Visionaries are not born; they are molded by the diverse experiences and challenges they encounter. Alexandre Katrangi is one such leader whose life, spanning continents, cultures, and industries, epitomizes the essence of global entrepreneurship. From his multicultural upbringing to his ventures across diverse sectors, Alexandre’s journey is a masterclass in adaptability, innovation, and persistence.
In this article, we explore the extraordinary life of Alexandre Katrangi, the driving force behind Licorne Gulf Investments Holdings. With over three decades of experience in international trade and investment, Alexandre has carved a niche for himself in sectors ranging from technology and defense to sports and healthcare. His ability to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes and identify opportunities where others see challenges is a testament to his visionary mindset.
Readers will gain insights into how Alexandre’s global upbringing shaped his approach to business, the strategic focus of Licorne Gulf, and his plans for growth in rapidly evolving sectors like artificial intelligence, defense systems, and wellness. Aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals alike will find inspiration in his forward-thinking strategies and invaluable advice on harnessing the power of technology and mobility in today’s interconnected world.
About Alexandre Katrangi
Could you briefly tell us about your background and how it led you to start your business?
I come from a multicultural family. My father is of Syrian origin, and his family emigrated to Saudi Arabia several generations ago in the 1930s. My mother is French. I was born in Paris and grew up between Paris, Saudi Arabia in Buraydah in the Gassim area, the United States, and Africa.
I obtained an MBA in international business and have dedicated myself to direct investments, negotiation and international trade for over 35 years. At that time, the concept of globalization had not yet been mentioned. Coming from a family scattered across the four corners of the world—multilingual, multicultural, and multireligious—I was immersed from childhood in the 1970s and 1980s in a multitude of travels, languages, discussions, and international exchanges.
In our family, it was common to hear Arabic spoken at 9 AM, Spanish at 11 AM, English around 1 PM, and French around 4 PM.
Overview of Licorne Gulf
What does your business focus on, and how is it positioned in the market?
We are primarily a family office and an international investment holding. Established in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar for 27 years, we have subsidiaries in Switzerland, England, and the United States.
Our main objective is direct investment, representing 40% of our portfolio. Investment syndication with various financial partners constitutes the remaining 60% of our activity. We invest in various sectors, except for real estate.
We specialize in technology and the defense sector, with assembly units for devices and international production of defense systems. We also operate in the healthcare field and fintech. In the sports sector, we have financed several European clubs over the past ten years.
Furthermore, we have an activity related to initial public offerings (IPOs), mergers and SPACs for companies wishing to go public. This is done either directly or through a merger with an already listed company to provide necessary capital after their listing to support their development.
Finally, we also engage in international lobbying activities for governments that seek our services as part of financial investment programs decided by major political entities or countries around the world.
Plans for the Future
What are your plans for growth or expansion in the near future?
We are actively examining certain sectors, including technologies related to artificial intelligence and security and defense systems. We have already begun investing in assembly units for the production of defense systems, including missiles, rockets, guided laser technologies, attack drones, and anti-drone missile systems.
Furthermore, we are regularly approached in the sports sector. We provide funding to football clubs in Europe facing financial difficulties. In addition, we collaborate with sports development funds in the United States that are interested in European football ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
We also show an interest in motorsport. With a client, we are considering the creation of a car racing league across Gulf countries and Central Asia. In the health sector, we have invested in our own wellness platform set to launch in 2025. This innovative project has already attracted interest from partners wishing to join our circle of founding investors.
2024 Insights
How has this year impacted your business, and what are your goals moving forward?
The year 2024 has been particularly dynamic for us, as our experience in international investment shows that politics and investment are closely linked. Events in Eastern Europe, notably between Russia and Ukraine, as well as developments in the Sahel and the Middle East, have redefined geopolitical maps with the arrival of President Trump. These rapid changes are generally favorable to international investment and development.
In contrast, the European market is currently very stagnant due to economic and political crises. France exemplifies this situation with a succession of governments every six months for almost two years, unable to quickly implement changes or clear political directions regarding investment. This instability is a source of concern for many leaders of CAC 40 companies in France, who emphasize that this lack of political direction neither promotes diversification nor the launch of new projects. We are afraid that the corner of Artificial Intelligence has been unfortunately lost in Europe and we really hopes that Politics would change their patterns.
On the other hand, our region benefits from increased stability in Gulf countries. This allows for addressing international geopolitical changes in a stable and measured way thanks to the solid foundations established by their leaders.
These situations had led us to have a tremendous 2024 with a record of 575 M USD invested across various sectors and companies, in direct investments as well as through syndication of our investor Partners from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and New York
Advice for Startups
What advice would you give to startups or entrepreneurs in your industry?
We live in a time where the ease of communication and travel offers limitless prospects around the world. We therefore advise our associates, partners, business leaders, and companies to take advantage of this international mobility that current technologies provide.
It has never been easier for the current generation to find out within minutes what is happening on the other side of the world: business opportunities, conferences, summits, or meetings with partners. Compared to my generation 30 years ago when I started my career, it was necessary to send letters, faxes or make landline phone calls while waiting for someone to be available. Mobile devices did not exist.
Today, we strongly recommend that young entrepreneurs be mobile. As I often emphasize, a computer combined with a phone and a Wi-Fi connection gives you access to the entire world. This mobility and adaptability will be crucial for entrepreneurship and investment in the years to come.
Final Thoughts
Alexandre Katrangi's story is a remarkable testament to the power of vision, adaptability, and determination. Through Licorne Gulf, he continues to push boundaries, invest in groundbreaking ventures, and contribute to the growth of diverse industries worldwide. His unwavering commitment to innovation and his ability to turn challenges into opportunities make him an inspiring figure for entrepreneurs and business leaders alike.
To learn more about Alexandre’s initiatives and the impactful work of Licorne Gulf, visit www.licorne-gulf.com. For a closer connection, feel free to connect with Alexandre Katrangi on LinkedIn and explore opportunities to collaborate or gain valuable insights from his extensive experience in international business and investment.
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