G42 (Group 42 Holding Ltd) is an Emirati artificial intelligence and cloud computing technology holding company headquartered in Abu Dhabi. Founded in 2018 and chaired by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan with Peng Xiao as Group CEO, G42 operates a portfolio of operating companies spanning AI research, hyperscale cloud, data centers, healthcare, energy, financial services and smart cities. Its subsidiaries and affiliates include Core42 (cloud and AI infrastructure), Inception (foundation models), Khazna Data Centers, Presight AI, Space42 (formed via the Bayanat-Yahsat combination), and AIQ (an Adnoc JV). G42 received a $1.5 billion strategic investment from Microsoft in April 2024, has built large-scale AI compute capacity in partnership with Cerebras and Nvidia, and is a core pillar of the UAE's national AI strategy alongside Mubadala and the AI and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC).
Company data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.
Founded
2018
Employees
10,000+
Total Funding
$2.3B
3 rounds
Total raised $2.3B across 3 rounds
Funding data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.
Last updated 06-25-2026
Latest Round
Type
Strategic investment (Microsoft)
Date
April 16, 2024
Amount
$1.5B
Valuation
—
Lead Investors
| Date | Round | Amount Raised | Valuation | Lead Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 16, 2024 | Strategic investment (Microsoft) | $1.5B | — | Microsoft |
| April 14, 2021 | Strategic minority investment (Silver Lake) | $800M | — | Silver Lake |
| November 2020 | Strategic investment (Mubadala) | Not disclosed | — | Mubadala Investment Company |
Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Chairman
Peng Xiao
Group Chief Executive Officer
Brad Smith
Board Director (Microsoft Vice Chair & President)
Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak
Board Director (Group CEO, Mubadala Investment Company)
Jassem Mohamed Obaid Bu Ataba Al Zaabi
Board Director (Chairman, Abu Dhabi Department of Finance)
Competitor list is illustrative and may be incomplete, stale, or erroneous.
Microsoft Azure
Hyperscale cloud and AI platform; competes with G42's Core42 cloud and AI infrastructure offerings even while serving as G42's primary strategic partner.
Amazon Web Services
Global hyperscale cloud leader competing with G42's Core42 and Khazna Data Centers in the Middle East cloud and AI infrastructure market.
Google Cloud
Alphabet's hyperscale cloud and AI division; competes with G42's sovereign AI cloud offerings in the region.
Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) / HUMAIN
Saudi Arabia's state-backed AI and data initiatives (including HUMAIN under PIF) are the most direct regional rival to G42 in sovereign AI and Gulf AI infrastructure buildout.
Palantir Technologies
US data analytics and AI platform competing with G42 (and subsidiary Presight) in government and enterprise data intelligence.
IBM
Global IT services and AI provider competing with G42 in enterprise AI consulting, hybrid cloud and government workloads.
No. G42 is a private company and does not have a public stock ticker or trade on a public stock exchange. Its shares are generally held by founders, employees, investors, and other private shareholders. Buyers and sellers may be able to transact in G42 shares through private secondary transactions, but any transaction depends on share availability, buyer and seller agreement, transfer restrictions, company approval rights, and any applicable right of first refusal. There is no guarantee that G42 will complete an IPO or other liquidity event.
Yes, it is sometimes possible to buy G42 shares pre-IPO through private secondary transactions. This depends on finding a willing seller, company approval, and satisfying any transfer restrictions or rights of first refusal.
Buyers interested in buying G42 shares on the secondary market typically do so through SetterVC and other secondary-market platforms, subject to eligibility requirements, share availability, transfer restrictions, and issuer approval. Buyers may need to satisfy sophistication, accreditation, institutional, platform, regulatory, or other eligibility requirements before participating. Once eligible, buyers may be able to view listings, make bids, and work with a licensed broker through the transaction process. Buyers should ensure they have appropriate legal and financial advisors guiding them before completing any transaction.
G42's latest disclosed funding round was a Strategic investment (Microsoft) round in April 16, 2024. The round raised approximately $1.5B, with Microsoft listed as disclosed lead or major investors. Primary funding rounds are different from secondary transactions: in a primary round, capital goes to the company, while in a secondary transaction, investors buy existing shares from current shareholders. Funding-round data reflects publicly reported or collected information and may be incomplete.
G42 has raised approximately $2.3B in disclosed funding across 3 rounds. These figures reflect primary capital raised by the company and do not include every possible secondary transaction, undisclosed round, debt facility, or private transfer. Reported funding totals can change as new rounds are announced or older round details are corrected. Eligible users can use SetterVC to track G42's funding history alongside private-market activity where available.
