Saudi-Egyptian venture capital firm Edafa plans to invest $10 million in Egyptian startups in 2026, as it expands its presence across the MENA region. Edafa CEO Essam Aly Mostafa revealed that the firm has already invested about $8 million in Egypt over the past 18 months, supporting more than 20 startups.
Saudi-Egyptian venture capital firm Edafa announced plans to deploy $10 million in Egyptian startups in 2026, marking over 25% growth from the previous year. In an interview with Daily News Egypt on the sidelines of GITEX Egypt, CEO Essam Aly Mostafa explained that the firm had originally aimed for $13 million over the past 18 months but opted for a more selective approach to prioritize strategic opportunities.
Edafa manages a portfolio of 61 companies across markets including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, and Kuwait, blending capital with operational support. A recent investment is Shares, an Egyptian startup launched in 2025 that offers fractional real estate ownership starting from SAR 500; it is gearing up for expansion into Saudi Arabia, awaiting approvals from the Financial Regulatory Authority and the Capital Market Authority.
The firm typically takes equity stakes of 5% to 45%, using a KPI-based model that releases funds in tranches linked to performance milestones, with dedicated managers overseeing development. Edafa also eyes further expansion into Oman, Bahrain, Switzerland, Kenya, and the UAE to build a diversified regional platform.
“For this year, we are targeting around $10m in Egypt, representing growth of more than 25% compared to last year,” Mostafa said, highlighting Egypt's strong entrepreneurial talent and large consumer market as key factors.