Erik L.
Investor
Erik L.
Investor
Dubai
Overview
Work Experience
Co-Founder
2022 - Current
Business Setup (collaboration with several free trade zones in the UAE) and Strategic Advisory to Investors, Asset Managers and Entrepreneurs. Bringing together qualifying direct investors and excelling SME companies (size category up to USD 1 billion in revenues and/or market value when listed) who are from or want to expand in Emerging & (Pre-)Frontier Emerging Markets. We also do business setups, due diligence support and valuation services. HQ for the consulting and business setup entity in Dubai; but so as to better serve our global clients outside of MENA we have created a platform company (online focus; consultancy-as-a-service) in Estonia. Where possible we collaborate with the multi-family office network that I am part of. Areas in which we have supported or co-founded ventures: FinTech (Wealth Management Focus; UAE and Eastern Europe), LegalTech (Conflict Resolution and Contract Law; UAE and Western Europe), Asset Management (Global Micro Caps; USA), Longevity (Cognitive Health; UAE and USA), EdTech (Entrepreneurship and Investments; UAE-Europe) and AI (UAE-India). Using our institutional investment network we also bring together UHNW investors and world-class asset managers (prime focus here: supporting top investment managers who are looking for expansion in the Gulf/Mena region).
Financial Trader (for own account only; but eToro Copy Traders welcome)
2023
Succeeded in creating a high-frequency, bi-weekly rebalancing version of our investment models, based on my joint work on portfolio rebalancing with Harry Markowitz. Added Commodities, FOREX and Crypto as add-on asset classes next to listed equities. Quantitative, structured approach with approximately 30-40 trades per week. Applying a leverage in the range of 5-10, except for Crypto. Markowitz-Van Dijk used to keep Risk Profile 'average' (by eToro standards), notwithstanding the serious leverage multiple.
Private Investor
2023
Working on own private investments. Partially alone, but sometimes in collaboration with bespoke family offices and angel investors. Liquid strategies have our preferences, but we are open to non-listed investments in PEVC and other asset classes when we believe that we can make a difference. Not just financially, but also through our hands-on involvement. FinTech, Emerging Markets, Asset Management, AI and selected EdTech, LegalTech and MedTech are our forte. Only direct deals. We apply our own due diligence models.
Angel Investor
2017
Joined forces with a group of co-investors interested in a more activist investment approach with prime focus on listed small and micro caps and smaller PEVC companies. Primarily direct investments. There was a social entrepreneurship element involved as well, in that we aimed for a tilt towards neglected opportunities in Emerging and Frontier Markets; Female Entrepreneurship; Faith-related and other Ethical Investments. Our group is multinational and consists of a dozen families (from Europe, Gulf Region and Far East). I serve as the group's CIO. Investment style: sector-agnostic, but we want to understand the company's needs and background well, so that we can bring added value via active participation at either NED or even exec level. Current portfolio mix: about 80 percent in listed equities and 20 percent in PEVC. About 90 percent in direct deals and 10 percent via bespoke funds.
Financial Expert
2022
Enquire is an innovative, AI-driven provider of consultancy services. Their platform brings together knowledge supply and demand in a very cost-effective manner. Consultancy jobs can range from smaller, online question-reply style ones to bigger consultancy jobs. In my opinion this innovative approach can make the consultancy market more efficient. This is a win-win for consultants and clients. With the biggest benefits going to SME firms or firms who require background information on one or the other cross-border issue that is important for them. The Enquire platform enables me to share my views in a manner that translates into almost zero overhead. Great to help out this way! My Core Areas of Expertise: Geo Expertise - Asia | Eastern Europe | EMEA | Middle East & North Africa | Russian Federation | United Arab Emirates Subject-Matter Expertise - Asset Management | Emerging Markets | FinTech | Institutional Investing | Islamic Finance | Venture Capital
Chief Investment Officer
2015 - 2020
Chief investment officer at Parmenion Group. Chair of the Group’s R&D, Corporate Finance and Asset Manager Selection units. Responsible for the Group’s global institutional investment activities (including product development) for pension funds, investment managers, banks and insurance companies. Specialist Emerging and Frontier Markets (both conventional and Islamic Finance). Co-creator of the Markowitz-Van Dijk Global Tactical Asset Allocation methodology (see Financial Analysts Journal, Mar/Apr 2003), which is integrated (and further developed) in all of the Group’s investment strategies and corporate finance work.
Director
2009 - 2016
Investment consultancy with a focus on Asset Allocation, Risk Management, Emerging Markets and Asset Manager Selection General partner with core responsibilities in the following areas: 1) Strategy and General Management 2) Investment Process
Chief Investment Officer
2004 - 2008
Compendeon was a hybrid consultancy firm servicing institutional clients with pension and asset management advice. I was responsible for the investment side of the business (manager selection, asset allocation and financial risk management). The pension advisory activities were spun-off in 2007 as part of a restructuring program. LMG was one of the shareholders. Early 2009, I bought back the asset allocation model (joint work with dr Markowitz) that I brought to the firm in 2004. The investment consultancy activities were concentrated in LMG Emerge.
Independent Consultant, Los Angeles (CA-USA)
2001 - 2004
Independent consultant, collaborating with Nobel Prize Laureate Harry Markowitz on Global Tactical Asset Allocation and new optimization techniques. Study of Islamic Finance and Sovereign Wealth Funds.
CEO and CIO
1997 - 2001
Palladyne was a quantitative boutique asset management shop specializing in European Equity products for an institutional clientele