In the complex landscape of Palestine, where challenges and opportunities intertwine, Ibtikar Fund has emerged as a bold venture capital model. Standing at the intersection of ambition and possibility, the fund utilizes angel and seed-stage investing to nurture a nascent entrepreneurial ecosystem that defies constraints and connects with the global stage, despite the political and economic realities of the occupation.
Ambar Amleh, Managing Partner at Ibtikar Fund, explains that its philosophy is built on calculated audacity, financing companies founded by Palestinians both within the country and abroad. The goal is to build an investment and knowledge network that extends from Palestine to regional and global markets.
A Calculated Approach to Venture Investing
As the sole venture capital fund in Palestine, Ibtikar focuses on supporting startups in their earliest stages. It is often the first institutional investor in these companies, with an average investment of approximately $500,000 per startup.
The fund’s portfolio currently includes 21 startups operating across diverse markets, including the Middle East and North Africa, the United States, Europe, and Latin America. According to Amleh, Ibtikar balances angel-style investing with measured risk by funding high-growth technology companies. It places a strong emphasis on backing highly capable Palestinian founders and providing them with direct advisory support throughout their founding and expansion phases.
Strategic Structure for A Complex Environment
To navigate the challenging geopolitical environment, Ibtikar Fund has built a smart legal infrastructure. By registering in the Netherlands, the fund operates under a flexible regulatory framework that allows it to maneuver effectively within the complex Palestinian context.
This strategic decision enables Ibtikar to mitigate operational risks by investing in companies that, while based in Palestine, primarily target external markets. This focus on technology and software allows most portfolio companies to operate remotely, ensuring business continuity even during closures or crises.
Building A Diversified Global Portfolio
Ibtikar Fund currently manages two investment funds launched in 2016 and 2022, with a total value of approximately $35 million. Its strategy involves investing in tech and tech-enabled companies from the seed stage through their initial funding rounds, ensuring a diversified portfolio across various sectors and markets to minimize risk and maximize returns.
The fund’s investments span several domains, including e-commerce, logistics, and artificial intelligence. Its portfolio features a company developing the first Arabic-speaking intelligent agent for banks and another specializing in digital debt collection solutions powered by AI.
Amleh believes the region’s digital transformation presents a significant opportunity for Palestinian companies to expand their economic footprint, allowing them to overcome geographical and economic barriers. She asserts that venture capital in Palestine has become a strategic tool for building a knowledge-based, innovative economy that empowers local talent to access regional and global markets.
About Ibtikar Fund
Ibtikar Fund is a venture capital firm that invests in Palestinian-founded, early-stage technology companies. As the sole VC in Palestine, it manages two funds totaling approximately $35 million, focusing on empowering innovative entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and compete in regional and global markets.
Source: Alayam
