First close for Golden Gate Ventures MENA Fund
$20 million in commitments for Golden Gate Ventures MENA Fund I.
Africa Private Equity News’ Connect messaging service is now free. Directly message other private equity professionals in our community.
Download the free Africa Private Equity News app: Android | iOS (or search for it in the app store)
Tap on the top-right icon to log in or register a free account
Tap on bottom-right Connect icon to start chatting
Golden Gate Ventures, a venture capital fund founded by Silicon Valley natives, has landed $20 million in commitments for its first $100 million Middle East and North Africa (MENA) fund. Prominent Qatari investors in the fund include Al Khor Holding, the Al Attiya Group and Sheikh Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani.
The Golden Gate Ventures MENA Fund I is the first international venture capital fund to be established and managed within Qatar. Michael Lints, partner at Golden Gate Ventures, has moved to Qatar to deepen the firm’s MENA commitment.
“We are extremely honoured to partner with Al Khor Holding, Al Attiya Group and Sheikh Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani, on our inaugural fund in MENA,” said Vinnie Lauria, founding partner at Golden Gate Ventures. “Their collective impact in the region is invaluable and underscores Qatar’s commitment to the regional startup ecosystem. MENA is emerging as a growing innovation hub, with Qatar rising as a beacon of progress. The combination of a supportive government with progressive economic policies; a strong emphasis on diversification and innovation; a well-educated and diverse population; and a thriving entrepreneurial spirit positions Qatar for remarkable growth. This reminds me of the early days in Singapore in 2011, when Golden Gate Ventures set up ahead of all the VCs that followed soon after.”
* Subscribe to Africa Private Equity News’ monthly Dealmaker’s Log for a database of the reported investment deals, exits and fundraising closes. Click here for more information.