Walid Kamhawi

Walid’s Biography

With over 25 years in finance and private equity, Walid Kamhawi has significant experience across various sectors, including technology, media, environmental services and telecommunications. He is a Co-founder & Partner of Techinvest, an investment firm that provides in late-stage investment opportunities for Middle East investors in US-based technology companies.

Walid also serves as the Investment Director for Aquamarine Investment Partners, a firm dedicated to responsible corporate citizenship and sustainable investment in energy assets in North America. He is also a Founder and Partner of HK Advisory Services Limited, a Dubai-based firm that focuses on buy and build strategies in growth industries in the Middle East.

In 2019, Walid co-founded Radiant Media Ltd., which through its subsidiary, Alight Media, has emerged as the leading challenger in the UK digital advertising market. Previously, he was a Managing Director at The Blackstone Group for 13 years, spending time at the company's offices in London, New York and Hong Kong. In the Private Equity group, he focused mainly... With over 25 years in finance and private equity, Walid Kamhawi has significant experience across various sectors, including technology, media, environmental services and telecommunications. He is a Co-founder & Partner of Techinvest, an investment firm that provides in late-stage investment opportunities for Middle East investors in US-based technology companies.

Walid also serves as the Investment Director for Aquamarine Investment Partners, a firm dedicated to responsible corporate citizenship and sustainable investment in energy assets in North America. He is also a Founder and Partner of HK Advisory Services Limited, a Dubai-based firm that focuses on buy and build strategies in growth industries in the Middle East.

In 2019, Walid co-founded Radiant Media Ltd., which through its subsidiary, Alight Media, has emerged as the leading challenger in the UK digital advertising market. Previously, he was a Managing Director at The Blackstone Group for 13 years, spending time at the company's offices in London, New York and Hong Kong. In the Private Equity group, he focused mainly on European media and communications-related investments.

Walid has served in many advisory and board roles. Currently, he serves on the Board of Criptyque Ltd., a company that has developed encrypted communications solutions. Previously, he was a Senior Advisor to the Emerging Sovereign Wealth Fund, a government-backed sovereign wealth fund, where he assisted them in executing a number of private equity investments and two co-investment partnerships with Middle East-based sovereign wealth funds. During his time at Blackstone, Walid also served on the Boards of Kabel Baden–Württemberg, CINE UK and Sulo AG. He is currently involved in other transactions in environmental services across Central Europe.

Walid holds a BA with a dual major in Economics and Computer Science from Dartmouth College. more less

Walid’s Background

TechInvest Corporation

Co-Founder & Partner

2015 - Present

Dubai, AE

Techinvest is a DIFC-based investment advisor that provides Middle East investors exposure to private investment opportunities in the technology sector.

AquaMarine Investment Partners

Investment Director

2015 - Present

New York, NY, USA

Aquamarine Investment Partners is an investor, sponsor and developer focused on energy transition and decarbonization. It is built upon decades of experience across many industries including energy transactions, infrastructure finance and banking.

HKAS Partners

Co-Founder & Senior Partner

Jan 2010 - Present

Dubai, AE

HKAS Partners works alongside successful management teams, on an equal and joint basis, in growing their business through a buy and build strategy with the goal of delivering accelerated growth and synergies.

The Blackstone Group

Managing Director

1996 - 2019

London, UK

As MD, Walid was Involved in approximately $22 billion (transaction value) worth of private equity transactions. He developed a deep expertise in corporate private equity, distressed debt, financing, portfolio management and M&A, and also served on the boards of numerous acquisitions, including Kabel Baden-Württemberg, Cineworld, Sulo AG and others.

Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.

Analyst, Mergers & Acquisitions

Jan 1994 - Dec 1996

New York, US

The Bear Stearns Companies, Inc. formerly based in New York, was a global investment bank, brokerage and securities trading firm that was later sold to JP Morgan Chase.

View all Hide

Advisory Roles

Heligan Group

Senior Advisor

2023 - Present

Birmingham, UK

Heligan Group is an investment firm specializing in investments in technology businesses in the national security, crime prevention and public safety sectors.

Current Board Positions

Criptyque Limited

Advisory Board

Jul 2014 - Present

Jersey Marine, UK

Criptyque's advisory team provides financial and legal support to maintain the company's mission to ensure privacy and security to customers through services such as Pryvate, an innovative and accessible communications platform.

Radiant Media Ltd.

Co-founder | Board of Directors

Aug 2019 - Present

London, UK

A subsidiary of Alight Media, Radiant Media Ltd. is a UK-based digital advertising company. Since its founding, Radiant Media has grown to be one of the leading agencies in the UK digital out-of-home advertising market.

Previous Board Positions

SULO AG

Board Member

Levallois-Perret, FR

With over 130 years of tradition, SULO is a pioneer in the sustainable economy. Its goal is to create solutions for today’s waste removal and storage and is a leader in developing reliable and aesthetic solutions for all types of urban and suburban environments.

Cineworld Group PLC

Board Member (Cine UK)

Brentford, UK

Founded in 1995, Cineworld Group PLC is one of the leading international cinema groups with operating locations in Europe, the Middle East and the United States. Its acquisition of Regal Entertainment Group has created the second largest cinema business in the world (by number of screens).

View all Hide

Previous Advisory Roles

Emerging Sovereign Wealth Fund

Senior Advisor

Sep 2011 - Jun 2014

The Emerging Sovereign Wealth Fund works alongside leading investors in making direct investments in growing companies. Walid assisted in executing more than $3 billion of private equity transactions and building strategic partnerships with two leading Middle East sovereign wealth funds.

Walid’s Education

Dartmouth College

Dual major in Economics and Computer Science

1990 - 1994

Co-Founder & Partner

TechInvest Corporation

Monaco-Ville, MC