Venture Capital Firms in Riyadh

19 investors found

Browse 19 Venture Capital Firms in Riyadh. Discover top investors, their portfolios, AUM, and investment focus on InforCapital.

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3Ventures

InvestorSaudi Arabia100M AUM

3Ventures is a Saudi-headquartered Venture & Innovation House committed to building, funding, and scaling transformative technology ventures across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The company operates with a mission to catalyze innovation and entrepreneurship by working at the intersection of capital, talent, and strategy. Through deep engagement with public and private sector partners, 3Ventures drives digital transformation and fosters the development of impactful, future-ready businesses.The group is structured around three core business lines: 3Ventures Fund, 3Ventures Studios, and 3Ventures Innovation. Through its venture fund, the company provides capital to early- and growth-stage startups. Its venture studio builds new companies from the ground up, leveraging in-house resources and co-founding expertise. The innovation arm collaborates with corporates, government entities, and global tech companies to design innovation strategies, run accelerator programs, and deploy emerging technologies.With a strong national focus, 3Ventures plays a key role in developing Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem in alignment with Vision 2030. By blending global best practices with local insights, 3Ventures supports founders and institutions in shaping scalable, sustainable ventures that contribute to economic diversification and technological leadership within the region.

Alajlan Family Office

Alajlan Family Office

InvestorSaudi Arabia

Alajlan Family Office is an investment firm that primarily focuses on supporting entrepreneurs with innovative ideas, particularly in the technology sector. While the broader Alajlan family business has a history spanning over 30 years, the investment firm itself was established in 2022 to strategically allocate capital across various asset classes, ranging from real estate to tech investments. The firm aims to invest in a highly selective group of tech startups, utilizing a proprietary machine-learning algorithm for due diligence and screening potential investments to build a diversified and high-performing portfolio.The firm's investment thesis emphasizes intellectual honesty, a strong founding team with deep industry understanding, and innovative products that leverage recent technological developments to solve global problems. Alajlan Family Office is particularly interested in early-stage companies, focusing mainly on Pre-Seed, Seed, and Pre-Series A rounds, though it has participated in later stages up to Series D. While sector-agnostic, it prioritizes B2B SaaS, future of work, PropTech, EduTech, and developer tools. The firm also shows interest in emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Agritech, Cleantech, and Islamic Fintech.Alajlan Family Office boasts a portfolio that includes notable companies like Robinhood and Coursera (both exited), as well as active investments in firms such as Pylon, Flextock, SnappRetail, Resal, BitPay, Sila Technologies, and Plaid. The firm also acts as a Limited Partner in several venture capital funds, including Antler, VentureSouq, Olive Tree Capital, and Preface Ventures. They frequently co-invest with prominent entities like YCombinator, Soma Capital, and Khwarizmi Ventures, demonstrating a collaborative approach to venture investing.The investment decisions and frameworks are guided by a team with extensive experience, having founded companies collectively valued at over $10 billion and invested in more than 250 startups. This team leverages its expertise to identify and support founders who are product-focused tinkerers, proactive in addressing global challenges, and operating at the forefront of cultural and technological trends. The firm maintains a strong focus on the MENAP region but has a global reach, with investments in startups across more than 18 countries.

Axon Partners Group

Axon Partners Group

InvestorSpain721M AUM

Axon Partners Group is a global investment and consulting firm that focuses on technology and innovation. The firm operates with a dual approach, offering both investment management and strategic consulting services. They partner with visionary leaders to drive innovation and create value in the technology sector, while their consulting arm provides insights and expertise for strategic, commercial, policy, and investment decisions. Axon Partners Group emphasizes effective strategies and investments to leverage innovative technologies for a better world.Founded in 2006 by Francisco Velázquez, Axon Capital and SVP Advisors initially operated as two separate entities in Madrid. Axon Capital focused on tech transfer venture capital, aiming to extract value from university technologies in Spain, and secured its first tech transfer VC fund in July 2007. SVP Advisors, on the other hand, extended Velázquez's consulting experience internationally. In 2012, Axon Capital and SVP Advisors merged to form Axon Partners Group, expanding their team and global reach. The firm successfully completed an IPO and was listed on the Madrid Stock Exchange, raising approximately €12 million.Axon Partners Group has a diverse portfolio with investments in various technology-driven companies. Recent investments include Dynamics VR, ISAAC (Construction and Engineering), and Grodi (Agriculture). The firm has also invested in companies like Taalentfy, a technology platform for employability and career guidance, and Odders, an XR company specializing in virtual reality games and applications. Other notable investments include Metricool, Instaleap, and W•SENSE. Axon Partners Group has also made 43 exits, with its latest being from Dogfy Diet in October 2025.The firm's team comprises over 100 seasoned professionals across its Consulting and Investment divisions, with diverse backgrounds and nationalities. This international team combines multi-sector tech expertise with a proven investment and advisory track record, aiming to deliver the agility of a boutique firm with the capabilities of a global company. Key management includes Francisco Velázquez as Chairman and Managing Partner, and Alfonso de León and Dimitri Kallinis as Managing Partners and Board Members.

