Early-stage investing across the Middle East has matured considerably over the past decade. From dedicated angel groups in the Gulf coordinating structured deal flow, to founder-led syndicates in the Levant supporting pre-seed startups, to emerging networks across the region building bridges between diaspora capital and local entrepreneurs, a diverse infrastructure of angel investing has taken shape.
This article maps the active angel investment networks operating across the Middle East, excluding Turkey, Egypt, Iran, and Israel. The landscape covered here spans eleven markets and fifty active networks, with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia hosting the largest concentrations of organized angel activity.
Angel networks remain a critical component of the funding stack for early-stage companies in the region. They provide not only capital but also mentorship, market access, and follow-on connections to institutional venture capital. Understanding where these networks are based, how they operate, and what stage of development they have reached offers useful context for founders, investors, and ecosystem stakeholders alike.
Methodology
For the purposes of this mapping, an angel network is defined as an organized group of individual angel investors that coordinates deal sourcing, due diligence, and capital deployment into early-stage companies. This includes formal networks with structured membership, syndicates that operate around specific deals or lead investors, and community-based groups that facilitate recurring investment activity.
For the purposes of this analysis, an angel network was considered active if there was verifiable evidence of activity within the past two years. Evidence of activity included publicly disclosed investments, published deal announcements, event participation, official updates, or other credible indications of ongoing operations. Networks with no verifiable activity during this period were excluded from the mapping.
The Middle East's angel investing ecosystem remains complex and somewhat opaque. Reporting standards vary significantly across markets, and not all networks publicly disclose their investment activity. Some operate informally or through private channels, making comprehensive tracking difficult. This mapping represents our best assessment based on publicly available information and should be read as a snapshot rather than a complete census.
Networks are categorized according to the primary startup ecosystem in which they operate and invest. This assessment is based on publicly available evidence, including investment activity, events, partnerships, founder engagement, and network communications. Where a network operates across multiple markets, it is listed under the ecosystem that appears most central to its current operations and investment activity.
This list was assembled through systematic review of network websites, social media presence, press releases, and established startup intelligence sources.
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates hosts the largest concentration of angel networks in the mapped region, with nineteen active groups operating primarily from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The country's position as a regional business hub, its favorable regulatory environment for investment entities, and its growing startup ecosystem have made it a natural base for angel investors serving both local and broader Middle Eastern markets.
2022 Female Angels
Founded in Dubai in 2022, 2022 Female Angels is a volunteer-led movement launched by Nabta Health founder Sophie Smith, with support from MENAbytes. It was created to identify and activate 2,022 female angel investors across MENA, expanding women’s role in early-stage finance. The network runs investor education sessions, pitch events, and connections between aspiring angels and startup founders.
Angel Network Middle East
Launched in 2017 as an informal WhatsApp community, Angel Network Middle East, or ANME, brings together angels across the Middle East and other markets to evaluate and support startups. Members invest individually in sector-agnostic, technology-enabled companies and provide mentoring, introductions, and corporate matchmaking. ANME’s website records investments in Othor.ai and Datatune.ai during 2025.
AngelsDeck Global Ventures
Founded in Dubai in 2020, AngelsDeck Global Ventures is an investor club led by CEO and co-founder Igor Kaloshin. It gives members access to syndicated deals and its AngelsDeck Start Fund, investing from seed through later-stage growth and secondary opportunities. The network reports more than 300 members, and its portfolio includes Turing, Vochi, GPU Audio, and UAE digital-receipt platform Receiptable.
AngelSpark
AngelSpark is an angel network that invests from $100,000 and leads larger syndicates for early-stage founders globally. Prashant K. Gulati is a founding board member, while General Manager Mayank B. Varyani leads operations and investment activity. The network holds monthly pitch nights, where selected founders receive decisions within 24 hours.
ConsultantsInvest
Founded in Dubai in 2025 by Saadallah Sarkis, ConsultantsInvest is a private, invitation-only angel network for current and former consultants across MENA. Members co-invest in curated private-market opportunities through third-party SPVs. The network reports facilitating more than $1 million in pilot investments, including an investment in edutainment platform Maharat, and focuses on ventures led by consultants.
