From the heart of Jeddah to the innovation corridors of Dubai, Mohammed Salem BaAli is emerging as one of the foremost cross-border investment leaders in the GCC. He has successfully bridged two rapidly growing economic hubs, building a new investment model that integrates real assets, digital infrastructure, and transformative technologies into one unified ecosystem.
BaAli founded Kasoob International Investment Group in Dubai in partnership with Sheikh Mana bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mana Al Maktoum, establishing a future-driven investment platform focused on technology, digital assets, artificial intelligence, and high-growth sectors. In Saudi Arabia, he leads World of Oceans Investment Holding Group from Jeddah, strategically aligning with the Kingdom’s transformation under Vision 2030.
Supported by Strategic Finance & Investment Advisor Ahmed Abu Elazm, BaAli is building a fully integrated investment ecosystem designed to evolve into an institutional group capable of becoming a publicly listed (IPO-ready) company over the coming years.
In this exclusive interview, BaAli shares his vision, leadership philosophy, and strategic roadmap for building a Saudi-Emirati investment entity grounded in governance, innovation, and the GCC’s next economic wave.
Tell us about yourself and your career
I am an investment leader operating between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. My journey began in Jeddah, where I built my foundational experience across business, operations, and investment sectors. As my vision expanded, I moved to Dubai and founded Kasoob International Investment Group in partnership with Sheikh Mana bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mana Al Maktoum, enabling me to combine Dubai’s innovation ecosystem with Saudi Arabia’s economic depth.
Today, my focus is on developing an investment ecosystem that connects:
- real-world assets
- digital infrastructure
- artificial intelligence systems
- multi-sector investments
- and institutional governance
Together with my Strategic Advisor, Ahmed Abu Elazm, we are building an institutional structure designed for long-term growth and future IPO readiness.
What inspired you to found Kasoob International Investment Group in Dubai?
Dubai is a global gateway where advanced regulation, innovation, and international capital converge. I saw an opportunity to create a GCC investment platform that connects:
- Dubai’s global access
- with Saudi Arabia’s large institutional market
- and the economic momentum powered by Vision 2030
Kasoob was not created to be just another investment firm, but rather a regional operating ecosystem and investment infrastructure linking the two cities.
What is your mission?
Our mission is to build a multi-sector, technology-enabled, governance-based investment ecosystem — structured for regional expansion and long-term institutional transformation, with the overarching goal of becoming a publicly listed (IPO-ready) company.
What is your investment thesis?
Our thesis is built upon six strategic pillars:
1. Digital Assets & Web3 Infrastructure
Developing payment systems, stablecoins, tokenized finance, and smart-compliance systems.
2. Real Estate Development Enhanced by Digital Assets
Integrating real-estate tokenization, digital settlement, and global accessibility.
3. Gold-Backed Digital Instruments
Building gold-linked digital products in partnership with major gold traders.
4. AI-Driven Investment Models
Elevating forecasting, risk management, and decision-making across sectors.
5. High-Growth Sectors: Education & F&B
Both providing stable, recurring demand and scalable potential.
6. Regulated Trading & FX Infrastructure
Building compliant trading platforms and liquidity systems.
Our differentiating philosophy:
Innovate in Dubai → Institutionalize in Saudi Arabia → Scale across the GCC.
How are you pioneering tech-driven investments between the UAE and Saudi Arabia?
We connect:
- innovation with regulation
- technology with real assets
- and the speed of Dubai with the scale of Saudi Arabia
Through Kasoob Digital, real-estate tokenization, gold-backed digital solutions, and AI-powered systems, we are establishing the building blocks for the GCC’s next digital economy.
What are the key factors shaping the Dubai–Jeddah investment corridor?
The most influential factors include:
- Dubai’s innovative regulatory landscape
- Saudi Arabia’s scale, long-term capital, and institutional depth
- Alignment between Vision 2030 and Dubai’s digital agenda
- Rising demand for regulated digital infrastructure
- Bidirectional capital movement:
- Dubai → innovation
- Jeddah → capital & execution
How has Vision 2030 influenced investment flows between Jeddah and Dubai?
Vision 2030 unleashed unprecedented waves of:
- capital flow
- private-sector expansion
- regulatory modernization
- and full-scale digital transformation
This has created a new dynamic:
**Dubai = global innovation
Jeddah = institutional expansion**
Kasoob and World of Oceans operate at the core of this strategic alignment.
How are you expanding internationally through strategic partnerships?
Our international expansion strategy is built on three pillars:
1. Global Technology Partnerships
Collaborations with Web3 innovators, AI firms, compliance-tech companies, and trading-infrastructure providers.
2. Cross-Border Investment Corridors
Dubai acts as the launchpad; Jeddah is the institutional scaling hub.
3. Integration of Traditional & Digital Assets
Bringing together real estate, gold, education, F&B, and trading systems with digital-asset innovation.
Which sectors are your priority for the next 3–5 years?
Our sector focus supports our transformation into a publicly listed institution:
- digital assets & stablecoins
- tokenized real estate
- gold-backed digital instruments
- artificial intelligence
- education and human-capital development
- scalable F&B concepts
- regulated trading and compliance systems
What is your leadership philosophy?
My leadership philosophy is grounded in:
- clarity
- continuity
- and institutional discipline
Any company preparing for IPO must rely on systems, not individuals.
Governance, transparency, and long-term thinking form the foundation of our leadership approach.
What is your advice for entrepreneurs?
Build discipline before you build the dream.
Ideas do not fail because they are weak —
they fail because they lack:
- structure
- governance
- clear financial visibility
Treat your startup as a company from day one.
How do you view the future of technology, digital assets, and Web3 in the GCC?
The GCC is transitioning into a regulated digital economy.
The future will include:
- real-estate tokenization
- stablecoin settlements
- AI-powered analysis
- smart-compliance frameworks
Dubai and Saudi Arabia will serve as global hubs for these advancements.
Where do you see Kasoob International in 10 years?
I envision Kasoob becoming:
- a publicly listed regional investment group
- multi-sector and fully institutionalized
- a GCC investment powerhouse
- and a builder of digital and real-asset infrastructure
Our legacy:
To build an institution that outlives its founders—
and leaves a long-term economic imprint on the region.
14. How can readers connect with you?
www.linkedin.com/in/mohammed-baali
baali@wo.com.sa
baali@kasoob.com