BIM Ventures

BIM Ventures

InvestorSaudi Arabia

BIM Ventures is a Saudi venture studio and builder, established in 2017, focused on creating successful and sustainable enterprises from inception. The firm operates by identifying, validating, and launching innovative ideas, which are then spun off into independent businesses. They leverage their internal expertise, extensive resources, and broad network to support the growth of these ventures. BIM Ventures also partners with external entrepreneurs and companies to develop their ideas into viable businesses, emphasizing a rapid venture building process from ideation and market research to MVP development and market launch.The firm's investment strategy includes generating its own ventures through a continuous ideation process and securing financing to ensure their growth. They also collaborate with partners, offering an ecosystem that provides comprehensive support, including UI/UX, marketing, design, branding, and access to a network of investors. BIM Ventures facilitates seed funding and aims to match startups with angel investors, guiding projects through their growth and expansion phases.BIM Ventures has made numerous investments across various sectors, demonstrating a sector-agnostic approach while showing a strong presence in technology, financial services, and real estate. Notable portfolio companies include iStoria, Takadao, Sanad Cash, Tygo, WeDeliver, Darent, CASHIN, Rumbl, Conix, AtarCloud, and Muhlah. The firm has also engaged in significant partnerships, such as a joint investment fund with SBI Holdings, targeting $100 million for Saudi startups, and the launch of BIM Capital, a joint venture with SBI Holding, aiming to attract over $200 million in foreign direct investment and manage assets exceeding $2 billion across private equity, venture capital, debt funds, and real estate development.The team at BIM Ventures, led by Mohamed Amine Merah as Founder, Managing Partner, and CEO, comprises experienced professionals dedicated to fostering the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East. The firm's commitment extends to providing mentorship and logistical support, aligning with Saudi Arabia's vision to boost private sector contribution and attract foreign investment.

Emkan Capital

Emkan Capital

InvestorSaudi Arabia31M AUM

Emkan Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a strategic focus on investing in technology companies across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The firm is dedicated to identifying and nurturing best-of-breed startups, providing not only capital but also extensive mentorship to help them scale into global players. Emkan Capital aims to bridge the gap between promising regional startups and international opportunities, particularly with Silicon Valley investors and global corporates.Founded in 2020, Emkan Capital launched its first fund, Emkan Capital Fund I (ECP I), in the first quarter of 2023, with a total size of $31 million. This fund is backed by a diverse group of limited partners, including the Jada Fund of Funds, a Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund, and Silicon Valley-based partners. The firm's philosophy extends beyond traditional investment, emphasizing end-to-end mentorship through its 'Majlis Program,' which connects entrepreneurs with top-tier international experts to tackle various aspects of company building, from venture formation to achieving unicorn status and facilitating exits.Emkan Capital's portfolio showcases its commitment to diverse technology sectors. Notable investments include Hubpay, a licensed cross-border remittance solution; Novogenomics, a state-of-the-art genetic testing facility; and Investsky, a social commission-free stock trading platform. Other portfolio companies span mobility and logistics, such as Fenix and Trukkin, and investment platforms like Awaed. [cite: 11 from website content] The firm actively supports its portfolio companies in meaningful ways, leveraging an extensive network for later-stage investments, non-dilutive financings, and connections to global technology companies and Fortune 500 corporations for M&A opportunities.The team at Emkan Capital comprises seasoned investors and entrepreneurs with approximately 50 years of collective experience across various markets, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the US, and Asia. This deep expertise allows the firm to provide invaluable insights and support to its portfolio companies, guiding them through the pitfalls of ideation to successful exits. Ghassan Aloshban serves as a General Partner, bringing extensive experience in venture capital and entrepreneurship from both Silicon Valley and the GCC. [cite: 2, 5 from previous] This blend of regional and international experience positions Emkan Capital as a crucial link for startups aiming for global reach.

