Fundraising Fox
Pre-Seed–Series A · 6 people tracked
Also known as COTU
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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.
Team · 6 people
from the firm's website
Founder mafia
2 people who came through COTU Ventures went on to found or lead other companies.
What they invest in
from 36 of 48 portfolio companiesSaaS ×22Fintech ×12AI & Machine Learning ×11Enterprise Software ×9Logistics & Supply Chain ×7B2B Marketplaces ×6HR Tech ×6Marketplaces ×6
HQs:United Arab Emirates×12United States×6Egypt×4Saudi Arabia×3South Africa×2United Kingdom×1
Who they back
founder profiles across 14 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×62 founders×23 founders×44+ founders×2
Where their founders studiedfrom 14 founders with education data
KU Leuven ×3
What their founders studiedfrom 10 founders with field-of-study data
Computer Science ×6Business & Management ×3Economics ×2Finance & Accounting ×2
Investments · 48 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2025 · 22024 · 12022 · 36 dated
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
Kemal Kaya(Chief Executive Officer and Director)inDaniel Freifeld(President, Chief Investment Officer and Director)Michael Tanzer(Chief Financial Officer)Cenk Baspinar(Founder)Oğuz Alper Öktem(Founder)Sena Oktem(Founder)
Co-investorsAdapt VenturesAlleyCorpEBRD Venture Capital Investment ProgrammePartners for GrowthPartners for Growth (PFG)Wamda Capital+3 more
Swvl provides a mobility platform for managing transit and fleet operations.
Enterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainMobility & TransportationSaaSDubai, EG
Ahmed Sabbah(Interim Chief Financial Officer)inMostafa Kandil(Chief Executive Officer and Chairman)inAbdullah Mansour(Interim Chief Financial Officer)inGbenga Oyebode(Director)Bjorn von Sivers(Director)Steve Albrecht(Director)
Co-investorsArzan VCAutotech VenturesCapria VenturesCedar Mundi VenturesDASH VenturesRAED Ventures+6 more
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 PartnersZayn Venture Capital (Formally Zayn Capital)
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
Hassan F.(Founder)in
Co-investorsFoundation Ventures
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)inBrian Habibi(Founder)Talal Bayaa(Founder)
Co-investorsAmeeteeHub71Kube VCPartners for GrowthPartners for Growth (PFG)Point72 Ventures+5 more
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)inAbdulla Elyas(Founder)Abdullah Elyas(Founder)Magnus Olsson(Founder)Mudassir Sheikha(Founder)
Co-investorsArzan VCBling CapitalCedar Mundi VenturesCoatue ManagementDCM VenturesIris Capital+9 more
Cairo, EG
Haitham Nassar(Founder)Mohamed Tarek(Founder)Mostafa Barakat(Founder)
Co-investorsMSA NovoAccess Bridge Ventures
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)Thomas Freudiger(Business Operations Lead)Kaoutar Makrache(Payroll \u0026 Compliance Lead)Saeed Alajou(Operating Partner)
Co-investorsMaiora Rebel VenturesPICUS CAPITALY CombinatorAcadian Ventures Management, LlcAfore CapitalAllison Pickens Ventures+2 more
ChatFood is an omnichannel ordering and marketing platform for hospitality venues, acquired by Deliverect in 2023.
Co-investorsWamda CapitalAntlerBECO Capital
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-investorsimec.istartSpectrum EquityTechstarsAccompliceArthur Ventures
Duplays organizes recreational and amateur sports leagues, games, and events, connecting people who want to play team and individual sports.
ConsumerMarketplacesSports TechDubai, AE
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 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 VenturesFJ LabsMiddle East Venture Partners (MEVP)Partech VenturesTarget Global+1 more
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
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(Founder)inKhalid Ashmawy(Founder)inJad Antoun Khalid Ashmawy(Founder)
Co-investorsBalderton CapitalFifth WallFounders FundSequoia CapitalBreyer CapitalBY Venture Partners+6 more
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
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
Andres Arenas(Founder)Andy Arenas(Founder)Bader Ataya(Founder)Mohamad Ballout(Founder)Saman Darkan(Founder)
Co-investorsMSA NovoNext Legacy PartnersNordstarReshapeRise CapitalSoftBank Vision Fund+9 more
Manara provides bilingual upskilling and reskilling training for teams in MENA in AI, cloud, and digital skills, partnering with governments, foundations, and organizations.
AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingEdTechEnterprise SoftwareHR TechSan Francisco, US
Iliana Montauk(Founder)inLaila Abudahi(Founder)inIliana Montaukin
Co-investorsValia VenturesVentureSouqY CombinatorHarvard Management CompanyMentorsPhaze Ventures+4 more
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-MegharbelBelal El-Megharbel(Founder)Mohamed Ben Halim(Founder)
Co-investors4DX Ventures500 GlobalBECO CapitalEndure Capital
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
Mnzil provides worker accommodation, meals, and transportation services along with workforce management for companies employing labor.
