Almangarte is focused on providing privately negotiated direct lending solutions to the mid-market & upper mid-market commodity traders & vessel operators/owners in developing markets where significant funding gaps exist. The role of the SME segment in driving the growth of regional economies and contributing to GDP growth, diversification and achieving regional socio-economic agendas is well documented.
Almangarte’s core team combines extensive operational expertise, long-lasting global relationships spanning economic cycles & structured finance and fund management experience.
Using different trade finance instruments and structures & more conventional long-term marine financing solutions, we seek to provide investors with attractive risk-adjusted returns with downside protection associated with collateralization of underlying assets & credit enhancements that are expected to generate low volatility returns. These returns are uncorrelated with traditional fixed income and equity strategies, which if achieved, generally exceed other investments of similar duration.
Our fund is built on a foundation of strong operational expertise, rigorous due diligence, and strategic market focus. Almangarte Investment Fund is poised to outperform high-yield bonds and leveraged loans with lower volatility, providing enhanced returns through direct lending, trade finance, and marine financing.
Targeting 11-13% annual returns through strategic investments in trade finance and marine assets.
Concentrating on high-growth regions within the Global South, including China, India, Southeast Asia, and the GCC.
Managed by a team with decades of experience in global commodity trading, vessel chartering, and private credit.
At Almangarte, we are dedicated to unlocking the potential of emerging markets through strategic private credit investments. Our flagship initiative, Almangarte Investment Fund, is a testament to our commitment to bridging the financing gaps that mid-market companies face in the Global South. We specialize in providing tailored trade finance and marine financing solutions that empower businesses to thrive in today’s dynamic global economy.
With decades of combined experience in global commodity trading, vessel chartering, and private credit management, our team brings unparalleled expertise and insight into the markets we serve. We pride ourselves on our rigorous due diligence, active risk management, and deep operational know-how, ensuring that every investment is backed by solid fundamentals and structured for success.
Our mission is to deliver superior returns for our investors by capitalizing on the growth potential in underbanked regions, all while maintaining a strong focus on risk-adjusted outcomes. At Almangarte, we don’t just invest in opportunities; we build lasting partnerships that drive economic progress and create sustainable value.
Join us as we navigate the complexities of global finance and work to secure a prosperous future for our investors and partners.
Almangarte Fund focuses on trade finance and marine financing, providing loans secured by underlying assets, including commodities and vessels. Our fund offers investors access to high-yield opportunities with a well-structured approach to risk management.
Trade Finance: Short-term financing solutions (60-90 days) for mid-market borrowers who require working capital but are underserved by traditional banks.
Marine Financing: Long-term financing (5-7 years) for the acquisition of vessels, with returns secured by rental income and asset-backed securities.
The global private credit market is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by a shift away from traditional lending sources and a robust private equity ecosystem. Almangarte Fund capitalizes on this momentum, focusing on the growing trade finance gap and the demand for alternative financing solutions in the Global South.
Market Size: The private credit market is projected to reach $2.8 trillion by 2028.
Trade Finance Gap: The global trade finance gap surged to $2.5 trillion in 2022, creating significant opportunities for private credit investments.
Global South Focus: With 6 of the top-10 performing economies in 2024 located in Sub-Saharan Africa and major growth in South Asia, our fund is well-positioned to capitalize on the primary geographic drivers of global economic growth.
Our success is driven by a diverse team of seasoned professionals with deep expertise in global commodity markets, asset management, and maritime industries. Our team is committed to delivering exceptional results for our investors by leveraging their extensive experience and industry knowledge.
Principal & Key Management Team
The principal and key management team have an aggregate experience of ~58 years spanning commodity trading, ship chartering and operations (dry cargo & tankers), fleet management and other services (survey, supplies and crew management) across GCC, China, Southeast Asia & Europe with average transaction values ranging between US$ 20 – 30 Mn
Product portfolio comprises Fuel oil, Naphtha, Crude oil, Iron ore, Petroleum coke, Fertilizer etc.
