What do MENA venture capitalists look for when funding start-ups?

What do MENA venture capitalists look for when funding start-ups?

For start-ups and entrepreneurs attending the 7th annual Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF), the insights regarding what venture capitalists (VCs) look for in emerging businesses provided a treasure trove of actionable knowledge. Through various panel discussions and talks with world-renowned industry leaders, light was cast on the path to successful funding, providing expert advice on how to secure capital as well as the need for guidance, mentorship, and strategic partnerships.

Start-ups should focus not just on presenting innovative solutions but on demonstrating a clear market need, an expert said at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) on Monday.

Walid Mansour, with a history woven through the dot-com boom, the rise of telecoms, and the digital age of AI, imparted invaluable advice for start-ups at different stages of growth at a session titled “Intent to Investment: What are VCs Looking For?” His perspective, shaped by witnessing transformative technological shifts, resonates with start-ups navigating the rapidly evolving industry.

For those seeking funding, Mansour’s advice is clear: “As VCs, we need to provide proper guidance to ensure that our investments have the best chance of succeeding. We invest in companies that either create an opportunity or solve an existing problem.” His emphasis on guidance echoes the need for