Emirates Growth Fund CarniStore Investment Hits AED 45M

Emirates Growth Fund CarniStore investment reaches AED 45M, boosting UAE food production, supply chains, and growth-stage funding in MENA.

Emirates Growth Fund (EGF), the AED 1 billion growth equity platform backed by Emirates Development Bank, has invested AED 45 million in UAE-based premium protein brand CarniStore.

Also Read: B.TECH Launches Business Platform to Power Egypt Enterprises

The minority stake marks EGF’s first foray into the food sector, as it expands its mandate to support high-growth local companies aligned with the UAE’s industrial and economic priorities.

Founded in 2018, CarniStore has evolved from an online butchery into a premium protein platform offering meat, seafood, poultry, and smoked products. The company operates a hybrid model that combines traditional sourcing with digital distribution, serving both consumers and hospitality clients across the UAE.

The new funding will be used to scale operations, expand product lines, and support regional growth. It will also strengthen internal systems and governance as the company moves toward institutional scale.

EGF said the investment aligns with its focus on the “missing middle” — businesses that have outgrown early-stage funding but require structured capital and operational support to scale sustainably. The fund works closely with portfolio companies on strategy, execution, and long-term positioning.

The move also supports the UAE’s Operation 300bn, which aims to boost the contribution of the industrial sector to the national economy, with food security and local production identified as key priorities.

CarniStore’s leadership said the partnership will enable the company to scale without compromising quality, positioning it as a homegrown brand with regional and international ambitions.

The deal reflects growing momentum in the UAE’s growth-stage investment landscape, particularly in sectors that require significant infrastructure and operational depth.

Why Carnistore Funding Matters to MENA

This deal highlights a broader shift in MENA’s investment landscape, where capital is increasingly flowing beyond tech startups into foundational sectors like food production, manufacturing, and supply chains.

For a region heavily reliant on imports, strengthening local food businesses is not just commercial, it’s strategic. Investments like this support food security, build resilient supply chains, and reduce external dependencies.

It also signals that growth-stage funding is maturing across the region. Founders no longer need to look abroad as early as before; regional capital is stepping in to help scale proven businesses into national and regional champions.