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COTU Ventures

Venture capitaloperating company · company profile

Pre-Seed–Growth · 6 people tracked

Find your way into COTU Ventures

4,111 people in our graph share verified history with the COTU Ventures team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.

Tobi Cokerunlockedknows Amir Farha · together at Kauffman Fellows (overlapped)
×2knows the team · via Columbia Business School
×2knows the team · via University of Bath
knows the team · via Newcastle University
×2knows the team · via Kauffman Fellows
×3knows the team · via London Business School
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Investment thesis

COTU Ventures positions itself as the 'Champions of the Underdog,' focused on empowering exceptional founders across the Middle East and North Africa by providing their first check. The firm backs early-stage companies solving significant regional challenges, spanning sectors such as proptech, fintech, AI-driven B2B distribution, and labor/workforce solutions, as reflected in its portfolio of companies serving MENA markets.

Source: firm website, verified Aug 7, 2026.

Stage
Pre-Seed–Growth
Check
$300K – $37M
Leads rounds
Leads
Instruments
Equity
Last 12 months
1 investment
Tracked investments
42

Team · 6 people

from the firm's website
Amir Farha· General Partnerin
Ismail Chiboub· Associatein

Founder mafia

2 people who came through COTU Ventures went on to found or lead other companies.

What they invest in

from 33 of 42 portfolio companies

SaaS ×21Fintech ×11AI & Machine Learning ×8Enterprise Software ×8Logistics & Supply Chain ×7B2B Marketplaces ×6Marketplaces ×6Consumer ×4

HQs:United Arab Emirates×12Egypt×4Saudi Arabia×4United States×4United Kingdom×1India×1

Who they back

founder profiles across 10 portfolio companies
60%
solo founders
6 of 10 mapped founding teams
69%
repeat founders
of 13 founders with career history

Founding team size:solo founder×62 founders×33 founders×1

Where their founders studiedfrom 12 founders with education data

KU Leuven ×2

Investments · 42 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

By year:2025 · 12024 · 12022 · 13 dated

Martimarti.techinNYSE: MRT

Marti is a Turkish mobility platform offering ride hailing and shared micromobility services (e-mopeds, e-bikes, e-scooters) powered by proprietary software and IoT infrastructure.

B2B MarketplacesIoTMobility & TransportationIstanbul, TR

Co-investorsAdapt VenturesAlleyCorpEBRD Venture Capital Investment ProgrammePartners for GrowthPartners for Growth (PFG)Wamda Capital+1 more

SWVLswvl.comin𝕏NASDAQ: SWVL

Swvl provides a demand-responsive fleet management platform for commercial transportation operators, enabling cost optimization and operational oversight through real-time monitoring, resource planning, and analytics tools.

Enterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainMobility & TransportationSaaSCairo, EG

Co-investorsAutotech VenturesCapria VenturesCedar Mundi VenturesDASH VenturesSawari VenturesVNV Global+5 more

AdalFiadalfi.comin

AdalFi provides credit intelligence and lending platform for banks and financial institutions, using bank account data and machine learning models to enable faster and fairer lending decisions while sharing revenue and risk with lenders.

AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureFintechSaaS

Salman AkhtarinKhalid KabeerinIan ReadinArsalan Ahmedin

Co-investorsAmaana CapitalFatima Gobi VenturesGobi Partners

Aydiaydi.comin

Aydi builds agronomic software including ORTH, an AI assistant that learns a farm's land, crops, and weather to answer questions on pest detection and compliance, and a platform that unifies labor, inputs, and results into one system.

AgTechAI & Machine LearningSaaS

Co-investorsFoundation Ventures

Careemcareem.comin𝕏Acquired

Careem operates an "everything app" for the greater Middle East, offering ride-hailing, food and grocery delivery, and payments to consumers across the region.

ConsumerFintechLogistics & Supply ChainMobility & TransportationDubai, AE

Karl Magnus Olsson(Founder)in

Co-investorsUberCedar Mundi VenturesCoatue ManagementDCM VenturesIris CapitalLumia Capital+4 more

Cassbanacassbana.com

Cairo, EG

Haitham Nassar(Founder)

Co-investorsMSA Novo

Cerclicercli.comin𝕏Oct 2025 · $12M

Cercli is an AI-powered payroll and compliance platform designed for multi-entity, multi-country teams.

