Dubai Investment Fund is Expanding Its Operations in Cyprus, New Zealand and The Czech Republic

We recently learned that the Dubai Investment Fund (DIF) is expanding its operations in New Zealand, the Czech Republic and Cyprus. The company will develop its presence in these countries by opening offices to reach more businesses and gain broader market access. 

The first of these offices opened in Prague, Czech Republic, in August, to be followed by offices in Wellington, New Zealand, and Nicosia, Cyprus, by mid-September. Employees can choose to work from home, in the office, or in a hybrid mode that combines remote work and travel to the office. 

According to our observations of DIF’s development in the recent years, and as has happened repeatedly in some regions, operations in the Czech Republic and Cyprus will focus primarily on real estate, tourism, finance and artificial intelligence. The New Zealand office will focus on new projects in environmental, social and governance issues, as well as green energy and healthcare. 

In addition to traditional operations, the company also plans to invest in solar energy projects and pioneering biomedical ventures in New Zealand. These pioneering biomedical projects will explore different methods of combining artificial intelligence with modern medical advances. This endeavor is the result of years of interdisciplinary research in collaboration with leaders in the field of artificial intelligence. The company also has offices in Dubai, London, Sydney, Mumbai, Tokyo, New York, Frankfurt, Zurich, Quebec, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Seoul, Milan, Singapore, Luxembourg, Shanghai and Barcelona.  With three new offices, the total number of countries served by the company has grown to twenty. 

The company’s headquarters are invariably located in Dubai, and has a staff of 2,600 people. As of this writing in September 2022, in addition to Dubai, DIF’s most strategic offices are in New York, London, Tokyo, Frankfurt, Hong Kong and Shanghai. 

The Dubai Investment Fund manages about $320 billion in assets on behalf of its 7,300 clients in 61 countries. Since its founding in 2001, DIF has employed 920 people in financial positions. A full account of the investment fund’s history is available in English on its Web site. 

Last year, its operating income grew by AED 14.3 billion ($3.8 billion) in 2021, an increase of 27 percent over the previous year. The corporation’s total revenue was 180.7 billion dirhams ($49.2 billion), an increase of 4.25 percent over the previous year. The company’s year-end total assets were AED 1,184.6 billion ($322.2 billion) and total equity was AED 878.1 billion ($231.1 billion). 

The rapid expansion of the Dubai Investment Fund is a strong indication that the fund is constantly seeking new investment opportunities to diversify the risks of its portfolio. Given this expansion, as well as the creation of multiple departments dedicated to innovation and ESG investment, it is safe to assume that the Dubai Investment Fund (DIF) is also targeting its assets to capitalize on the potential of future technologies. 

Heather Stone on Empowering Women in Business, Helping Them Succeed

Women in business need to be celebrated and supported. This is what entrepreneur and motivational speaker Heather Stone believes. As an entrepreneur with years of experience, Heather wants to share her expertise and wisdom with other women looking for a female mentor in the business space. In building a supportive community for new and growing entrepreneurs, Heather aims to empower women and help them achieve their biggest dreams. 

Heather Stone has over 30 years of experience as a CEO, entrepreneur, mentor, and philanthropist. She was a former FinTech Executive before she and her husband sold their business. Her current project is an online community where new business owners can learn essential skills and grow as entrepreneurs. Heather’s latest offering to this community is “Unplug and Rejuvenate 2023,” a masterclass, workshop, and retreat all rolled into one event. She takes her insights from three decades of business experience and turns them into masterclass and workshop courses that help newcomers build confidence in themselves as entrepreneurs and pioneers. 

This business mogul is also the host of the Mentors and Moguls Podcast. Heather Stone invites CEOs, professional athletes, entrepreneurs, artists, and other private or public individuals to share their experiences and strategies for success. In each episode, she and her guests discuss different topics pertaining to business, development, growth, and creativity, all aimed at helping the audience get a closer look at the work that goes into every success story they hear. This show takes the conventional podcast and pushes it toward something greater by conducting interviews at unusual locations, such as while flying in a military fighter jet, on a cliff near Mt. Everest Base Camp, or in the stands at an F1 race.

