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Zawya
17 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Asian institutional fund platform giant Gordian Capital plans expansion to Dubai
RELATED TOPICS FINANCIAL SERVICES Subject to regulatory approval, Gordian plans to offer similar services to global players entering the Middle East as it already does in Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo Global alternative asset managers expected to make up its primary client base Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Gordian Capital is delighted to announce its plan for expansion into the Middle East, subject to approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (' DFSA ') ' The Dubai International Financial Centre, (' DIFC ') has seen and continues to experience strong growth in the number of managers across alternatives and traditional strategies establishing an operation ' Mark Voumard Founder of the group and CEO of Gordian Capital Singapore Private Limited noted'. He commented ' Going cross border can have its challenges, primarily in terms of speed to market, as well as meeting rigorous initial and ongoing operational and regulatory standards. This is where, provided we obtain regulatory approval, with the group's history of success and growth in Asia over the last 20 years, we plan to provide, a highly regulated market entry pathway and infrastructure for institutional quality GP's and managers seeking to establish a regulated presence in DIFC '. Gordian Capital is Asia's only fully licensed institutional fund platform operating in Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo, Asia's three key financial centers and is fully licensed and regulated with MAS (Singapore), SEC (USA), SFC (Hong Kong), FSA (Japan), NFA as a CTA (USA) and ASIC (Australia). The group is also required to meet guidelines and registration requirements with SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India), CSRC, (China Securities Regulatory Commission) and CBI (Central Bank of Ireland) as both an investor and investment manager. The firm has launched over 115 funds across both private and public strategies, including Private Equity, Real Estate, Venture Capital, Private Credit, Infrastructure, Trade Finance, multiple Hedge Fund strategies as well as long-only and absolute return strategies, including activism. It works with some of the words largest GP's and asset managers supporting them as they both invest and expand into Asia. 96% of its USD17bn AUM is from institutional investors. Gordian's planned Fund Platform offering in DIFC, which is subject to approval by the DFSA, would leverage Gordian Capital's 20 plus years of expertise acting as the Manager, for experienced investment professionals, who require an institutional level regulated, physical and operational fund infrastructure where Gordian Capital handles the business and operational management of each fund allowing the investment professionals on our platform to concentrate on investing. Gordian Capital as a key regulated infrastructure provider, is already part of the ecosystem of prime brokers, executing brokers, fund administrators, legal, tax and audit firms with operations in Asia and, subject to regulatory approval, expects to also become a key market provider in, and help expand the DIFC ecosystem. This concatenation creates a continuous string of combined values thereby further differentiating the position of DIFC as a global hub for hedge funds and other alternative asset managers. Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC Authority commented 'We are pleased that Gordian Capital, Asia's leading independent institutional fund management platform, has announced its intention to establish a presence in Dubai International Financial Centre. Their decision reflects the strength of DIFC as the region's leading financial hub with unparalleled depth in asset management, attracting new firms and business models that access the fast-growing markets of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. We look forward to welcoming Gordian Capital to our ecosystem and supporting their expansion into the region.' Gordian Capital's clients include global institutional asset managers, Multi strategy/pod platforms, Family Offices, GPs, Hedge funds and Corporates across multiple strategies and structures across private equity, real estate, venture capital, infrastructure, hedge, absolute return and long only strategies. Established in 2004 by capital markets professionals and alternatives industry veterans active in Asia since the 1980s, Gordian Capital initially launched its first operating subsidiary in Singapore in 2005. The group now boasts a regulated presence in Singapore, Japan, and Australia, with both its Singapore and Tokyo operations registered with the U.S. SEC as Registered Investment Advisers and representative offices in Melbourne and Shanghai. Voumard also commented 'We have been given a warm welcome by the pro-business, market friendly, and highly professional team at DIFC and, subject to receiving regulatory approval, expect to work closely with them to help develop DIFC even further as an asset management centre. -Ends- About Gordian Capital Established in Cayman in 2004 by capital markets professionals and alternatives industry veterans active in Asia since the 1980s, Gordian Capital has operating subsidiaries in Singapore, Tokyo, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Shanghai