Qatar Development Bank (QDB) has signed a co-operation agreement with Rasmal Ventures on the sidelines of Web Summit Qatar 2025 to bolster Qatar’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting innovation, attracting global talent, and fostering local and regional growth opportunities for startups. Through the collaboration, both parties seek to strengthen Qatar’s position as a global entrepreneurship hub, which will contribute to attracting top talent and empowering startups to access new regional and global markets. The partnership focuses on supporting entrepreneurs and fostering innovation in Qatar by leveraging QDB’s Talent Community Programme with Rasmal Ventures joining as an official partner of the programme, which was designed to nurture a dynamic and diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem. The partnership will enhance Qatar’s ability to attract global talent and innovators, offering a supportive environment for the growth of high-growth companies. The two organisations will also collaborate to exchange information on promising investment opportunities and foster cooperation in joint investment initiatives to enable startups to access the necessary resources and networks for their global expansion, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa region. The two parties will also work to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the Startup Qatar investment initiative by exploring joint investment opportunities and boosting the contribution of Rasmal Ventures to the programme, as well as expanding the scope of beneficiaries. QDB VP Enterprise Development Khalid Abdulla al-Mana said the partnership reflects the bank’s ongoing commitment to developing an advanced investment landscape in line with the highest global standards to empower startups and contribute to their sustainable growth. “Through our collaboration with Rasmal Ventures, we aim to enhance investment flows and help entrepreneurs build extensive networks, enabling them to connect with regional and global investors.” Dr Shaikha al-Jabir and Alexander Wiedmer, co-managing partners at Rasmal Ventures, emphasised that the work QDB and Startup Qatar are doing is immensely important for the economy and the innovation ecosystem. They added: “It is an enabler for VC funds as we are. We are delighted to partner with QDB to support the startups in the programme as they seek to grow.” QDB’s latest partnership reflects its vision to foster an environment that supports the growth of entrepreneurial ventures, contributing to the development of the business ecosystem and boosting the competitiveness of startups both regionally and internationally. It also equips startups with the necessary tools to succeed, reinforcing Qatar’s position as a regional hub for innovation and investment in the region. This aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to achieve economic diversification by empowering entrepreneurs and startups to thrive and grow.

Doha, February 5, 2025 – We at Rasmal Ventures, Qatar’s first independent VC firm, are proud to announce that we have secured strategic funding from the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) as part of its $1 billion Fund of Funds program. This investment strengthens our ambition to drive technological innovation and economic diversification across the MENA region. A Transformational Milestone in MENA’s Venture Capital Scene Our flagship Rasmal Innovation Fund I LLC, launched in June 2024, is at the forefront of investing in high-growth startups across fintech, B2B SaaS, HealthTech, supply chain logistics, and artificial intelligence (AI). As the first fund to join QIA’s $1 billion program, we have already secured commitments from institutional investors, corporates, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals, with the goal of reaching $100 million in total investment commitments. “This funding marks a pivotal moment for Qatar’s venture capital ecosystem,” said Alexander Wiedmer, Co-Managing Partner at Rasmal Ventures. “As the first private VC fund based in Doha, we are leveraging our deep-rooted partnerships with leading Qatari institutions to nurture disruptive startups that can redefine industries. We are still in the early stages of capital deployment, but our first investments in proprietary technology startups are already demonstrating high potential.” Backing the Next Generation of Tech Titans At Rasmal Ventures, we are proud to have a seasoned team of VC experts with a track record of over 100 venture capital deals and successful exits. Our fund is designed to support pre-Series A, Series A, and Series B companies, ensuring that the most promising startups get the funding and strategic guidance needed to scale globally. Beyond financial investment, we are deeply committed to hands-on engagement with our portfolio companies, providing operational expertise, market access, and business development support to help them scale rapidly. Strategic Alignment with Qatar’s Vision for Innovation The launch of Rasmal Innovation Fund I LLC aligns seamlessly with Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy (NDS3), which emphasizes economic diversification and the creation of a robust technology ecosystem. Our Fund aims to foster an innovation-driven environment where entrepreneurs can access capital, mentorship, and international networks. QIA’s Fund of Funds: A Catalyst for Regional Growth The QIA Fund of Funds program, launched in February 2024, is a game-changer for the startup and venture capital ecosystem in Qatar and beyond. With a dual mandate to generate strong financial returns while accelerating regional entrepreneurship, the program prioritizes technology and healthcare investments. By securing QIA’s backing, we are further cementing our position as a leading player in MENA’s venture capital scene, poised to scale innovative startups that can redefine industries on a global scale. Looking Ahead: A New Era for MENA’s Startup Ecosystem With a clear investment thesis focused on high-potential technology sectors, we are set to play a critical role in shaping the future of entrepreneurship in Qatar and the MENA region. As we continue to raise additional commitments, we remain steadfast in our mission to identify, support, and scale the next generation of transformative startups. With a selective investment approach and deep industry expertise, we are not just deploying capital—we are building the foundation for a thriving innovation ecosystem in MENA.

