Dubai-based investment firm KBW Ventures is pivoting its investment strategy, increasing its focus on later-stage technology companies while postponing the launch of a dedicated regional fund. The move signals a strategic shift for the firm, founded by Saudi Arabia’s Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed.
Prince Khaled, who spoke on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Finance Week, revealed that while he was initially “excited” about a regional fund, the timing is not suitable for the firm’s agile approach.
A Strategic Shift to Agility
Prince Khaled emphasized the value of operational freedom in the current investment climate, a flexibility that a formal fund structure might constrain.
“I’m not ruling it out for the near future, but presently there will be no fund,” he stated. “I have a lot of freedom on how and when KBW Ventures chooses to deploy. With a fund, I would be mandated to certain parameters – while this isn’t a bad thing, it isn’t as agile as a self-funded operation.”
This decision comes as global venture capital becomes more discerning. According to Prince Khaled, “Venture capital is still there but far more selective.”
Doubling Down on Growth Stage
Instead of a broad fund, KBW Ventures is channeling its resources into more mature startups. The firm is now taking a more selective approach at the pre-seed and seed levels, which were previously a core part of its thesis.
“We’re not slowing down, we’re shifting focus,” Prince Khaled clarified. “Currently KBW Ventures is primarily focused on high-growth, growth-stage investments at Series A and above.”
The firm’s primary markets for these investments remain the United States and the GCC, where it continues to see significant opportunities.
Recalibration in a Selective Market
Commenting on market corrections, particularly in sectors like food tech where global funding has seen a significant drop, Prince Khaled remains optimistic. He views the current environment as a healthy adjustment that will benefit the strongest companies.
“This is a recalibration. Weaker models will wash out, but top-quartile platforms with real demand can now be backed at much more rational valuations,” he explained.
He added that long-term structural pressures like climate change and water scarcity continue to support the underlying value proposition of key tech sectors. In the Saudi market specifically, investor appetite remains high for fintech, logistics, health tech, and edtech.
About KBW Ventures
Founded by Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed Al Saud, KBW Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in companies with transformative technologies and positive impacts. The firm’s portfolio spans various sectors, including deep tech, food tech, fintech, and green technologies, with a focus on supporting innovative enterprises in the MENA region and beyond.
Source: AGBI