and, subject to regulatory approval, plans to extend its operations soon to the DIFC. As Asia's leading institutional, independent, fund platform specialist, managing USD 17 billion in AUM, Gordian Capital's focus has always been institutional, evidenced by early mandates from Brown Brothers Harriman and AMP Capital as well as investments by both Swiss and Japanese pension funds as early as 2006 and 2007. More recently investments have come from SWF, DFI and pension fund investors. This institutional focus and fiduciary duty to our investors is reflected in our DNA. For queries, please contact: Mark Voumard E: voumard@ About Dubai International Financial Centre Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is one of the world's most advanced financial centres, and the leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA), which comprises 77 countries with an approximate population of 3.7bn and an estimated GDP of USD 10.5trn. With a 20-year track record of facilitating trade and investment flows across the MEASA region, the Centre connects these fast-growing markets with the economies of Asia, Europe, and the Americas through Dubai. DIFC is home to an internationally recognised, independent regulator and a proven judicial system with an English common law framework, as well as the region's largest financial ecosystem of 46,000 professionals working across over 6,900 active registered companies – making up the largest and most diverse pool of industry talent in the region. The Centre's vision is to drive the future of finance through cutting-edge technology, innovation, and partnerships. Today, it is the global future of finance and innovation hub offering one of the region's most comprehensive AI, FinTech and venture capital environments, including cost-effective licensing solutions, fit-for-purpose regulation, innovative accelerator programmes, and funding for growth-stage start-ups. Comprising a variety of world-renowned retail and dining venues, a dynamic art and culture scene, residential apartments, hotels, and public spaces, DIFC continues to be one of Dubai's most sought-after business and lifestyle destinations. For further information, please visit our website: or follow us on LinkedIn and X @DIFC. For media enquiries, please contact: Nivine William Burson | Rasha Mezher | Dubai International Financial Centre Authority Manager, Marketing & Corporate Communications

Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
i-ESG Selected for UAE's MBRIF Innovation Accelerator Program
Accelerating Market Entry in the Middle East with Federal Innovation Support SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, July 21, 2025 / / -- i-ESG, a company specializing in AI-powered ESG data solutions, announced on June 25 that it has been selected to join the MBRIF Innovation Accelerator, a UAE federal program designed to support high-potential innovators from around the world. Launched in 2018, the MBRIF Innovation Accelerator is a flagship initiative under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF), established by the UAE Ministry of Finance to foster innovation across key sectors. The program empowers innovators to unlock their full potential and scale their businesses in alignment with the UAE's National Innovation Strategy. Selected companies benefit from tailored business support, including expert mentorship, market access facilitation, industry networking, and strategic growth planning. Participants also receive specialized training and access to advanced resources. All program offerings are designed to enhance participants' capabilities, accelerate their growth, and help them achieve regional and global expansion goals. i-ESG was selected through a rigorous evaluation process conducted by MBRIF's Independent Innovation Committee, comprising sector specialists and innovation leaders. The company was particularly recognized for its innovative approach to addressing the confusion faced by companies due to the lack of unified global ESG standards. By aggregating and analyzing data from various international ESG frameworks, rating standards, and corporate disclosures, i-ESG transforms this intelligence into proprietary AI-powered digital solutions designed for ESG applications. This selection underscores the UAE government's recognition of i-ESG's technological innovation and its potential to scale globally. As demand for ESG transparency and compliance continues to grow across the Middle East, i-ESG's solutions are expected to play a key role in supporting organizations through the ESG transition. Bell Jongwoong Kim, CEO of i-ESG, commented: 'It is a great honor to be part of one of the most prestigious innovation programs in the Middle East. This milestone marks the beginning of our strategic entry into the region, and we are committed to scaling i-ESG's impact across the UAE and beyond.' A UN Global Compact participant and a certified B Corporation, i-ESG is globally recognized for its leadership in ESG innovation. The company aims to empower businesses with ESG insights and tools aligned with global standards. Participation in the MBRIF program will support i-ESG's mission to become a global leader in ESG data intelligence and enterprise sustainability solutions. Best Choi i-ESG +82232114374 ext. [email protected] Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Facebook YouTube Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.


