EDAFA is targeting USD 10 million in investments into Egyptian startups in 2026, expanding its portfolio across early stage ventures and aligning with national entrepreneurship growth strategies.
Saudi Egyptian venture capital firm EDAFA has announced plans to target approximately USD 10 million in investments into Egyptian startups during 2026, reinforcing its commitment to supporting high growth ventures across the MENA region and strengthening cross border capital flows within emerging tech ecosystems. The target represents a more than 25 % increase compared with the roughly USD 8 million deployed over the past 18 months, during which the firm invested in more than 20 startups across stages ranging from pre seed to Series A.
Speaking on the sidelines of GITEX Egypt, Essam Aly Mostafa, the firm’s chief executive officer, said Egypt remains a strategic market due to its large consumer base and strong entrepreneurial talent pool, and that the firm’s more deliberate investment approach prioritises opportunities that meet both strategic and financial criteria. Over the past year and a half, EDAFA’s portfolio in Egypt has expanded to include more than 20 companies across sectors ranging from fintech to proptech and deep technology, all under the broader goal of enabling scalable, export ready ventures.
According to statements from EDAFA, the firm typically acquires equity stakes that allow “meaningful participation,” ranging from 5 % to 45 %, while deploying capital in tranches tied to performance milestones and assigning dedicated investment managers to oversee portfolio growth. Among its recent Egyptian investments is Shares, a startup launched in 2025 that enables fractional real estate ownership, allowing individuals to invest in property with relatively low minimums; the company is preparing for regional expansion across Saudi Arabia pending regulatory approvals.
EDAFA’s strategy blends financial capital with operational support, positioning the firm as both investor and strategic partner for founders navigating early stage growth. In addition to deployments within Egypt, the firm manages a portfolio of 61 companies across several markets including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Kuwait as part of its broader regional expansion.
The planned USD 10 million investment target in Egypt reflects broader momentum in the country’s startup ecosystem, which continues to attract both regional and international capital. Egypt launched a $1 billion Startup Charter at the RiseUp Summit to support thousands of startups and generate hundreds of thousands of jobs, highlighting national efforts to strengthen innovation infrastructure and venture capital activity.
Egypt’s ecosystem has also seen robust funding activity, with venture capital inflows reaching several hundred million dollars across multiple sectors in recent years, including proptech, fintech, and healthtech. This broader funding environment, coupled with targeted investment by firms like EDAFA, underscores a strategic intersection of public policy, private capital, and entrepreneurial growth that continues to shape MENA’s startup landscape.
As EDAFA scales its investments in 2026, the firm’s selective yet expanding engagement is expected to support a new cohort of Egyptian startups in accessing capital, building scalable businesses, and contributing to regional economic diversification and digital transformation objectives.