Future of WorkHR TechPropTech
Abdulmajeed AlBabtain(Founder)Abdulrahman AlShaya(Founder)Majeed Albabtain(Founder)
Co-investorsWaad InvestmentFounders Fund
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)inAnisha Sekar(Founder)Mustafa Eid(Founder)
Co-investorsFirstCheck AfricaLoftyInc CapitalNuwa CapitalPreston-Werner VenturesTofino CapitalVentures Platform+8 more
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
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)inRenan Bourdeau(Co-founder)inRenan Bordeau(Founder)
Co-investorsFrancisco PartnersBECO CapitalGeneral AtlanticPermiraVNV GlobalVostok New Ventures
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 Hachach-Haram(Founder)inJonathan Lim(Director)inScott Huennekens(Director)in
BoardMohammed Shahzad Ahmed Malik(Director)
Co-investorsAdvent Life SciencesCapria VenturesCedar Mundi VenturesDraper AssociatesF-Prime CapitalQuesta Capital+6 more
Alex Epure(Founder)Alexander Epure(Founder)Mehrad Yaghmai(Founder)Usama Nini(Founder)
Co-investorsBDev VenturesColle Capital PartnersOraseya CapitalSalica InvestmentsPlus VCStage 2 Capital
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
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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 VenturesOraseya CapitalWamda Capital+6 more
Denver, US
James Gregory Barrow(Executive Officer, Director)Jake Bush(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Lorrie A. Mahoney(Executive Officer)
Co-investorsAMK Investment OfficeBECO CapitalBessemer Venture PartnersCoatue ManagementDST GlobalDurable Capital Partners+9 more
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 GroupBECO CapitalSanabil Investments
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)inAhmad AbdelHalim(Senior Software Engineer)Nayif Alhomoud(Product Manager)Fahad Alsuwailem(Business Development)Raida Aldosari(Business Development \u0026 Marketing)
Co-investorsY CombinatorBECO CapitalD Global VenturesFriends Family Capital
Stitch provides payment infrastructure enabling businesses to accept, send and manage online and in-person payments while offering consumers in South Africa financial management tools.
FintechSaaSSouth Africa, ZA
Mohamed Oueida(Founder & CEO)Kiaan Pillay(Founder)inJunaid Dadan(Founder)inNatalie Cuthbert(Founder)Nathan Naidoo(Founder)Priyen Pillay(Founder)
Co-investors500 GlobalCatalyze AdvisorsCRE Venture CapitalDigital Currency GroupExpansion CapitalFund I, a series of Africa FinTech Collective, LP+18 more
Stitch provides a unified platform enabling businesses to build, launch, and operate financial products using modular infrastructure that consolidates onboarding, KYC, ledgers, and transaction monitoring.
AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareFintechSaaSCape Town, ZA
Kiaan Pillay(Founder)inPriyen Pillay(Founder)in
Co-investorsArbor VenturesRAED VenturesAMK Investment OfficeAndreessen Horowitz
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 VenturesBECO CapitalGlobal Ventures
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
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)inRonnel Davis(Lead Engineer)Jakub Langr(CTO)inAshiq Muhammed(Lead Engineer)Bhargav Shah(Chief of Staff)Siddhartha Gunda(CTO)
Co-investorsCathexis VenturesDynamo VenturesJam FundRainfall VenturesSoma CapitalVentureSouq+19 more
Financial services and credit lines for startups and SMEs with blockchain-based cross-border payments.
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 CryptoCircle VenturesDigital Currency GroupRising TideBECO CapitalGlobal Ventures+1 more
Dubai, AE
Amir Barsoum(Founder)Ahmed Badr(Founder)
Co-investorsSilicon BadiaVNV GlobalVostok New VenturesBECO CapitalSTV
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
Mohsin SiddiquiinJunaid Wahedna(Founder)
Co-investorsBECO CapitalCue BallQatar Development Bank
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
Zenda is an all-in-one corporate wellness platform that uses AI to deliver hyper-personalized health and wellbeing programs for employees, including an AI wellness coach and an HR management dashboard with real-time indicators.
AI & Machine LearningHR TechWellness & Fitness
Co-investorsLotux VenturesGlobal Founders CapitalSTVVentureSouq
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
Dapi StartupEngleaseMznilOptima
Exits · 4
2 IPOs · 2 acquisitions · showing 2Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesStitch · finsmes.com · May 14, 2026
Sirdab · extruct.ai · Dec 5, 2025
Cercli · thesaasnews.com · Oct 22, 2025
Rekaz · thesaasnews.com · Jul 11, 2025
Huspy · finsmes.com · Jul 8, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has COTU Ventures made?
- COTU Ventures has 48 tracked investments, 4 of which have exited, including 2 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does COTU Ventures invest at?
- COTU Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
- What is COTU Ventures's typical check size?
- COTU Ventures typically writes checks of $150K – $2M.
- 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, Partners for Growth, RAED Ventures, among 74 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamThe 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
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