Following Saudi Arabia’s recent 3.5 billion USD investment in Uber Technologies Inc., Middle Eastern investors are looking for viable tech investment opportunities abroad to capitalise on the rapid rise of tech startups like Uber and Lyft.
Although Middle Eastern economies continue to suffer the lingering effects of the recent drop in oil prices, Middle Eastern institutions and individuals remain highly liquid and are actively seeking investment opportunities in a variety of sectors.
Within the tech sector, investors are particularly focused on the possibilities offered by foreign markets. The Middle Eastern technology sector is still relatively young and underdeveloped, and startups in the region encounter a great deal of difficulty in navigating the complex regulatory environment.
Although many investors are choosing to hunt for tech opportunities in the United States, several European markets are attracting Middle Eastern capital as well. This is particularly true for rising startup and tech hubs, like Berlin, which is rapidly overtaking London as Europe’s number 1 destination for tech entrepreneurs looking for a startup-friendly business environment.
This trend covers a variety of subsectors, including e-commerce, mobile applications, and financial technology, otherwise known as fintech.
According to a public statement released by Christoph Gerlinger, German Startups Group CEO, “Only since 2015 was Berlin able to surpass London, the previously dominant hub of Europe, in the number of and overall volume of financial transactions from startups… This development will now accelerate and the distance between Berlin vs. London will increase.”
He added, “We expect a significant decrease in new incorporations in London in favour of Berlin, as well as an influx of successful London startups. This will be particularly true of the especially dynamic [financial technology] sector.”
Featured Meeting
On October 31, 2017, Naseba will be hosting the 3rd MENA Private Equity and Venture Capital Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The primary focus of the summit is to offer a deal flow platform that will introduce representatives of sovereign wealth funds, traditional PE and VC firms, regional conglomerates and family-owned businesses to innovative business cases from around the world.
The summit will combine insightful panels led by key regional and international tech investors and experts and pre-scheduled introductory meetings between up to 30 healthcare, life science and ICT investment opportunities and key regional investors and strategic partners, to raise capital and form strategic and commercial partnerships, in an informed and exclusive environment.
To access the Middle Eastern investors and strategic partners submit your business case here,
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Alternatively, email me to schedule a meeting with me.
Alex Baine
Project Lead
Naseba investor introduction
alexbnaseba.com
+971 4 455 7954
