James Caan CBE Invests in YoBridge to Build the Digital Infrastructure Behind the Middle East’s Property Boom

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, July 22nd, 2026, FinanceWire

Investment by Hamilton Bradshaw backs UAE platform combining specialist mortgage advisory with a long-term vision to connect the region's real estate industry.

Entrepreneur and investor James Caan CBE, through Hamilton Bradshaw, the London-based private investment firm he founded, has led a strategic investment in YoBridge, a UAE-based real estate platform connecting mortgage advisers, developers, investors, brokers, lenders and professional service providers across the Middle East.

The investment will support YoBridge’s ambition to build the region’s leading connected real estate ecosystem, combining specialist mortgage advice with technology designed to help industry professionals build trusted relationships, create strategic partnerships and unlock new commercial opportunities.

YoBridge launches with YoBridge Mortgages, a specialist mortgage advisory business serving expatriate buyers, international investors, first-time buyers, home movers and high-net-worth individuals purchasing property across the UAE.

The investment reflects Hamilton Bradshaw’s strategy of partnering with experienced founders building specialist professional services businesses aligned with the Gulf’s rapidly expanding real estate and investment economy.

Dubai’s property market continues to attract significant international investment. Real estate transactions across the UAE approached AED 900 billion during 2024, while mortgage lending exceeded AED 229 billion across more than 50,000 transactions. Demand continues to grow for trusted advisers capable of navigating increasingly sophisticated financing structures and property transactions.

Founded by Samson Watulatsu, YoBridge has a vision extending beyond traditional mortgage brokerage. While mortgage advisory is its first specialist service, the company aims to create a connected platform where developers, investors, brokers, lenders and professional advisers can collaborate, build trusted relationships and unlock new commercial opportunities.

With more than a decade of experience spanning mortgage advisory, banking and property investment, Samson has held senior leadership positions with Emirates NBD, Mashreq Bank, DAMAC Properties, Huspy and Prypco. His experience across lending, banking, developer sales and property finance gives YoBridge deep insight into the real estate ecosystem.

James Caan CBE said: “Property has been an important part of my investment portfolio for many years. Alongside building and investing in businesses, I have invested across commercial and residential real estate, development opportunities and income-producing assets. The UAE has established itself as one of the world’s most dynamic real estate markets. What impressed me about YoBridge is that it is thinking beyond the traditional brokerage model. It combines specialist mortgage expertise with a broader vision of creating a connected real estate ecosystem where professionals can build trusted relationships, collaborate more effectively and generate new business opportunities. Technology will continue to reshape how business is conducted, but relationships remain at the heart of every successful property transaction. I believe YoBridge has the opportunity to become an important platform within the Middle East’s real estate sector, and I am delighted to support the founders as they build that vision.”

Samson Watulatsu said: “Demand from expatriates, international investors and property professionals for trusted advice and stronger industry connections has never been greater. Our vision has always extended beyond mortgages. We believe the future of real estate lies in bringing together every participant in the property journey from developers and brokers to lenders, advisers and investors,through one connected platform. YoBridge Mortgages represents the first step in that journey, delivering expert mortgage advice through deep lender relationships, market expertise and a highly personalised service. Over time, we will continue expanding the YoBridge platform to help professionals across the industry build relationships, collaborate more effectively and unlock new commercial opportunities. Having James Caan lead this investment is a tremendous endorsement of that vision. His entrepreneurial experience, strategic insight and global network will be invaluable as we scale the business across the UAE and wider GCC.”

Ayman Alashkar, CEO of Hamilton Bradshaw, added: “Our investment strategy centres on partnering with exceptional founders who combine deep sector expertise with ambitious long-term vision. Samson has built an outstanding reputation within the UAE mortgage market and understands every aspect of the property finance ecosystem. What particularly attracted us was the ambition to build something much broader than a mortgage brokerage, a platform capable of connecting the wider real estate industry through trusted relationships, strategic collaboration and specialist expertise. We believe YoBridge is well positioned to become a significant business within the region’s evolving property market.”

Hamilton Bradshaw’s investment will support YoBridge’s next phase of growth, including expanding its mortgage advisory business, accelerating product development, strengthening partnerships with banks, developers and real estate agencies, and continuing to build the wider YoBridge platform across the UAE before expanding throughout the GCC.

About Hamilton Bradshaw

Hamilton Bradshaw is a London-based private investment firm founded by James Caan CBE. The firm partners with ambitious founders to build and scale high-growth businesses through strategic investment, operational expertise and long-term support.

Over the past two decades, Hamilton Bradshaw has invested in businesses across professional services, recruitment, technology and advisory sectors, helping founders accelerate growth while building sustainable, market-leading companies.

About James Caan CBE

James Caan CBE is one of Britain’s leading entrepreneurs and investors. He is the founder of Hamilton Bradshaw and Alexander Mann Solutions, one of the world’s largest talent acquisition businesses.

Alongside building and investing in companies for more than three decades, James has developed an extensive commercial and residential property portfolio and backed numerous property-related businesses, including 90 North Real Estate Partners, an international real estate investment manager that has completed more than US$2 billion of transactions across Europe and North America.

About YoBridge

YoBridge is a UAE-based real estate platform connecting developers, investors, brokers, mortgage advisers, lenders and professional service providers across the Middle East.

Launching with YoBridge Mortgages as its first specialist business, the platform combines expert mortgage advisory with a broader vision of creating the region’s leading connected real estate ecosystem. Through trusted relationships, strategic partnerships and innovative technology, YoBridge helps professionals collaborate, generate opportunities and support property buyers and investors across one of the world’s fastest-growing real estate markets.

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