Sequence Ventures To Launch US$50 Million Deep Tech Fund
The Egyptian venture capital firm plans to make about 20 investments via the new fund over the next two years.

Egyptian venture capital firm Sequence Ventures plans to launch a US$50 million fund, Africa Deep Tech, next year to invest in emerging technology companies across Africa.
Seifallah Zoghbi, managing partner and CEO of Sequence Ventures, revealed to Inc. Arabia that the firm aims to complete the first closing of its EGP500 million ($9.96 million) SV Deep Tech Technology Investment Fund by the end of the first quarter (Q1) of this year, supported by contributions from local banks, financial institutions, and private sector companies, with plans to invest in 20 Egyptian deeptech startups over the next two years.
Additionally, Sequence Ventures is raising a Special Situations Egypt-focused EGP500 million ($9.94 million) fund, with a first close expected in the first quarter of 2025, targeting full deployment by the end of 2026 before proceeding with the pan-African fund, which has already attracted preliminary investor interest.
Sequence Ventures, founded in 2020 in Egypt, was established by Karim Helal, who serves as chairman, Maged Shawky, chairman of Catalyst Partners and vice chairman of the firm, Mohamed El Sewedy, chairman of the Egyptian Federation of Industries and board member, Mohamed El Sherif, managing director of Ironwood Investments and founding partner, and Mohamed Fahmy, managing partner at Ironwood.
Sequence Ventures targets investments in deeptech companies in sectors like health, education, agriculture, logistics, and climate, particularly those working on technologies in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, advanced materials, synthetic biology, computing, and renewable energy.
In an interview with Inc. Arabia, Zoghbi said that Sequence Ventures focuses on startups led by strong management teams, with innovative, defensible technologies, aimed at addressing global challenges. "Our selection process involves our investment team conducting thorough due diligence with guidance from our network of subject matter experts across the verticals of deep tech that we target," he said. "We aim to invest where we can truly add value, whether by assisting our portfolio companies in product commercialization, unlocking new global markets through our extensive stakeholder network, or preparing them for future funding rounds."
Zoghbi stressed that sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and renewable energy, can help address the African continent’s structural inefficiencies. "These technologies are not just incremental improvements, but transformative solutions to critical challenges, which is why we find the deep tech space so exciting," he said. "Africa’s existing structural inefficiencies create the ideal conditions for innovation, and deep tech solutions are uniquely suited to tackling these challenges at scale. The convergence of rising demand, technological leapfrogging, and untapped markets make this the right time to invest in the future of Africa’s productivity and financial efficiency."
Zoghbi also noted that Sequence Ventures helps African startups scale globally by focusing on de-risking commercialization and utilizing a broad network of stakeholders and experts to help startups refine their technologies, optimize strategies, and navigate regulatory landscapes.
“We also work closely with our portfolio companies to strengthen their investment profile, ensuring they are prepared for subsequent funding rounds," he said. "Our investment and deeptech expertise, combined with access to key stakeholders, ensures these startups are primed to secure the capital necessary for scaling and global expansion.”
He added, “Ultimately, our goal is to help African deep-tech startups transition from local innovation to global commercialization, empowering them to compete at the highest level and drive industry-wide transformation."
Pictured on image are (from left to right) Sequence Ventures' Mohamed Fahmy and Seifallah Zoghbi. Image courtesy of Sequence Ventures.