The Top 13 VC Firms In UAE [2024]

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Updated: January 20th, 2022

Are you looking for a VC firm for your UAE-based startup?

According to a Trading Economics report, UAE stands out as one of the most developed countries in the Arab Gulf and has a high GDP per capita.

The country also has a commodity-based economy with shipments of oil and natural gas accounting for over 30 percent of GDP.

Besides, the country has registered an increased number of technology companies that have set up shops in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other UAE locations.

Based on the country’s economic performance over the past years, the UAE startup ecosystem has registered fast global popularity, drawing venture founders and investors from around the globe.

The trend is projected to gain further momentum in the coming months and years, as more support systems come up. These include access to advanced technology applications, better computing capabilities, talented professionals, and early-stage venture capital firms, that continue lowering the entry barrier for startup ventures in the region.

There are a number of successful venture capital firms in the UAE and we've curated a list of the best local firms in the area. Additionally, we provide you with:

Investment size
Funding stages
Typical industries the firm works with
Well known companies the VC firm has invested in

Here's the list:

1. MBC Ventures

Location: Dubai, UAE
Industries: Gaming, e-commerce, media services, and mobile sectors
Investment Range: Up to $500,000
Stage: Seed Stage
Companies invested in Zaytouneh, Kharabeesh, GlamBox, Qsoft Group, elCinema.com, SuperMama, Anghami.

MBC Ventures is a VC firm investing in entrepreneurs focusing on gaming, e-commerce, media services, and mobile sectors. This firm targets seed-stage companies helping them reach scale by offering expertise.

MBC ventures invest a maximum of $500,000 for about 10% - 20% equity. However, they favor the startups that have been in the market for a few months and those that have tested their products and shown some level of traction.

Learn more about MBC Ventures ➜

2. Middle East Venture Partners

Location: Dubai, Beirut, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Bahrain.
Industries: Sector Agnostic
Investment Range: $1Million to $5Million
Stage: Early-stage
Companies invested in: Designer24, Eat, Golfscape, Matic, Modacruz, Moodfit, Eventtus, Fadel, Fresha, Instabug, Klangoo, Mobinets, Mamo Pay, MNT-Halan

Middle East Venture Partners invests in startups venturing into E-commerce marketplaces, the Mobility industry, SaaS, BaaS, IoT, and other sectors. The VC firm's typical investment amount is in the range of $1Million to $5Million.

Throughout the investments, the firm focuses on supporting the entrepreneurs in their journey to success. The VC firm sets up different investment funds, targeting various industries.

Learn more about Middle East Venture Partners ➜

3. BECO Capital

Location: Dubai
Industries: Fundraising, Network, Technology, Software
Investment Range: $500K - $5M
Stage: Seed-Stage
Companies invested in Fetchr, Property Finder, Laimoon, Round Menu, Ajar Online

BECO Capital is a VC firm headquartered in Dubai.

The firm supplies budget to finance Early-Stage technology-based corporations, and numerous unique-vision companies dedicated to Fundraising and Software Development. Their investment range starts at $500K and can go up to $5M.

Learn more about BECO Capital ➜

4. Global Ventures - Dubai

Location: Dubai
Industries: Cyber Security, BioTech, Software Development, Internet, Financial Services
Investment Range: $500K - 4M
Stage: Seed-Stage
Companies invested in: Lean, Mamo Pay, Nexford University, Tarabut Gateway

Global Venture focuses on reinforcing those companies that lead to making a significant change in the world. Their vision is global, as well as their Portfolio, including diverse startup and growth companies dedicated to Technology, Internet, Biotech, etc. Global Venture has increased multiple startups and big companies, supporting them with investments from $500K to 4M at the initial stage.

Learn more about Global Ventures - Dubai ➜

5. Melwood Capital

Location: New York, UAE
Industries: Sector Agnostic
Investment Range: Not Disclosed
Stage: Early stage
Companies invested in: Not Disclosed

Melwood Capital is a venture capital firm specializing in providing middle-market investments capital. The firm aims at creating lasting value through matching the appropriate businesses with capital and the appropriate managerial support.

Therefore, they offer stewardship, connection to a wide network of customers, and experience in multiple disciplines across different industries. They believe in selecting a few opportunities, investing only in industries they have significant success, and investing their capital at low valuations irrespective of the economic cycle.

Learn more about Melwood Capital ➜

6. Wamda Capital

Location: Dubai, UAE
Industries: Technology
Investment Range: Not Disclosed
Stage: Early-stage and Growth stage
Companies invested in: Crowd Analyzer, Geeks, Seez, Modanisa, Jamalon, Mumzworld, Luxury Closet.

Wamda Capital invests in transformational businesses focusing on the provision of technology solutions. The VC firm aims at creating meaningful partnerships with founders and entrepreneurs. Therefore, they apply their experience in launching and growing businesses.

Their community of experts and mentors commits to helping the portfolio companies realize their vision.

Learn more about Wamda Capital ➜

7. Dale Ventures

Location: Dubai, London, Costa Rica, Panama, Bahamas, Singapore, Hong Kong
Industries: Financial & Business Services, Technology & Media, Real Estate, and Consumer & Retail
Investment Range: Not Disclosed
Stage: Seed Stage
Companies invested in: Arcadier, Medopad, Instanda, Techmet, Rayo Credit, Innago

Dale Ventures invests in companies where they can provide strategic and analytic resources required to grow the company. Focusing on growing and building great companies, the VC firm provides capital, experience, and other resources companies need in all phases of development, to achieve their full potential.

