StrategyConnect’s Post

The MENA Investment Boom Is this the next Silicon Valley? The MENA region is bridging tradition and innovation, becoming a global leader in redefining investment models. As an investment researcher, here’s what stands out: 1. Family Offices Fueling Startups: Private capital from family offices is driving growth, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE contributing 79% of non-MEGA deal funding in H1 2024. 2. Unicorn Boom: MENA startups raised $768M in H1 2024, with sectors like fintech, AI, and e-commerce leading. Fintech, in particular, is thriving in underbanked markets. 3. Government Support: Initiatives like Saudi Vision 2030 and UAE’s NextGenFDI are creating a fertile environment for startups to scale and attract global investors. 4. Global Attention: Investor participation grew 30% YoY in 2024, with international VCs eyeing the region for its competitive valuations and untapped opportunities. MENA is rewriting investment success stories, are you ready to be part of this transformation? #MENAInvestment #VentureCapital #Unicorns #MiddleEastTech

🚀 Dubai is quickly becoming the heart of innovation in the MENA region, attracting a significant portion of funding and offering incredible opportunities for startups. If you’re exploring the world of FinTech, knowing which investors and VC firms to connect with is essential. 🤝 Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, Dubai’s investment scene has something for everyone. 📲 From AI and deep tech to social media and apps, these VCs are not just investing—they’re actively shaping the future. As I continue to explore new opportunities, building the right connections here feels like the perfect next step in driving growth and creativity. Check out the link for more information: https://lnkd.in/dh3HFbTJ #FinTech #VCs #Innovation

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐕𝐂𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐧 FundMyPitch!🚀 Here’s why Yadeam is the right investment for you: 1️⃣ 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: We’re expanding into high-potential markets like Qatar and Saudi Arabia while strengthening our UK presence. Our vision? To make ethical finance universally accessible. 2️⃣ 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬: We’re launching bespoke consultancy services to empower startups, helping them generate traction, secure initial validity, and thrive. 3️⃣ 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦: A passionate group of innovators driving real change in FinTech, combining expertise in ethical finance and cutting-edge AI. 💼 Ethical finance is not just our focus; it's our foundation. With strong plans for scaling operations, global expansion, and introducing AI-driven solutions, Yadeam is set to redefine the future of finance. 🔗 Don’t miss the chance to invest in a company that's shaping a better, more inclusive financial world. Visit our FundMyPitch campaign to learn more and join us in this transformative journey! Visit - https://lnkd.in/eCx3Da3N #EthicalFinance #FinTech #StartupFunding #FundMyPitch #Yadeam

I'm delighted to announce that we are working with FundMyPitch as part of Yadeam's pre-seed round! Here's some of what we've achieved over the last year: - We have established a highly-skilled and multidisciplinary team - We have begun our consulting service, aimed towards startup companies - We have started to build our platform, beginning with front-end development - We have obtained SEIS and EIS Advance Assurance from HMRC - We have received a number of pledges from startup founders seeking to raise on our platform - We have been accepted onto the AD:VENTURE programme, which provides ambitious new businesses within West Yorkshire with a tailored support programme to help them grow We were invited by #WebSummitQatar to attend their inaugural event in the Middle East, under their startup programme We have secured a number of partnerships with organisations, such as Redwood Founders, who have provided us with a number of highly skilled-interns, as we establish our technological platform Please check out our pitch using the link in the comments #preseed #fundraising #fundmypitch #startups #innovation #ai

The game is shifting ♟️ Yesterday, I had the chance to attend MENA investor conference. Big conversations shaping the future of our ecosystem. A few key takeaways that stood out: 1️⃣ Fintech dominates 🏦—51% of total investment in MENA went to fintech, followed by enterprise SaaS (13%) and e-commerce (12%). No surprises here, but what’s next? 2️⃣ Middle East VCs are expanding their reach 🌍—22% of capital is flowing into Asia, 14% into Africa, and 63% stays local. A sign that the region is becoming a serious player beyond its borders. 3️⃣ Biggest tech exit? UAE’s @Takabat’s IPO. A strong signal for the ecosystem, but how do we ensure more scale-ups follow? 4️⃣ New fund managers are emerging 📈—28% of total funds raised went to first-time fund managers. The sovereign funding drive is clearly enabling a new generation of investors. 💰 The BIG conversation? The Series B funding gap—A staggering $950M gap exists in the growth stage. The question is: how do we unlock capital to fuel the next wave of scale-ups? Some key insights from the panel discussion 🔹 Sector-focused VCs could be the way forward—Deep tech, AI, and true innovation need investors who bring real value beyond just capital. The days of sector-agnostic funds might be numbered. 🔹 Long-term thinking is critical—Copy-paste startups won’t cut it anymore. The region needs to bet on groundbreaking solutions that can compete globally, not just locally. And this is one of my life missions to contribute on building our own version of entrepreneurship ! The MENA investment landscape is evolving fast, but we have some critical gaps to fill. The opportunity is massive, the chess game is just starting — and I’m here to stay 🚀 #EarlyStageInvesting #VCLandscape #MENAInnovation #TechEcosystem #InvestmentTrends

The Egyptian Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Egyptian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EPEAVC) in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This memorandum aims to support startups and venture capital in order to create a more favorable investment ecosystem. Source:https://shorturl.at/Dx5LM #t20egypt #startups #entrepreneurship #networking #investing #technology #google #digital #funding #egypt #banking #fintech

