Linklease, the Middle East’s leading equipment leasing company for SMEs, has earned an enviable reputation in its six-year history. From the Dubai headquarters, a leadership team with 25 years of SME financing experience works with regional companies to facilitate the procurement of equipment, and with investors seeking global fixed income opportunities. Linklease provides new and used equipment and sale and lease-back agreements, along with equipment management services. The company’s innovative outlook has served it well. As the UAE went into lockdown, Linklease took proactive steps to draft new agreements to help struggling customers to weather the storm. Systems were put in place to help maintain business continuity, and the agile response ensured that no clients defaulted on their agreements. The firm’s strong financial standing has enabled it to capitalise on the few silver-lining investment opportunities to come from Covid-19. Linklease was able to offer employment to selected recruits at a time when many companies were forced to downsize. It bought back equipment from hard-hit customers and bridged a widening gap in SME financing. Businesses have begun to see the benefits of leasing, and Linklease operations are booming. The company performs due diligence checks to ensure it maintains its zero-default streak, and is opening new operations in the Sub-Saharan region of Africa. The CFI.co judging panel congratulates Linklease on claiming the award for Most Innovative SME Equipment Leasing Solutions (UAE) — for the second consecutive year.