COREangels MEA has officially launched a $10 million investment fund aimed at empowering early-stage tech startups across the Middle East and Africa (MEA). The announcement was made during the firm’s 5th Investment Committee gathering held in Cairo, reflecting a growing regional appetite for impact-driven innovation. The fund targets high-potential startups advancing financial inclusion and sustainable development, with a special emphasis on fintech as a foundational driver for inclusive economic growth.
Backing Purpose-Driven Startups Across the Region
The newly launched fund is a collaborative effort between COREangels MEA, PTS Holdings, and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AAST). The initiative represents a hybrid model that blends global angel investor networks with local market expertise and operational development through Kemtix Ventures, the innovation arm of PTS. COREangels MEA aims to invest in companies that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on impact and scalability.
Spotlight on Five Standout Fintech Startups
Out of over 1,000 applicants, five fintech startups have been selected to receive up to $150,000 in funding, alongside strategic and technical support. These include eMaisha Pay from Uganda, which offers savings and microloan solutions to farmers; RentBeta, a platform streamlining rent payments in East Africa; Aqua Offers from Egypt, which provides AI-powered loyalty programs; Monak, serving migrant communities across MENA with bundled financial services; and Reeple from Nigeria, simplifying international payments for freelancers. All selected startups underwent rigorous operational assessments by Kemtix Ventures to ensure they are investment-ready and mission-aligned.
A Platform for Regional and Cross-Border Investment Collaboration
The Cairo event hosted by AAST’s Entrepreneurship Center created a forum for global and regional investors to engage with emerging founders. Led by Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghafar, the academy served as a platform to reinforce institutional collaboration and foster youth-led entrepreneurship. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between AAST and PTS Holdings to further deepen joint efforts in supporting early-stage innovation across academic and venture ecosystems.
Building a Holistic Ecosystem for Startup Growth
Maha Mandour, Chairperson of PTS Holdings and Co-Founder of COREangels MEA, emphasized the fund’s commitment to building a comprehensive ecosystem rather than offering capital alone. Through Kemtix Ventures, startups gain access not only to funding but also business strategy guidance, technical tools, and market-expansion support. This hybrid approach is designed to de-risk early-stage investment while accelerating regional innovation that can scale across borders.
Fintech Positioned as Catalyst for Inclusive Growth
This year’s committee theme, “Fintech as the Foundation for Inclusive Growth,” echoes projections that MEA’s fintech sector will surpass $100 billion by 2028. The selected startups reflect core focus areas including embedded finance, digital payments, inclusive lending, and financial access infrastructure. COREangels MEA is steering capital into ventures with the potential to make financial services more accessible and equitable, particularly in underserved communities.
Regional Leaders Unite to Champion Innovation
The committee brought together visionary investors, fund managers, and innovators from across the MEA region—including Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Jordan, and the UAE. The presence of Rui Falcão, President of COREangels International, underscored the global importance of connecting frontier markets with smart capital. His remarks reinforced COREangels MEA’s role as a trusted bridge linking emerging market potential with global investment communities.
COREangels MEA’s fund launch signifies more than a financial milestone—it represents a shift toward intentional, impact-focused investing in MEA’s innovation landscape. With its blend of capital, capability, and community, the fund is positioned to shape a new era of sustainable entrepreneurship in the region. As Mandour highlighted, COREangels MEA is about more than money—it’s about partnerships that create lasting value and drive transformative change.