RASMAL VENTURES LAUNCHES FIRST HOME-GROWN QATARI VC FUND  Team members behind Careem’s first VC investment will manage fund which targets high-performance technology startups     (Doha, 9 June 2024) Rasmal Ventures LLC, Qatar’s first independent venture capital (VC) company which was established in 2023, has today announced the launch of its inaugural, home-grown venture capital fund, Rasmal Innovation Fund I LLC.  A new fund, and the first to be established in Qatar, it will be managed by a highly experienced team of VC experts that have collectively managed more than 100 VC deals, alongside impressive exits.  The landmark initiative is aiming to reach USD $100 million in investment commitments. For its first closing of over USD $30 million, it includes a prestigious institutional investor, family offices and individual high net worth investors from across Qatar and the rest of the world.  Rasmal Innovation Fund LLC is a Qatar-based entity registered under the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) under the number 02532. The fund will target investments in innovative and high-performance technology startups and scaleups across Qatar, the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and internationally at pre-Series A, Series A and Series B stages. While the fund will scout all technology sectors agnostically, it will have a strategic interest in climate and energy tech, fintech, supply chain logistics, B2B SaaS and Artificial Intelligence (AI).  The launch of Rasmal Innovation Fund I LLC aligns firmly with the country’s Third National Development Strategy (NDS3) as it aims to contribute to the creation of a buoyant tech ecosystem which is underpinned by easy access to a range of investment and funding opportunities. The fund benefits from a team of seasoned VC professionals including Alexander Wiedmer and Angus Paterson, previously Partners at Iris Capital and STC Ventures - a GCC fund that was the first VC investor in Careem, the first unicorn in the Middle East, among other successful investments.  Both have over 20 years of individual VC experience and more than 10 years' experience in the GCC. They are joined by the founding director of Doha Tech Angels and former executive at Ooredoo and Kahramaa Dr Shaikha Al Jabir and Soumaya Ben Beya Dridje, who has VC, fund investment and entrepreneurship experience in Silicon Valley, Europe and North Africa. Wiedmer, who has had extensive experience advising entrepreneurs and investment institutions within Qatar’s vibrant startup ecosystem over the past four years, said: “We have helped build the most successful unicorn in the region and many other successful companies in Europe and now we will do it again with Rasmal Ventures. As a private and commercially driven entity, we strategically selected Qatar as the domicile for the fund, to be the springboard to the region. Being a venture capitalist is the best job on the planet, empowering ambitious innovators and their great companies.” Meanwhile, Qatar Development Bank (QDB), which has long been a champion of the country’s venture capitalist economy, hailed news of the fund’s launch.  Abdulrahman Hesham Al-Sowaidi, Chief Executive Officer, QDB, said: “Qatar's emergence as a major VC hub for cutting-edge tech startups is very promising. QDB is proud to play a key role in fostering a robust VC ecosystem driven by independent private sector leadership. This strongly aligns with our national development strategy, equipping the private sector to drive innovation and growth” Technology companies and professional investors wanting to know more about Rasmal Innovation Fund I LLC can get further information at https://rasmalventures.com/ -ENDS-  For media enquiries please contact aimij@bljworldwide.com and gillianc@bljworldwide.com Notes to editors - about Rasmal Ventures Rasmal Ventures LLC is Qatar’s first independent venture capital company, established in 2023 under the jurisdiction of the Qatar Financial Center. Led by a team of seasoned venture capital experts, with combined experience of over 70 years, Rasmal Ventures aims to become an active player in the Middle East and North Africa region’s burgeoning startup and innovation ecosystem. Its senior team includes Alexander Wiedmer and Angus Paterson, who were previously partners of Iris Capital and STC Ventures, a GCC fund that was the first institutional investor in Careem among other successful investments Both have over 20 years of individual venture capital experience and more than 10 years' experience of VC investing in the GCC. They are joined by the founding partner of Doha Tech Angels and former executive at Ooredoo and Kahramaa Dr Shaikha Al Jabir and Soumaya Ben Beya Dridje, who has VC, fund investment and entrepreneurship experience from time spent working in Silicon Valley, Europe and North Africa.    The fund management team has vast experience operating in both volatile and buoyant market conditions during their tenure as VC professionals and possesses the expertise needed to lead investment rounds and support founders during critical economic times. Together, they have collectively managed more than 100 VC deals, alongside impressive exits. Their strategic planning aims to ensure the portfolio companies’ growth trajectory is aligned with its preparedness for potential exits from the very beginning of each investment, with a senior Chief Exit Officer boasting 20 years of mergers and acquisitions experience.  Rasmal Ventures LLC launched its first innovation fund - Rasmal Innovation Fund I LLC – Qatar’s first home-grown VC fund in 2024. Alexander Wiedmer’s latest essay “MENA’s flight against climate change can only be powered through investment in innovative technologies” is published in BLJ Worldwide’s  report: “MENA tech 2024: Mapping the technology landscape” which can be read here.