Dubai Angel Investors
Founded in Dubai in 2016 by Mohamed ElSayad, Kushal Shah, Tarek Amin, and Abdullah Mutawi, Dubai Angel Investors is a member-led angel investment group with more than 100 investors. It backs technology-enabled startups at Seed and Series A, primarily in MENA. The group typically deploys $100,000 to $250,000 and supports portfolio companies with mentoring and market access.
Emirates Angel Investors Association
Founded in 2020 by a group of young UAE investors, Emirates Angels Investors Association is a nonprofit that connects angel investors with early-stage founders through investment opportunities, training, coaching, and mentorship. Chairman Masaood Rahma Al Masaood leads the network. In 2024, it partnered with Inovartic Investments to support AI startups and sustainable innovation.
Falcon Network
Founded in Dubai in 2018, Falcon Network is an impact-focused angel investment network co-founded by Dr. Sayd Farook. Its approximately 50 angels review ventures across high-growth Asian and African markets, selecting companies through screening and pitch-day processes. Members commit at least $50,000 over two years. Its portfolio includes Arogga, Hubpay, iFarmer, Jatri, Saaya Health, and Teacherly.
Falcon Valley
Based in Abu Dhabi, Falcon Valley is an invitation-only angel club for seasoned investors backing disruptive Seed and Series A startups. Co-founder Christophe Lalo works alongside Gerald Toledano, Alex Mitchell, Jean-Noël Tierce, Alan O’Donnell, and Stephan Heller. The network provides members with curated opportunities from Hub71 and regional startups, while Hub71’s Angel Investor Support Package helps formalize investment operations.
FemNation.io
Founded in Abu Dhabi in 2023, FemNation.io is a women-led angel investment syndicate serving MENAP and South Asia. It aims to equip women across the GCC to become active angels through education, mentoring, workshops, and curated deal flow, while backing scalable female-led businesses. It was co-founded by Katerina Hayes, alongside founding member Dr. Nihal El Mokdad.
Jakku
Based in Abu Dhabi, Jakku is a founder-led angel network headed by founder and CEO Jaime G. Banon. It brings together entrepreneurs from the Hub71 community who have built or led high-growth businesses across MENA and beyond. Jakku takes a sector-agnostic approach and, after joining Hub71’s Angel Investor Support Package in 2026, is preparing its first investment in a Hub71 startup.
Keiretsu Forum MENA
Launched in Q1 2024, Keiretsu Forum MENA is the Dubai-based regional chapter of the global Keiretsu Forum, founded in California in 2000. Led by Chapter President Mahmood Jassim, it connects accredited investors, family offices, VCs, and corporates with sector-agnostic startups. In June 2026, it partnered with FinBursa to digitise deal management and investor engagement.
Pin Invest
Pin Invest is a Dubai-based private investor network led by partners Ghassan Oueida and Gry Loseth. It invests in early-stage, high-growth companies, mainly across MENA, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa, through deal-specific vehicles alongside co-investors and VCs. Its partners have invested together since 2017, and its portfolio includes FlexxPay, Lori, Affinity, and Aza Finance.
SandstormVC
Based in Dubai, SandstormVC is a private angel syndicate started by investor and operator Camillo Schobesberger. Its 20-plus members back global, early-stage B2B technology companies, with experience across SaaS, fintech, healthtech, and Industry 4.0. The group typically invests $50,000 to $500,000 in equity or convertible instruments. Its public portfolio includes Modeliks, CRQLAR, ZeroWatt Homes, and EsoCap.
Sharjah Business Angels Network
Launched in 2022 by Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, Sharjah Business Angels Network is a member-based community connecting investors with early-stage, technology-driven startups. It combines investor education on legal frameworks and portfolio development with curated local and international MENA deal flow, pitch sessions, and co-investment opportunities for startups seeking capital and strategic guidance.