Joa Capital

Joa Capital

InvestorSaudi Arabia40M AUM

Joa Capital is a Riyadh-based investment manager specializing in private markets, with a core focus on investing in high-growth technology businesses across Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region. The firm operates as a private market investor, actively seeking opportunities within the region's evolving technology ecosystem.The firm's service offerings include venture capital and private equity investments, providing direct capital to businesses poised to define the future of regional technology. Additionally, Joa Capital offers private credit solutions, delivering non-dilutive working capital through high-yield private credit vehicles. They also provide corporate finance advisory services, encompassing M&A, private placements, asset disposals, and listings on the Saudi Exchange.Joa Capital was established as a Saudi Joint Stock Company, commencing its securities investment management business on July 11, 2019, following its Capital Market Authority (CMA) license grant on March 24, 2019. Yousef AlYousefi serves as the CEO and Managing Partner, having co-founded the firm. The firm manages over USD 40 million in assets.The firm prides itself on being a value-add investor, adopting an entrepreneurial approach and taking an active role in the growth of its portfolio companies. They are committed to backing ambitious founders for the long term, prioritizing sustainable growth over quick wins. The team leverages decades of collective expertise and a deeply embedded network within the region's technology ecosystem to support companies at every stage of their development.

Khwarizmi Ventures

Khwarizmi Ventures

InvestorSaudi Arabia70M AUM

Khwarizmi Ventures is a Saudi-based venture capital firm established in 2018, dedicated to investing in early-stage startups with proven traction across the GCC, MENA, and MENAP regions. The firm positions itself as a partner of choice for entrepreneurs, aiming to foster regional and global champions by enabling disruptive algorithms and providing hands-on support. Their investment philosophy is rooted in identifying scalable opportunities within the rapidly evolving startup ecosystem, with a focus on creating lasting, impactful businesses.The firm was founded in 2018 and is named after Muḥammad Al-Khwārizmī, a 9th-century Muslim polymath whose work in mathematics led to the terms “algorism” and “algorithm.” This naming reflects Khwarizmi Ventures' commitment to supporting innovative, algorithm-driven solutions that can shape the future. The firm operates as a corporate venture capital arm of Kadi Group Holding and Almoujil Group Holding.Khwarizmi Ventures manages a fund of $70 million and has built a diverse portfolio of over 50 companies. Notable investments span various sectors, including fintech companies like Tamara and Erad, e-commerce platforms such as Eyewa, and digital health and wellness ventures like Calo. The firm has also invested in companies across business/productivity software, consumer, retail, and property technology. They have a track record of supporting startups from Seed to Series A stages, with some investments extending to later stages.The team at Khwarizmi Ventures is multi-disciplinary, bringing together expertise in investing, entrepreneurship, and consulting. Key team members include Managing Partner Abdulaziz Al-Turki, Partners Arjun Chopra and Homam Meaddawi, and Founding Partner Yasser Al Kadi. The firm emphasizes active support for its portfolio companies, offering assistance in talent acquisition, business development, fundraising, and providing access to growth capital, market intelligence, and mentorship from industry experts.

Kingdom Holding Company

Kingdom Holding Company

InvestorSaudi Arabia19.0B AUM

Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) is a prominent Saudi-based publicly listed investment management firm with a globally diversified portfolio. The company's investment strategy is centered on long-term value creation through disciplined capital allocation and active portfolio management. KHC's activities span across various key business lines, including equity investments, hospitality, and real estate, aiming to generate sustainable returns for its shareholders.Founded in 1979 by HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud, Kingdom Holding Company began as "Kingdom Establishment for Trading and Contracting." Over the decades, it evolved into a major investment powerhouse, known for its strategic partnerships and patient capital approach. The firm actively engages with its portfolio companies to enhance performance and accelerate growth, contributing to its reputation as a significant global investor.KHC boasts a diverse array of notable investments across multiple sectors and geographies. Its portfolio includes significant stakes in world-renowned companies such as Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Accor Group (which includes brands like Fairmont and Raffles), Citigroup, and X Corp (formerly Twitter), and xAI. Domestically, KHC is a key player in major real estate developments like the Jeddah Economic Company Tower, set to be one of the world's tallest, and the iconic Kingdom Centre in Riyadh. Other investments span aviation (Flynas), e-commerce (Alibaba, Baidu), and mobility (Uber, Lyft).Under the leadership of its Founder and Chairman, HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud, and CEO Eng. Talal Ibrahim Al Maiman, Kingdom Holding Company operates with a unified investment committee and a collaborative team of professionals. The firm's expertise lies in identifying high-quality opportunities that align with its long-term vision, supported by rigorous analysis, strong governance, and strategic oversight across its global and domestic holdings.

