Dubai, UAE – Mintiply Capital, a UAE-based advisory and investment banking firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and alternative investments, has announced a strategic partnership with US-based Fuel Venture Capital. This collaboration aims to bolster startup investments across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, with a particular focus on the UAE.
The two firms will operate through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to target startups in the region, providing funding, mentorship, and strategic guidance to early-stage companies. This initiative is expected to play a significant role in strengthening the GCC’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Expert Leadership and Vision
The partnership brings together industry veterans with impressive track records. Jeff Ransdell, founding partner and managing director of Fuel Venture Capital, leverages extensive experience as a former senior executive at Merrill Lynch’s global wealth group. Meanwhile, Hasnae Taleb, managing partner at Mintiply Capital and a celebrated figure in equities and capital markets, brings regional expertise and a proven portfolio management history exceeding $660 million. Taleb was previously recognized as a “Shewolf of Nasdaq” by Nasdaq Inc.
The joint venture’s initial fund is valued at $300 million, with $45 million specifically allocated to early-stage startups in the GCC. “Mintiply Capital combines local expertise with a global investment strategy, offering credibility and extensive market knowledge,” Taleb stated in an interview with Inc. Arabia.
A Differentiated Approach to Venture Capital
The partnership’s global investment mandate sets it apart from traditional VC firms. Taleb emphasized that this collaboration seeks opportunities beyond Silicon Valley, targeting emerging markets in the GCC, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. “We believe technology transcends geographical limitations and actively finance founders without requiring them to relocate to traditional tech hubs like Northern California,” she said.
The partnership plans to allocate funds across diverse geographies, with 40% directed toward US-based startups and 15% each to the GCC, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Investments will also span various funding stages, with 18% allocated to Series Seed, 49% to Series A, 26% to Series B, and 7% to Series C+.
Active Management and Strong Investor Relationships
Unlike traditional VC models focused on passive asset holding, this partnership employs an active management strategy. “Our hands-on approach aims to deliver higher returns by directly engaging with portfolio companies,” Taleb explained. The partnership’s focus on active management strengthens investor-founder relationships and reduces risk, fostering a collaborative environment for scaling startups.
Facilitating Global Exits for GCC Startups
The partnership also seeks to address the challenge of achieving global exits for GCC startups. By leveraging extensive Wall Street relationships, Mintiply Capital and Fuel Venture Capital aim to provide a clear pathway for regional startups to access international markets such as the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq.
Sectoral Focus and Future Trends
The collaboration will concentrate on key sectors, including fintech, enterprise software-as-a-service (SaaS), consumer tech, and sports and entertainment. In fintech, the focus will be on platforms that unify financial products for consumers and businesses. Enterprise SaaS investments will target scalable, data-driven solutions enhancing enterprise ecosystems.
Consumer tech investments will prioritize innovative marketplaces driven by advancements in payments and logistics, while the sports and entertainment sector will emphasize enhancing fan experiences and adopting data-driven performance approaches.
Taleb also highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI), stating, “AI is foundational in reshaping industries such as healthcare, fintech remittance, and legal technology.”
Positioning for 2025 and Beyond
Looking ahead, the partnership aims to position GCC startups at the forefront of global trends, including AI-powered automation, sustainable technologies, and Web3 adoption. Globally, the focus will remain on decentralized finance, generative AI, and healthtech innovations.
“Our goal is to bridge regional opportunities with international markets,” Taleb said, underscoring the partnership’s mission to foster scalable solutions that transcend geographical boundaries.
The partnership between Mintiply Capital and Fuel Venture Capital promises to redefine the GCC’s startup landscape by combining global expertise with a strong commitment to regional growth.
Source: IncArabia