The team set up their own global trading & vessel chartering company in Switzerland in 2018 and grew into a US$ 1 Bn+ turnover within 4 years. Recognizing the importance of UAE as a global commodity trading hub, they established a presence in Dubai in March 2022 to leverage relationships & experience gathered over the years
The Principal has gathered 20+ years of experience working in shipping and trading companies across Europe & Turkiye. His core competence spans trading of hard commodities & ship chartering operations specifically sales, business development, supplier & customer relationship management, risk management & price hedging strategies. He possesses significant domain expertise in iron ore, coal, steel, fertilizers & petrochemicals in addition to time chartering & port operations. Prior to that, he worked with a UK-based specialty trader as Head of Trading and spent 9 years with them focusing on trading strategies for fertilizers, coal, fuel oil & sulfur
The Fund Director is a versatile financial professional with 14+ years of experience spanning finance & accounting, taxation, investment strategies, risk management, business development and financial planning & analysis
The Operating Partner has gathered 24+ years of experience in chartering, trading & operations
The key management team has been able to deliver average annual returns of ~17% over the past 24 months
Krishnan has over 19 years of experience across investment management, trade finance, corporate finance, and private credit. His career includes roles at Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, IL&FS Private Equity, and KBW Investments.
Private Debt: Krishnan played a pivotal role in the successful closure of Crestmount Fund I, a Sharia-compliant real estate private debt fund with a fund size of US$ 74 Mn, and led the Dubai Financial Services Authority application process for obtaining category 4 license as nominated Finance Officer for Crestmount Fund II, a Sharia-compliant real estate private debt fund, with a target corpus of US$ 200 Mn.
Trade Finance: His focus has been on arranging structured working capital solutions (non-recourse factoring & PO financing) from non-banking institutions & alternative financiers with an emphasis on SME segment & start-ups. Till date, he has secured ~US$ 45 Mn in limits for clients across multiple sectors.
Private Equity: He worked as Associate with IL&FS Private Equity, one of India’s largest domestic asset managers with AUM exceeding US$ 3.2 Bn. Krishnan managed the full investment cycle comprising sourcing, desktop analysis, valuation negotiations, term sheet, due diligence, investment committee presentation and approvals, structuring, investment closing, portfolio management, board representation (observer), exit planning and successful exit.
Investments: 6 transactions (primary, secondary & pre-IPO) aggregating to US$ 55 Mn+
Exits: 6 transactions (strategic sale, trade sale and IPO) aggregating to US$ 25 Mn+
Value Addition:
Pre-IPO placement of US$ 10 Mn in investee company
Introduced and improved corporate governance practices and internal control systems readying company for IPO
He is a Chartered Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, and holds an executive MBA. Krishnan is also a CFA Level 3 & CAIA Level 1 candidate.
Viktor Jordan has over 20 years of experience in corporate finance, treasury, and structured finance, with a strong background in private equity and venture capital. Viktor has managed numerous large-scale corporate finance and funding transactions, including M&A, IPOs, capital market funding (Islamic and conventional, in public offerings and private placements) and syndicated loans across Asia, Europe, the USA, and the GCC. His expertise includes scaling finance operations for small- and mid-cap companies in Europe and the Middle East.
Viktor has been working on several private market transactions involving family offices and private investors from the GCC, Europe and Asia. The sectors, in which these transactions were concluded include real estate, tech (fintech, healthtech, AI), agriculture, entertainment and media, manufacturing and logistics, among others.
During his career Viktor worked on and successfully closed many financing transactions that were first of their kind in the market. Viktor worked on the public ratings and the subsequent debt capital markets offering of a large UAE-based airline, and successfully closed a US$1.5 bn Islamic financing transaction, which is to date still the world’s largest non-sovereign debt issuance. He also successfully closed a multi-tranche private placement transaction of medium-term notes with German investors, which opened up this market for non-German corporate issuers.
On the alternative investments market Viktor structured, set up and launched several VC and PE funds for sponsors in the GCC, Asia and Europe.
Viktor holds an MSc in Finance from the University of Miskolc, Hungary, and an MBA from SDA Bocconi in Milan.