Merak Capital

Merak Capital

InvestorSaudi Arabia3.0B AUM

Merak Capital is a diversified investment firm based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, dedicated to creating enduring value across private markets. The firm employs a disciplined and innovative investment approach, fostering long-term partnerships to drive growth, empower businesses, and deliver strong outcomes for its investors. Merak Capital specializes in alternative asset classes, including venture capital, private equity, private credit, and real assets, with a significant focus on technology-driven opportunities across various stages and industries.The firm was co-founded by Abdullah AlTamami and Othman AlHokail, initiating its licensing process with the Capital Market Authority (CMA) in 2017. Merak Capital received official regulatory approval in 2018 and commenced operational activities in 2020. The founders' vision was to establish a leading regional investment institution that would actively invest in emerging technology companies, thereby accelerating economic development within Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East.Merak Capital manages over SAR 3 billion in assets across more than 10 active funds, with a portfolio exceeding 35 companies as of October 31, 2025. Notable investments include Khosouf Studio (gaming), DSShield (cybersecurity), Arsann (smart parking and mobility infrastructure), Jisr HR (HR technology), Shift Inc (mobility platform), Master Works (enterprise data and digital transformation), and Hakeem Health (AI-powered medical assistant). The firm's investment strategy targets essential B2B and service platforms with technology at their core, spanning sectors such as gaming, cybersecurity, fintech, healthcare, and business services.The Merak Capital team is characterized by its deep investment expertise combined with operational and strategic experience across diverse sectors. Led by its founders, Abdullah AlTamami (Founder & CEO) and Othman AlHokail (Founder & Managing Director), the team comprises partners and principals with extensive backgrounds in venture capital, private equity, and credit. The firm operates with a culture of collaboration, discipline, and innovation, working closely with the management teams of its portfolio companies to enhance performance and unlock their full growth potential.

Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP)

Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP)

InvestorUnited Arab Emirates300M AUM

Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP) is a prominent Middle East-focused venture capital firm established in 2010. The firm specializes in providing both early and growth-stage funding to innovative technology companies across the GCC and Levant regions, with a broader investment appetite spanning MENA, Pakistan, and Turkey. MEVP actively seeks out exceptional founders who are leveraging technology to drive innovation and improve societies, offering not only capital but also strategic guidance and resources to help startups scale effectively.Founded by Walid Hanna, who serves as Chairman and Co-CEO alongside Co-CEO Walid Mansour, MEVP has grown to become one of the largest and most established VC firms in the region. The firm's investment strategy is centered on identifying high-growth potential companies that can make a significant long-term impact across various sectors. They are known for their patient capital approach, understanding the challenges associated with scaling businesses in the dynamic tech landscape.MEVP's diverse portfolio includes notable companies such as Anghami, the first legal music streaming platform in the Arab world to go public, Nana, a leading online grocery delivery service, and Bykea, a Pakistani super app offering transport and delivery services. The firm has also achieved significant exits, including a partial exit from Fresha, a beauty and wellness software platform, which generated substantial returns. With the recent launch of the $150 million Middle East Venture Fund IV (MEVF IV), MEVP continues to bolster its commitment to supporting digital services and tech-based solutions that address local challenges and align with global trends.The MEVP team comprises experienced professionals with a deep understanding of the regional market and a passion for supporting entrepreneurs. Key team members include Partners Ali Almajthoob, Jad El Boustani, and Rabih I. Khoury (also Chief Exit Officer), along with Executive Directors Fahed Qteishat and Germine Bouchnack. Their collective expertise and extensive network are instrumental in providing the strategic support and frameworks necessary for their portfolio companies to succeed in the marketplace.

newlab Ventures

newlab Ventures

InvestorUnited States

Newlab is a venture platform dedicated to unblocking the commercialization pathways for critical technology startups. The firm focuses on technologies that are strategically significant for a region's economic resilience, security, and competitiveness, particularly those impacting foundational industries, infrastructure, and supply chains. Newlab achieves this by providing essential infrastructure, facilitating commercialization projects with industry and government partners, and aligning startups with a network of venture and non-dilutive capital. Their approach is designed to accelerate the growth and market entry of venture-scalable startups in geographies prioritizing reindustrialization.Newlab's story began in 2016 when it opened as a multidisciplinary technology center in Building 128 of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a historic site of American industrial might. The concept was formed in 2011 by David Belt and Scott Cohen, who aimed to create a platform for emerging hardware technologies, addressing the lack of space, tools, and resources for hardware innovators in New York City. Since then, Newlab has expanded its global footprint, establishing innovation hubs in Detroit, New Orleans, Montevideo, and Riyadh, each tailored to regional industrial priorities such as mobility, energy, and critical minerals.The firm supports a diverse portfolio of startups across various critical technology sectors. Notable companies that have been part of the Newlab ecosystem include Seeqc, which focuses on quantum computing applications; Safe AI, developing cloud and AI-enabled autonomous solutions; and Verne, a developer of hydrogen storage and delivery solutions. Other portfolio companies span areas like hydrogen-alternative propulsion systems (Launcher), drone technology for logistics (Aerialoop), carbon-free energy solutions (Amogy), and advanced automation for marine shipping (Mythos AI).Newlab's team comprises experienced founders, scientists, engineers, investors, and operators who leverage their diverse backgrounds to support critical technology founders. Key leadership includes David Belt, Co-founder and Chairman; Liz Keen, Chief Strategy Officer; Garrett Winther, Chief Product Officer; and Dan Connell, SVP Operations & Finance. The team's expertise spans policy, strategy, venture building, ecosystem development, and commercialization, enabling Newlab to provide comprehensive support to its member companies.

