Early Life and Career Beginnings
Waleed Mohammad Al Zaabi, a distinguished Emirati entrepreneur, was born and raised in the UAE. His career began in 1976 when he founded Tiger Contracting Company. This marked the start of his journey in the construction field, laying the foundation for his future endeavors.
Rise to Success: Tiger Group's Expansion
Al Zaabi's entrepreneurial spirit led him to transform Tiger Contracting into the Tiger Group, a multi-faceted organization with diverse operations across various sectors. The Tiger Group's expansion included real estate development, construction, hospitality, education, and manufacturing. This diversification strategy played a crucial role in Al Zaabi's rise to prominence in the UAE's business landscape. The group has developed 50,000 apartments since 1976 and is building another 20,000 units, plus office and retail space, across the United Arab Emirates.
Key Business Strategies and Landmark Projects
A key business strategy for Al Zaabi was to focus on large-scale, high-quality projects. Tiger Group has delivered several landmark projects across the UAE. One of the latest achievements is the Sky Tower, which, upon completion in late 2029, is set to be the tallest residential tower in the world, with a height of 1745 feet. This project highlights Al Zaabi's commitment to innovation and excellence in real estate development.
Philanthropy
Al Zaabi is also committed to education and social development. He founded Yarmouk Private University in Syria in 2005. In 2012, Al Zaabi co-founded the “Syrian Businessmen Council for Relief and Development” in the UAE. In April 2022, the group donated $1.6 million to support the #1BillionMeals initiative.