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareHR TechSaaSDubai, AE

Akeed Azmi(Founder)inDavid Reche(Founder)inAE Akeed Azmi(Founder)

Co-investorsPICUS CAPITALY CombinatorAfore CapitalKnollwood Investment Advisory

Chatfoodchatfood.ioAcquired

ChatFood is an omnichannel ordering and marketing platform for hospitality venues, acquired by Deliverect in 2023.

Co-investorsWamda CapitalAntlerBECO Capital

Dapi Startupdapi.com

Co-investorsGhaf Capital PartnersStrategxy Ventures LLC

DataCampdatacamp.comin𝕏

DataCamp is a learning platform for teams that teaches data and AI skills through hands-on coursework accessible via web browser and mobile app.

AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEdTechNew York City, US

Jonathan Cornelissen(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)inDieter de Mesmaeker(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)inMartijn Theuwissen(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)in

Co-investorsSpectrum EquityTechstarsAccompliceArthur Ventures

Duplaysduplays.com

Duplays organizes recreational and amateur sports leagues, games, and events, connecting people who want to play team and individual sports.

ConsumerMarketplacesSports TechDubai, AE

Englease FZ LLCenglease.comin𝕏

Englease is an online English-language learning platform offering live and on-demand classes, practice tools, training videos, and conversation clubs, with CPD (UK)-accredited certificates upon completing each level.

EdTechSaaS

Omar Sheehan(Founder)Omar Chihanein

Co-investors500 GlobalBY Venture PartnersSalica InvestmentsWamda CapitalDubai Angel InvestorsLearnStart

Fresha’s Websitefresha.comin

Fresha is a booking platform and business management software for salons, barbershops, medspas, and wellness studios, letting consumers discover and book beauty and self-care appointments while providing businesses with online booking, payments, reminders, and consultation forms.

MarketplacesSaaSWellness & Fitness

William Zeqiri(Founder)inNick Miller(Founder)in

Co-investorsBECO CapitalEQ2 VenturesMiddle East Venture Partners (MEVP)Target Global

GoAudiencegoaudience.comin𝕏

GoAudience is an AI-powered analytics and marketing platform for ecommerce brands that consolidates customer data from Shopify, Klaviyo, Meta, and TikTok to provide actionable insights and automatically sync marketing decisions across channels.

AdTechAI & Machine LearningE-commerceMarketing TechNew York City, US

Co-investorsTechstars

Huspyhuspy.comin

Huspy is a real estate technology platform that digitizes the home-buying process, providing access to mortgage products, properties, and related services like furniture and property management.

B2B MarketplacesFintechPropTechDubai, AE

Jad Antoun(CEO & Co-founder)inKhalid Ashmawy(Founder)

Co-investorsBalderton CapitalFifth WallFounders FundSequoia CapitalBreyer CapitalBY Venture Partners+6 more

Kingpinkingpin.global

Kingpin is an AI-powered sales agency that helps consumer brands find and manage wholesale relationships by automating buyer prospecting, outreach, and order management across retail channels globally.

AI & Machine LearningDirect to ConsumerRetail TechSaaSSales Tech

Co-investorsInfinity VenturesOutliers VCMu VenturesRed Swan Ventures

Kitopikitopi.comin𝕏

Kitopi operates and manages a network of over 200 restaurants and delivery-only kitchens across the Middle East, running homegrown food brands supported by its in-house Smart Kitchen Operating System (SKOS) that manages kitchen operations.

B2B MarketplacesFoodTechLogistics & Supply ChainSaaS

Co-investorsMSA NovoNext Legacy PartnersNordstarReshapeSoftBank Vision FundVentureSouq+10 more

Laimoonlaimoon.comin𝕏

Laimoon is a search engine connecting professionals and employers with training courses and certifications from over 200 providers, offering access to 40,000+ programs.

B2B MarketplacesEdTechMarketplacesSaaSDubai, AE

Maxabmaxab.ioin

MaxAB operates a B2B e-commerce and supply chain platform connecting food and grocery retailers with suppliers, offering more than 3,000 SKUs alongside embedded finance products such as bill payments and credit.

B2B MarketplacesFintechLogistics & Supply ChainRetail Tech

Omar El-Ghazaly(Founder)inMohamed Ben Halim‏(Founder)inBelal EL-Megharbel

Co-investors4DX Ventures500 Global

Mayplemaypleglobal.comin

Mayple provides proprietary global supply chain and cross-border e-commerce logistics solutions that integrate with Shopify and ERP systems to enable direct-to-consumer fulfillment without borders.