Plus VC

Plus VC

InvestorUnited Arab Emirates60M AUM

Plus VC is an early-stage venture capital firm primarily focused on empowering tech and tech-enabled startups across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The firm provides crucial funding and strategic guidance to visionary founders, supporting them from the pre-seed and seed stages through to Series A. With a unique investment strategy, Plus VC aims to diversify risk by targeting a high volume of initial investments, typically around $100,000 at the seed stage, with follow-on allocations of up to $500,000 for top-performing portfolio companies. The firm is authorized by the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority to manage collective investment funds.Founded in 2020 by veteran investors Hasan Haider and Sharif El-Badawi, Plus VC emerged from a collective experience of over a decade in the venture capital space, including prior roles at 500 Startups' Falcons Fund. The team has been actively investing in the MENA region since 2010, accumulating over 250 transactions. Their approach is deeply founder-centric, emphasizing community building, extensive training, and access to capital reserves, distinguishing them from typical regional funds with their Silicon Valley origins and broad networks across the US and the MENA region.Plus VC's portfolio showcases a diverse range of innovative companies addressing significant market challenges. Notable investments include Thndr, a digital investment platform in Egypt; BRKZ, an integrated B2B platform for the construction industry in Saudi Arabia; DXwand, a conversational AI platform specializing in Arabic dialects from Egypt; Holo, a digital mortgage platform in the UAE; GrowDash, a B2B SaaS tool for restaurants in the UAE; and Barakah, a food delivery startup for unsold restaurant surplus in Saudi Arabia. The firm also backs companies in sectors such as healthcare, consumer products, edtech, food-agtech, and climate solutions, with a preference for ventures aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals and ESG factors.The team at Plus VC comprises experienced investors and operators with diverse backgrounds in venture capital and entrepreneurial ventures. Key team members include Hasan Haider, Founder and Managing Partner, Ibrahim Alhejailan, Managing Partner, and Zainab Al Sharif, Partner. Their collective expertise and unified vision are dedicated to fostering the MENA region as a global hub for startups, providing not just financial backing but also operational resources, coaching, and mentorship to their portfolio companies.

Prosperity7 Ventures

Prosperity7 Ventures

InvestorSaudi Arabia3.0B AUM

Prosperity7 Ventures is the diversified growth fund of Aramco Ventures, a subsidiary of Aramco, the world's leading integrated energy and chemicals company. The firm invests globally with a long-term perspective, focusing on the development of next-generation technologies and business models that drive global transformation and prosperity. With a substantial fund size of $3 billion, Prosperity7 Ventures provides venture capital, mentorship, and access to a vast global network of experts and partners to support innovative companies with disruptive technologies.The firm's name is inspired by the 'Prosperity Well,' the seventh oil well drilled in Saudi Arabia and the first to strike oil, symbolizing a legacy of pioneering innovation and perseverance. Prosperity7 Ventures was conceived in 2020 and officially launched in 2022, building on a corporate heritage of exploration and entrepreneurship. They are dedicated long-term partners to entrepreneurs, emphasizing dependability, humility, and open-mindedness in their approach to investing.Prosperity7 Ventures backs exceptional entrepreneurs across a wide range of industries, including DeepTech, Robotics/AI, MedTech/BioTech, Mobility, SecurityTech, FinTech, eCommerce, Cloud/Computing, Foodtech, early-stage enterprise, blockchain, and B2B SaaS. Since its inception, the firm has invested in over 40 companies globally. One notable investment includes leading the B financing round for Simple Psychology, a Chinese mental health consulting platform.With offices in Dhahran and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Beijing and Shanghai (China), and New York City and Palo Alto (USA), Prosperity7 Ventures offers local knowledge, connections, and market access to its portfolio companies. This global presence enables the firm to help startups scale quickly, enter new and emerging markets, and achieve global reach, particularly in the Middle East, China, and the developing world.

