# Michael Lahyani

> Michael Lahyani is the Dubai-based Swiss founder and CEO of Property Finder. His business began as Al Bab World, a property magazine, in 2005, became Property Finder with REA Group’s investment in 2007, and returned to founder control in 2010. He has since built a regional property platform, mentored entrepreneurs through Endeavor and advised BECO Capital.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Property Finder
- **Organizations:** Property Finder, Endeavor, BECO Capital
- **Nationality:** Swiss; granted a United Arab Emirates passport in 2020
- **Education:** Bachelor’s degree and MBA in finance (as described in his Investopia biography), HEC Lausanne, University of Lausanne
- **Known for:** Built Property Finder from a print publication into a property marketplace serving multiple Middle Eastern markets., Selected into the Endeavor network as Endeavor Dubai’s first company in December 2013., Recognized in Forbes Middle East’s Top 100 CEOs in 2023, as recorded by Investopia.

## Career timeline

- **2004** — Moved to Dubai; brought the equestrian magazine Equestrio to the emirate.
- **2005** — Launched Al Bab World, a property listings magazine and online portal.
- **2007** — REA Group acquired 51% of the business; the portal was rebranded Property Finder.
- **2010** — Lahyani and co-founder Renan Bourdeau bought back REA Group’s stake.
- **2011** — Property Finder became profitable.
- **2012** — Began international expansion in Qatar.
- **2013** — Property Finder became Endeavor Dubai’s first selected company in December.
- **2015** — Vostok New Ventures invested $20 million for 10% in the fourth quarter, according to its financial report.
- **2018** — Raised a $120 million round led by General Atlantic, with participation from Endeavor Catalyst and Vostok.
- **2020** — Received a UAE passport; Property Finder became the subject of a Harvard Business School strategy case.
- **2024** — Property Finder raised $90 million in debt financing to buy back BECO Capital’s shares.
- **2025** — A $525 million investment led by Permira, with Blackstone Growth participation, was announced in September.
- **2026** — January announcement of $170 million from Mubadala, another UAE sovereign investor and BECO Capital.

## Achievements

- Built Property Finder from a print publication into a property marketplace serving multiple Middle Eastern markets.
- Selected into the Endeavor network as Endeavor Dubai’s first company in December 2013.
- Recognized in Forbes Middle East’s Top 100 CEOs in 2023, as recorded by Investopia.
- Ranked first in Property News International’s Power 100 Property Leaders 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Ranked first in Property News International’s Power 100 Property Leaders 2026, published July 21.
- **2026-01** — Property Finder announced $170 million in investment: $75 million from Mubadala, $75 million from another UAE sovereign wealth fund and $20 million from BECO.
- **2025-09** — Permira and Blackstone Growth’s combined $525 million minority investment was announced; General Atlantic retained a significant minority stake.

## Links

- Website: https://www.propertyfinder.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-lahyani-25827b4/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/michael-lahyani
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22