How two entrepreneurs transformed a regional bet into a half-billion-dollar investment powerhouse, reshaping the Middle East's startup ecosystem from zero to unicorns in just seven years.

Building a world-class investment firm in an emerging market isn't about copying Silicon Valley—it's about understanding your unique advantages and building around them systematically.
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Lena: You know what's wild? In 2017, two guys basically said "let's build the Middle East's answer to Silicon Valley venture capital" and then actually pulled it off. I'm talking about Shorooq Partners—they went from bootstrapping with friends and family money to managing half a billion dollars in just seven years.
Miles: That's incredible growth, but what really gets me is the timing. Mahmoud Adi and Shane Shin launched right when the MENA startup ecosystem was still finding its feet. I mean, they were literally the first regional VC firm regulated by Abu Dhabi Global Market. Talk about being early movers.
Lena: Exactly! And look at their portfolio now—Pure Harvest Smart Farms, Sarwa, Lean Technologies, TruKKer. These aren't just investments, they're the companies reshaping how business gets done across the region. Plus, they've got backing from seven sovereign wealth funds, including Qatar Investment Authority.
Miles: What's fascinating is how they've evolved beyond just early-stage venture capital. They're now running everything from AI funds with Presight to private credit, and they just launched a $200 million late-stage growth fund. It's like they're building the complete infrastructure for startup success.
Lena: Right, and that strategic evolution tells such an interesting story about both ambition and market timing. So let's dive into how two entrepreneurs turned a regional bet into a multi-asset investment powerhouse.