Key Takeaways
- • The Innovative Startups and SMEs Fund (ISSF), Jordan's government-backed fund of funds, committed $7 million to Endeavor Catalyst V, a $300 million co-investment vehicle targeting high-growth companies across 60+ countries in emerging markets.
- • This investment strengthens ISSF's partnership with Endeavor Global and provides Jordanian founders direct access to one of the world's largest entrepreneur networks, global capital markets, and international mentorship ecosystems.
- • Endeavor Catalyst V represents a strategic capital deployment mechanism designed to connect emerging market startups—particularly from Jordan and the MENA region—with institutional investors and operational expertise at scale.
- • The commitment signals institutional confidence in Jordan's startup ecosystem and positions the country as an increasingly attractive hub for venture capital activity within the Middle East and North Africa.
Summary
The Innovative Startups and SMEs Fund (ISSF) announced a $7 million investment in Endeavor Catalyst V on June 14, 2026, marking a significant expansion of its partnership with Endeavor Global. Endeavor Catalyst V is a $300 million co-investment fund focused on high-growth, high-impact companies operating across emerging markets in more than 60 countries. This commitment represents ISSF's continued strategy of deploying capital through global fund-of-funds structures to maximize exposure for Jordanian entrepreneurs to international markets and institutional capital.
The investment delivers tangible benefits to Jordan's startup ecosystem by establishing a direct conduit between local founders and Endeavor Global's extensive network of investors, advisors, and operational partners. According to available sources, Endeavor provides Jordanian companies with access to global markets, capital resources, and experienced mentors—infrastructure critical for scaling technology companies beyond regional boundaries. The $7 million allocation underscores ISSF's conviction in both Endeavor's investment thesis and Jordan's entrepreneurial capacity.
Endeavor Catalyst V's $300 million fund size and multi-country mandate position it as a significant vehicle for emerging market venture investment. The fund's focus on high-impact companies aligns with ISSF's institutional mission to catalyze growth in Jordan's startup and SME sectors. This partnership also reflects broader regional momentum, as evidenced by parallel initiatives like the recently launched Manara Ventures ($70.5 million fund designed to help Jordanian startups expand across the MENA region), indicating a strengthening institutional ecosystem supporting Jordan-based founders at both the regional and global levels.
The investment delivers tangible benefits to Jordan's startup ecosystem by establishing a direct conduit between local founders and Endeavor Global's extensive network of investors, advisors, and operational partners. According to available sources, Endeavor provides Jordanian companies with access to global markets, capital resources, and experienced mentors—infrastructure critical for scaling technology companies beyond regional boundaries. The $7 million allocation underscores ISSF's conviction in both Endeavor's investment thesis and Jordan's entrepreneurial capacity.
Endeavor Catalyst V's $300 million fund size and multi-country mandate position it as a significant vehicle for emerging market venture investment. The fund's focus on high-impact companies aligns with ISSF's institutional mission to catalyze growth in Jordan's startup and SME sectors. This partnership also reflects broader regional momentum, as evidenced by parallel initiatives like the recently launched Manara Ventures ($70.5 million fund designed to help Jordanian startups expand across the MENA region), indicating a strengthening institutional ecosystem supporting Jordan-based founders at both the regional and global levels.
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