Qatar’s First Independent Venture Capital Fund Manager ‘Rasmal Ventures’ Launched  Doha, 21st of June 2023: Rasmal Ventures LLC, the first independent Qatari venture capital (VC) company, has officially launched under the jurisdiction of the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC). Led by a team of seasoned venture capital experts, Rasmal Ventures aims to become an active player in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s burgeoning startup and innovation ecosystem.  Founded by five seasoned venture capitalists, Rasmal Ventures is licensed to manage exempt funds domiciled in QFC as well as provide advisory services. Two of them, Alexander Wiedmer and Angus Paterson, were previously partners of Iris Capital and of a GCC fund that was the first institutional investor in Careem among other successful investments. Both have 20+ years of venture capital experience and 10+ years' experience of VC investing in the GCC. They are joined by the founding partner of Doha Tech Angels and former executive at Ooredoo and Kahramaa Dr Shaikha Al Jabir; ex-asset manager for Qatar Energy and M&A Advisor at PwC Marc Bourland, and Soumaya Ben Beya Dridje, who has VC, fund investment and entrepreneurship experience in Silicon Valley, Europe and North Africa.  By selecting QFC as its jurisdiction, the fund manager leverages the regulatory framework and favorable environment provided by QFC, benefitting from the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority’s (QFCRA) introduction of the Exempt Professional Investor Fund, a venture capital-friendly fund product with streamlined regulations. Rasmal Ventures' decision to establish its venture capital management company and its upcoming fund, Rasmal Innovation Fund I, within QFC jurisdiction, reflects its commitment towards providing a secure and transparent investment platform for Qatari and regional investors.  The Rasmal Innovation Fund I will be launched with the support of key Qatari private investors and institutions. The team is working with QFCRA to incorporate the fund, and a first closing is expected to be announced in Q4 2023. The company aims to raise a fund of $100 million, which will make up to 25 equity investments in Qatari start-ups and scale-ups affording outstanding growth potential as well as regional (MENA) and selective international technology investment opportunities at Pre-Series A, Series A, Series B stages.   The newly launched Fund manager aims to target high performing startups in fast-growing technology sectors. According to the founders, the fund will have a generalist tech approach across all sectors, but will also specialize in verticals such as climate tech and energy tech, supply chain logistics, fintech, B2B Saas Software and Artificial Intelligence (AI). They have identified these sectors as strategic to Qatar and offering tremendous growth potential in the region.   Dr Shaikha Al Jabir, Partner at Rasmal Ventures, said: “MENA has seen a dynamic and evolving venture capital landscape in recent years. According to a report by MAGNiTT, in 2022 alone the amount of funding in the region reached $3.2 billion, with 627 registered deals and a remarkable uptick in exits.    For our team, this offers an attractive opportunity to establish our base in a thriving market within a regulated environment. We strongly believe that Qatar’s stable economic outlook and well-regulated infrastructure will appeal to Qatar-based, as well as international, investors.”  On his side, Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, Chief Executive Officer, QFC, said, "We are delighted to welcome Rasmal Ventures LLC to the QFC platform, yet another significant addition to our growing community. At the QFC, we remain committed to providing an exceptional and attractive business environment for startups to grow their businesses in Qatar. As an integral part of Qatar’s strategic initiative to build a robust economy, we aim to foster a thriving business ecosystem that drives innovation and accelerates technological advancement in the country. We are confident that Rasmal Ventures LLC will contribute to further the economic development of the region."  With the MENA region emerging as a leading destination for venture capital investment, characterized by a growing entrepreneurial spirit, high digital penetration, and increasing government support for innovation and startups, Rasmal Ventures' establishment is a milestone in Qatar’s continued efforts to foster a thriving innovation ecosystem. For more information about the launch of Rasmal Ventures, please visit http://rasmalventures.com