EXA Capital: Driving value through operational excellence and strategic expansion from the GCC to Europe

Tim Latif, CEO and Founding Partner of EXA Capital

EXA Capital, a well-known private equity firm in Dubai, is expanding its global presence with a long-term plan to enter Europe.

This fast-growing private equity company has been recognised for its expertise in delivering best-in-class returns and a hands-on operational investment model. By increasing its footprint in the European market, EXA is reshaping the rules for success in emerging and established markets internationally.

EXA has implemented practical technique integration with detailed and customised operational engagement to transform poorly performing companies into successful and competitive companies. The company's European strategy is not limited to a single geography. Simultaneously, Germany acts as EXA’s entrance point, a new door for a long-term plan across European emerging markets.

With a vibrant portfolio exceeding $500 million, EXA private equity has evolved its prominence in the GCC by handling intricate industrial turnarounds, developing undervalued assets, and partnering with high-potential founders in sectors ranging from manufacturing and logistics to tech-enabled platforms and energy services.

"Our European expansion is not just about deploying capital - it’s about involving our operational expertise to unlock value where others see risk," said Tim Latif, chief executive and founding partner of EXA Capital. "Our main goals are situations where change is necessary and needed.

PE meets VC: A hybrid and multifunctional investment model

Although EXA Capitals is mainly rooted in traditional private equity, it is not limited to that. The company's track record also reinforces potential startups and scale-ups, particularly in logistics, SaaS, e-commerce, and platform plays.

EXA guarantees that capital allocation is supported by hands-on strategic implementation through detailed and carefully planned operational involvement.

EXA private equity European expansion is mainly concentrated on:

• Industrial businesses requiring transition or restructuring underperformed businesses.
• Provide functional involvement and an operational plan for undervalued companies.
• Bridging GCC and EU economies and markets via capital, trade, and operational partnerships.

Operational involvement at the core

What sets EXA apart is its willingness to go beyond capital allocation. The company takes on active operational roles - helping build management teams, restructuring supply chains, or digitising core processes. EXA has invested in several GCC investments to guide companies through macroeconomic shocks, post-acquisition integration and market repositioning.

"We are not passive investors," said Tim Latif. "We act like co-founders or turnaround CEOs when needed - especially in complex or distressed environments. That’s where we create real value."

Europe: A strategic next chapter in the international market

EXA Capital’s move into Europe is not brief but strategic and long-term, with a detailed vision for the future. Along with foundational work in Germany, the company prepares long-term value in operationally intensive investments across industrial, manufacturing and niche service sectors.

EXA's private equity core values for its European expansion are:

• Performance-oriented: Delivering the best quality returns by focusing on missed chances.
• Value creation: Passive capital is not poorly used, but active and in-depth functional involvement is needed.
• Dual engine method: EXA's principal value is growth investments in venture capital and turnaround deals in private equity.
• Measured European expansion: Providing grounds for a long-term involvement and development in the European Market.

EXA has engaged with family-owned businesses, institutional investors and experienced consultants across Europe, pursuing opportunities and situations where its operational expertise can make a change.

EXA’s initial European activities concentrated on the German-speaking region, where many traditional industrial businesses underwent foundational shifts. However, the firm’s ambitions expand beyond Germany. "We’re playing a long game," Latif emphasised. "Europe presents a rich landscape of companies with strong fundamentals but operational problems. That’s where we come in."

Strengthening GCC-Europe market synergies

EXA's private equity cross-border procedure aligns with its vision of preparing businesses, facilitating market expansion and reshaping underperforming industries.

EXA Capital’s European expansion is crucial for economic relations between the GCC and Europe. By implementing its experience in emerging markets, EXA is determined to provide strategic investment channels to link European companies with GCC capital and operational expertise.

Looking ahead and future vision for EXA

EXA Capital is discussing with family-owned businesses, advisors and institutional investors across Europe. It plans to open a local presence in 2025 to support deal origination, operational integration and partnership building. The company's expansion represents opportunities for new ventures and collaborations in the global economy.

EXA Capital provides entrepreneurs and companies looking to scale with access to capital, strategic guidance, and long-term growth. The company's devotion to profound operational involvement ensures its portfolio companies are well-positioned to achieve sustainable success.