SimplyAbuDhabi XLIII

From Vision to Venture: Talal Al Ajmi, the Trailblazing Entrepreneur Behind Development Holding D evelopment Holding, the entrepreneurial venture known as DH, comprises a carefully curated portfolio of small to medium-sized enterprises, propelling them into the echelons of industry leaders. The driving force behind DH is Talal Al Ajmi, a young Kuwaiti entrepreneur whose passion for financial markets and trading has made him one of the most well-known figures in this field, in Kuwait and throughout the Middle East. He has made financial trading accessible through education and technological innovation, and brings these talents to bear across the DH portfolio of holdings. Given Talal’s background and passion, this portfolio of holdings has a particular strength in the area of financial markets and trading, but has also demonstrated impressive diversification and growth, nurturing entrepreneurial ventures in food, retail, office space, architecture and interior design as well as trading. What’s so exciting about the DH portfolio is that it showcases remarkable collaborations and compelling case studies that demonstrate the transformative impact of small to medium businesses in the Middle East. Talal started his journey of success at an early stage during his academic years at the University of Pennsylvania, when he managed a number of small family businesses with his cousins and brothers. After working for a few years in the investments field, Talal was inspired to move forward and build his empire. He held various positions in several financial companies, eventually moving up to become a financial broker in order to launch a new career as an entrepreneur. In 2010 he founded and established Version International (VI) Markets in Kuwait, where he currently holds the position of CEO and board member at One Financial Markets (the main partner). VI Markets – now a cornerstone of the DH Holding portfolio – provides investors with a tailored online trading service, in partnership with One Financial Markets, which was established in London in 2007. One Financial Markets is regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and offers global presence with local expertise through its wholly owned and affiliated offices throughout the Middle East, Europe, South America and Central and South East Asia. Through VI Markets, Talal’s main focus was to educate people in Kuwait who are interested in trading and then let them start their own journey by managing their portfolios. This fundamentally changed the concept of trading within this market, through providing the right education (workshops and seminars) and obtaining the FCA licenses, which ensured credibility and professionalism. Talal’s clear and consistent vision has paved the way with continuous success and allowed him to obtain high market share in Kuwait and the Middle East, along with gaining the best partner in the Middle East in the well-known trading company One Financial Markets. Never one to stop innovating, Talal had always wanted to start an initiative that served the women of Kuwait and the Middle East, knowing that they shared the same desire to enter the financial markets but were shy to open up during the workshops held by VI Markets. Hence, the idea of Yasmeen was born. Yasmeen is a forum exclusively for women designed to advance female empowerment in business and the world of financial investment through bespoke educational services and outstanding personal support, tailored training, and trading solutions that support growth and the pursuit of commercial and educational goals. Thevisionofbeingadrivingforcebehind transformativegrowth, forging a legacy of remarkable success stories, and redefining what›s possible is what led Talal to launch Development Holding – which includes VI Markets and Yasmeen, as well as a number of other exciting and innovative entrepreneurial enterprises. The collaborative culture at DH fuels innovation, challenges boundaries, and embraces adaptability. With a deep commitment to learning and social responsibility, the DH portfolio is able to navigate the ever-shifting business landscape with resilience. Of course, entrepreneurship is at the heart of the organization, fostering an environment that encourages innovation, risk-taking, and creativity. Employees Simply Abu Dhabi | 231