Raed Ventures
Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Size: Currently raising a $150M fund, its second

What it is: Raed Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that backs founders building transformative companies in the Middle East/North Africa region. Since its establishment in 2016, Raed has invested in over 25 companies including Swvl, Mrsool, Noon Academy, Salla, Sary, and Trella, among others. Raed’s first fund was established as a corporate venture capital fund backed by Almajdouie Holding, a large Saudi conglomerate. Raed’s second fund was launched earlier this year, anchored by Jada Fund of Funds, Saudi Venture Capital Co., and Almajdouie Holding.

Minimum investment: $5 million for institutions, $1 million for individuals

Leadership: The firm is managed by Omar Almajdouie, Saed Nashef, and Talal Alasmari. Nashef is also co-founder of Sadara, the first venture capital fund targeting the Palestinian tech sector.

Investment style/track record: “This is an opportunity for investors to get exposure to one of the fastest-growing (emerging) digital economies in the world, while learning more about the region’s business and culture,” wrote Nashef by email.

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A business journalist for 20 years, am the founder of Times of Entrepreneurship and the co-author of The New Builders.