Elevate, a real estate platform backed by Rava Partners (Hillhouse’s real assets arm) in collaboration with Alta Capital, has acquired the property assets of Hartland International School (HIS) in Dubai for $100 million from NBK Capital Partners Real Estate Fund, advised by Janus Henderson Emerging Markets Private Investments Limited (JHEMPIL).
Key Highlights:
✅ First GCC Acquisition – Marks Rava Partners’ debut in the region and Elevate’s expansion beyond India.
✅ Premium Education Asset – HIS is a top-tier UK-curriculum K-12 school on 9 acres in Mohammed Bin Rashid City, serving 2,050+ students.
✅ Long-Term Leaseback – The school remains operated by Meraki Education, which manages premium institutions in Dubai and Singapore.
✅ Elevate’s Growing Portfolio – The platform now owns 30+ education assets (worth ~$1B) across India, serving 90,000+ students.
Strategic Growth in Education Real Estate
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Joe Gagnon, Co-Head of Rava Partners: “This acquisition aligns with our strategy to invest in high-quality education infrastructure in fast-growing markets like the GCC, where demand for premium schooling is surging.”
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Sid Gupta, Alta Capital Founder: “With our expertise in education real assets, we’re well-positioned to scale similar opportunities in the region.”
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Yaser Moustafa, JHEMPIL: “This transaction underscores institutional confidence in alternative assets like education real estate.”
Deal Structure & Advisors
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Standard Chartered Bank acted as sole lender.
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Seller: NBK Capital Partners Real Estate Fund (advised by JHEMPIL), a key player in GCC education infrastructure.
Why It Matters:
The GCC’s education sector is booming, driven by population growth and demand for international curricula. Elevate’s entry signals rising institutional interest in alternative real assets with stable, long-term returns.
Next Steps:
Elevate and Alta Capital plan further GCC investments, leveraging their combined expertise in education-driven real estate.
