Rizwan Sajan

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Rizwan Sajan
Rizwan Sajan.jpg
Born (1963-12-27) December 27, 1963 (age 62)
Mumbai, Maharashtra
NationalityIndian
CitizenshipIndia
OccupationSerial entrepreneur
OrganizationDanube Group (Founder & Chairman)
Known forDubai’s 1% Man
Spouse(s)Sameera Sajan
Children1
Websitealdanube.com

Rizwan Sajan (born December 27, 1963) is an Indian entrepreneur based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He is the founder and chairman of the Danube Group,[1] a diversified conglomerate with operations in building materials, real estate, and home furnishings across.[2][3][4] Sajan has been identified in media coverage as among the wealthiest Indian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates. His estimated net worth has been reported at approximately US$2.5 billion.[5]

Early life and education

Sajan was born in the slums of Ghatkopar, Mumbai, India, into a middle-class family. He grew up facing significant financial struggles. He lost his father at 16. Sajan left formal education early and worked various jobs to support his family, including selling books, firecrackers, and delivering milk.[6]

In 1981, he moved to Kuwait and began his career as a trainee salesman in his uncle's building materials store. However, the Gulf War in 1991 forced him to return to Mumbai.[7][8]

Career

Sajan founded Danube Group in 1993 as a small trading firm specializing in building materials. Under his leadership, the company expanded into a diversified conglomerate with operations in building materials, home décor, and real estate development. Danube Group operates across the UAE, India, China, Canada, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman.[9]

In 2006, Danube Group established Milano for sanitary solutions.[10]

In 2008, Sajan established Danube Home for home furnishings. The company has expanded its footprint across the GCC and beyond, establishing itself as one of the region's largest home décor retailers.[11]

In 2012, the group established Alucopanel, manufacturing aluminum composite panel.[12]

In 2014, Sajan entered the real estate sector with Danube Properties, which became a significant player in the UAE's property market. The company has launched several successful projects, including residential towers and luxury developments. Danube Properties is known for its collaboration with brands such as Aston Martin, Fashion TV, and Tonino Lamborghini Casa, which contribute to the interiors of its luxury residential projects.[13]

Sajan is credited with introducing the innovative 1% payment plan for real estate in Dubai, allowing buyers to acquire property through monthly payments of just 1% of the total price. The groundbreaking approach earned Sajan the moniker “Dubai’s 1% Man.”[14]

Danube Group's flagship company, Danube Building Materials FZCO, became one of the largest suppliers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), offering over 25,000 products and comprehensive value-added services.[15]

In 2018, Sajan diversified into media by acquiring the rights to Filmfare Middle East. The group has also diversified into hospitality with Danube Hospitality in 2019, and into sports-related services with the launch of Danube Sports in 2022.[16]

In 2025, Danube Properties announced SHAHRUKHZ by Danube, a commercial tower project valued at approximately US$572 million on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. The project was unveiled in collaboration with Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan and is scheduled for completion in 2029.[17][18]

In 2026, Sajan was ranked among the Most Impactful Real Estate Leaders in the Middle East by Forbes Middle East, which highlighted the growth of Danube Properties, noting that the company had launched 41 projects since its establishment in 2014 and delivered 20 projects by the end of 2025.[19]

Sajan has also been recognized among leading Indian business figures in the Gulf region. According to the UAE Ministry of Economy, Danube Group reported revenues of approximately AED 5.13 billion, while Sajan's estimated net worth was reported at US$2.5 billion.[20]

In 2026, Sajan gained wider international attention following his appearance on the Netflix reality series Desi Bling, which featured prominent Indian-origin entrepreneurs and business leaders in the United Arab Emirates.[21]

Awards and recognitions

Sajan has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career.

