
Wamda Capital
Description
Wamda Capital is a prominent venture capital firm headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, recognized as a leading investor in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region's burgeoning technology ecosystem. The firm is dedicated to identifying and backing exceptional entrepreneurs who are building innovative, technology-enabled businesses with high growth potential. Wamda Capital's investment thesis centers on sectors poised for significant disruption and growth within MENA, including fintech, e-commerce, SaaS, logistics, and healthcare technology. Their strategic location in Dubai allows them to be at the heart of the region's startup activity, fostering strong connections with founders and other ecosystem players.
Wamda Capital employs a multi-stage investment approach, primarily targeting early-stage and growth-stage companies. According to their official statements, their initial investments typically range from $100,000 to $1,000,000. This flexibility allows them to engage with startups from the seed and pre-Series A stages, providing crucial early capital. Beyond initial checks, Wamda Capital is also prepared to make significant follow-on investments, supporting their portfolio companies through subsequent funding rounds, with commitments potentially reaching up to $5,000,000 per company. This capacity for follow-on funding demonstrates their long-term commitment to their portfolio companies' success and growth.
Beyond capital deployment, Wamda Capital is deeply integrated into the MENA startup ecosystem, leveraging the broader Wamda platform which includes content, research, and community initiatives. This holistic approach provides portfolio companies with access to valuable networks, mentorship, and strategic guidance. The firm has managed multiple funds, including Wamda Capital II, which closed at $70 million, further solidifying its capacity to deploy substantial capital across the region. Their portfolio boasts several success stories, including early investments in regional giants like Careem, which was acquired by Uber for $3.1 billion, and Swvl, which went public via a SPAC, underscoring Wamda Capital's ability to identify and nurture companies that achieve significant milestones and exits.
Wamda Capital's strategic vision is to continue playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of the MENA digital economy. By combining financial investment with active ecosystem participation, they aim to empower a new generation of entrepreneurs, drive innovation, and contribute to the economic diversification and growth of the region. Their commitment extends beyond mere funding, focusing on building sustainable businesses that can scale regionally and globally.
Investor Profile
Wamda Capital has backed more than 67 startups, with 6 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 16 rounds, about 24% of its total and boasts 9 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Seed, Series A, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United Arab Emirates, Turkey, United States.
- Strong thematic focus on FinTech, Financial Services, E-Commerce.
- Typical check size: $100K – $1M.
Stage Focus
- Seed (34%)
- Series A (25%)
- Series B (15%)
- Pre Seed (7%)
- Series Unknown (7%)
- Series C (4%)
- Series D (3%)
- Private Equity (1%)
- Convertible Note (1%)
Country Focus
- United Arab Emirates (42%)
- Turkey (13%)
- United States (12%)
- Jordan (9%)
- Egypt (4%)
- Kenya (4%)
- United Kingdom (3%)
- Saudi Arabia (3%)
- France (1%)
- Pakistan (1%)
Industry Focus
- Fintech
- Financial Services
- E-commerce
- Saas
- Information Technology
- Payments
- Software
- Shopping
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- Retail
Frequently Asked Questions
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