E-commerceLogistics & Supply ChainSaaS

Ammar Moiz(Founder)in

Co-investorsAlpaca VCCorigin VenturesInfinity VenturesOverton Venture Capital

Mnzilmnzil.comin𝕏

Mnzil provides worker accommodation, meals, and transportation services along with workforce management for companies employing labor.

Future of WorkHR TechPropTech

MoneyHashmoneyhash.ioin𝕏

MoneyHash provides a payment orchestration platform that aggregates payment APIs, providers, and technical capabilities through a provider-agnostic cloud, letting businesses build and manage payment infrastructure.

Enterprise SoftwareFintechSaaS

Nader Abdelrazik(Founder)in

Co-investorsFirstCheck AfricaLoftyInc CapitalNuwa CapitalPreston-Werner VenturesTofino CapitalVentureSouq+5 more

Mznil

Saudi proptech company that raised an $11.7 million Series A.

Nisfaknisfak.com𝕏

Nisfak is a matchmaking service that connects people with a compatible partner and measures compatibility through a privacy-focused, questionnaire-based process that avoids sharing photos or full names before direct contact.

ConsumerSocial

Optimaoptima.io
Property Finderpropertyfinder.aein𝕏

Property Finder is a real estate marketplace and portal serving property seekers, agents, and developers across the MENA region with property listings, data tools, and CRM solutions.

Data & InfrastructureMarketplacesPropTechDubai, AE

Michael Lahyani(Founder & CEO)inRenan Bourdeau(Co-founder)in

Co-investorsFrancisco PartnersBECO CapitalGeneral AtlanticPermiraVNV Global

Proximieproximie.comin𝕏Apr 2022

Proximie provides a cloud-based operating system for connected operating rooms, giving medtech companies and hospitals real-time OR connectivity, structured surgical data, and AI-driven insights.

AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthMedical DevicesSaaSAltrincham

Nadine Haram(Director)inNadine Hachach-Haram(Founder)inJonathan Lim(Director)inScott Huennekens(Director)

BoardMohammed Shahzad Ahmed Malik(Director)

Co-investorsAdvent Life SciencesCapria VenturesCedar Mundi VenturesDraper AssociatesF-Prime CapitalQuesta Capital+2 more

Rekazrekaz.ioin𝕏

Rekaz is a Saudi SaaS company providing an integrated system for building professional websites and managing customers, bookings, and subscriptions through an easy-to-use CRM.

Enterprise SoftwareFintechRetail TechSaaSRiyadh, SA

Abdulrahman Al-Omran(Co-founder & CEO)Abdulaziz Al-Kharashi(Co-founder & CTO)

Co-investorsShorooq PartnersImpact46

RemotePassremotepass.comin𝕏

RemotePass provides a platform for remote professionals to receive payments in 90+ currencies, manage expenses, generate automated invoices, and access benefits like health insurance and tax management.

FintechFuture of WorkHR TechSaaS

Kamal Reggad(Founder)in

Co-investorsA15EBRD Venture Capital Investment ProgrammeFlyer One VenturesKhwarizmi VenturesWamda Capital500 Global+1 more

Revlyrevly.ae

Revly is a platform for restaurants, chains and cloud kitchens that manages ads, offers and data insights across food delivery apps in one place.

FoodTechMarketing TechSaaS

SellAnyCarsellanycar.com

The Middle East's first online car trading marketplace, offering a fast and hassle-free way to sell a used car; positioned as the region's leading used car marketplace and the largest car buyer in the UAE.

Saygin Yalcin(Founder)in

Co-investorsiMENA GroupSanabil Investments

Sirdabsirdab.coin𝕏Mar 2024 · $54M

Sirdab provides logistics and warehouse management infrastructure for companies across Saudi Arabia, offering storage, inventory management, transportation, and customs clearance through an integrated digital platform.

Enterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainSaaSRiyadh, SA

Naif Alzahri(Founder)inAbdulrahman Alnamlah(Founder)in

Co-investorsY CombinatorBECO Capital

Stitchstitch.sain𝕏

Stitch is a modular core banking platform that enables financial institutions to build, launch, and manage financial products such as accounts, cards, loans, and payments.