  • He was ranked 12th among the ‘Top 100 Indian Leaders in the UAE’ by Forbes Middle East.[22]
  • Sajan was honored with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Excellence Award
  • He was named The Economic Times Global Indian Leader in 2022.
  • He has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Most Powerful Indians in the UAE by Arabian Business.
  • Sajan has been awarded the Dubai Quality Award
  • He has received the Star Business Leadership Award in the family business leader category in 2017.
  • He has won the Forbes Top Indian Business Leader in the Arab World five times.[23]
  • He has received the Top Real Estate Company in the Arab World award three times from Forbes Middle East.
  • He was also awarded the Best Real Estate Company in the Arab World by The Gulf Business Awards
  • He has received the Real Estate Tycoon Award in 2017 from the Land Department of Dubai.
  • He has received the Prestigious Brands of Asia Award
  • Honored with the Most Admired Retailer Award by Herald Global & BARC Asia
  • He received the Visionary of the Year at the 1st CEO Awards.
  • Sajan has also been honored with the Dubai Customs Award,
  • He was credited with the RAKSME Award
  • Sajan won the the Dubai Logistics and Supply Chain Award.
  • He was listed among UAE’s Top 20 Performers.

Philanthropy

As a part of Danube Group’s corporate social responsibility, Sajan has established the Danube Welfare Society. The organization offers free training programs to help unskilled workers develop their language and professional skills. Additionally, Sajan has supported various charitable initiatives, including donating AED 5 million to the UAE government’s ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment Initiative’ in 2023 and organizing annual iftar events for laborers during Ramadan.

Personal life

Sajan is married to Sameera Sajan, and together they have a son, Adel Sajan.

References

  1. ↑ "Our Leaders". Danube Group. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  2. ↑ "Rizwan Sajan From Street Vendor to Billionaire". Channeliam / Channel I'M English. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  3. ↑ "Rizwan Sajan: The Undisputed Entrepreneur". The Case Centre. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  4. ↑ "Mr Rizwan Sajan". Miss & Mrs India. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  5. ↑ "Meet the richest Indian in the UAE: Who is Rizwan Sajan, what is his net worth?". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  6. ↑ "Meet the richest Indian in Dubai – He once lived in slums, sold books, and delivered milk but now has a net worth of Rs 20,830 crore. He is…". Financialexpress. 24 September 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  7. ↑ "Meet Rizwan Sajan, Dubai's Richest Indian: From Mumbai Slums To Billion-Dollar Success; His Net Worth Is Rs 20,830,000,000". Times Now. 1 October 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  8. ↑ Shetty, Karishma (20 September 2024). "Meet the richest Indian in Dubai, a billionaire businessman who has a staggering net worth of Rs 20,883 Crore and runs a Rs 16,709 Crore empire". GQ India. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  9. ↑ "Indian Power List 2021 - Rizwan Sajan - Arabian Business: Latest News on the Middle East, Real Estate, Finance, and More". www.arabianbusiness.com. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  10. ↑ "Rizwan Sajan | Gulf Business". gulfbusiness.com. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  11. ↑ "Exclusive: Rizwan Sajan on redefining luxury real estate in the Middle East - CW Property Middle East". property.constructionweekonline.com. 2 September 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  12. ↑ "Rizwan Sajan: The Power Behind Dubai's Iconic Skyline - Society Achievers". societyachievers.com. 27 September 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  13. ↑ "Rizwan Sajan's Journey: From The Slums Of Ghatkopar To The Glitzy World Of Luxury In Dubai". Forbes India. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  14. ↑ "Rizwan Sajan: Propelling Danube Group To Heights Of Business Excellence". Outlook India. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  15. ↑ "Rizwan Sajan| Danube Group". graymatterdubai.com. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  16. ↑ "Rizwan Sajan Life Story, One Of Richest Indian In UAE, Worked As A Street Vendor And Delivered Milk". BollywoodShaadis. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  17. ↑ "Rizwan Sajan". Forbes Middle East. 4 May 2026. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  18. ↑ "Dubai unveils a 55-storey tower named after Shah Rukh Khan". The Times of India. 16 November 2025. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  19. ↑ "Rizwan Sajan". Forbes Middle East. 4 May 2026. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  20. ↑ "Rizwan Sajan is ranked among Top 100 Richest Indian Businessmen in the UAE". UAE Ministry of Economy. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  21. ↑ "Desi Bling star Rizwan Sajan once sold milk on Mumbai streets, now he owns a $2.5 billion empire in Dubai". The Economic Times. 29 May 2026. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  22. ↑ "Rizwan Sajan is ranked among 'Top 100 Richest Indian Businessmen in the UAE'". moec.gov.ae. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  23. ↑ "The Journey of One of the Richest Indians in UAE, Rizwan Sajan". StartupTalky. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.

External links

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