European venture capital firm Speedinvest has announced the launch of its first fund focused on the Middle East and Africa (MEA), securing significant backing from regional heavyweights Mubadala Investment Company and Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), alongside EIB Global.
Quick Facts
- First flagship fund dedicated to MEA.
- Backed by Mubadala, QIA, and EIB Global.
- Targets early and growth-stage tech startups.
A Strategic Play for Regional Growth
This move marks a significant expansion for Speedinvest beyond its European roots, establishing a dedicated presence in the MEA region with local teams and capital. The firm’s commitment is further cemented by its participation in QIA’s Fund of Funds program, which aims to attract top-tier global fund managers to Qatar and the wider GCC.
Targeting High-Growth Sectors
The new fund will deploy capital into both early-stage and growth-stage companies across several key verticals. The investment focus includes fintech and embedded finance, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, health and climate technologies, and other scalable tech-driven businesses.
Leadership on Regional Commitment
Oliver Holle, CEO and Managing Partner at Speedinvest, noted that the support from major global institutions signals a strong belief in the region’s potential. He emphasized the firm’s long-term strategy of building global companies by connecting MEA-based founders with its extensive European network.
Building on an Existing MENA Footprint
Speedinvest is not entirely new to the region. The VC has already made several investments in high-growth companies across MEA, including Moove, Khazna, Pemo, Flow48, and Abhi. This existing portfolio demonstrates a familiarity with local market dynamics and an ability to identify scalable business models.
The participation of Mubadala aligns with its goal of reinforcing the regional venture capital ecosystem. For QIA, the move continues its strategy of bringing leading global funds to the Gulf. EIB Global’s involvement is geared towards directing capital into African tech startups to foster digital inclusion and strengthen innovation links between Africa and Europe.
About Speedinvest
Speedinvest is a European venture capital firm with a global reach, investing in early-stage tech startups. The firm operates with a focus on specific sectors, providing founders with dedicated support from experienced investors and operational experts.
Source: Entarabi