RAED Ventures

RAED Ventures

InvestorSaudi Arabia

RAED Ventures is a prominent early-stage venture capital firm based in Saudi Arabia, with a strong focus on transformative technology startups across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The firm positions itself as a catalyst for growth, providing not only funding but also strategic partnerships, access to new markets, and operational expertise to its portfolio companies. They are committed to backing exceptional founders who are building breakthrough companies and creating scalable impact within the region.Established in 2015 by Omar Almajdouie and Talal Alasmari, RAED Ventures was founded with the vision of accelerating the digital economy in Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region. The firm aims to identify and invest in high-potential startups that leverage innovative technologies to disrupt traditional industries and drive digital transformation. Their investment strategy extends beyond capital, emphasizing hands-on support through programs like RAEDPlus, which connects entrepreneurs with world-class experts, assists with talent recruitment, and grants access to free services.RAED Ventures' diverse portfolio includes over 20 fast-growing startups, such as Lean, Tabby, Mozn, Salla, Aya, and ClearGrid. These investments span various sectors, including financial services, e-commerce, logistics, education technology, digital health, enterprise solutions, and artificial intelligence. The firm actively leads seed and Series A rounds, particularly favoring businesses with scalable tech solutions and strong founding teams. They are keen on startups that promote financial inclusion, digital transformation, and operational efficiencies across industries.The team at RAED Ventures comprises experienced professionals with backgrounds in venture capital, entrepreneurship, finance, and operations. Founding Partners Omar Almajdouie, Saed Nashef, and Talal Alasmari bring decades of experience in venture investing and startup ecosystems. The firm's partners and associates are dedicated to supporting founders through their growth journeys, leveraging deep industry connections and a hands-on approach to scaling businesses in the dynamic MENA market.

SoftBank Investment Advisors

SoftBank Investment Advisors

InvestorUnited Kingdom166.0B AUM

SoftBank Investment Advisers is a prominent global investment firm that manages the SoftBank Vision Funds, focusing on high-growth potential companies that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and other transformative technologies. The firm's investment strategy is centered on building a full-stack AI technology ecosystem, encompassing investments in hardware like semiconductors, software infrastructure for data management, and AI-powered applications that enhance human interactions across various sectors. They aim to achieve significant returns from a medium- to long-term perspective by backing ambitious founders with scalable visions.The firm was founded in 2017 by Masayoshi Son, Chairman & CEO of SoftBank Group Corp., with the launch of the SoftBank Vision Fund. This initiative marked a strategic shift for SoftBank Group from an operating company to an investment firm, with the explicit goal of accelerating the deployment of AI and breakthrough technologies globally. The Vision Funds were established to provide substantial capital, operational expertise, and a global network to support companies leading the AI revolution.SoftBank Investment Advisers has built a diverse portfolio of notable companies across various industries. Key investments include leaders in ride-sharing and food delivery such as Uber, DoorDash, DiDi, Grab, and Swiggy. Their portfolio also features significant players in e-commerce like Flipkart and Coupang, and technology innovators such as Nvidia, Slack, and Wayve. The firm's investments span across enterprise, consumer, frontier technology, fintech, edtech, health tech, property tech, transportation, and logistics sectors, demonstrating a broad commitment to technological advancement.The firm's team comprises seasoned investment and functional experts, led by Masayoshi Son and CEO Alex Clavel. The team brings diverse backgrounds and expertise, including managing partners, partners, directors, and specialists across various regions like the Americas, Asia, and EMEA. Their collective experience in investment banking, technology, and operations enables them to provide comprehensive support to portfolio companies, helping founders navigate growth and realize their full potential in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

SoftBank Vision Fund

SoftBank Vision Fund

InvestorUnited Kingdom175.0B AUM

SoftBank Vision Fund is a prominent investment firm dedicated to fostering the global transition to an AI economy. The firm strategically invests across a full-stack AI technology ecosystem, encompassing hardware, infrastructure, and applications. Their investment philosophy centers on the transformative power of technology and the belief that constant evolution is a powerful competitive advantage, backing founders with long-term, scalable visions to achieve meaningful impact.The SoftBank Vision Fund was established in 2017 by Masayoshi Son, Chairman & CEO of SoftBank Group Corp., in partnership with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia. It launched with approximately $100 billion in committed capital, quickly becoming one of the world's largest technology-focused investment funds. The fund's inception marked a significant shift in global venture capital, enabling massive, late-stage investments in technology companies.The firm's diverse portfolio includes investments in over 300 companies across various technology sectors. Notable investments have included companies like Uber, Coupang, Arm Ltd., ByteDance, DoorDash, Flipkart, Grab, Klarna, Lenskart, Nuro, Oyo Rooms, Rappi, Revolut, and Slack. While the fund has seen significant successes, it has also faced challenges, including substantial losses from certain overvalued investments such as WeWork, leading to strategic adjustments and a pivot towards high-conviction frontier tech plays.SoftBank Vision Fund is managed by SoftBank Investment Advisers, a subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp., and boasts a global team of seasoned investment and functional experts. The team, led by Masayoshi Son and CEO Alex Clavel, brings extensive passion, expertise, and wide-ranging support to help founders navigate growth and realize their full potential. The firm's operational expertise, global network, and patient capital are key resources offered to portfolio companies.

