Investor Profile: Wamda Capital — Thesis, Cheque Size & How to Apply

For founders building in the Middle East and North Africa, Wamda Capital funding is one of the most founder-friendly routes to growth capital in the region. The Dubai-based venture capital firm backs entrepreneur-led technology companies across MENA — and unusually, it is led by someone who has actually built and listed a company himself: its chairman and managing partner, Fadi Ghandour, is the founder of logistics giant Aramex.

Wamda Capital funding: a founder-led thesis

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Dubai's Dubai Design District (d3), Wamda Capital runs what it calls a founder-led approach: every startup is evaluated through the lens of a fellow founder, with hands-on guidance on building companies that last. The firm operates as an Evergreen Fund, which means it prioritises patient, long-term capital over short-term gains — a structure designed to support founders through the full journey. It invests through two entities, 'Wamda Capital – Fund I' and 'Wamda Capital – Evergreen', across a diverse portfolio of innovation-led companies.

Cheque size, portfolio and recent deals

Wamda Capital has invested in over 100 companies, with a track record that reads like a history of MENA tech: Maktoub, Souq, Yemeksepeti, Careem (acquired by Uber for $3.1 billion) and Mumzworld. Its current portfolio spans fintech, gaming, logistics and AI — including Tamatem Games, Ziina, Holo, Penny Software, RemotePass, Insider, Hala, Wafeq, qeen.ai, ClearGrid and Breez AI. Recent activity is brisk: the firm led Breez AI's $1.3 million pre-seed round in January 2026, participated in RemotePass's $17.4 million Series B in May 2026, backed HALA's $157 million Series B in September 2025, and joined Tarjama's $15 million Series A in May 2025. The firm does not publish its fund size or standard ticket range — cheque sizes are not publicly disclosed — though MENA ecosystem directories describe a growth-capital fund of around US$75 million (unconfirmed by the firm). It invests from seed through Series B.

Network, media platform and team

Beyond capital, Wamda offers one of the region's strongest founder networks, anchored by the Wamda media and community platform, which keeps portfolio companies plugged into ecosystem news, talent and follow-on investors. The investment team includes Daniel dos Reis (Investment Director) and Varun Sharma (Investment Associate), alongside founder-chairman Ghandour.

How to apply for funding

Wamda Capital does not run an open rolling application portal, so how to get funding from Wamda Capital is straightforward: founders reach the investment team through the contact form on wamdacapital.com, and warm introductions — ideally via portfolio founders or the wider Wamda network — carry real weight. Come with traction in MENA and a clear sense of how patient capital helps you build an enduring business.