Heather Stone also made it possible for more women and minorities to thrive in business by co-founding GameAbove Capital. This private investment fund invests primarily in women and minority-owned sustainable businesses. Through this fund, individuals passionate about business and creating environmentally sustainable products and services can get the funding and the support they need to catapult their business onto a larger stage.

Years ago, when she was only beginning her entrepreneurial journey, Heather Stone noticed a lack of female role models and mentors in the field of business. And while many women have already succeeded in business since then, Heather Stone still wanted to provide businesswomen with female mentors who can empathize with their experiences and give them mentorship and guidance as they grow and achieve their goals. “Women better understand what other women are going through, and I wanted to provide that space for a supportive community of women,” Heather said. “That’s why it’s important to me to have a tight-knit group of women entrepreneurs who can serve as mentors to the newer generation of entrepreneurs.”

It often seems like women have to overcome more barriers to success. However, Heather Stone and her efforts to tip the scale in favor of women in business show no signs of stopping or slowing down. Developing a growth mindset can start in small ways, such as her podcast episodes, motivational speaking engagements, or mentorship program. “We women are capable of anything we set our minds to,” Heather Stone said. “Growth happens when we step out of our comfort zones, and we need to push and get ourselves out there if we want to succeed.”

Preston Buhrmaster: 20-Year-Old CEO Educates Individuals to Become Investment-Savvy Entrepreneurs

Most people follow the traditional route to success—study diligently at school, land a job, earn a living. But there are some who are cut out for more than the regular. American entrepreneur and investor Preston Buhrmaster has been hustling since age 13, and he shows no signs of slowing down his pace as he juggles college and the CEO lifestyle.

Preston Buhrmaster is the founder and CEO of Venerated Capital Group (VCG) Trading, an institution that helps individuals achieve financial freedom by equipping them with skills and strategies, leading them to success. VCG Trading is dubbed as “The Investors Institution” because it has produced competent investors over the years, whether they are college students or seasoned working professionals.

Asked what his primary goal is for his students at VCG Trading, the 20-year-old CEO shared that he aims to develop every student into a confident and consistent trader, capable of obtaining the financially independent lifestyle they deserve. Preston Buhrmaster has changed the lives of many individuals coming from all walks of life through his company, and he finds fulfillment in knowing that his career is uplifting others along the process.

The expert specializes in providing the industry standards and practical knowledge his students can use to dominate the trading market. Under Preston Buhrmaster’s leadership, VCG Trading has become a “one-stop hub for all things investing.” As one who has made himself financially independent at age 20 through his countless ventures in ecommerce as well as investing, Preston also wants to show his students how to earn passive income and make their time and resources work for them, not the other way around. 

With his notable achievements, it came as no surprise for Preston Buhrmaster to have recognition from reputable organizations. His entrepreneurial success has also been featured on various platforms, including MarketWatch, Digital Journal, and Benzinga. Despite being in college still, Preston has achieved far more significantly than what others are struggling to reach. In the same way he has gone above and beyond what was expected of him, Preston also wants others to surpass the expectations they have set for themselves through trading education.

Before becoming the CEO of VCG Trading, Preston Buhrmaster had already proven that he had a knack for entrepreneurship. At 13, he founded an industry-leading sneaker bot company. The following year, Preston was a world-renowned sneaker and streetwear reseller, reaching over 200 clients across the globe. At 15, the entrepreneur ventured into launching his first start-up with VC through the Young Entrepreneurs Academy:YEA! At UAlbany, called Cordless Express, the product that revolutionized wireless charging pads and adapters for Apple. He was one of the pioneers in spreading the technology at the time.

Preston Buhrmaster also excelled in high school as the founder of an entrepreneurs’ club, inviting reputable guest speakers monthly for the club and other individuals interested in entrepreneurship. Additionally, Preston was also DECA club president and coached a recreational basketball team. At 17, he took another leap for his career as an intern at a local accounting firm, immersing in the “real-world” life of corporate America.

Preston Buhrmaster currently attends classes at Syracuse University, pursuing a degree in Finance and Accounting, with a minor in Economics. Besides entrepreneurship, Preston is also recognized as a TikTok influencer, building a community of followers and going viral almost overnight. He is also passionate about graphic design and web design. 

To learn more about Preston Buhrmaster, visit his Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn profiles.