Takamol Ventures

Takamol Ventures

InvestorSaudi Arabia53M AUM

Takamol Ventures is a Saudi Arabia-based venture capital firm that focuses on empowering exceptional entrepreneurs and fueling early-stage technology companies across the broader Middle East and Africa (MEA) market, with a particular emphasis on GCC countries. The firm aims to transform these startups into category leaders by backing global-mindset founders who are building innovative solutions across the region. Takamol Ventures operates as the investment arm of Takamol Holding, leveraging its parent company's resources and expertise to provide strategic guidance and market access to its portfolio companies.Launched in 2024 with a fund of SR200 million (approximately $53.3 million), Takamol Ventures serves as a strategic growth engine for Takamol Holding. This initiative allows the parent company to tap into new technologies, foster innovation, and expand into new sectors and markets. The firm goes beyond capital infusion, offering co-innovation opportunities with Takamol Holding and enabling startups to benefit from the parent brand's legacy for immediate market validation and enhanced credibility with customers, partners, and future investors.Takamol Ventures has made notable investments in the technology sector. Its portfolio includes a leading Saudi fintech company focused on building open banking infrastructure, which enables businesses to access financial data and payments through secure APIs. Another key investment is in an AI-powered customer experience platform that assists businesses in analyzing customer interactions across various channels to improve engagement and loyalty. The firm has also participated in funding rounds for companies like Lucidya, an AI-powered customer experience management platform, Lean Technologies, a fintech infrastructure platform, and Signit, a digital trust and contract management company, demonstrating its commitment to supporting innovation in fintech, AI, and broader technology sectors.The team at Takamol Ventures includes Manaf Kayal as Chief Executive Officer, Abdulaziz Al Dayel and Saad Shabbir as Senior Directors, and Rakan Fadhel as Senior Manager. Their collective expertise and strategic approach are geared towards identifying and nurturing promising early-stage technology ventures, aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 to build a diversified and knowledge-driven economy.

Venture Souq

Venture Souq

InvestorUnited Arab Emirates250M AUM

VentureSouq (VSQ) is a MENA-based venture capital fund manager with a global portfolio, specializing in early-stage investments in transformative technology companies. The firm manages thematic funds, with a primary focus on FinTech and ClimateTech, and also maintains a Global Seed fund. VentureSouq is dedicated to empowering visionary founders who are building innovative solutions that create long-term impact across various sectors.Founded in 2013, VentureSouq was established by a team of experienced investment professionals including Suneel Gokhale, Sonia Weymuller, Sonia Gokhale, and Tammer Qaddumi. The firm emerged from a recognized need for a platform to support regional individuals and entities interested in investing in technology-enabled startups. Since its inception, VentureSouq has grown to be a pivotal member of the MENA entrepreneurial ecosystem, actively contributing to education, content, and programming within the venture capital space.VentureSouq boasts a substantial and diverse global portfolio, comprising over 300 companies. Notable investments include high-profile companies such as Tabby, Sary, and Huspy, demonstrating the firm's commitment to fostering innovation across diverse markets. Their investment strategy spans a wide array of sub-sectors, from lending, asset management, and cryptocurrency within FinTech, to carbon economy, energy storage, and alternative proteins in ClimateTech, alongside investments in AI, EdTech, HealthTech, and FoodTech.The leadership team at VentureSouq brings a wealth of diverse experience from prestigious financial institutions and entrepreneurial ventures. Co-founders Suneel Gokhale, Sonia Weymuller, Sonia Gokhale, and Tammer Qaddumi, along with other key partners like Maan Eshgi and Musaab Hakami, possess extensive backgrounds in areas such as corporate law, sovereign wealth fund investments, private equity, strategy, and operational leadership. This collective expertise enables VentureSouq to provide hands-on support, strategic guidance, and valuable industry connections to its portfolio companies, propelling their expansion across markets and facilitating additional capital.

