Rizwan Sajan
Rizwan Sajan (born 27 December 1963) is an Indian entrepreneur based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He is the founder and chairman of the Danube Group, a diversified conglomerate operating in building materials, real estate development, home décor, hospitality, and retail sectors.
Rizwan Sajan 
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| Born | 27 December 1963 Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Businessman |
| Known for | Founder & Chairman of Danube Group; “Dubai’s 1% Man” |
| Organization | Danube Group |
| Net worth | Approx. US$2.5 billion (reported) |
| Spouse | Sameera Sajan |
| Children | 1 (Adel Sajan) |
| Residence | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
He is widely recognized as one of the wealthiest Indian expatriates in the UAE and is popularly referred to as “Dubai’s 1% Man” for introducing innovative 1% real estate payment plans in Dubai.
Early life
Rizwan Sajan was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, and grew up in Ghatkopar in a modest household. He faced financial hardships during his early years and began working at a young age to support his family.
At the age of 16, after the passing of his father, he took on various jobs including selling books and delivering milk.
Career
In 1981, Sajan moved to Kuwait and began working as a trainee salesman in his uncle’s building materials business.
After the Gulf War in 1991, he returned to Mumbai before relocating to Dubai, where he founded the Danube Group in 1993 as a small trading company specializing in building materials.
Under his leadership, Danube Group expanded into a diversified conglomerate operating across:
- United Arab Emirates
- India
- China
- Canada
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Bahrain
- Oman
The group later expanded into real estate through Danube Properties, hospitality, sports retail, and media ventures.
Business ventures
Danube Group operates multiple verticals including:
- Danube Building Materials
- Danube Home
- Danube Properties
- Milano (sanitary solutions brand)
- Danube Hospitality
- Danube Sports
The company offers over 25,000 products and serves customers across the GCC and international markets.
Awards and recognition
Rizwan Sajan has received numerous recognitions for his entrepreneurial achievements, including:
- Ranked among Top Indian Leaders in the UAE by Forbes Middle East
- Recognized among the Most Influential Indians in the GCC
- Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Excellence Award
- Dubai Quality Award
- Multiple Real Estate Industry Leadership Awards
Philanthropy
Rizwan Sajan actively participates in corporate social responsibility initiatives through the Danube Welfare Society.
In 2023, he contributed AED 5 million to the UAE government’s “1 Billion Meals Endowment Initiative.” He also supports labor welfare programs and community outreach initiatives.
Personal life
Rizwan Sajan is married to Sameera Sajan. The couple has one son, Adel Sajan.
He resides in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.