As the United Arab Emirates (UAE) enhances its reputation as a global hub for financial innovation, SC Ventures, the innovation and venture capital division of Standard Chartered Bank, has announced the opening of a new office in Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 at the Abu Dhabi Global Market. Gautam Jain, a seasoned fintech strategist, highlighted the firm’s commitment to investing in the region’s vibrant tech ecosystem and aligning with the UAE’s National Vision.

Jain, who leads the SC Ventures office in Abu Dhabi, also oversees a joint venture with SBI Holdings focused on digital assets in the UAE. This partnership aims to capitalize on the growing momentum of digital assets in the region, with particular emphasis on market infrastructure, risk and compliance, decentralized finance (DeFi), and tokenization projects. Jain noted that the US$100 million Global Digital Asset Holdings joint venture with SBI has already made significant investments in companies like Twinstake, HiddenRoad, and WalletConnect, underscoring SC Ventures’ dedication to regulated digital asset innovation across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

SC Ventures, backed by Standard Chartered Bank, has successfully incubated 30 ventures and made over 20 minority investments. It has attracted 20 co-investors and served approximately 662 000 individual and small-to-medium enterprise (SME) customers, along with more than 200 institutional clients. Jain emphasized that SC Ventures is transforming the banking and financial services landscape, stating, “We build and scale breakthrough ventures in and beyond banking.”

In the UAE, Jain explained that SC Ventures will focus on minority investments or venture creation across three key themes: digital assets, digital banking and lifestyle, and trade and supply chains. He anticipates significant growth potential in these areas, predicting that the digital assets market capitalization will rise, with tokenized assets expected to reach US$16 trillion by 2030. Additionally, Jain pointed out that global financial wealth is projected to increase by 7%, with an estimated US$18 trillion wealth transfer anticipated by 2030.

To achieve its objectives, SC Ventures employs a blend of institutional-grade processes and cutting-edge technologies to develop and scale ventures that thrive in regulated markets. Jain explained that the firm aims to create solutions when existing options do not meet client needs, and also invests in established solutions that enhance financial service delivery. Their platform, Fintech Bridge, serves as a directory for fintech companies and clients, facilitating connections and addressing shared challenges in real time.

The operational strategy of SC Ventures is supported by a robust venture-building model and investment experience cultivated since 2018. The firm sources original ideas through collaboration with clients, innovation platforms, and a strong network of professionals across technology, regulation, and banking.

Jain noted, “At SC Ventures we don’t just invest, we co-design products and run lean incubators.” He highlighted the firm’s role as a connector between Standard Chartered Bank, other financial institutions, regulators, and tech innovators. Recently, SC Ventures has established partnerships with Visa, Lulu Financial, and 7X for one of its SME-led ventures, demonstrating its commitment to accelerating market entry and growth for new ventures.

The impact of SC Ventures is evident through its regional partnerships. At the 2025 Dubai Fintech Summit, the firm announced a collaboration with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) to launch the National Venture Building Program. Jain stated that SC Ventures would provide its Venture Building as a Service model to equip the DIFC Innovation Hub with essential tools and expertise to scale the initiative nationally. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding was signed with Emirates NBD to foster innovation in the MENA region, focusing on co-creation and co-investment opportunities.