YBA Kanoo Group

YBA Kanoo Group

InvestorBahrein

YBA Kanoo Group is a prominent independent family-owned multinational conglomerate with a rich history spanning over 130 years. Established in 1890 in Bahrain as a trading and shipping business, the firm has evolved into a diversified entity with a significant presence across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Its overarching vision is to be a leading family investment holding company both regionally and globally, driven by a mission to deliver superior returns through strategic investments and active management of its portfolio companies. The group operates through various divisions, including Industrial & Energy, Logistics, Shipping, Travel, Real Estate, Global Investments, Ventures, and IT & Business Solutions.The firm's investment activities are primarily channeled through its 'Global Investments' and 'Kanoo Ventures' arms. Kanoo Ventures, founded in 2022, serves as the direct equity investing and partnering platform, focusing on the GCC region and expanding globally. It actively seeks opportunities aligned with key global themes such as sustainability and resource efficiency. The broader YBA Kanoo Group employs a hybrid investment model that combines direct securities trading with long-term strategic investments, emphasizing risk-adjusted asset allocation across its diverse portfolio.Kanoo Ventures has made notable investments across a range of sectors. Its portfolio includes companies like CorrosionRADAR, a provider of predictive corrosion monitoring solutions for industrial sectors, and Iyris, which focuses on horticulture technology. The firm has also invested in the financial services sector, partnering with Whampoa Group on the Digital Singapore Gulf Bank, and in healthcare with investments such as The Eye Infirmary. Other investments include Boston Oncology, Fetchr, and Retailo, demonstrating a broad interest in technology, industrials, consumer goods, and logistics.The investment team at YBA Kanoo Group is led by experienced professionals. Rebecca Hall serves as the CEO of Kanoo Ventures, while Sean Daykin is the CIO of Kanoo Global Investments. The broader team comprises a significant number of partners and principals, contributing to the firm's strategic investment decisions and active management of its diverse portfolio across various industries and geographies.

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Venture Capital Firms in Riyadh: An Emerging Investor Hub

Venture capital firms in Riyadh are making significant strides in the global investment landscape. As the capital city of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh is emerging as a vital hub for venture capital activity, attracting both regional and international investors. These firms focus on nurturing early-stage companies and fostering innovation across various industries. This curated investor directory provides insights into the strategies and areas of interest for these venture capitalists, offering valuable information for limited partners (LPs) and deal professionals seeking to engage with these investors.

Investment Strategies of Riyadh-Based Venture Capital Firms

Focus on Early-Stage Investments

Venture capital firms in Riyadh predominantly concentrate on early-stage investments, identifying promising startups with high growth potential. These investors typically target sectors such as technology, healthcare, and renewable energy, aligning with the broader economic diversification goals of Saudi Arabia. By providing seed funding and Series A investments, they play a crucial role in supporting fledgling companies, helping them scale and succeed in competitive markets.

Geographic Reach and Influence

While their primary focus remains on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Riyadh-based venture capital firms are increasingly exploring opportunities beyond regional borders. This global perspective not only broadens their investment portfolio but also enhances their influence in the international venture capital arena. By leveraging their strategic geographic location, these firms facilitate cross-border collaborations and partnerships, thereby contributing to a more interconnected global startup ecosystem.

Why Riyadh's Venture Capital Firms Matter for LPs and Deal Professionals

Access to Emerging Markets

For limited partners and deal professionals, engaging with venture capital firms in Riyadh presents a unique opportunity to access emerging markets. The MENA region, characterized by a burgeoning population and evolving economic landscape, offers a wealth of opportunities for investors seeking high returns. Riyadh's venture capitalists, with their deep understanding of local markets, provide essential insights and guidance for navigating these dynamic environments.

Alignment with National Vision 2030

The investment focus of Riyadh-based venture capital firms is closely aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, a strategic framework aimed at reducing the country's dependence on oil and diversifying its economy. By supporting startups in key sectors such as technology and renewable energy, these firms contribute to the national agenda, making them attractive partners for LPs and deal professionals seeking socially responsible investment opportunities.

Network and Collaboration Opportunities

Riyadh's venture capital firms offer extensive networking and collaboration opportunities for LPs and deal professionals. Through their involvement in various industry events and conferences, these investors facilitate connections between startups, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders. This network is invaluable for those looking to expand their influence and build strategic partnerships within the venture capital ecosystem.

Conclusion: The Strategic Importance of Venture Capital Firms in Riyadh

In conclusion, venture capital firms in Riyadh are pivotal players in the global investment landscape. Their focus on early-stage investments, strategic geographic presence, and alignment with national economic goals make them indispensable for LPs and deal professionals. By engaging with these investors, stakeholders can gain access to emerging markets and tap into the innovative potential of the MENA region, ultimately driving growth and success in their investment endeavors.