Ryan Babbage · Founder & M&A adviser · Based in the UAE
The right capital for the right idea.
21 years in M&A between Australia and the GCC. I place technology, businesses and IP with right-fit partners for commercialisation or investment.
In one sentence
Twenty-one years of M&A, two ventures led as founder, and a book on trust, capital and crossing borders – brought to one task: placing technology, businesses and IP where they can grow.
Investor profile
Why Ryan.
Our brands
The brands Ryan builds.
Four ventures Ryan founded, leads or advises. Each has its own team, site and contact.
Founder & CEO · Dubai
OceanMerge®
IP commercialisation, capital and cross-border strategy with a GCC focus. Seeding in Qatar, and helping clients seed in Saudi Arabia and Oman.
IFZA, Dubai Silicon Oasis · contact@oceanmerge.comoceanmerge.com ↗
Founder & CEO · Abu Dhabi
OceanBlocks
Engineering the Future of Clean Energy. A clean energy and hydrogen developer.
ADGM, Abu Dhabi · global@oceanblocks.orgoceanblocks.org ↗
Venture
MindGo
Living well in older age: staying connected, and being respected and cared for.
Website coming soonCorporate & Brand Strategist · Australia
Stacked Up
A social-first wellness brand: four supplements in one sachet. We Are Stacked Up Pty Ltd, Australia.
Website coming soonTwo paths
Who are you here for?
Choose your path – each leads to the detail you need, and the right first conversation.
01 · For businesses
Sell, partner, scale or enter the Gulf.
For owners, founders and boards with a business, technology or IP that needs the right buyer, partner, market or capital.
- M&A advisory
- Placing technology and IP with right-fit partners
- Commercialisation and capital strategy
- GCC market entry, including Saudi Arabia and Oman
02 · For investors
An investable founder, with a defined focus.
For family offices, funds and strategic investors seeking a counterpart with deal experience across Australia and the GCC. Information only – not an offer.
- Founder & CEO, OceanMerge® and OceanBlocks
- Investor in early-stage technology companies
- Further information on request, subject to eligibility
How I work
Four ways to work together.
Clear engagement models, so you know what to expect before the first call.
Advisory
Strategic and M&A advice on a defined scope, for owners, founders and boards.
- Transaction strategy and readiness
- Australia–GCC perspective
- A senior sounding board
Mandate
A buy-side or sell-side mandate to identify, approach and negotiate with the right counterparts.
- Sale, acquisition, merger or joint venture
- Counterpart search in Australia and the GCC
- Carried through to completion
Co-investment
Where appropriate, investing alongside partners in early-stage technology companies.
- Only through appropriately licensed parties
- Subject to due diligence and applicable law
- Not an offer to the public
Placing IP
Finding the licensee, partner, buyer or investor that fits a technology or IP.
- Where the IP creates value
- Right-fit partners and licensees
- Introductions under confidentiality
Nothing here is an offer to invest or financial advice; any investment activity takes place only through appropriately licensed parties.
How I work in detailThe corridor
Australia and the Gulf, connected.
Schematic corridor map · not to scale
The book
Money Has a Family Name
A founder’s journey of capital, trust and building across borders
- RRP
- A$34.99
- Author
- Ryan Babbage
Money Has a Family Name is Ryan Babbage’s account of a founder’s journey of capital, trust and building across borders. Written from the founder’s side of the table, it is about how trust and capital travel together – and why, in the Gulf, the relationship comes before the deal.
Insights
Notes from the corridor.
Gulf & Australia
Australia Builds the Engine. The Gulf Can Build the Road.
Australian technology is often described as having a funding problem. More often, it has a geography problem. The Gulf now offers capital with intent, but it rewards companies that arrive with a strategy before they arrive with a licence.
Technology Commercialisation
Investors Do Not Buy Ideas. They Buy Title Deeds.
Founders describe their IP by what it does. Investors judge it by who owns it, how well it can be defended and whether it can become revenue. Most deals are won or lost in the space between those two descriptions.
Capital & Investment
The Gulf's Clean Energy Story Has Left the Rehearsal Room
For years, the Gulf's clean energy story was performed in rehearsal: strategies, targets and announcements. In 2027 the audience will want the performance. The opportunities belong to those who understand policy, infrastructure, certification and trust.
The OceanMerge GCC Opportunity
Ryan’s newsletter on LinkedIn.
Contact
Start the right conversation.
Prefer email?
contact@oceanmerge.com
Or send a short enquiry and Ryan’s office will reply by email.
Send an enquiryInvestors
Investor profile and further information, subject to eligibility. Information only – not an offer.
Request investor information →Email contact@oceanmerge.com · LinkedIn (opens in a new tab) · Based in the UAE
Trust and transparency
Full trust and credentials page →Where the ventures are
- OceanMerge® – IFZA, Dubai Digital Park, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai
- OceanBlocks – Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)
- Stacked Up – We Are Stacked Up Pty Ltd, Australia
Credentials
- RMIT MBA (International Business), with Distinction
- RMIT Master of Blockchain Enabled Business, with Distinction
- HBS Online, Sustainable Business Strategy (2022)
- Director, EIBC Ltd, 2018–2021
Your data
- No advertising or tracking cookies
- Enquiries are read by Ryan Babbage
- Based in the UAE