I also think deal volume will uptick in the second half of 2025.
Data also tells us that:
📊 LPs and investors are investing early stage because they’re looking for a real alpha. Obviously, returns 💵
📊 Large fund sizes are nascent in the region which will leave room for venture debt to grow 📈
📊 IPOs and M&A transactions will trigger more cash to flow back into ventures with higher confidence from winning investors to write even more and bigger checks 💰
Thanks, Nuwa Capital and Khaled Talhouni for insights.
“2024 saw an uptick in venture capital investments in MENA, but with smaller ticket sizes as early-stage startups gained traction. What’s next for 2025?"
Khaled Talhouni shares insights on trends in VC, upcoming IPOs, and how Nuwa Capital plans to deploy the remainder of its fund to fuel innovation in Saudi Arabia and the region.
Check out the full Bloomberg interview for insights into the 2025 MENA venture capital outlook here.
https://shorturl.at/sDIu0
“2024 saw an uptick in venture capital investments in MENA, but with smaller ticket sizes as early-stage startups gained traction. What’s next for 2025?"
Khaled Talhouni shares insights on trends in VC, upcoming IPOs, and how Nuwa Capital plans to deploy the remainder of its fund to fuel innovation in Saudi Arabia and the region.
Check out the full Bloomberg interview for insights into the 2025 MENA venture capital outlook here.
https://shorturl.at/sDIu0
The success of Talabat's $2 billion IPO last week is a huge win for the Kuwaiti startup and Emirati IPO ecosystems.
We've all heard about Talabat's incredible journey. It all started in Kuwait with four Kuwaiti entrepreneurs. From there, they expanded regionally and eventually got acquired by Rocket Internet for $170 million in 2015. Delivery Hero then bought talabat as part of Rocket Internet's food delivery business in 2016. And now, look at them – a massive IPO raising $2 billion!
This really highlights something important: the investment opportunities within the private market, especially with those smaller, fast-growing startups. The challenge lies in identifying these gems.
Talabat is a perfect example. It was a high-growth startup with incredible potential, acquired by a bigger player, and ultimately, Delivery Hero reaped the rewards with the IPO. It wasn't always smooth sailing for Talabat. They faced challenges scaling their business. But Rocket Hero provided the capital and support they needed to grow.
Back in 2019, during my role as Chairman of the Kuwait Economic Society, I invited Mr. Mohammed Jaffar one of Talabat's key investors at that time. We wanted to showcase his brilliant story, from the initial acquisition to the exit phase with Rocket Internet. He also emphasized the reasons behind his decision to sell his stake early on, instead of waiting for an IPO.
Smart investors are always on the lookout for promising companies. We need to bridge this gap, and that requires experienced professionals.
As I mentioned in my panel discussion at the family office event last week, there's immense potential in the private market, especially for those high-growth startups.
The successful exit for private companies and startups often comes through a successful IPO. I strongly believe that smart founders of private companies and startups will achieve their listing goals and exit successfully, just like Talabat did.
Here is the link to the interview with Mr. Mohammed Jaffar, Mr. Abdulwahab Al Essa - founder of Boutiqaat, and Mr. Abdullah Al Mutawa founder of Carriage:
#privateequity#privatemarket#ipo#middleeast#gcc#familyoffice#venturecapital#investmentbanking#assetmanagement#mergersandacquisitions#alternativeinvestments#wealthmanagement
As mentioned by Muhannad Al-Sane it is an exciting moment for the MENA investment landscape, and the talabat IPO marks more than just a successful public offering—it’s a significant catalyst for growth in private markets. Here’s why I believe this development opens up unique opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs alike:
1. Validation of the Market:
The Talabat IPO serves as a strong validation of the regional market. With prominent players going public, it boosts investors' confidence in the potential for high returns in similar ventures. This can lead to increased capital flowing into private equity and venture capital funds.
2. Increased Valuation Benchmarks:
The successful listing establishes credible benchmarks for valuations across the private markets. This is an opportune moment for entrepreneurs to showcase their potential and for investors to identify those high-growth startups that can follow in Talabat’s footsteps.
3. Expanding Exit Strategies:
With the IPO landscape becoming more robust, another layer of exit strategies opens up for companies in the private sector. As startups see successful pathways through IPOs, private investors may find increased opportunities to cash out, creating a more appealing investment climate and encouraging further investments in high-growth potential sectors.
4. Focus on M&A Opportunities:
As the IPO creates a ripple effect, companies that may not be ready to go public can become attractive acquisition targets, fostering a vibrant mergers and acquisitions environment. Established firms may look to acquire innovative startups to enhance their market positioning or to diversify their offerings, leading to strategic partnerships and collaboration opportunities.
5. Shaping Investor Expectations:
Talabat’s success is likely to shape investor expectations. As a result, private investors may seek out opportunities in companies that demonstrate similar scalability and resilience, spurring innovation in these areas.
In conclusion, the Talabat IPO is more than just a milestone for one company; it's an encouraging sign for private markets that entices investors, fuels entrepreneurial ambition, and cultivates a thriving ecosystem for innovation.
As Muhannad Al-Sane mentioned, there is huge potential in #privatemarkets.
What are your thoughts on this?
Chairman & CEO Almowazi Capital |
Board Member at Kuwait Direct Investment Authority
The success of Talabat's $2 billion IPO last week is a huge win for the Kuwaiti startup and Emirati IPO ecosystems.
