4 Best Venture Capital (VC) Firms in The UAE
Are you hunting for the best VC investors to fuel your startup in the UAE? This article breaks down the leading venture capital firms in the UAE, known for their keen eye for potential and commitment to growth. Whether you’re after capital injection, strategic advice, or industry connections, getting familiar with the top VCs can drastically enhance your chances of success. Let’s dive into who these market movers are and how they could be the catalysts for your startup’s success.
Beco Capital
BECO Capital is a prominent VC firm based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is one of the first VC firms founded in the UAE, focusing on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. BECO Capital has become one of the largest non-governmental venture firms in the region, boasting approximately $450 million in assets under management. BECO Capital provides growth capital and hands-on operational mentorship to its portfolio companies, fostering their development and scaling in the MENA market.
Headquarters: UAE
Investment Geography: UAE, USA, UK, France, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Kuwait, Turkey, Jordan, Germany, Bahrain, Canada
Operating since: 2012
Stages: Late Seed, Pre-Series A, Series A
Investment Focus: Enterprise Software, PropTech, FinTech, InsurTech, HRTech, Mobility, Transportation, Marketplaces, eSports, E-commerce, CyberSecurity, HealthTech, FoodTech, AR/VR, Construction
Number of investments: 98
Number of exits: 17
Check size: $10-50m
Notable investments: Tribal, Careem
Founders/Key People: Abdulaziz Shikh Al Sagha, Dany Farha
Website: https://becocapital.com
Nuwa Capital
Nuwa Capital, founded in 2020, is a venture capital firm based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The firm focuses on early-stage investments, particularly in technology and healthcare companies in the Middle East and North Africa region.
The firm is known for its radical investment approach, aiming to reshape the relationship between founders and capital. By providing capital, guidance, and access to a network of investors and strategic partners, Nuwa Capital supports the growth and development of its portfolio companies.
Headquarters: UAE
Investment Geography: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Türkiye, United States, Bahrain, Pakistan, Kenya, Singapore.
Operating since: 2020.
Investment Focus: FinTech, E-commerce & Marketplaces, Direct-to-Consumer Brands, SaaS/Software, B2B/Enterprise, EdTech, HealthTech, AgTech.
Stage: Seed, Post-Seed, Series A, Series B.
Number of investments: 30
Number of exits: 0
Check size: $250K – $7M
Notable investments: Homzmart, Eyewa
Founders/Key People: Stephanie Prince, Khaled Talhouni
Website: https://www.nuwacapital.io
Shorooq Partners
Shorooq Partners is a prominent venture capital firm established in 2017 and headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with a significant focus on early-stage investments across the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan (MENAP region). The firm is recognized for its role as a technology investor in emerging markets, supporting exceptional founders by partnering with them to build enduring businesses and generate unparalleled returns. Shorooq Partners operates with the philosophy of being founders’ partners, company builders, and value investors, as evidenced by their diverse portfolio which includes sectors such as fintech, platforms, software, and Web 3.0.
Headquarters: United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi)
Investment Geography: Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan (MENAP region)
Operating since: 2017
Investment Focus: FinTech, Marketplaces, Software, Tech-Enabled Enterprise Services, HealthTech, EdTech
Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
Number of investments: 99
Number of exits: 13
Check size: $1m – $3m
Notable investments: Tamara, Luma Health, Airlift Technologies
Founders/Key People: Mahmoud Adi, Shane Shin
Website: http://www.shorooq.com/
Wamda Capital
Wamda Capital, established in 2010 by Fadi Ghandour, focuses on accelerating the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the MENA region. The firm began with the launch of Wamda.com, a platform for tech ecosystem news, and has organized events to connect startup founders with industry leaders. In 2015, they launched the $70 million Wamda Capital Fund I, investing in growth-stage businesses in the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey. In 2019, Wamda transitioned to Wamda Seed, an early-stage evergreen investment entity. This structure allows flexibility in seeking investments without a predefined fund lifecycle, focusing on sector-agnostic, Seed to Series A technology startups in the MENAPT region.
Headquarters: United Arab Emirates
Investment Geography: United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, United States, Lebanon, Pakistan, Luxembourg, Egypt, Kenya, India, Netherlands.
Operating since: 2010
Investment Focus: SaaS, Enterprise Software, E-commerce Tech, FoodTech, Consumer Internet, FinTech.
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B.
Number of investments: 140
Number of exits: 8
Check size: $500K – $10M
Notable investments: Careem, Tabby.
Founders/Key People: Fadi Ghandour
Website: https://wamdacapital.com/
Conclusion
Assess which of these leaders best matches your startup’s vision and strategy. Engaging the right VC could significantly boost your funding and expand your network and strategic potential. Sharpen your pitch, align your objectives, and step forward with confidence. The perfect partner to accelerate your journey in the UAE’s thriving market might be just one conversation away.