Spade Ventures
Founded in Dubai in 2019 by entrepreneur and investor Loulou Khazen, Spade Ventures is an angel syndicate, not a conventional VC fund. Each investor selects individual deals, investing through UK special-purpose vehicles. It backs early-stage technology startups across MENAP, deploying $500,000 to $2 million per deal. Its disclosed portfolio includes HyperPay, Baly, Kaso, Replit, and Databricks.
Truffl ventures
Founded in Dubai in 2023 by Rupert Searle, Truffl Ventures is an angel investor syndicate for entrepreneurs, operators, and investors. It selectively backs early-stage technology companies, particularly in financial services, across Europe and the Middle East. The network has more than 50 angels and reports over $3 million invested, with portfolio companies including Incard, Liquidity Jobs, Profezo, and moneysavingexpat.
UAE Angels Capital Investment
Founded in Abu Dhabi in 2018, UAE Angels Capital Investment is an Emirati-owned angel group led by founder and chairman Dr. Sultan Hussain Karmostaji and co-founder and CEO Dr. Abdulhannan Kareem. It focuses on high-growth seed and early-stage startups, pairing investment with advisory, capital-raising, and business-development support. The network joined Hub71’s Angel Investor Support Package in 2024.
Vastly Valuable Ventures
Founded in 2021 by Abu Dhabi-based investor Ali Rampurwala, Vastly Valuable Ventures is an AngelList syndicate rather than a conventional membership network. Investors can opt in or out of individual deals, while Rampurwala targets sector-agnostic Pre-Seed to Series A companies with defensible ideas in large markets. In June 2026, it participated in CreditChek’s $600,000 funding round alongside Janngo Capital, Assembly Investors, and Unipeg Capital.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is home to fourteen active angel networks, making it the second-largest market for organized angel investing in the mapped region. The expansion aligns with Vision 2030's emphasis on diversifying the economy and fostering entrepreneurship. Networks span Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, and other cities, reflecting the geographic breadth of the Kingdom's startup ecosystem.
Black Iris Angel Network
Launched in Riyadh in December 2025, Black Iris Angel Network, also known as Bayan, is a specialist angel group created by Q Fund and New Whys. Led by Q Fund CEO Lewa Abukhait and New Whys Managing Partner Hani Thalji, it offers curated deal flow, investment workshops, and mentorship.
Doroob Angels
Founded in Riyadh in 2023, Doroob Angels is a Saudi angel investing community that uses a digital, data-led platform to connect vetted investors with entrepreneurs. The network reports more than 150 active members, over 100 events, and has participated in multiple structured investment rounds. Its partner group includes Majid Alkabeer, Abdulaziz Alobaid, and Faisal Al Abdulsalam.
Falak Angels
Founded in Riyadh in 2019, Falak Angels is a licensed angel network developed by Falak Investment Hub to connect investors with screened pre-seed to post-seed technology startups across MENA. It runs monthly Deal Days, syndicate opportunities, and investor education, with access to Saudi Venture Capital’s co-investment matching programme. Its alumni include Stake and WeDeliver.
Games Angel Syndicate
Games Angel Syndicate is a games-focused angel syndicate that gives members early access to global startup opportunities. Co-founder and Managing Partner Kay Gruenwoldt helps lead the group, whose members choose individual deals rather than investing through a pooled fund. It supports gaming founders with early-stage capital, advice, and mentorship, and participated in Layer AI’s $1.8 million seed round in 2023.
Investors Mine
Founded in 2021 by BIM Ventures partner Ahmed Mirghani, Investors Mine is a Saudi angel network that connects early-stage startups with vetted investors through its digital platform. It reports more than 150 investors, over SAR100 million invested, and 25 investment rounds across more than 20 startups. Its disclosed deals include fintech CASHIN, fitness platform Rumbl, and proptech AtarCloud.
Jeddah Angels
Launched in Jeddah in January 2025 by Falak Angels and Cedge, Jeddah Angels is a member-based angel network serving Saudi Arabia’s western region. It connects investors with screened, technology-enabled, post-MVP startups headquartered in MENA, offering syndicate opportunities, due diligence support, and regular pitch events. Members are expected to deploy at least SAR 100,000 annually and provide mentorship and market access.
