The 100 NRIs – 2026: Pankaj Gupta, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Gulf Islamic Investments
Feb 21, 2026
This article forms part of The 100 NRIs, a special edition by Entrepreneur Middle East spotlighting the most influential non-resident Indians shaping business, innovation, and investment across the region.
Pankaj Gupta is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Gulf Islamic Investments (GII), established in 2014 as a Shari’ah-compliant investment platform. With over 20 years of experience in the financial sector, Gupta previously managed multi-asset portfolios for ultra-high-net-worth individuals at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi. He also founded Union National Financial Consultancy and co-founded a private equity platform before launching GII.
Gupta’s investment focus spans education, food production, healthcare, private credit, and debt across the GCC, India, Germany, and the US. Alongside his co-founder Mohammed Alhassan, Gupta envisioned creating an enterprise that could achieve greater impact and success, culminating in the formation of GII.
In addition to his investment activities, he founded Eureka! GCC, recognised as Asia’s largest business start-up competition. He credits the UAE’s leadership for fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the region.
Gupta’s career in financial services spans over 24 years, encompassing leadership roles in investment banking, entrepreneurship, and alternative asset management within the UAE. Prior to GII, he served as Head of Investment Business Development at Allied Investment Partners, managing assets for prominent business figures and members of the Abu Dhabi Royal Family, overseeing a portfolio worth billions of dollars.
He has been actively involved in numerous projects and start-ups and holds positions on multiple management and advisory boards. Gupta also serves as Ambassador and Strategic Advisor to Horasis, a leading platform for global emerging market dialogue.
Beyond business, Gupta is deeply committed to social and philanthropic initiatives, particularly in advancing education for underprivileged children, reflecting his broader contribution to society.
This article forms part of The 100 NRIs, a special edition by Entrepreneur Middle East spotlighting the most influential non-resident Indians shaping business, innovation, and investment across the region.
Pankaj Gupta is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Gulf Islamic Investments (GII), established in 2014 as a Shari’ah-compliant investment platform. With over 20 years of experience in the financial sector, Gupta previously managed multi-asset portfolios for ultra-high-net-worth individuals at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi. He also founded Union National Financial Consultancy and co-founded a private equity platform before launching GII.
Gupta’s investment focus spans education, food production, healthcare, private credit, and debt across the GCC, India, Germany, and the US. Alongside his co-founder Mohammed Alhassan, Gupta envisioned creating an enterprise that could achieve greater impact and success, culminating in the formation of GII.
