Dubai-based Zachary Cefaratti is emerging as a key figure connecting Middle Eastern investment with Silicon Valley's tech sector, particularly in data centres and AI. His firm, Dalma Capital, advises major players like G42 and Telegram, facilitating deals such as Microsoft's $1.5 billion investment in G42 and Telegram's $1.7 billion bond issuance. Cefaratti's expertise lies in understanding the capital-intensive nature of AI and aligning it with the UAE's strategic ambitions to become an exporter of intelligence.
Cefaratti has been described as an 'invisible kingpin' in data centres, bridging the gap between Gulf money and global tech infrastructure. He played a central role in structuring the French data centre deal between Core42 and DataOne. His network spans from tech leaders like OpenAI's Sam Altman to senior Middle Eastern politicians.
Despite past regulatory issues, Cefaratti's influence is growing as he navigates the increasing demand for computing infrastructure to power AI and the Gulf's push to invest in emerging technologies. He sees the UAE's resource-heavy capabilities as perfectly suited to the energy-intensive demands of AI development.
