Anyone familiar with the booming startup ecosystem in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are probably aware of the immense contribution made by 500 Startups, a globally renowned venture capital firm, in helping out early-stage startups in the region to reach their full potential.
Most of 500 Startups’ operations in MENA are overseen by its regional venture,500 Falcons.
Hasan Haider, a partner at 500 Falcons, disclosed that the fund allocated to 500 Falcons would be used for making at least 150 investments over the coming three years. Additionally, it also aims to build a healthy ecosystem in the region and make the same to help up and coming entrepreneurs in a variety of ways.
For example, Haider pointed out the MENA Dojo Series A Program, which primarily aims to help startups raise Series A round of funding to build a growth mindset and growth framework within their organizations.
Apart from that, 500 Falcons also assists promising entrepreneurs in the region by allowing them invaluable access to the 500 Startups’ global network comprising of 300 mentors and 3,000 founders. Along with that comes the various events and educational programs for portfolio companies having the spark necessary to take it to the next level.
“Our goal is to invest in minorities and women, as they tend to be good investments undervalued by the rest of the market. We have been and will continue to be leaders in giving the opportunity to people from all walks of life to build their startup and play a role in the development of their startup ecosystems. The majority of players in silicon valley would not, for instance, be actively investing in MENA founders and startups in the region,” Haider added.