Typically, the firm focuses on including high-quality people, ensuring vertical expertise, value-added consulting, global integration, and aligned incentives. They target companies within Financial & Business Services, Technology & Media, Real Estate, and Consumer & Retail.

Learn more about Dale Ventures ➜

8. Glowfish Partners

Location: Dubai, UAE.
Industries: Sector Agnostic
Investment Range: Not Disclosed
Stage: Seed Stage
Companies invested in: Carswitch, Oladoc, Tap the market, MobiMatter.

Glowfish Partners invests in seed-stage companies, providing seed funding and advising portfolio companies on strategic direction, operational, and technical or infrastructure assistance.

The VC firm prefers the startups that have shown a proven concept and support the companies until it is mature enough to be stand-alone. Ideally, the VC firm adapts the “old-school” VC model, where the partners become actively involved in their ventures.

Learn more about Glowfish Partners ➜

9. Jisr Venture Partners

Location: Dubai, UAE
Industries: Healthcare, Fintech, Consumer Goods, Consumer internet, and food and beverage
Investment Range: Not Disclosed
Stage: Growth Stage
Companies invested in: Fish Tree, Pilleve, Wamda Capital, Fishtree, Waitrr, Reserveout, Abjjad.

Jisr Venture Partners is an investment company focusing on healthcare, Fintech, Consumer Goods, Consumer internet, and food and beverage sectors. The VC firm targets growth-stage companies that have shown a sustainable business model, and a clear competitive advantage that is scalable and profitable.

The VC firm not only provides growth capital, but also aims at providing strategic guidance, operational expertise, and access to new and nascent markets.

Learn more about Jisr Venture Partners ➜

10. Mubadala Capital’s Ventures

Location: Abu Dhabi, New York, San Francisco, London, Rio De Janeiro, and Moscow
Industries: Aerospace, Metals & Mining, Real Estate, Petroleum, pharmaceutical, Renewables, Semiconductors, Agribusiness.
Investment Range: Not Disclosed
Stage: Seed Stage
Companies invested in: Sanad, SR Technics, Strata, Xojet, Nibras AI Ain Aerospace Park.

Mubadala Capital’s Ventures targets technology companies across the globe. The VC firm includes a direct investment business and its mission remains to partner with the early visionary founders to build enduring companies. Mubadala Capital’s Ventures aims at partnering with entrepreneurs and investors and takes a long-term approach to build leading technology companies.

The firm also supports founders through deep domain expertise and active involvement, providing financial support throughout the growth cycle.

Learn more about Mubadala Capital’s Ventures ➜

11. Shorooq Partners

Location: Dubai, UAE
Industries: Agriculture, Banking and Creative Economy sectors
Investment Range: Not Disclosed
Stage: Pre-Seed to Series-A
Companies invested in: Pure Harvest, Sarwa, Lendo, Lean, NymCard, SmartCrowd, Cayesh.

Shorooq Partners is a VC firm investing in companies that provide technology solutions targeting agriculture, banking, and creative economy sectors. The firm seeks to partner with exceptional founders, building enduring businesses, with an aim of generating unparalleled returns to their partners.

The VC firm provides smart capital throughout the investment stages geared towards equity financing, pre-seed, and pre-revenue growth stages.

Learn more about Shorooq Partners ➜

12. Venture Souq

Location: Dubai, UAE
Industries: FinTech, Enterprise software, Mobility, Healthtec, Foodtech, and Digital media
Investment Range: Not Disclosed
Stage: Seed Stage
Companies invested in: Andela, BetterFly, BearFlag, Belvo, Blair, Biscuit, CoreCare, Corvus Robotics, CityFurnish, CareerTU.

Venture Souq invests in early-stage technology companies focusing on FinTech, Enterprise software, Mobility, Healthtec, Foodtech, and Digital media. The VC firm selects high-growth early-stage technology companies, providing them concentrated pool of capital, abundant talented and educated workforce.

The VC firm leverages its global network, and plays an active role in helping the portfolio companies scale, hire key personnel, enter new markets, and work through challenges.

Learn more about Venture Souq ➜

13. Global Millennial Capital

Location: Dubai, UAE
Industries: Fintech
Investment Range: Not Disclosed
Stage: Growth stage
Companies invested in: Blue Studios, Pathbooks, Unifimoney, Elly Health.

Global Millennial Capital invests in emerging consumer technology ventures within the digital space. The VC firm brings millions of deals globally across various sectors and stages.

They utilize artificial intelligence in the investment process, and invest in global scalable, tech enables, and highly transformational consumer-centric companies.

Learn more about Global Millennial Capital ➜

Conclusion

As the number of UAE startups keeps skyrocketing, the UAE remains a hub of venture capital investing in the Middle East. The angel investors in the middle eastern, are looking to seed promising and watch them grow into substantial companies.

Therefore, if you are launching a startup in the UAE and looking for venture capital, you may consider sending your pitch to either of the VC firms highlighted above.

meet the author

Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.

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