Madinah Angels
Launched in Al Madinah Al Munawwarah in 2025, Madinah Angels is an angel network established by Value Makers Studio, Al Madinah Chamber, and Numu Angels. It connects early-stage founders with capital, mentoring, and strategic partnerships. VMS founder Motaz Abuonq and Numu Angels founder Fahad Almansour are key figures behind it. Its launch event showcased local startups to potential investors.
Numu Angels
Founded in Riyadh in 2023, Numu Angels is a Saudi angel-investment ecosystem led by CEO Fahad Almansour and co-founder Majed Al Rasheed. Its network connects investors with early-stage Saudi technology startups through co-investment, due diligence, and portfolio-monitoring tools. Numu also runs an academy for investor education. It led Vreal’s pre-seed round in January 2025.
OQAL Angel Investors Network
Founded in Riyadh in 2011 by Faris Al Rashed, OQAL Angel Investors Network is Saudi Arabia’s first organised angel-investment community. Its individual members collaborate on syndicated investments in scalable, innovative startups from Seed to Series A, pairing equity capital with board-level advice and market access. OQAL participated in Bahrain-based live-commerce platform Siin’s $3 million seed round in May 2026.
Riyadh Angel Investors
Founded in Riyadh in 2019, Riyadh Angel Investors is an angel network that reports more than 50 members from Saudi Arabia’s corporate sector. It backs Seed and early-stage, technology-enabled ventures across MENA, particularly companies with a minimum viable product and potential to disrupt established industries. Founding member and treasurer Mohammed Alarifi is part of its leadership team. Members provide capital, mentoring, business advice, and market access.
SANA Angels
Launched in Al Ahsa in October 2024, SANA Angels, formally Al Ahsa Angel Investors, is an angel-investor group operating under SANA Business Development Center. It connects individual investors with early-stage startups through investment opportunities, startup-evaluation training, committee screening, investor presentations, and investment rounds for selected ventures.
Saudi Angel Investors
Founded in Abu Dhabi’s ADGM in October 2020, Saudi Angel Investors is an angel investor syndicate established by 60 investors, including co-founders Abdullah Mutawi and Kushal Shah. It backs Seed and Series A technology companies with customer traction and high-growth potential across Saudi Arabia and MENA, typically investing $50,000 to $150,000. Members also provide mentoring, introductions, and follow-on support.
Tawaref
Founded in Saudi Arabia in 2020 by Saeed Al-Ansari, Tawaref is a private angel syndicate platform that connects qualified angels and institutional investors with curated, early-stage technology startups across MENAP. It provides screening, due diligence, fundraising, and SPV support, alongside Saudi market-entry services. In October 2024, it acquired Amaana.ai to add AI-driven company-formation and compliance capabilities.
Women Spark – powered by Playbook
Based in Riyadh, Women Spark is a Saudi women-led angel investment network founded by Deemah AlYahya and acquired by Playbook in February 2024. It connects women investors with early-stage, women-led startups through investor education, curated deal flow, and demo days. Within Playbook, Women Spark serves as the investment-focused community for members seeking startup opportunities and angel-investing support.
Qatar
Qatar has four active angel networks, reflecting the country's growing interest in entrepreneurship and venture investing. These networks support startups in Qatar and the broader Gulf region, contributing to the country's diversification efforts beyond hydrocarbons.
360 Nautica
Based in Qatar, 360 Nautica is a venture builder and ecosystem enabler that also operates a member network for angel investors. Founded by Dr. Tejinder Singh and Aarti Mahajan, it provides deal flow, due-diligence resources, investment management, and reporting. Members can participate in sourcing, screening, and evaluating opportunities while supporting portfolio companies through mentorship and board representation.
Business Angels of Qatar
Launched in Doha in 2025, Business Angels of Qatar is an angel-investor network led by Qatar Development Bank and Qatar Finance and Business Academy with support from EBAN. Marcel Dridje and Jacopo Losso helped lead the launch effort. The network trains investors, builds curated deal flow, and aims to syndicate early-stage investments with local and regional partners.
