Building a Career in a Changing Market
Rami Tabbara built his name in real estate through nearly two decades of hard work, clear vision, and a deep understanding of the property market. He entered Dubai’s booming real estate sector in the mid-2000s, when the city was still shaping its global identity. Over the years, he climbed through the ranks of some of the region’s most prominent developers, working closely with buyers and investors from across the world. His experience spans both the fast-growing local market and international property landscapes, which gave him a solid foundation for his next big move.
Before starting his own venture, Tabbara held senior positions at The First Group and DAMAC Properties. At DAMAC, he served as Senior Vice President of Sales and managed operations across several markets including the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait, Nigeria, and Russia. These roles taught him how global investors think, what drives their decisions, and why transparency matters. His years of fieldwork built more than a resume they shaped his understanding of how to make real estate more open to ordinary people.
Founding Stake to Open Doors for Investors
In 2020, Tabbara decided to act on a long-standing idea. He joined hands with Manar Mahmassani and Ricardo Brizido to launch Stake, a new platform designed to simplify property investment. They wanted to give people access to Dubai’s real estate market without the massive capital that usually blocks entry. Their vision was simple: allow individuals to invest in property the way they might invest in stocks, but with the security of real assets behind it.
Stake officially launched in 2021. The platform offers fractional ownership of income-generating properties starting at just AED 500, opening a door that had stayed shut for many. Under Tabbara’s leadership, it built a model where investors can buy shares in prime properties, earn rental income, and benefit from capital appreciation all through a straightforward, regulated process.
A Rapidly Expanding Platform
Since its launch, Stake has grown at a remarkable pace. The platform has funded hundreds of properties and attracted investors from many parts of the world. More than half of its users now come from outside the UAE, proving that the idea has global appeal.
In 2024, Stake secured a US$14 million Series A funding round led by major institutional investors, including Wa’ed Ventures, Mubadala Investment Company, and Republic. This investment allowed the company to scale its operations, refine its systems, and strengthen its presence in key markets. It also signaled strong confidence from major players in the financial world, who saw Stake as more than just a property platform it was a sign of where the real estate market is heading.
A Platform Built on Trust and Regulation
From the beginning, Tabbara knew trust would determine whether people invested. Stake operates under the supervision of the Dubai Financial Services Authority within the Dubai International Financial Centre. Each property on the platform is backed by legal ownership documents, including title deeds registered through the Dubai Land Department.
This structure ensures that every transaction is transparent and secure. In Saudi Arabia, Stake is licensed by the Capital Market Authority (Saudi Arabia), allowing it to offer regulated investment opportunities in Riyadh and beyond. This clear regulatory framework gives investors confidence that their money is protected and their ownership is legitimate.
Redefining How People Invest in Real Estate
Tabbara’s vision goes beyond giving people access to property. He wants to change how they think about it. Traditional real estate investment often required years of savings and complex legal steps. Stake turns that process into something simple, where an investor can build a diversified property portfolio with small amounts of capital.
Investors receive regular rental income and can sell their stakes during exit windows twice a year. This flexibility brings real estate closer to the liquidity of financial markets, without losing the security of physical assets. It also gives both local residents and international investors the chance to participate in Dubai’s fast-growing property market.
Taking the Platform Beyond the UAE
The company’s expansion into Saudi Arabia in 2024 marked a major turning point. After receiving regulatory approval, Stake began offering real estate investment opportunities in the kingdom, attracting interest from both local and foreign investors. Tabbara’s goal is to make property investment as borderless as possible, opening doors to markets that were once too complicated or expensive for most people to enter.
Stake also joined the Dubai Land Department’s Real Estate Evolution Space program, aligning with broader government plans to modernize the industry. This move reinforces its position as a key player in shaping how property investment will work in the future.
A Leadership Style Rooted in Experience
Tabbara’s leadership comes from real experience, not just ideas. He spent years dealing directly with buyers, sellers, and investors. He understands how the market shifts, how trust is built, and how clear rules can open opportunities for thousands of people. His approach is both practical and ambitious grounded in knowledge but aimed at expanding what’s possible.
By bringing regulation, accessibility, and clarity together, he has helped turn Stake from an idea into a fast-growing company with global reach. His work reflects a broader movement to make real estate investment easier, fairer, and more transparent.
Looking Ahead
Rami Tabbara continues to shape the future of real estate investment through a platform that breaks old barriers. He has built a company that stands on trust and regulation, but also on a simple promise: property investment should not be reserved for a privileged few. Stake gives everyday investors a chance to build wealth in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.
His story shows how a mix of industry experience, timing, and vision can change an entire sector. And for thousands of investors, that change has already begun.