Forbes
12-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Even A.I. Might Not Be Able To Save These New Style Trademarks
North American and European brands have been successfully selling made-in-China goods for decades. It was probably inevitable that many of its small factories would become direct online sellers, perhaps in competition with their former customers. But the trademarks that many of them have been using may not be helping them crack the market. American companies – and startups are certainly no different – give a lot of thought to the best mark, which will personify their product, using a name which helps it to sell, yet also distinguishes it from its competition. All companies should also search their marks to be sure they do not come too close to a potential competitor which may demand a name change, or worse, threaten to sue. Many Chinese startups have taken a different path. They are adopting made-up names which bear little resemblance to the traditional English or Romance language sounding words we usually see. Consider this random assortment I came up with: 'Lvrigfpro' for pharmaceuticals 'Matdg' for jewelry 'Mahcscha' for beach towels 'Bfxlmki' for paintings and paper 'Haisiwlkj' for furniture covers 'RabvPerce' for toys A number of these brands are setting new paradigms by using a combination of consonants and vowels which don't follow familiar patterns, making them arguably a little difficult to recognize and to pronounce. These contrast sharply with now-household names of many Chinese brands with a gigantic U.S. presence – brands such as: 'Tik Tok' 'Alibaba' 'Huawei' 'Shein' 'Haier' Pronunciation can always be a challenge for brands coming into the U.S. from overseas. All of the well-known brands listed above are capable of a pronunciation in English, largely because they still follow certain rules which combine consonants and vowels in a way that makes them understandable, even if initially pronunciation is unclear. Words have a certain flow, creating a kind of familiarity so that made-up words can sound like and be pronounced like a word in the English language. These marks follow the rules in a way that the other marks above which I randomly selected do not. Words are formed of syllables, and syllables are composed of a combination of consonants. The reader needs to build up a 'beat,' and words which are readily recognized will march to that beat. Interestingly, companies could save time and money in the trademark creation process by coming up with something that feels unfamiliar, like 'Haisiwlkj.' One interesting aspect of these marks is that while I always counsel startup companies to adopt a mark that they will be able to protect and to register in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, it is also desirable that the words look, appear and sound different from anything already in use in traditional terms; this equates to a stronger, more distinctive trademark. The chances of running into another mark already used with a similar appearance, sound and meaning seem small. So, two of the three goals of brand name creation are fulfilled: (1) first, do no harm (avoid conflicting with others); (2) get something you can protect (make it distinctive as possible); (3) as for the third, which is 'pick a name that will sell the product' – maybe not so much. (Marketers accuse lawyers of preferring 1 and 2 over 3, and in many cases, they're not wrong. What's the use of having a mark if it doesn't help actually sell the product?) The great inherent value to using the right word for a brand is the benefit of projecting the right image, taking into account an enormous range of cultural preferences which range from the literal messages words or portions of words suggest, to a sound of familiarity which elicits good or positive feelings, or reflects certain values. All of that is lost in brand names which are not only fanciful creations, but which fail to send a message to a consumer who is busy trying to figure out exactly what the word is and how you would pronounce it. Given the roles trademarks play in conveying meaning or evoking emotion, these new marks may be losing out on the main branding opportunity. The U.S. market has since the very beginning featured 'foreign' products, and often many of those products have had the greatest of prestige. Not all of them have been inherently easy for American consumers to pronounce, whether from Europe, Asia, or elsewhere. But they have had a certain common element to them much more familiar to the American and English language speaker's ear than this newest generation of trademarks. Over time, people become accustomed to and comfortable with new things. Will these neologisms start to sound familiar once there are enough of them in everyday use, or will they fade in favor of more traditional sounding words? There's always a back story. The explosion in trademark applications from China in recent years has actually been well documented. Lawyers who practice regularly in front of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office also recognize certain patterns among some segment of these applications. A word is created, and a web page is thrown together to show the product being offered for