VC React Podcast (E25): Six new funds! The Rise of ConstructTech, Startups Too Large For Acquisition

VC React Podcast:

Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, VCs, and investment rounds. Stay tuned for: expert analysis, independent opinions, and maybe some heated conversations!

Hosts:

• Ahmad Takatkah, VCpreneur.
  Sign up to VCpreneur Newsletter on https://www.vcpreneur.com/

• Jamie Lane, FWDstart.
  Sign up to FWDstart Newsletter on https://www.fwdstart.me/

Available on:

• Youtube: VC React Podcast

• Spotify: VC React Podcast

• Apple: VC React Podcast

• Amazon: VC React Podcast

Guests:

1. Abe Seksek, an angel investor and host of the ABEZ Show
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abeseksek/
- Website: https://www.abezshow.com/

2. Tara Arnaout, Principal @ BY Venture Partners
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-arnaout-305035b7/
- VC Firm Website: https://www.byvp.com/

3. Walied Albasheer, Managing Partner @ Intuitio Ventures
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waliedalbasheer/
- VC Firm Website: https://intuitio.vc/

In Today's Episode:

News of the week brought to you by FWDstart:

• Saudi-based BNPL Tabby has raised $160 million in a Series E round at a $3.3 billion valuation, becoming MENA’s most valuable fintech company. Summary: Saudi-based BNPL Tabby has raised $160 million in a Series E round at a $3.3 billion valuation, becoming MENA’s most valuable fintech company. The round was led by existing investors Blue Pool Capital and Hassana Investment Company and drew additional participation from STV and Wellington Management. This follows a $200 million Series D round announced in October 2023. Since the last funding round in October 2023, the financial services app has almost doubled its annualised transaction volumes to over $10 billion while growing profitability.

• Buildnow Secures $10M Funding, Launches $80M Infrastructure Fund. Joa Capital has launched a new $80 million investment fund in partnership with Buildnow Trading, targeting the construction sector.

• BRKZ, a Riyadh-based construction tech startup founded by Ibrahim Manna, has secured $9 million ($8 million in equity and $1 million in debt), bringing its total Series A funding to $17 million as investors double down. Existing investors, including BECO Capital, Wa'ed Ventures, 9900 Capital, Better Tomorrow Ventures, RZM Investment, Class 5 Global, MISY Ventures, Knollwood Investment Advisory, and Fluent Ventures, re-participated in this round, along with $1 million in venture debt from Capifly.

• Suhail Ventures Launches $50 Million Investment Fund for Startups Summary: Suhail Ventures has announced the launch of its $50 million investment fund at LEAP 2025, aimed at supporting early-stage startups across Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. The fund will back businesses from pre-seed to Series A, with a focus on fintech, insurtech, logistics, and artificial intelligence. As its first investment, Suhail Ventures participated in a SAR 42 million ($11m) Series A round for Saudi logistics startup Torod, alongside Wa’ed Ventures, Elm, Impact 46, Hala Ventures, and others. Founded in 2021 by Ammar Al-Mutawa and Faisal Al-Mukhlis, Torod provides an integrated shipping and returns management platform for e-commerce store owners.

• Other Fund Announcements:

  • Ula Capital, a data-driven venture capital firm, launched a USD 75 million fund. The fund is dedicated to investing in deep-tech including healthcare, climate and AI. It is aiming to support technical innovation in the Kingdom and the region.

  • HGM launched a USD 300 million investment fund specializing in gaming. The fund aims to attract game developers to Saudi as well as develop and distribute games locally and globally. This comes amid the growing importance of e-sports in Saudi, which has been recently hosting major international tournaments.

  • The National Technology Development Program (NTDP) launched accelerators and funds worth USD 150 million. Its aim is to foster innovation in the IT sector and support tech startups in Saudi Arabia. Sharaka Financial announced the launch of its USD 30 million investment fund to support startups in the MENA region.

  • Orbit Startups also announced the launch of a USD 60 million accelerator in collaboration with Sanabil Investments, aiming to invest in early stage tech startups.

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