Egypt based Nawah Scientific raises $23 million in a Series A round to expand its cloud laboratory infrastructure and scale life sciences research across new markets.
Egypt based life sciences startup Nawah Scientific has raised $23 million in a Series A funding round as it looks to expand its cloud laboratory infrastructure and scale operations across new markets. The round was led by Africa-focused venture capital firm Africa50 Innovation Fund, with participation from existing and new investors, according to a company announcement.
Founded in 2015, Nawah Scientific operates as a cloud lab and contract research organization (CRO), providing on-demand laboratory services to biotech, pharmaceutical, academic and industrial clients. Through its digital platform, researchers can remotely design, execute and analyze experiments without the need to own or manage physical lab infrastructure, a model that has gained traction globally as R&D costs rise and access to specialized equipment remains uneven.
The Series A funding will be used to expand Nawah’s laboratory footprint, invest in automation and digital infrastructure, and grow its team across scientific, engineering and commercial functions. The company says it plans to increase capacity in Egypt while laying the groundwork for expansion into additional emerging markets where access to advanced research facilities remains limited.
Nawah’s model places it within a growing global cloud lab and outsourced R&D market. According to data from Grand View Research, the global life sciences outsourcing market was valued at more than $70 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate exceeding 7% through the end of the decade, driven by demand from biotech startups and pharmaceutical companies seeking flexible research capacity.
The company has processed tens of thousands of experiments across disciplines including molecular biology, analytical chemistry and materials science, serving customers ranging from early stage startups to multinational research teams. By centralizing advanced equipment and scientific talent, Nawah positions itself as a regional alternative to international CROs, while offering faster turnaround times and lower operating costs.
The funding comes amid renewed momentum in Egypt’s technology and deep-tech ecosystem. According to MAGNiTT, Egyptian startups raised more than $500 million in disclosed funding in 2024, with increasing investor interest in sectors such as health tech, biotech and enterprise infrastructure. Life sciences startups remain relatively underrepresented in the region’s venture landscape, making Nawah’s Series A one of the larger disclosed rounds in the sector to date.
Africa50 Innovation Fund, which led the round, focuses on backing technology-enabled companies with the potential to scale across the African continent. The fund’s participation highlights growing investor interest in scientific infrastructure and R&D platforms that can support innovation beyond traditional software-driven models.
For Nawah Scientific, the Series A marks a transition from regional scale-up to broader market expansion, as demand grows for cloud-based research infrastructure that lowers barriers to experimentation and accelerates scientific discovery. The company says it is also exploring partnerships with universities, pharmaceutical companies and industrial research teams as it scales its platform.
