US-based investment firm Goanna Capital Opens First International Office at ADGM in Abu Dhabi

US investment firm Goanna Capital has opened its first international office at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), strengthening its commitment to the UAE as it seeks to connect regional investors with some of the world’s leading private technology companies.

The Palm Beach-headquartered firm, which manages approximately $3.5 billion in assets, established its Abu Dhabi base with support from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).

The office will be led by Hussain Al Alawi, managing director and head of Middle East.

Goanna’s expansion comes as Abu Dhabi seeks to strengthen its position as a global hub for artificial intelligence and frontier technologies, backed by substantial pools of capital, advanced computing infrastructure and an expanding innovation ecosystem.

The firm plans to develop long-term relationships with sovereign wealth funds, family offices and institutional investors across the Gulf, while helping international technology companies establish commercial connections and expand into the region.

ADIO is supporting Goanna through its FinTech, Insurance, Digital and Alternative Assets (FIDA) cluster, which connects international investment firms with strategic partners, stakeholders and opportunities across Abu Dhabi’s economy.

Fatima Al Hamadi, head of the FIDA Cluster at ADIO, said Goanna’s arrival reflected Abu Dhabi’s growing position as a global centre for asset management and investment.

She added that the firm’s presence would strengthen connections between international capital and the emirate’s priority sectors, including AI and frontier technologies, with initiatives such as the Frontier Summit creating opportunities for collaboration and long-term growth.

Robert Hilmer, founder of Goanna Capital, said: “Goanna Capital has a deep and long-term commitment to Abu Dhabi and the wider region. Opening our first international office here, at ADGM, reflects that commitment.

“We look forward to partnering with local stakeholders to help the UAE become a global leader in frontier technology. Our Frontier Summit, held annually, is one of many initiatives we are excited to unveil.”

Abu Dhabi’s frontier technology ambitions

The office opening coincides with the inaugural Frontier Summit, Goanna’s flagship annual gathering, taking place on October 19 and 20 at the Four Seasons on Al Maryah Island.

The invitation-only event is expected to bring together around 200 founders, investors, sovereign wealth representatives and government leaders to discuss developments across AI, robotics and space.

The summit is intended to become a leading international gathering for frontier technology, bringing together the companies developing emerging technologies and the investors financing their growth.

Goanna’s investment strategy includes direct investments in growing private technology businesses and secondary transactions involving existing investment interests. Secondary deals can provide liquidity to shareholders and investors before a company lists publicly or is acquired.

The firm’s disclosed portfolio exposure includes companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, SpaceX, Databricks and Canva, alongside Saudi fintech business Tamara. Its portfolio disclosures do not specify the size or ownership structure of each position.

Establishing a regional base in Abu Dhabi provides Goanna with a platform to deepen relationships with Gulf investors while supporting the commercial expansion of its technology investments.

For Abu Dhabi, the move adds another international investment firm to an ecosystem seeking to attract global capital, technology businesses and specialist expertise.

The extent to which the expansion translates into new investment commitments and regional operations for Goanna’s portfolio companies will be an important measure of its long-term impact.