Doha Tech Angels
Founded in Doha in 2018, Doha Tech Angels is a private angel investment club established by 15 founding partners, including Dr Hessa Al Jaber and Dr Nasser Marafih. It backs high-growth, technology-driven ventures from Seed to Series A that have demonstrated customer traction. Its portfolio includes Droobi Health, Unipal, and Polymerize, while partners contribute capital, mentorship, strategic guidance, and connections.
Finjan Investments
Founded in Lusail in 2025, Finjan Investments, operating as Finjan VC, is an angel investor group that connects members with curated Pre-Seed to Series A opportunities in Qatar and MENA. Founding Partner Abdulla AlKhenji is part of its leadership. Members receive investment education, deal flow, and mentoring. In February 2026, Finjan participated in SkipCash’s $4 million Series A round.
Palestine
Palestine has three active angel networks that support early-stage startups despite the challenging operating environment. These networks play a crucial role in channeling diaspora capital and local resources to Palestinian founders.
Al-Khalil Angel Club
Al-Khalil Angel Club is a Palestinian angel-investment initiative developed by IZDEHAR, Palestine Prosperity Investment & Development. The club aims to expand angel participation and support early-stage startups beyond the firm’s core investment criteria. It reports 10 founding members, 12 startup pitches, projects under due diligence, and a remote investor-training session.
Flow Angels
Launched in Ramallah in January 2026, Flow Angels is a structured, membership-based angel network facilitated by Flow Ventures. It backs Palestinian-founded Pre-Seed and Seed startups worldwide through deal-by-deal syndicates, combining capital with due diligence, investor education, mentorship, and GCC market-access support. Managing Partner Majd Khalifeh leads strategy, alongside Imam Hithnawi and Leen Abu Baker.
Peleset Angels network
Founded in the United States in 2022 by Ghaith Musmar, Mohammed Iftaiha, and Hamzeh Ghosheh, Peleset Angels is a nonprofit, diaspora-led angel investor network focused on Palestinian pre-seed startups. Operating since 2023, it prioritises women founders and combines capital with investor education and support to validate concepts, build minimum viable products, and enter external markets.
Lebanon
Lebanon has two active angel networks, both operating amid the country's ongoing economic challenges. These networks continue to support early-stage companies, demonstrating the resilience of Lebanon's entrepreneurial community.
Lebanese Angel Investor Network (LAIN)
Launched in May 2026, LAIN is a curated angel investment network, a Ministry of Technology and Artificial Intelligence initiative operated by BY Venture Partners. It connects local and diaspora investors with Lebanese-founded Pre-Seed and Seed startups worldwide. The Luxembourg-domiciled vehicle launched with $5 million in soft commitments and an initial investment pipeline of four potential deals.
Tripoli Angels Network
Based in Tripoli, Lebanon, Tripoli Angels Network is an angel investor community associated with Jadwa06, formerly Tripoli Entrepreneurs Club. Led by Fadi Mikati, it operates through the Mousharakah investment-matchmaking programme, helping Lebanese startups and SMEs prepare for fundraising with technical support, financial and valuation guidance, and pitch training before connecting selected ventures with angel investors.
Bahrain
Bahrain hosts two active angel networks, reflecting the country's efforts to position itself as a regional hub for fintech and entrepreneurship. The Central Bank of Bahrain's progressive regulatory stance has helped foster a supportive environment for early-stage investing.
Angivest Ventures
Founded in Bahrain in June 2017 by Fareed Bader and Narayanan Ganapathy, Angivest Ventures is an angel investment group rather than a conventional member-led network. Led by CEO Ganapathy, it provides pre-seed and seed capital, plus strategic, operational, and financial support, to technology-driven startups globally. It targets scalable ventures that solve real-world problems and offer a clear exit path.
Tenmou
Founded in Bahrain in 2011, Tenmou is the country’s first angel investment company, backing pre-seed and seed-stage technology startups. Suhail Algosaibi is its current Chairman, supported by Vice Chairman Isa Al Dosari and a board of private-sector leaders. Tenmou combines early-stage capital with mentorship, guidance, connections, and educational programs. Its portfolio includes Eat App, Unipal, Siin, and Bookr, and it hosts the MENA Angel Investors Summit.
