Adeo Ressi, the CEO of Decile Group, Chairman of the Founder Institute, and inventor of the SAFE Note, has announced an ambitious plan to launch a minimum of 100 new venture capital firms across the Middle East by 2028. The initiative aims to infuse Silicon Valley expertise into the region’s burgeoning startup ecosystem and support a new wave of globally competitive companies.
A Vision For MENA’s Venture Landscape
Ressi highlighted the region’s rapid development as a key motivator for the strategic focus, seeing clear indicators of a market on the cusp of significant growth.
“We are seeing amazing entrepreneurs and investors emerging across the Middle East, classic signs that the market is taking off,” said Adeo Ressi. “Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia are in a position to be regional leaders, each with distinct advantages. It’s a competitive time in the region, and the top venture ecosystems will be decided in 2026.”
The Competitive Edge Of UAE And KSA
According to Ressi, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are both positioned to become dominant hubs for venture capital. The UAE’s strength lies in its mature financial infrastructure, Dubai’s global connectivity, and its proven ability to attract international business and talent.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia offers a young, ambitious population, significant government support through its Vision 2030 framework, and substantial sovereign wealth that is being directed towards fostering innovation.
Building On Existing Momentum
Decile Group and the Founder Institute already have an established presence in the region. Through its VC Lab program, Decile Group has successfully launched a dozen VC firms in the Middle East to date. The Founder Institute has also accelerated nearly 100 regional startups.
The next quarterly cohort of VC Lab is set to continue this momentum, with a target of launching another twelve new VC firms in the area.
Adapting The Silicon Valley Model
Ressi believes both Dubai and Riyadh have the potential to join the elite group of approximately 20 cities worldwide that boast true venture ecosystems. He emphasized that the goal is not to replicate Silicon Valley, but to adapt its proven frameworks to local strengths.
“You don’t need to replicate Silicon Valley,” Ressi stated. “You need Silicon Valley’s infrastructure and know-how, built for local strengths. We’ve done this in Singapore, Chile, and other markets.”
To further this plan, Ressi is scheduled to visit the region, speaking at the Forbes Middle East Top Advisors & Investors Summit and the STEP Dubai Conference between February 9th and 14th. He will then travel to Riyadh for ecosystem meetings on February 15th and 16th.
About Decile Group
Decile Group develops mission-driven offerings to unlock the potential of venture capital worldwide. The group operates VC Lab, the leading venture capital accelerator, which has helped launch nearly 1,000 VC firms globally. Decile Group also operates Decile Hub, a full-featured venture platform facilitating over $1 billion in annualized limited partner commitments.
About Founder Institute
Founder Institute is the world’s largest pre-seed startup accelerator and global network of incubators, accelerators, and investors. Since 2009, the program has supported over 8,900 entrepreneurs and alumni companies that have collectively raised more than $2 billion in funding. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Founder Institute operates in over 250 cities across more than 100 countries.
Source: Zawya
