Ibtikar Fund, the Ramallah-based venture capital firm focused on Palestinian startups, partnered with a coalition of leading regional investors to launch the first Women in Tech Collective. The event took place on the sidelines of Web Summit Qatar 2026, bringing together a diverse group of women founders, investors, and fund managers to address the specific realities of building tech companies across the MENA region and beyond.
The collective was co-hosted by an influential group of investment partners, including:
- VentureSouq
- Utopia Capital Management
- Doha Tech Angels LLC
- Plus VC (+VC)
- Middle East Investor Network
Moving Beyond Networking Toward Sponsorship
The inaugural gathering shifted the focus from traditional networking toward high-impact, honest discussions regarding power dynamics, fundraising, and the psychological safety required for women in leadership. Participants emphasized that while mentorship is valuable, “sponsorship” is what truly moves the needle for female founders seeking to scale their ventures.
Key takeaways from the collective included:
- Continuity and Access: The urgent need for real relationships and clear next steps rather than one-off networking sessions.
- Radical Honesty: Founders and investors shared candidly about the trade-offs and behind-the-scenes challenges of leadership that are often omitted from polished public talks.
- Market Realities: Deep dives into the specific complexities of scaling startups across diverse MENA markets.
Ibtikar’s Role In Regional Scaling
As a key driver of the Palestinian startup ecosystem, Ibtikar Fund continues to play a pivotal role in backing entrepreneurs both within Palestine and throughout the broader MENA region. By co-leading initiatives like the Women in Tech Collective, the fund aims to foster a more inclusive investment landscape that supports founders as they navigate the transition from early-stage development to regional scaling.
About Ibtikar Fund
Ibtikar Fund is a venture capital firm founded in 2015 that specializes in investing in innovative Palestinian startups. Based in Ramallah, the fund partners with tech-focused founders who are willing to take risks and provides them with the capital and strategic support needed to scale throughout the MENA region. Ibtikar is committed to leveraging the transformative power of technology to drive economic growth and entrepreneurial success for Palestinian talent.
Source: Ibtikar Fund
