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Advent International announced the opening of its inaugural Middle East office at the Abu Dhabi Global Market, where the global private equity firm intends to source deals and support portfolio companies in key sectors. The Boston-headquartered company, which oversees more than $90 billion in assets under management, selected ADGM for its regulatory environment aligned with international standards and its position as a gateway to regional markets. According to a statement issued by the firm and distributed by the Emirates News Agency, the office will serve as a hub for identifying opportunities in technology, healthcare, financial services and consumer industries.
ADGM reported that more than 7,000 companies had registered with the authority by the end of 2025, reflecting sustained growth in financial services and investment entities establishing presence in the free zone. Advent International, founded in 1984, has completed investments in over 400 companies worldwide and maintains a network of offices across North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. The firm’s expansion into Abu Dhabi follows several years of increased private equity activity in the UAE, where sovereign wealth funds and international capital have supported diversification initiatives.
In the announcement, Advent International described the UAE as a strategic platform connecting economies across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. The company stated that the new office will facilitate closer collaboration with local partners, entrepreneurs and institutional investors. ADGM officials welcomed the development, noting that the addition of a major global investor underscores the authority’s appeal to leading financial institutions.
A report by Preqin on global private equity trends placed Middle East deal value at record levels in 2025, with transaction volumes rising more than 30 percent from the prior year amid favourable liquidity conditions. Advent’s regional entry aligns with this momentum, as the firm brings expertise in buyouts, growth equity and structured capital solutions. Industry data from KPMG indicates that international private equity firms have doubled their office footprints in the GCC since 2020 to capitalise on economic transformation programmes.
The Abu Dhabi Global Market operates under a common-law framework independent of the UAE civil system, providing certainty for cross-border transactions and dispute resolution. This structure has drawn asset managers, banks and advisory firms, contributing to ADGM’s status as one of the fastest-growing international financial centres. Advent International will occupy premises within ADGM’s central district, joining a community of more than 100 investment and advisory entities.
Advent International said the office opening represents a long-term commitment to the region and its growth trajectory. The firm has expressed interest in sectors that support the UAE’s innovation agenda and economic diversification beyond oil. No specific investment mandates or target transactions were detailed in the initial statement.