Jordan
Jordan has two active angel networks that support the country's growing startup ecosystem. Amman has long been a center for technology entrepreneurship in the Levant, and these networks help bridge the early-stage funding gap for local founders.
Beyond Capital’s Angel Network (BCAN)
Launched in Jordan in 2019, Beyond Capital’s Angel Network, or BCAN, is a Jordanian angel-investor community that connects global Jordanian operators and investors with curated early-stage opportunities. Members assess deals, collaborate on co-investments, and provide execution support alongside capital. BCAN also offers investor training, due diligence, and legal support. Its public portfolio includes Palmear, Bith TV, Wafii, Intella, and Gogo.
Women Angel Investor Club
Launched in Jordan in 2024 by Amam Ventures in collaboration with Beyond Capital, the Women Angel Investor Club, or WAIC, equips women to evaluate early-stage startup investments. Its program covers business-model and pitch analysis, financial assessment, and legal procedures. GIZ Jordan and Bank al Etihad backed the inaugural program, which concluded in 2025 with three angel investments.
Iraq
Iraq's angel investing ecosystem is at an early stage of development, with one active network currently operating in the country. This reflects the emerging nature of the Iraqi startup ecosystem, which has grown in recent years despite significant operational challenges.
Iraqi Angel Network
Iraqi Angel Investors Network (IAIN), launched in 2020 by KAPITA in Baghdad, is Iraq’s first angel investor network. It connects promising Iraqi startups with local and international angel investors to strengthen the country’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. The network was initially sponsored by the German government through GIZ and received technical support from the World Bank.
Oman
Oman has one active angel network, reflecting the early-stage development of the country's startup funding ecosystem. The government's initiatives to promote entrepreneurship and diversify the economy are helping create conditions for more organized angel activity.
Angel Investments Oman
Established in 2019 and based in Muscat, Angel Investments Oman was founded by Raed Dawood, Rishi Khimji, and Mithilesh Rajda. The early-stage investor group brings together experienced investors to support Omani technology startups. It provides capital, entrepreneurial expertise, mentorship, and networks intended to help portfolio companies advance through early-stage growth.
Syria
Syria has one active angel network, operating in an extremely challenging environment. The presence of organized angel investing activity underscores the resilience of Syria's entrepreneurial community and the diaspora's commitment to supporting local ventures.
Syria Angels Network
Launched in Syria in July 2025 by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Syria Angels Network connects local and diaspora investors with early-stage Syrian startups. Its founding meeting brought together 30 investors, who announced approximately $10 million in initial commitments. The network aims to provide financing, mentorship, investor education, and co-investment opportunities as part of Syria’s national entrepreneurship agenda.
Yemen
Yemen has one active angel network, reflecting the persistence of entrepreneurial activity even amid the country's ongoing crisis. The network relies heavily on diaspora connections to channel capital to local founders.
Yemeni Angel Investment Network (YAIN)
Established under the EU-funded Wathba program, the Yemeni Angel Investment Network, or YAIN, connects Yemeni founders with local and diaspora angel investors. Wathba is implemented by DeepRoot Consulting and ROWAD Foundation, while YAIN supports investor training, a vetted startup pipeline, due-diligence assistance, investor matchmaking, pitch sessions, and deal-structuring support. In April 2026, YAIN concluded Yemen’s first angel-investment bootcamp, with 30 participants, including 15 investors and 15 ecosystem enablers.
The Middle East's angel network landscape spans fifty active groups across eleven markets, with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia accounting for the majority of organized activity. The concentration in these two markets reflects their relative maturity as startup ecosystems, their regulatory environments, and their roles as regional business hubs.
Beyond the Gulf, smaller markets including Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen host active angel networks that play an outsized role in supporting entrepreneurship under challenging conditions. These networks often serve as critical bridges between diaspora capital and local founders.
The ecosystem continues to evolve. As reporting standards improve and more networks formalize their operations, the visibility of angel investing across the region should increase. For now, this mapping offers a working view of the infrastructure supporting early-stage entrepreneurship across the Middle East.