Bahrain-based equity crowdfunding platform Beban is set to launch its operations in Egypt, marking a significant step in its regional expansion strategy. The move is backed by an increased investment from Foras AI, the investment vehicle founded by Exits MENA CEO Mohamed Aboulnaga, which has raised its stake to facilitate the company’s entry into one of the region’s largest markets.
Strategic Shift to a Larger Market
The expansion into Egypt represents a major strategic shift for Beban, moving beyond its home market of Bahrain, which has a population of 1.7 million. Egypt, with over 110 million people and a rapidly growing startup ecosystem, offers a substantially larger opportunity in terms of both potential deal flow and a wider investor base. The additional capital from Foras AI will be instrumental in supporting Beban’s regulatory compliance process, operational scaling, and market rollout.
Navigating Egypt’s Regulatory Landscape
Beban is actively working with Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) to secure the necessary licensing approvals. The company is structuring its Egyptian entity to operate within the existing regulatory framework, ensuring a high standard of governance. This includes incorporating independent fund management, utilising escrow-based capital handling for security, implementing enhanced due diligence safeguards, and ensuring full traceability of all investment flows.
CEO Karim Saleh described Egypt as a high-growth market with increasing regulatory maturity and strong startup momentum. He noted that building institutional-grade governance is critical to overcoming historical skepticism around crowdfunding models in the region. Beban anticipates receiving full licensing within approximately six months, following the completion of its application process.
Democratising Startup Investment
Founded in 2022 as a subsidiary of Hope Ventures, Beban aims to democratise startup investing by enabling retail investors to participate in early-stage companies for as little as $100. Unlike debt-based crowdfunding models, the platform focuses exclusively on equity participation, offering individuals a chance to gain ownership in promising startups and potentially share in their future success. If approved, the platform could help formalise equity crowdfunding in Egypt, providing a vital alternative funding channel for startups.
About Beban
Beban is a Bahrain-based equity crowdfunding platform founded to democratise access to startup investments. As a subsidiary of Hope Ventures, it allows retail investors to invest in early-stage companies in exchange for equity ownership, with minimum investment tickets starting at $100. The platform focuses exclusively on equity participation, connecting founders with a broad base of potential investors across the region.
Source: Wamda
