Key Takeaways
- • Endeavor Catalyst reports its Middle East portfolio has grown to 64 companies across six markets, with $76.6 million invested, a 22X increase from $3.5 million a decade ago, according to a Business Wire release.
- • The regional expansion follows the final close of Endeavor Catalyst Fund V, an oversubscribed $320 million fund that brings total assets under management to more than $850 million.
- • Three of the 15 liquidity events in the firm's portfolio since the start of 2025 came from the Middle East, placing the region second only to Latin America on recent realizations.
- • The firm now invests in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with regional portfolio companies including Tabby, MNT-Halan, Tamara, Kitopi and Moove.
Summary
Endeavor Catalyst, the venture capital fund of the Endeavor entrepreneur network, said its Middle East portfolio has grown to 64 companies across six markets, with $76.6 million invested. According to the announcement issued via Business Wire from Dubai, that figure represents a 22X increase from $3.5 million invested a decade ago, one of the fastest growth rates in the firm's portfolio. The company also noted that the Middle East accounts for 15 percent of its portfolio companies and 15 percent of all capital deployed.
The expansion follows the final close earlier this month of Endeavor Catalyst Fund V, which the firm described as oversubscribed at $320 million. With the fund close, Endeavor Catalyst's total assets under management exceed $850 million. The firm backs companies only after their founders have been selected into the Endeavor network, and co-invests alongside leading venture capital and growth equity firms.
Regional exits have been a notable feature of the portfolio. Three of the 15 liquidity events across the portfolio since the start of 2025 came from the Middle East, and the region has produced five exits in total. Regional portfolio companies named by the firm include Tabby, MNT-Halan, Tamara, Kitopi and Moove.
Regional Lead Yana El Dirani, who is also Managing Director of Endeavor's Dubai Global Hub, framed the strategy around recent regional volatility. "The past few years have been tumultuous in the Middle East. Some outside the region might think that's a reason not to invest, but at Endeavor Catalyst we know the opposite is true," she said. Dubai's position between Africa and South Asia is cited as a rationale for the hub, which currently hosts 90+ Endeavor Entrepreneurs from 20 countries. Fund V will continue to back founders in markets where, according to the firm, ambition is outpacing access to capital.
The expansion follows the final close earlier this month of Endeavor Catalyst Fund V, which the firm described as oversubscribed at $320 million. With the fund close, Endeavor Catalyst's total assets under management exceed $850 million. The firm backs companies only after their founders have been selected into the Endeavor network, and co-invests alongside leading venture capital and growth equity firms.
Regional exits have been a notable feature of the portfolio. Three of the 15 liquidity events across the portfolio since the start of 2025 came from the Middle East, and the region has produced five exits in total. Regional portfolio companies named by the firm include Tabby, MNT-Halan, Tamara, Kitopi and Moove.
Regional Lead Yana El Dirani, who is also Managing Director of Endeavor's Dubai Global Hub, framed the strategy around recent regional volatility. "The past few years have been tumultuous in the Middle East. Some outside the region might think that's a reason not to invest, but at Endeavor Catalyst we know the opposite is true," she said. Dubai's position between Africa and South Asia is cited as a rationale for the hub, which currently hosts 90+ Endeavor Entrepreneurs from 20 countries. Fund V will continue to back founders in markets where, according to the firm, ambition is outpacing access to capital.
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