We've all heard about Talabat's incredible journey. It all started in Kuwait with four Kuwaiti entrepreneurs. From there, they expanded regionally and eventually got acquired by Rocket Internet for $170 million in 2015. Delivery Hero then bought talabat as part of Rocket Internet's food delivery business in 2016. And now, look at them – a massive IPO raising $2 billion!
This really highlights something important: the investment opportunities within the private market, especially with those smaller, fast-growing startups. The challenge lies in identifying these gems.
Talabat is a perfect example. It was a high-growth startup with incredible potential, acquired by a bigger player, and ultimately, Delivery Hero reaped the rewards with the IPO. It wasn't always smooth sailing for Talabat. They faced challenges scaling their business. But Rocket Hero provided the capital and support they needed to grow.
Back in 2019, during my role as Chairman of the Kuwait Economic Society, I invited Mr. Mohammed Jaffar one of Talabat's key investors at that time. We wanted to showcase his brilliant story, from the initial acquisition to the exit phase with Rocket Internet. He also emphasized the reasons behind his decision to sell his stake early on, instead of waiting for an IPO.
Smart investors are always on the lookout for promising companies. We need to bridge this gap, and that requires experienced professionals.
As I mentioned in my panel discussion at the family office event last week, there's immense potential in the private market, especially for those high-growth startups.
The successful exit for private companies and startups often comes through a successful IPO. I strongly believe that smart founders of private companies and startups will achieve their listing goals and exit successfully, just like Talabat did.
Here is the link to the interview with Mr. Mohammed Jaffar, Mr. Abdulwahab Al Essa - founder of Boutiqaat, and Mr. Abdullah Al Mutawa founder of Carriage:
#privateequity#privatemarket#ipo#middleeast#gcc#familyoffice#venturecapital#investmentbanking#assetmanagement#mergersandacquisitions#alternativeinvestments#wealthmanagement
As I reflect on the past year, one word comes to mind— #impact.
At InvestOMAN, 2024 was a year of action and delivering success—transforming opportunities into projects, driving growth, and positioning Oman as a strategic investment destination on the global map.
This momentum wouldn’t have been possible without the exceptional calibre of the team of strategists, and thinkers—dedicated professionals who ensure seamless investor journeys, resolve challenges, and deliver long-term value.
As we step into 2025, we remain committed to driving more investments and partnerships, unlocking untapped potential, and shaping Oman’s future through bold, strategic investments.
Here’s to another year of growth, innovation, and opportunity!
#InvestOman#YearInReview#GlobalOpportunities#FutureReady
نُجدّد الطموح عامًا بعد عام لنصنع من الاستثمارات الواعدة مشاريع مزدهرة ومستدامة
هدفنا تقديم تجربة محورها المستثمر، ومقصدها عُمان
#استثمر_في_عُمان
Wrapping up the year with #InvestOMAN—where opportunities grow into thriving, sustainable ventures!
From first contact to full project operation, we simplify every step of the investor journey—seamless, fast, and investor-focused. Here’s to more growth and success in the year ahead! 🌟
Saudi Arabia's entrepreneurial spirit is thriving, yet sectors face barriers without sufficient equity funding. As non-equity sources prevail, there remains a pressing need to embrace venture building, venture capitals, and accelerators across all industries. Vision 2030 urges for bold steps to fuel innovation, create jobs, and diversify the economy.
Jada Invests in Jadwa's First Open-Ended Private Equity Fund! 🚀
Jada Fund of Funds Company has signed a strategic investment agreement in "Jadwa Gulf First Private Equity Fund", marking a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s private equity sector.
TARGET CAPITAL: Aims to raise SAR 1.5 billion with a cap of SAR 2 billion.
Focus Area: Investment across GCC markets, with a special emphasis on the Saudi market.
Company Insights:
Jadwa Investment :
Founded in 2007, managing 16 asset-specific funds before this milestone.
CEO: Tariq Al-Sudairy.
Expertise: Focuses on private equity and economic transformation in the GCC.
Jada Fund of Funds:
Dedicated to strengthening the private equity ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.
CEO: Bandr Alhomaly, CFA.
Strategic Impact:
Supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by fostering economic diversity.
Provides capital to help companies grow and contribute to long-term economic transformation.
This collaboration positions Saudi Arabia as a leading investment destination, fostering growth in the private equity sector and beyond.
Stay Updated for More Startup News! 🌟
#Jada#JadwaInvestment#PrivateEquity#SaudiVision2030#GCCInvestments#StartupNews#EconomicGrowth#SaudiArabia
Breaking Barriers: Stake Brings Global Real Estate Investment to Saudi Arabia! 🌍
Stake, the globally renowned digital real estate platform, has officially launched in Saudi Arabia, enabling worldwide investors to tap into Sharia-compliant real estate opportunities.
Partnering with Alrajhi Seventh co. - الراجحي السابعة (RJ7) and Mulkia Investment ملكية للاستثمار , the platform’s first project is a commercial property in Riyadh.
This marks a significant milestone aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic goals.
Stake democratizes real estate investment through a fully digital platform, allowing users to invest from as low as SAR 500.
By breaking down traditional barriers, the company empowers a community of over 800,000 investors across 170 countries.
Founded: 2021 , Co-CEOs Manar Mahmassani and Rami Tabbara ; Saudi operations led by Hanouf Abdulelah Bin Saeed , with her expertise driving innovative investment strategies.
Investor:
Backed by major investors like aramco ’s Wa'ed Ventures , Mubadala Financial Investment Company, and الجميح القابضة .
Stay updated on startup innovations redefining industries! Follow me for more exclusive updates.
#Stake#SaudiRealEstate#Vision2030#MENAStartups#RealEstateInvestment
