Zest Your Equity | 14-Feb-2024

Zest is digitizing private market transactions, building tools to streamline how entrepreneurs, funds and investors transact. Our platform is designed to save you time and reduce administrative costs, simplifying the end-to-end investment process.

What’s New?

The private market investment industry has grown exponentially over the past half-decade, and there are more managers today than ever seeking the best deals to deliver top-decile returns to their investors.

How should new emerging managers differentiate themselves in the expanding venture ecosystem? Stepstone group, in its newest report “Venture Capital: shedding the access class label” says:

"On the investment front, we believe the role of a venture investor includes four components: sourcing, judging, winning, and impacting portfolio companies.

• Sourcing entails knowing which ponds to fish in and who to fish with and requires a constant pruning of one’s network.

• Judging opportunities at the narrow intersection of exceptional founders and exceptionally large markets is what we believe is the most difficult part of the job, in addition to taking the longest amount of time to determine success.

• To win competitive deals, venture capital firms need to offer a tangible value proposition to founders that goes beyond basic advice and a typical network, supported by a list of experienced and referenceable founders.

• Finally, venture capitalists should clearly articulate what they bring to the table, aside from capital, and how they plan to support founders post-investment”

As a new venture investor, it’s imperative to think about how you’ll leverage your unique network, skills, and foresight to develop a successful venture program as the ecosystem continues to expand, particularly in the MENA region.

Who’s Raising? 💰

• 🇦🇪UAE-based AI dubbing startup CAMB.AI has raised $4 million in a Seed funding round led by Courtside Ventures, along with TRTL Ventures, Blue Star Innovation Partners, Ikemori Ventures, and Eisaburo Maeda.

• 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia-based P2P car rental platform Ejaro, has raised $3.28 million in a pre-Series A investment round, led by cooperative and angel investors.

• 🇪🇬Egypt-based logistics startup Roboost, has closed a $3 million investment round, led by Silicon Badia, with contributions from RZM Investment, Flat6Labs, and Saudi Arabian angel investors.

• 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia-based proptech Rize, has raised a $2.9 million Seed round from Seedra Ventures, Hala Ventures, JOA Capital, RZM Investments, Bonat Investments, and Nama Ventures, as well as a group of angel investors.

• 🇦🇪UAE-based fintech Kema has raised a $2 million pre-Seed round, led by Speedinvest with participation from the Dubai Future District Fund (DFDF).

• 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia-based edtech iStoria, has raised $1.3 million in a Seed round from Nama Ventures, Classera, Flat6Labs, BIM Ventures, and several other angel investors.

M&A Activity 💼

• UAE-based con-tech Plant & Equipment has acquired UAE’s Global Equipment Trading for an unknown sum. Source.

What We’re Reading 📖

Zest Updates 🚨

Zest is excited to be attending the Step 2024 Conference in Dubai.

Step 2024 is a time to recognize the many advancements the region has made across technology, sustainability, and investments in startups, and discuss predictions for how to keep pace with the future of the ecosystem.

If you’re also going, send us a reply and let us know! We would love to see you there.

Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival

Zest’s Rawan Baddour enjoyed moderating a panel, “Intent to Investment: What are VCs Looking For?” at the 7th annual Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) early this month. Rawan was joined by panelists Walid Mansour, Abdullah Mutawi, and Yamen S. Al-Hajjar to discuss the VC ecosystem.

Thank you SEF for hosting a wonderful two day event and bringing together many entrepreneurs and investors to discuss the MENA ecosystem!

Our Blog ✍️

Ever wondered how to get started in the private markets?

Even with the increase in private market investment activity in the MENA region, it can be challenging to learn how to source your first deals, build investor relationships, and raise capital, all while maintaining the administrative work of setting up investment vehicles.

In our most recent blog, we outline common options for emerging managers who are looking to start and scale their investment business in the private markets.

Want to learn more? Schedule a time with our team below!