sale. Many of these applications are accused of being filed simply to try to reserve rights, and names are even more blatantly just to get applications on file in the Trademark Office for the benefit of certain subsidies that were being offered by the Chinese government to obtain U.S. trademark registration protection. The flood of these offbeat names in the Trademark Office has its own story. Official investigations by the United States Patent and Trademark Office have indicated the Chinese government, at every level from national to local, has incentivized companies to seek to develop and protect their brands abroad, including in the U.S.A. In many cases some government agency paid the bill not only for the cost of applications in the Trademark Office, but even allowed the trademark owner to end up with a surplus for each trademark application they file in the United States. Over the past few years, the Trademark Office has even taken some enforcement actions where it has found that some of these practices violate the good faith rule that any application exhibits a 'bona fide intent' to use the mark in the United States. Will American consumers accept and become familiar with these names and come to appreciate them as trusted brands? Or is this only a phase during which time these non-U.S. marketers and non-English language natives are making an all-out assault to project and protect brand names into the United States for their own purposes? Putting aside the tariffs in the room, it would otherwise seem that direct-to-consumer marketing from these small China-based enterprises which formerly relied on U.S. entities to sell their wares is not likely to die down. They presumably will change their branding habits – through time, experience, and maybe even the assistance of A.I. – to develop words and names that look more like the types of familiar terms that will motivate American shoppers to trust those brands and remember the names. You might say that this process will be more consonant with consumer expectations.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Standard Chartered and ALTIOS join forces to boost SME across Asia
Standard Chartered and ALTIOS, a global international growth advice service, have formed a strategic relationship to assist small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) in establishing and expanding their presence in important Asian markets. The collaboration will support Standard Chartered's SME clients in Hong Kong, India, Mainland China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam, offering hands-on assistance in setting up operations abroad. ALTIOS will offer market entrance strategies, firm incorporation, distributor and partner discovery, and continuous operational support. The alliance reflects both companies' commitment to helping SMEs scale internationally by providing practical tools and deep regional insights that go beyond traditional banking. Xie Wen, Global Head of SME Banking at Standard Chartered stated: 'We are delighted to partner with ALTIOS to support our SME clients in establishing their overseas business presence across Asia. This partnership presents a timely opportunity for Standard Chartered to deepen our relationship with our SME clients beyond traditional banking, leveraging ALTIOS' expertise. Through this collaboration, it further strengthens our position as a leading international wealth manager and international treasury service provider for SMEs, reinforcing the value of an integrated relationship and enabling us to support our SME clients' evolving banking needs at scale.' Bruno Mascart, Group Managing Partner at ALTIOS, emphasised the importance of collaboration in enabling SMEs to thrive globally. He added: 'We are proud to join forces with Standard Chartered. This collaboration is built on shared values and a joint mission to help businesses thrive beyond borders. Working alongside Standard Chartered allows us to further our mission of simplifying global expansion for SMEs. With Standard Chartered's deep client relationships and global capabilities, and ALTIOS' hands-on support in over 40 offices, we are confident this partnership will generate meaningful impact for businesses with international ambitions.' By combining ALTIOS' advisory expertise with Standard Chartered's financial services, the alliance will provide a more comprehensive solution for SMEs wishing to expand into new markets. The initiative is particularly timely given the increasing globalisation of supply chains and the growing appetite among SMEs to tap into emerging markets across Asia. Moreover, Standard Chartered and ALTIOS said the partnership is based on three common goals: empowering SMEs to expand internationally with greater confidence, providing local expertise via ALTIOS' global network, and enriching Standard Chartered's SME banking proposition with value-added advisory services. The joint venture highlights a broader shift in the financial industry toward offering SMEs more holistic support, addressing not only financial needs but also operational and strategic challenges in global expansion. "Standard Chartered and ALTIOS join forces to boost SME across Asia" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data