Nuwa Capital: Comprehensive Company Profile
Background
Overview
Nuwa Capital is a Dubai and Riyadh-based venture capital firm established in February 2020. The firm focuses on early-stage investments in technology and healthcare sectors across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with a particular emphasis on Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Nuwa Capital aims to redefine the relationship between founders and capital by providing a progressive, founder-centric approach to investing in emerging markets.
Mission and Vision
Nuwa Capital's mission is to support exceptional founders and entrepreneurs operating in sectors such as Direct-to-Consumer (DTC), Software as a Service (SaaS), FinTech, mobility, and logistics. The firm envisions fostering innovation and economic diversification in the MENA region by investing in high-impact sectors that present significant opportunities for growth.
Industry Significance
Since its inception, Nuwa Capital has rapidly built a robust portfolio, investing in over 30 companies across seven different countries within the MENA region. The firm's inaugural fund, Nuwa Capital Fund I, successfully closed at $75 million in February 2023, surpassing its initial target of $50 million.
Key Strategic Focus
Core Objectives
Nuwa Capital aims to support early-stage startups by providing capital, strategic guidance, and access to a network of investors to facilitate growth and scaling efforts. The firm emphasizes a founder-centric approach, offering mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and hands-on assistance in areas like product development and fundraising.
Areas of Specialization
The firm specializes in sectors such as Direct-to-Consumer (DTC), Software as a Service (SaaS), FinTech, mobility, and logistics. Nuwa Capital focuses on early-stage investments, particularly in Seed, Pre-Series A, and Series A funding rounds. Their typical first cheque size ranges from $250,000 up to $5 million, providing significant capital for nascent ventures to scale their operations and expand their market reach.
Key Technologies Utilized
Nuwa Capital leverages its extensive network of seasoned entrepreneurs and operational partners to provide strategic and operational support to its portfolio companies. This network includes founders behind some of the region’s most successful exits, such as Hosam Arab (Tabby), Nour Al Hassan (Tarjama), Hussam Khoury (Maktoob), and Samih Toukan (Souq).
Primary Markets Targeted
The firm's primary focus is on the MENA region, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as East Africa, Pakistan, and Turkey. Nuwa Capital aims to support startups addressing significant challenges and opportunities prevalent across these regions.
Financials and Funding
Funding History
Nuwa Capital's inaugural fund, Nuwa Ventures Fund I, closed at $75 million in February 2023, surpassing its initial target of $50 million. The firm aims to reach a final close of $100 million within the year.
Recent Funding Rounds
In November 2025, Nuwa Capital led a strategic investment round in GoWit, a leading AdTech company in connected commerce and retail media. The investment aims to expand GoWit's AI-powered commerce and retail media network across the EMEA region.
Notable Investors
Nuwa Capital's limited partners include a mix of corporates, family offices, and funds of funds from the region. Saudi conglomerate Al Faisaliah Group joined as the anchor investor, providing significant support to the firm's investment initiatives.
Utilization of Capital
The capital raised is primarily utilized to support early-stage startups in the MENA region, focusing on sectors such as DTC, SaaS, FinTech, mobility, and logistics. Nuwa Capital provides both financial support and strategic guidance to its portfolio companies, leveraging its network to facilitate growth and scaling efforts.
Pipeline Development
Key Pipeline Candidates
Nuwa Capital has invested in several notable companies, including:
- Eyewa: A leading online eyewear retailer in the MENA region.
- Homzmart: An online furniture marketplace disrupting traditional supply chains in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
- FlexxPay: A financial wellness platform.
- GoWit: An AdTech company in connected commerce and retail media.
Stages of Development
Nuwa Capital focuses on early-stage investments, particularly in Seed, Pre-Series A, and Series A funding rounds. The firm provides significant capital to nascent ventures, with typical first cheque sizes ranging from $250,000 up to $5 million.
Target Conditions
The firm targets startups addressing significant challenges and opportunities in sectors such as DTC, SaaS, FinTech, mobility, and logistics within the MENA region, East Africa, Pakistan, and Turkey.
Anticipated Milestones
Nuwa Capital aims to reach a final close of $100 million for its inaugural fund within the year. The firm continues to actively seek and invest in high-potential startups across its target regions.
Technological Platform and Innovation
Proprietary Technologies
Nuwa Capital leverages its extensive network of seasoned entrepreneurs and operational partners to provide strategic and operational support to its portfolio companies. This network includes founders behind some of the region’s most successful exits, such as Hosam Arab (Tabby), Nour Al Hassan (Tarjama), Hussam Khoury (Maktoob), and Samih Toukan (Souq).
Significant Scientific Methods
Nuwa Capital employs a founder-centric approach, offering mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and hands-on assistance in areas like product development and fundraising. The firm emphasizes a value creation framework, connecting its investors and limited partners, particularly corporate investors, with startups that are effecting change in their respective industries.
AI-Driven Capabilities
While specific AI-driven capabilities are not detailed in the available information, Nuwa Capital's investment in companies like GoWit, which focuses on AI-powered commerce and retail media, indicates an interest in supporting innovative technologies within its portfolio.
Leadership Team
Khaled Talhouni: Managing Partner
- Professional Background: Former Managing Partner at Wamda Capital, with experience in leading investments in companies like Careem, Mumzworld, Twiga Foods, Insider, and Nana Direct.
- Contributions: Co-founded Nuwa Capital in 2020, focusing on redefining the relationship between founders and capital in emerging markets.
Sarah Abu Risheh: Partner
- Professional Background: Extensive experience in venture capital and startup ecosystems, with a focus on supporting early-stage companies in the MENA region.
- Contributions: Co-founded Nuwa Capital, emphasizing a founder-centric approach to investing in emerging markets.
Stephanie Nour Prince: Partner, Network and Operations
- Professional Background: Background in operations and network development within the venture capital space.
- Contributions: Co-founded Nuwa Capital, focusing on building a network of operational experts to support portfolio companies.
Leadership Changes
No significant leadership changes or appointments have been reported in the available information.
Competitor Profile
Market Insights and Dynamics
The MENA region has witnessed explosive growth in its startup ecosystem, with a rapidly increasing number of startups and supporting stakeholders entering the market. While capital is becoming more available, support for entrepreneurs addressing regional challenges remains limited.
Competitor Analysis
Nuwa Capital operates in a competitive landscape with several other venture capital firms targeting the MENA region.
