News & Announcements

Sharaka Financial Launches Its First Investment Fund

Sharaka Financial, headquartered in Riyadh, has announced the launch of its first investment fund, Sharaka Ventures Fund, targeting high-growth tech startups in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The fund focuses specifically on investing in early-stage tech companies, particularly in fintech and business software sectors, which are still in their early stages and seeking investments in the
early rounds.

In its recent statement, Sharaka Financial expressed optimism about the future of entrepreneurship and venture capital in Saudi Arabia and the region. The company highlighted a significant increase in demand for tech startup funding, with demand rising twelvefold over the past five years, from SAR 435 million in 2019 to SAR 5.2 billion in 2023.

Sharaka Financial also emphasized its confidence in the Saudi market, which boasts the largest GDP in the Middle East and North Africa, and has seen remarkable growth in venture capital investments, at nearly double the growth rate of other countries in the region.

Faris Al-Rashed, founder and CEO of Sharaka Financial, stated that the company’s strategy is centered on developing specialized investment products for both tech and non-tech startups. Al-Rashed added: “Our goal is to meet the growing demand for tech investments and private equity, leveraging our team’s expertise in governance and relationship building, which are just as important as selecting and managing investments in startups.”

Sharaka Financial was established at the end of 2023 in Saudi Arabia and is licensed by the Saudi Capital Market Authority to manage investments. Its strategy focuses on venture capital and private equity funds in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region.

Source: entarabi.com

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Abdulelah Alowayyid

Abdulelah Alowayyid

Member

Abdulelah has extensive experience in the investment and venture capital industry. Successfully closed over SAR 100M of investments in both early and late-stage opportunities. Represented as a board member in multiple companies, helped them to triple their performance and achieve substantial milestones. He has various experience managing and supporting portfolio companies to achieve their targets. Abdulelah also is angel investors in multiple startups. Holds a Master of Finance from Australian National University, and BSc.in Finance from King Fahad University of Petroleum & Minerals.

أحمد الفوزان

عضو

يتمتع أحمد بأكثر من 14 عامًا من الخبرة المصرفية والاستثمارية المتنوعة في التعامل مع جميع جوانب التحليل المالي والاقتصادي والتجاري، مع فهم واسع لأسواق رأس المال وإدارة الأصول، وخاصة الملكية الخاصة ورأس المال الجريء. قبل انضمامه إلى دراية، كان يرأس قسم الاستثمار في مؤسسة شبه حكومية تبلغ أصولها المدارة أكثر من 5.5 مليار ريال سعودي. وقبل ذلك، ساعد، بصفته مديرًا أول للملكية الخاصة، في تأسيس صناديق الملكية الخاصة ورأس المال الجريء في الرياض المالية، حيث قاد تنفيذ عدد من صفقات الملكية الخاصة بالشركات الناشئة.

Ahmed Al fowzan

Member

Ahmed has more than 14 years of diverse banking experience in handling all aspects of financial, economic, and business analysis, with an extensive understanding of capital markets, asset management, mainly private equity and venture capital. Before joining Derayah, he led the investment department at a semi-government organization with assets under management of more than SAR 5.5 billion. Prior to that, as a senior private equity manager, helped found private equity and venture capital funds at Riyad Capital, where he led the execution of a number of start-ups equity deals. He is also serving multiple Board members including Hala Bostani, Ratio Speciality Coffee, Derayah Retail Fund, and Derayah Healthcare Fund.

Faris AlRashed

Chairman

founder & Chairman of Trustees’ Board at OQAL Angel Investors Network and founder & Chairman of Trustees’ Board at Wateen Est, Investor, financial advisor, and board member of several companies. A pioneer in the entrepreneurial and venture investment space, while also establishing himself as a respected Angel Investor and a Founding Partner at several startups Careem, Hal, Lendo, Sabbar, and others. Faris is the Founder & Chairman of the Trustees Board at OQAL, he is also a member and founder of Venture Capital & Private Equity Association, and he is a Mentor at Endeavor Saudi, and an Eisenhower Fellow since 2005. Faris is a Board Member of several listed and unlisted companies including; Bin Dawood Holding, Elm co. Naseej Information Technology, SHL Finance  Company and others . Driven by a mission to empower and create, Faris is best known for inspiring entrepreneurs to succeed and seek professional and personal growth. His insights and expertise were recognized and appreciated by the several boards he sat in of endowments, associations, and corporations. 

Faris is the controlling shareholder of Sharaka Capital with 142,500 shares approximately 95%. 

Ahmed Al fowzan

Member

Ahmed has more than 14 years of diverse banking experience in handling all aspects of financial, economic, and business analysis, with an extensive understanding of capital markets, asset management, mainly private equity and venture capital. Before joining Derayah, he led the investment department at a semi-government organization with assets under management of more than SAR 5.5 billion. Prior to that, as a senior private equity manager, helped found private equity and venture capital funds at Riyad Capital, where he led the execution of a number of start-ups equity deals. He is also serving multiple Board members including Hala Bostani, Ratio Speciality Coffee, Derayah Retail Fund, and Derayah Healthcare Fund.

Faris AlRashed

Chairman

founder & Chairman of Trustees’ Board at OQAL Angel Investors Network and founder & Chairman of Trustees’ Board at Wateen Est, Investor, financial advisor, and board member of several companies. A pioneer in the entrepreneurial and venture investment space, while also establishing himself as a respected Angel Investor and a Founding Partner at several startups Careem, Hal, Lendo, Sabbar, and others. Faris is the Founder & Chairman of the Trustees Board at OQAL, he is also a member and founder of Venture Capital & Private Equity Association, and he is a Mentor at Endeavor Saudi, and an Eisenhower Fellow since 2005. Faris is a Board Member of several listed and unlisted companies including; Bin Dawood Holding, Elm co. Naseej Information Technology, SHL Finance  Company and others . Driven by a mission to empower and create, Faris is best known for inspiring entrepreneurs to succeed and seek professional and personal growth. His insights and expertise were recognized and appreciated by the several boards he sat in of endowments, associations, and corporations. 

Faris is the controlling shareholder of Sharaka Capital with 142,500 shares approximately 95%.