Dubai-based early-stage venture capital firm COTU Ventures has successfully raised $54 million for its inaugural fund aimed at supporting startups in the Middle East from pre-seed to seed stages.
Having achieved its final close last year, COTU Ventures focuses on identifying and backing founders from inception to post-product launch, providing initial checks ranging from $500,000 to $1.5 million.
With active capital deployment across the GCC over the past two and a half years, COTU Ventures has primarily focused on the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan, backing over 20 early-stage startups across various sectors.
Founder and general partner Amir Farha revealed in an interview with TechCrunch that COTU Ventures leans towards fintech and B2B software but remains open to opportunities in other sectors. Notable investments include UAE mortgage platform Huspy and Egyptian fintech startup MoneyHash.
“The focus on business solutions through software is a key area of interest for us. We see potential in high-margin industries where technology can drive efficiencies and capitalize on margins,” Farha said.
Farha’s history of successful investments dates back to his time at Beco Capital, where he invested in Careem, among other startups in Europe. After founding COTU Ventures post his tenure at Beco Capital, he continues to drive early-stage investments in the region.
Reflecting on the industry’s evolution, Farha noted the growth in venture capital investments in the GCC region, prompting his decision to focus on early-stage investments at COTU Ventures.
Emphasizing the importance of founder development and support beyond just funding, Farha aims to establish strong relationships with founders at COTU Ventures to guide them strategically and facilitate key introductions.
COTU Ventures’ limited partners include notable names such as Lunate, Mubadala, and Tribe Capital, affirming its commitment to supporting founders and identifying remarkable investment opportunities.
