Channel’s Corniche Asset-Backed Finance (ABF) strategy joins the landmark financing of the Beehive SME funding program supporting significant financing in the UAE
LONDON – 18th August 2026 – Channel Capital Advisors LLP (“Channel Capital”), the London-headquartered private credit asset manager, today announced the acquisition of a minority interest of Magellan’s position in Beehive’s SME funding program focused on UAE SMEs. This mezzanine investment supports a significant overall program of AED 600 million to finance SMEs, which enables them to scale, innovate and strengthen their contribution to the local economy. Crucially, this injection of institutional capital signals robust global investor confidence in the UAE’s SME ecosystem and further deepens UK-GCC ties in specialty finance. Channel joins the structure with the incumbent funders Goldman Sachs and Magellan [1], in their continued support of further financing in the region.
Channel advanced the funds to this facility and other innovation economy firms following the recent first close of its Corniche Sharia fund, a Sharia-compliant investment vehicle with strong support from GCC and UK/international partners.
Quotes
“This close on behalf of Corniche Sharia represents a further commitment by Channel to support the innovation economy and specialty finance in the GCC region”, said Walter Gontarek, CEO of Channel Capital Advisors. “We are proud to support Beehive Fintech, a leading digital SME funding platform in the GCC region,” he added.
“Beehive is very happy to partner with Channel – whom we have known a long time – to complete this financing. This expansion of our investor base demonstrates Beehive’s shift from P2P to institutional capital formation to support our growth in the GCC region. This partnership not only reinforces our Sharia-compliant credentials but provides the robust institutional capital necessary to accelerate local economic growth. We are grateful to Channel and all our partners for their support in growing our lending to the local market”, said Jehan Karanjia, Head of Capital Markets at Beehive.
About Channel Capital Advisors LLP
Channel Capital Advisors LLP is a UK-based private credit asset manager focused on Asset-Backed Finance for the innovation economy and specialty finance. The firm is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority.
About Beehive
Founded in 2014, Beehive is the first digital SME funding platform in the MENA region to be regulated by the DFSA. Headquartered in Dubai, Beehive connects SMEs seeking finance with investors willing to support their growth, offering a faster funding option. Through technology and a commitment to supporting regional businesses, Beehive has become a trusted partner for SMEs across the GCC. Learn more at https://www.beehive.ae/
In the UAE, Beehive P2P Limited is regulated by the DFSA. In Oman, Beehive Financial Technology SPC is regulated by the FSA. In KSA, Beehive Group Holdings Limited owns a controlling stake in Themar Al Aamal for Crowdlending Company CJSC, which is regulated by SAMA.
[1] Magellan Asset Backed Opportunities Fund OEIC Limited, managed by Magellan Capital Limited.
Channel has managed $27.5 billion of receivables volumes since 2007.
As a leading global alternative asset manager with deep industry knowledge and experience, we deploy private capital across asset-based lending solutions to the innovation economy and specialty finance sectors.
Since 2007, our investing expertise has served the financial return needs of our clients and provided businesses with innovative debt capital solutions for growth.
As of June 30, 2026, Channel had approximately $27.5 billion in cumulative capital invested and facilitated financing in over 35 countries.
To find out more, contact Tony Smedley or Aakriti Mehta.
