Dubai has rapidly emerged as a thriving hub for startups and innovation in the Middle East. At the heart of this entrepreneurial ecosystem are the venture capital firms that fuel growth and drive innovation. These firms not only provide crucial funding, but also offer mentorship, strategic guidance, and valuable networks to budding entrepreneurs.
In this article, we’ll explore the top venture capital firms that are shaping Dubai’s startup landscape — each bringing a unique approach to identifying and nurturing the next big ideas in the region.
Top Dubai VC Firms
Ready to launch your startup with the help of a venture capital firm? We’re here to help you wade through the options with this list of the best venture capital firms in Dubai for startups and who they are right for.
Disclaimer: With so many venture capital firms around the world, we aren’t able to cover them all. Furthermore, the following VC firms aren’t officially ranked and appear in no particular order.
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Get Started1. Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP)
- Industries: SaaS, Mobility, Enterprise Software
- Stage: Early Stage, Growth Stage
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Rain, Fresha, Lyve
MEVP stands tall as a pioneer in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s venture capital landscape. Founded in 2010, this firm has been instrumental in shaping the tech ecosystem of the Middle East.
With a keen eye for disruptive technologies and scalable business models, MEVP has backed numerous success stories across various sectors — from ecommerce marketplaces to mobility. The firm’s commitment to fostering innovation has made it a go-to partner for ambitious entrepreneurs looking to make a mark in the Arab world and beyond.
2. Wamda Capital
- Industries: Healthcare, Real Estate, Web3
- Stage: Multi-Stage
- Notable Portfolio Companies: RemotePass, BitOasis, FlexxPay
Wamda Capital isn’t just a VC firm; it’s a catalyst for entrepreneurs to transform industries through innovation. This powerhouse combines capital, content, and community to create a holistic support system for startups.
The firm’s portfolio is loaded with MENA tech success stories. But what sets Wamda Capital apart is its deep-rooted understanding of the region’s unique challenges and opportunities. By leveraging the firm’s extensive network and thought leadership, Wamda Capital has positioned itself as more than just a financial backer; it’s a catalyst for change in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
3. BECO Capital
- Industries: Food Tech, Real Estate, Apps
- Stage: Early Stage
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Tribal, Chatfood, Tweeq
BECO Capital has made waves in the Dubai VC scene with its founder-first approach. The firm focuses on early stage tech startups, offering hands-on mentorship and operational support alongside financial investment.
With a strong track record of successful exits and deep expertise in MENA markets, including two unicorn portfolio companies, BECO Capital has become a trusted name in the region’s startup community. The firm’s philosophy emphasizes building lasting relationships with founders, which has been key to its success and reputation in the competitive VC landscape.
4. Shorooq Partners
- Industries: Fintech, Software, Frontier Tech
- Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Lendo, Pure Harvest, Penny
Founded in 2017, Shorooq Partners quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the most active early stage investors in the MENA region. Specializing in seed through Series A investments, the firm focuses on fintech, software, and platform businesses. What sets Shorooq Partners apart is the firm’s “founder-focused, founder-backed” philosophy, which has made it a favorite among young entrepreneurs. A hands-on approach and deep understanding of the challenges faced by seed-stage startups has positioned this firm as a key player in nurturing the next generation of MENA unicorns.
5. Global Ventures
- Industries: Cybersecurity, Edtech, Insurtech
- Stage: Early Stage, Growth Stage
- Notable Portfolio Companies: AlgoDriven, Lean, Mamo
Global Ventures is a venture capital firm that has its sights set on transforming emerging markets through technology. The firm’s investment thesis revolves around backing startups that are solving critical challenges in healthcare, education, and financial inclusion.
With a team that boasts diverse international experience, Global Ventures brings a global perspective to local innovations. This helps its portfolio companies scale beyond borders and make a lasting impact on the communities they serve.
6. VentureSouq
- Industries: Climate Tech, Fintech, Legal Tech
- Stage: Seed, Early Stage
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Aleph, Current Foods, FamPay
VentureSouq (VSQ) breaks the mold of traditional VC firms with its hybrid investment platform approach. By combining the best of venture capital with the power of a global network of investors, VSQ creates bridges — between startups and capital, between the MENA region and global markets, and between various industries. The firm’s current fund focus is on climate tech and fintech startups with an additional global seed fund as well.
7. Algebra Ventures
- Industries: Food Tech, Edtech, Fashion Tech
- Stage: Multiple Stages
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Dsquares, Elmenus, Orcas
Although born in Egypt, Algebra Ventures has become a significant player in the Dubai VC scene. As the largest tech VC fund in Egypt, the firm successfully expanded into the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia with a focus on Series A and B rounds. Algebra’s team brings together decades of entrepreneurial and investment experience with a strong emphasis on product-market fit. This combination of local expertise and regional expansion has positioned Algebra Ventures as not only funders, but also true partners in growth for their portfolio companies across the MENA region.
8. 500 Global MENA
- Industries: Fintech, Big Data, Legal Tech
- Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A+
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Ajeer, Clara, Haseel
500 Global MENA represents the perfect fusion of global accelerator expertise and local market insights. This powerhouse combines the vast resources and network of the renowned 500 Global with deep regional knowledge, uniquely positioning the firm to identify and nurture the next generation of tech unicorns in the MENA region.
With an extensive portfolio and hands-on mentorship program, 500 Global MENA is a launchpad for countless successful startups in the region. The firm bridges the gap between Silicon Valley methodologies and MENA market realities.
9. Dtec Ventures
- Industries: Consumer, Enterprise Software
- Stage: Early Stage
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Voicea, Writer, The Luxury Closet
As the venture capital arm of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, Dtec Ventures enjoys a unique position in the ecosystem where innovation meets opportunity. The firm offers startups direct access to Dubai’s thriving tech hub, strong government connections, and a blend of private and public sector expertise.
With a focus on enterprise software and consumer startups, Dtec Ventures leverages its strategic location and partnerships to play a crucial role in Dubai’s mission to become a global innovation center. This distinctive positioning allows the firm to provide unparalleled support to tech startups looking to make an impact in the region.
10. Nuwa Capital
- Industries: Ecommerce, Agtech, Food Tech
- Stage: Seed, Series A
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Calo, ClearGrid, Eyewa
Founded in 2020, Nuwa Capital represents the new wave of VC firms in Dubai. Despite its youth, this firm has already made significant strides in the ecosystem with a refreshingly modern approach. Nuwa Capital views itself as a partner in building a new economic paradigm in the region, focusing on emerging trends like the ecommerce and food tech sectors.
The firm’s team has a blend of operational and investment experience that positions them perfectly to guide the next generation of MENA startups to global success. As one of the newest players in the Dubai VC scene, Nuwa Capital is betting on the future and shaping the next chapter of innovation in the region.