Investor Profile: Jada Fund of Funds — Thesis, Cheque Size & How to Apply

Jada funding works differently from a conventional venture fund: Jada Fund of Funds is a Saudi fund of funds established in 2018 by PIF with SAR 4 billion (about US$1 billion) of capital. Its mandate: build a thriving private-equity and venture-capital ecosystem financing Saudi SME growth — a key Vision 2030 component. Jada does not invest directly in startups; it invests in the VC and PE funds that do.

Thesis & focus

Jada partners with Saudi-focused VC and PE funds committed to international best-practice governance, aiming to raise SME contribution to GDP and create jobs. CEO Bandr Alhomaly has said that for every dollar Jada invests, foreign investors commit three — six counting all investors. The homepage reports 47 portfolio funds, SAR 1.1B deployed, SAR 3.5B in commitments, 700+ SMEs supported and 19,000+ jobs created.

Sectors & stages

Asset classes cover venture capital, private equity and, increasingly, private debt and private credit. At portfolio level Jada is sector-agnostic — underlying funds span fintech, logistics, proptech, edtech, healthcare, industrials, education, consumer, business services and manufacturing — with stages from early-stage venture to mature-company private equity.

Fund size & cheque size

The fund of funds was capitalised at SAR 4 billion (about US$1 billion) by PIF at inception in 2018. As a fund of funds, Jada commits to fund managers, not startups — think of it as capital one level up.

Notable portfolio

Backed fund managers include Iliad Partners Tech Ventures Fund I, Investcorp's Saudi Pre-IPO Growth Fund, Aliph Capital Fund I, OB–iMENA Rua Growth Fund I, Beco Capital, Global Ventures, Shorooq Partners, Nuwa Ventures, Ruya Partners, Partners for Growth VII and Stride Ventures (its first LP commitment to an India-headquartered manager's GCC fund).

Key people

Bandr Alhomaly — CEO and Managing Director of Jada, previously Alternate Executive Director at the IMF and a leader at the Saudi Capital Market Authority. Sulaiman Alkhushi is Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer.

Programs, credits & perks

The flagship Emerging Manager Program develops Saudi-focused VC, PE and private-debt managers through courses, mentorship and ecosystem access — applications via the site. Jada also publishes research (a VC valuation-in-MENA study with INSEAD) and convenes roundtables, including its SuperReturn Saudi Arabia partnership.

How to apply for funding

For founders asking how to get funding from Jada Fund of Funds: you can't — Jada's FAQ states it "does not directly invest in any startups." The founder route is to pitch one of its 47 portfolio funds. For fund managers, the actual route is the Fund Submission Form on jada.com.sa, after reviewing the published criteria: supporting Saudi SMEs, developing the private-capital landscape, strong discipline and risk management, and international best practice. Jada will never appear on a list of angel investors in india — its portfolio funds are the practical door in.