandemic has helped us become stronger than we could ever imagine. At times, we were worried, but our financial results are a testimony to the great work our team put in”. Now, growing the team, and bringing it together for some of the leading investments regionally is a challenge he tries to conquer every day. He also has a clear vision of accomplishing this amazing feat.
Dr. Mohamad’s success mantra is very simple and straightforward. He believes every person can create his own luck. He believes a successful investor needs to be fortunate enough to be fortunate. In other words, one can have the best analytical skills, be the smartest person in the room, but you always need to patiently wait for the best opportunity to knock on your door. He says, in order for investors to conquer their luck, they need to learn the value of perseverance. Dr. Mohamad says, “You create your own luck by being patient in your persistence, observing with utmost curiosity, and ultimately, going after it with courage. And that’s how you can get lucky.”
A Roadmap to Conquer the Future of Tech
Dr. Mohamad plans to offer an access to diversified investments to shareholders of Amanat through investments in resilient sectors. These investments include a potentially life-changing exposure to some of the best access in the edtech, and medtech business. Amanat Holdings also promises opportunities for attractive returns on capital for short-term, and medium-term goals. Dr. Mohamad concludes, “There is tremendous untapped potential in the market, and we are determined to unlock the quintessential value, and deliver the best returns to our shareholders.”