Cloud ComputingEnterprise SoftwareFintechSaaSSaudi Arabia, SA

Co-investorsArbor VenturesRAED Ventures

Supysupy.ioin

William Stanley is a hospitality-only accountancy firm that helps restaurants understand and optimize their financial performance through detailed P&L analysis, inventory controls, and financial training.

Enterprise SoftwareFintechFoodTechSaaSLondon, GB

Dani El-Zein(Founder)inIbrahim Bou Ncoula(Founder)Tom Stanley(Founder)

Co-investorsAMK Investment OfficeCapria VenturesValia Ventures

Syarahsyarah.comin𝕏

Syarah is an online marketplace for buying and selling used cars, operating in Saudi Arabia.

B2B MarketplacesConsumerE-commerceMarketplacesMobility & TransportationRiyadh, SA

Salah Sharef‏(Founder)in

Co-investorsPartners for GrowthPartners for Growth (PFG)RAED VenturesVision VenturesBECO CapitalElm+1 more

TENDERDtenderd.comin𝕏

Tenderd provides AI-driven fleet and equipment management software for businesses to optimize operations and reduce environmental impact.

AI & Machine LearningConstruction TechEnergyEnterprise SoftwareIoTLogistics & Supply ChainDubai, AE

Arjun Mohan(Founder)in

Co-investorsCathexis VenturesDynamo VenturesJam FundY CombinatorACE & CompanyRainfall Ventures

Tribaltribal.credit

Huntsville, US

Rachael Marie Jackson(Executive Officer, Director)Richard Holloway(Director)Robert Thurber(Director)Lee Dannelly(Executive Officer, Director)David Kingsbury(Executive Officer, Director)Daniel Windham(Director)

Co-investorsAGE CryptoDigital Currency Group

Vezeetavezeeta.com

Dubai, AE

Amir Barsoum(Founder)

Co-investorsSilicon BadiaVNV GlobalSTV

Wahedwahed.com𝕏

Wahed provides professionally managed investment portfolios tailored to Shariah-compliant financial values, with low minimum investments starting at $100 and a focus on democratizing wealth-building for Muslim and values-aligned investors.

FintechMarketplacesPropTechSaaS

Zendazenda.comin

Zenda provides payment and transaction management solutions designed specifically for schools and families, simplifying fee collection and operational processes in the education sector.

EdTechFintechSaaSBengaluru, IN

Raman Thiagarajan(Investor, Board Member and Mentor)Haseeb Ahmed

Co-investorsVentureSouqSTV

بيزاتbayzat.comin𝕏

Bayzat provides an all-in-one HR platform covering core HR, payroll, finance, talent management, and health insurance benefits for businesses managing their workforce.

HR TechInsurTechSaaSDubai, AE

Tarek Bayaa(Founder)in

Co-investorsHub71Kube VCPartners for GrowthPartners for Growth (PFG)Point72 VenturesTech Invest Com+2 more

Exits · 2

IPOs and acquisitions across the tracked portfolio

MartiNYSE: MRTSWVLNASDAQ: SWVL

Portfolio news

latest coverage across their companies

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has COTU Ventures made?
COTU Ventures has 23 tracked investments, 3 of which have exited via acquisition or IPO.
What stage does COTU Ventures invest at?
COTU Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth stages.
What is COTU Ventures's typical check size?
COTU Ventures typically writes checks of $300K – $37M.
What sectors does COTU Ventures focus on?
COTU Ventures focuses on Fintech, SaaS, Sector Agnostic.
Does COTU Ventures lead rounds?
Yes, COTU Ventures leads investment rounds.
Who does COTU Ventures co-invest with?
COTU Ventures most often shares deals with Wamda Capital, Cedar Mundi Ventures, Partners for Growth, among 59 tracked co-investors.

Media · Podcasts & interviews

featuring the team

The Middle East Is Heating Up: Amir Farha of COTU Ventures Raised $54M To Invest In MENA Startups - YouTube

Foundersuite: Fundraising For Startups · Amir Farha

RCP #6 Raising the largest solo-GP fund in MENA, with Amir Farha [COTU Ventures] - YouTube

The Rally Cap Podcast · Amir Farha

"S5 Ep#4 Investing in people not companies with Amir Farha from COTU Ventures." - YouTube

DUCKLIFE · Amir Farha

Interview with Amir Farha, Founder - COTU Ventures on the sidelines of the Step Conference held in partnership with Dubai Internet City (DIC) | By Government of Dubai Media Office | Facebook

Amir Farha · facebook.com

Images

COTU Ventures photo

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