فريق إنت عربي
- Emirates Growth Fund (EGF) announces AED 45 million investment in CarniStore
- The investment supports the food sector, strengthening local value chains, enhancing economic resilience, and reinforcing food security and self-sufficiency in the UAE.
The Emirates Growth Fund (EGF), the UAE’s national growth investment platform, has announced a strategic AED 45 million minority investment in CarniStore, a leading UAE premium protein products brand.
The investment combines expertise in sourcing, exclusive production, and digital retail channels to elevate food standards across the UAE. Marking the fund’s first investment in the food sector, the deal underscores EGF’s commitment to building highly competitive Emirati companies that strengthen local value chains, enhance economic resilience, and reinforce the country’s food security and self-sufficiency goals.
Founded in 2018, CarniStore has emerged as one of the UAE’s most influential premium meat and protein brands by blending traditional butchery expertise with a modern consumer-centric digital approach.
EGF’s investment aims to support the company’s industrial-scale expansion, enable its entry into new product categories, and strengthen its institutional readiness, paving the way for regional growth while cementing its position as a model of excellence in the UAE’s premium food sector.
Commenting on the deal, Khalifa Al Hajri, CEO of Emirates Growth Fund, said:
“Our investment in CarniStore reflects our commitment to supporting high-potential Emirati SMEs through strategic capital and active partnership”.
He add:
” Beyond growth capital, we work closely with founders to strengthen market entry strategies, governance, and institutional capabilities”.
He say:
” CarniStore represents the kind of leadership and quality we seek in national champions capable of becoming sustainable giants in their sectors.”
For his part, Fikri “Vix” Boutros, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of CarniStore, said:
“Our partnership with EGF is a natural next step in our journey, We share the same vision of building strong national companies on solid foundations and a long-term outlook”.
He add:
” Since day one, we have focused on raising the standards of premium meat and protein products while supporting the UAE’s growing food community.”
Meanwhile, Daniel “Dan” Wanas, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of CarniStore, added:
“The support of Emirates Growth Fund gives us the ability to scale thoughtfully by growing our operations and developing new products, while preserving the high quality and trusted service our customers rely on”.
He add:
” This partnership is an important step that proves Emirati brands can lead globally, not just participate.”
As a strategic minority investor, EGF will work closely with CarniStore’s founders to support expansion and strengthen institutional readiness, with a focus on governance, operational efficiency, and building a corporate platform capable of sustaining long-term growth—while preserving the company’s distinct identity and entrepreneurial spirit.
The partnership aligns with EGF’s mission to empower fundamentally strong Emirati businesses to deepen their contribution to the national economy, strengthen local value chains, and reinforce the UAE’s long-term food security foundations.