Navigating the investment landscape in the UAE? Understand the diverse motivations and investment strategies to choose the right partners for your venture! 🤝 Key Investor Types: VC Firms 💼: Focused on achieving returns for their funds. Examples: - Shorooq Partners (Also diving into Private Credit Funding) - Further Ventures - Strategic Development Fund (SDF) Angels 👼: Individuals or family members investing personal wealth with a passion for specific industries. Notable players: - Emirates Angel Investors Association - Kushal Shah Accelerators 🚀: Professional investors nurturing startups for rapid growth. Key names: - Plug and Play Tech Center - Flat6Labs - 500 Global Family Offices 🏡: Private wealth management for high-net-worth families focusing on aligned business interests. - Al Masaood - Mazrui International - Alfahim Investment Holding Group Corporate Investors 🏢: Venture arms seeking financial returns and strategic benefits. - e& capital - G42 Government and Sovereign Wealth Funds 🏛️: Investing in tech and innovation for long-term societal benefits. Major entities: - Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development - Mubadala - Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) - ADQ - Emirates Investment Authority 💡 Tip: Align your company’s fundraising goals with the investor's strategy for a fruitful partnership. Know their focus—returns, industry interest, or strategic growth. If you want to list your deal on our community, you can do so by using the promo code LUKEVN here: https://lnkd.in/dsZNFqvg #Investment #Startups # #VC #FamilyOffice

MENA Deals Spotlight | January 1-15, 2025 The first two weeks of 2025 showcased a dynamic mix of innovation and investment across the MENA region, with $140.55M+ in total funding across 14 deals. Here's a closer look: Country-Wise Highlights: 🇦🇪 UAE: 🔹 Sigma Capital launched a $100M fund for Web3 startups 🔹 Jingle Pay raised funds for a 9.9% stake, led by Bank Alfalah Limited 🔹 Teammates.ai secured funding from Hustle Fund and others 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia: 🔹 Zension Technologies Inc. raised $30M in Series A, led by Wa'ed Ventures and Sumitomo Corporation 🔹 Halo AI secured $6M to scale its AI-powered networking platform 🔹 Vreal, an AR/VR provider, raised pre-seed funding 🇪🇬 Egypt: 🔹 Kashat (Pharos Microfinance) were acquired by Raseedi 🔹 ROA was acquired by Nawy, transforming real estate solutions Sector-Wise Highlights: 🔹 AI & Tech: HALO AI, MilkStraw AI, and Teammates.ai led the way with innovative solutions 🔹 Web3 & Fintech: Sigma Capital’s $100M fund and Jingle Pay’s stake acquisition highlight fintech’s momentum 🔹 Proptech & Agri-tech: Egypt-based ROA and ReNile showcased niche innovation 🔹 EdTech & Career Platforms: TAP raised $1M, combining education with career acceleration The MENA region continues to thrive as a hub for groundbreaking ventures and transformative growth! #MENADealsWithStrategyConnect #FundingNews #StrategyConnect #MENAStartups #InvestmentTrends #Financialnews #Fundingdeals #menaregion #fintechnews #proptech #edtech #

Navigating the investment landscape in the UAE? Understand the diverse motivations and investment strategies to choose the right partners for your venture! 🤝 Key Investor Types: VC Firms 💼: Focused on achieving returns for their funds. Examples: - Shorooq Partners (Also diving into Private Credit Funding) - Further Ventures - Strategic Development Fund (SDF) Angels 👼: Individuals or family members investing personal wealth with a passion for specific industries. Notable players: - Emirates Angel Investors Association - Kushal Shah Accelerators 🚀: Professional investors nurturing startups for rapid growth. Key names: - Plug and Play Tech Center - Flat6Labs - 500 Global Family Offices 🏡: Private wealth management for high-net-worth families focusing on aligned business interests. - Al Masaood - Mazrui International - Alfahim Investment Holding Group Corporate Investors 🏢: Venture arms seeking financial returns and strategic benefits. - e& capital - G42 Government and Sovereign Wealth Funds 🏛️: Investing in tech and innovation for long-term societal benefits. Major entities: - Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development - Mubadala - Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) - ADQ - Emirates Investment Authority 💡 Tip: Align your company’s fundraising goals with the investor's strategy for a fruitful partnership. Know their focus—returns, industry interest, or strategic growth. If you want to list your deal on our community, you can do so by using the promo code LUKEVN here: https://lnkd.in/dsZNFqvg #Investment #Startups # #VC #AngelInvestors #FamilyOffices #innovation

Conference season in full swing with kick off at 24 Fintech this past week Turbulent public markets and concerns around US growth off the back of unemployment figures in the US sparking a drop in US and global equities. A lot of discussion now around when the FED will drop rates and by how much?! One thing is for sure, talk around venture capital in the region, exits and IPOs was abuzz at 24 Fintech Last week we saw Tabby acquisition of Tweeq in a sign of further growth in the kingdom and multiple fundraising announcements. Startup listings in both #ksa and the #uae top of mind for investors and regulators alike Capital Market Authority DFM and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. Are startups ready for listings? Next week we have the Dubai AI & Web3 Festival hosted by the DIFC and the Global AI Summit in #riyadh Is the region going to see further investment in AI tech? Stay updated with all the latest news and happenings from across emerging venture markets by signing up to our MAGNiTT newsletter: https://lnkd.in/euc7Vb8 #venture #vc #funding #mena