
STV
Description
STV (Saudi Technology Ventures) stands as a prominent and influential venture capital firm in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Established with a vision to empower and scale the most innovative technology ventures, STV has rapidly cemented its position as the largest independent VC fund in MENA, boasting a substantial $500 million in assets under management (AUM). The firm is known for its strategic approach to identifying and backing disruptive companies that are poised to redefine various sectors across the region.
STV's investment thesis centers on early-growth stage technology companies, primarily focusing on Series A and B rounds, though they have shown flexibility for exceptional Seed+ opportunities. They seek out businesses with strong unit economics, scalable models, and experienced management teams. Their portfolio spans critical sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, logistics, edtech, and SaaS, reflecting the evolving digital landscape of the MENA region. STV often takes a lead or co-lead position in funding rounds, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance and operational support to help their portfolio companies achieve significant growth and market leadership.
The firm's commitment to the MENA ecosystem is evident through its impactful investments. STV's first fund, STV Fund I, launched in 2018 with $200 million, quickly deployed capital into some of the region's most promising startups. With the launch of STV Fund II in 2022, their capacity to fuel innovation further expanded, contributing to their impressive $500 million AUM. As of early 2024, STV has invested in over 30 companies, playing a pivotal role in the success stories of regional unicorns and high-growth ventures, thereby fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial environment across Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA market.
Investor Profile
STV has backed more than 29 startups, with 6 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 12 rounds, about 41% of its total and boasts 2 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series A, Series B, Series C rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United States.
- Strong thematic focus on Financial Services, FinTech, Payments.
- Led 3 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $5M – $20M.
Stage Focus
- Series A (28%)
- Series B (24%)
- Series C (14%)
- Seed (10%)
- Series D (7%)
- Pre Seed (3%)
- Debt Financing (3%)
- Series E (3%)
- Undisclosed (3%)
- Series Unknown (3%)
Country Focus
- Saudi Arabia (62%)
- United Arab Emirates (21%)
- United States (7%)
- Egypt (3%)
- Bahrain (3%)
- Singapore (3%)
Industry Focus
- Financial Services
- Fintech
- Payments
- Predictive Analytics
- Finance
- Billing
- E-commerce
- Information Technology
- Software
- Restaurants
Frequently Asked Questions
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