Yango Launches US$20 Million Fund With The MENA In Scope
Inc. Arabia spoke with Yango Group’s Regional Head for the Middle East, Islam Abdul Karim, to discuss Yango Ventures’ plans to back early-stage startups across the MENA and beyond.
Global tech firm Yango Group has rolled out Yango Ventures, a US$20 million corporate venture fund aimed at fueling early-stage startups across Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, North Africa, and the South Asia region.
With a clear focus on online-to-offline (O2O), business-to-business software-as-a-service (B2B SaaS), and financial technology (fintech), the fund aims to support early-stage startups with capital and industry expertise, backed by Yango’s deep expertise and global network.
In an interview with Inc. Arabia, Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head for the Middle East at Yango Group, revealed that while the fund hasn’t made any investments yet, its first deals are on the horizon.
According to Karim, the fund will be focused on startups with strong product-market fit, scalable business models, and bold innovation. “We also pay close attention to the strength of the founding team, growth potential, and alignment with our strategic goals,” Karim said.
Karim emphasized that beyond providing capital, Yango Ventures will leverage its experience and network to help startups navigate challenges such as product-market fit and early traction. “Alongside this, we deliver hands-on support to cultivate entrepreneurial talent, accelerate growth, and drive sustainable impact in the regions we serve,” Karim added.
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As for sectors, Karim pointed to fintech and B2B SaaS as being especially interesting for the fund. “In fintech, digital payments have been steadily expanding over the past few years, and are expected to accelerate further,” he said. “Additionally, there is a notable trend toward artificial intelligence (AI)-driven financial solutions — a field in which we have deep expertise and can provide significant support.”
“On the B2B SaaS side, the sector presents ample opportunities for innovation by helping businesses optimize processes and boost efficiency,” he continued. “Cloud-based automation and analytics platforms, in particular, offer the flexibility and adaptability required to address local market needs effectively.”
Karim also highlighted that market dynamics are creating new opportunities for startups in MENA. "The MENA region has become increasingly attractive for investment due to growing institutional backing and the development of government funds, which help stabilize the investment environment,” he said. “We are well-positioned to leverage our expertise in this market to capitalize on both current and future opportunities. By bridging the gap between local solutions and international standards, we can accelerate digital transformation and drive sustained regional growth.”
Pictured on the image is Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head for the Middle East at Yango Group. Image courtesy Yango Group.