G42's disclosed investors include Microsoft, Silver Lake and Mubadala Investment Company. Investor lists are based on public reporting, company announcements, and collected funding-round data, and may be incomplete. Participation in a prior funding round does not mean those investors are currently buying or selling shares. On SetterVC, eligible users can review G42's funding history, valuation history, and private-market activity alongside other venture-backed companies.
G42's most-cited competitors include Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) / HUMAIN, Palantir Technologies and IBM. Investors often compare these companies by sector, product focus, valuation, funding raised, growth signals, investor base, and private-market activity.
Secondary-market demand for G42 shares can be affected by company performance, revenue growth, profitability, funding history, valuation, investor interest, sector momentum, public-market conditions, expected timing of a liquidity event, and the availability of shares for sale. Demand can also be affected by transfer restrictions, company approval rights, right of first refusal processes, limited information, and the price expectations of buyers and sellers. Strong demand does not guarantee strong pricing, liquidity, or investment returns. Weak demand does not necessarily reflect the company's long-term prospects. Demand signals should not be treated as a recommendation or prediction of investment performance. Buyers and sellers should treat demand signals as informational and conduct their own diligence before transacting.
Sellers often rely on intermediaries and platforms, such as SetterVC and other secondary-market platforms, to identify potential buyers. The exact process varies by company and transaction, but sellers often begin by confirming their ownership, desired price, transferability, and any company approval or notice requirements. If the seller agrees with a buyer on acceptable price and terms, the company may need to be notified through a share transfer notice or similar process. If a right of first refusal, company approval right, or other transfer restriction applies, the seller may need to wait until that process is completed. The parties may then execute a purchase and sale agreement, complete required transfer documentation, and close if all required conditions are satisfied. Sellers should always seek proper legal and financial advice before completing the transaction.
Yes, current and former G42 employees, early investors, and other existing shareholders may be able to sell vested shares before an IPO through a private secondary sale. This is not automatic; it depends on whether the shareholder has transferable shares, whether there is buyer demand, and whether the company's governing documents permit the transfer. Many companies require prior notice, company approval, or a right of first refusal before shares can be sold. Sellers should also seek proper legal and financial advice before proceeding.
A G42 secondary transaction usually involves an existing shareholder selling shares to a buyer before a public listing. The buyer and seller typically agree on price, number of shares, share class, and closing conditions. The seller may then need to notify G42 through a share transfer notice or similar process. If G42 or existing investors have approval rights, transfer restrictions, or a right of first refusal, those steps may need to be completed before the transfer can close. The parties typically enter into a purchase and sale agreement, complete any required transfer documentation, and close only if the necessary conditions are satisfied. Timing and certainty can vary by company and transaction.
In most private secondary transactions, parties commonly use a purchase and sale agreement that outlines price, terms, and conditions. They may also use share transfer documentation, often a stock transfer notice, share transfer notice, transfer instruction, or similar document, along with any required company approval or right of first refusal materials. Proof of ownership, such as a cap table entry, share certificate, brokerage statement, issuer confirmation, or administrator confirmation, may also be important. Buyers often request recent company financials, but private companies may limit disclosure. Since every deal varies, buyers and sellers should consult legal and financial advisors to understand which documents are needed.
Buying G42 shares pre-IPO is risky. Shares are illiquid, no IPO or liquidity event is guaranteed, valuations can change, transfers may require company approval, and private companies may provide limited financial disclosure. Be prepared for total loss. SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide due diligence, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, or investment advice. Buyers must conduct their own due diligence, verify information, and seek independent legal and investment advice before proceeding.
Private secondary shares are typically illiquid. Unlike public stocks, there is no active public market, so selling them can be difficult and time-consuming. Sales depend on finding a willing buyer and often require company approval. Investors should be prepared to hold the shares for an extended period, with no guarantee of a future sale. Always assess your need for liquidity before investing.
SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide due diligence, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, or investment advice. Buyers must conduct their own due diligence, including verifying ownership, transferability, legal structure, company approval, and assessing the company's prospects. SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide advice on whether an investment is good, what price to pay, or what the best bid or ask is. SetterVC and Setter Capital may share documents in some circumstances, but it does not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.
Before buying G42 shares, a buyer should try to review the share class, price per share, implied valuation, transfer restrictions, ROFR process, company approval rights, seller ownership evidence, recent financing or tender-offer information, available financial information, information rights, resale restrictions, tax considerations, and expected liquidity paths. Not all information may be available for a private company. Buyers should confirm available diligence, process details, and information needs with their own legal, tax, and investment advisers.
SPVs carry risks. Examples include the need to confirm the company allows SPV-based transfers, verify that the SPV truly owns the shares or interests it claims to own, and ensure it has not sold more interests than it holds. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.
Forward contracts carry risks. Examples include the seller refusing to transfer the shares at the future date, even if the seller owns them, the seller going bankrupt with creditors claiming the shares, or the seller committing the same shares to multiple parties. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.
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