Sawari Ventures

Sawari Ventures, established in 2009, is an Egyptian private equity firm specializing in early-to-growth stage investments in technology businesses across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Based in Cairo, the firm focuses on sectors such as consumer internet, fintech, edtech, health tech, deep tech, and e-commerce, aiming to translate local visionaries into global successes. With a deep understanding of the region's culture, context, and business climate, Sawari Ventures leverages its global network and experience to support and grow innovative tech companies, typically investing between $250,000 and $1 million per company.

Ahmed Alfi

Co-Founder, Partner and Chairman

Wael Amin

Partner

Fatima Bennani

Principal

Farah El-Gawad

Principal

Ibrahim Ramadan

Partner

Jennifer Schoeberlein

Partner, ESG and Impact

31 past transactions

Pearl Semiconductor

Seed Round in 2023
Pearl Semiconductor is a fabless semiconductor company focused on developing innovative reference clocks and clock generators utilizing piezoelectric MEMS resonators integrated with CMOS technology. The company specializes in high-performance timing integrated circuits (ICs) tailored for industrial, networking, telecom, and automotive applications. Pearl Semiconductor's products, which include programmable reference clocks and timing ICs, are designed to meet the stringent demands of various industries while balancing performance and cost. With a commitment to advanced manufacturing processes and patented IC design technologies, Pearl Semiconductor aims to deliver exceptional performance in timing solutions, addressing the needs of its diverse customer base.

Axis

Seed Round in 2023
Axis is a digital banking alternative specifically designed for small businesses and solopreneurs. The company provides a mobile payment platform that simplifies the management of employee payroll, salary advances, and payments to suppliers, contractors, and vendors. Its fully interoperable mobile wallet enables employees to send and receive money from any mobile wallet in Egypt, while also rewarding them with points for various transactions, such as bill payments and online purchases. Axis aims to empower small business founders by equipping them with essential tools and resources to effectively navigate the challenges of running and growing their enterprises. The company is fully licensed by the Central Bank of Egypt and has developed its entire technology stack in-house.

almentor

Series C in 2023
Almentor is a prominent continuous e-learning platform that focuses on personal and professional development for individuals in the Middle East and Africa. Launched in January 2018, it boasts the largest library of high-quality Arabic video content, featuring a wide range of paid courses, free talks, crash courses, and books. The platform offers educational resources in both Arabic and English, delivered by experts across various fields, including management, technology, languages, marketing, sales, art, wellness, parenting, and design. By catering to both B2C and B2B markets, Almentor aims to meet the educational needs of Arab learners worldwide, providing them with valuable digital knowledge for their professional growth.

WaterSec

Seed Round in 2022
WaterSec is a manufacturer of Internet of Things devices that facilitate the communication of water usage data to application dashboards. The company's technology enables customers to monitor real-time water consumption, forecast usage, and detect anomalies. This approach not only helps individuals and businesses keep track of their water consumption but also promotes improved water-use efficiency across various sectors. By providing comprehensive reporting on water usage, WaterSec aims to address the challenges of water management and optimize resources for better sustainability.

Blnk

Seed Round in 2022
Blnk is a fintech firm that provides lending, financing, affordability, commission, reporting and settlement, and e-commerce services.

Money Fellows

Series B in 2022
Money Fellows is a collaborative group lending and savings platform designed to help individuals access interest-free credit and improve their savings outcomes. The platform allows users to form circles with friends and family, enabling them to contribute to a shared fund and take turns withdrawing the total amount. This innovative approach leverages users' social networks to facilitate financial collaboration, making it easier for individuals to achieve their savings goals while providing access to credit without interest. The service is characterized by its simplicity and efficiency, allowing users to validate their circles within minutes.

ADVA

Seed Round in 2022
ADVA is an innovative company based in Egypt that offers a mobile application for service installations with customized installment plans. As the first online service installment platform in the country, ADVA enables users to access a variety of essential services, including health, education, insurance, home finishing, and wedding expenses. The application streamlines the process, allowing customers to complete their transactions with just one click, making it easier for them to manage their financial commitments while accessing necessary services.

Proteinea

Seed Round in 2022
Proteinea is a biotechnology company focused on advancing the design of biotherapeutics through its innovative protein engineering platform. By utilizing proprietary deep-learning models and computational tools, Proteinea enhances the development of next-generation antibodies, aiming for improved efficacy, safety, and convenience. The company's approach integrates smart experimental throughput with artificial intelligence, allowing for comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy, yield, safety, and pharmacological properties of biologics. This enables clients to access advanced solutions for antibody medicine design, streamlining the process of creating safer and more effective therapeutic options.

Kashier

Venture Round in 2022
Kashier is a payment management platform tailored for commerce and retail businesses, offering a comprehensive toolkit to streamline various payment processes. The platform facilitates the creation of professional and customized invoices, automates regular billing and subscription payments, and supports a range of payment methods and channels. Designed to adapt to the dynamic requirements of both small startups and large enterprises, Kashier simplifies the payment experience for businesses, enabling them to efficiently process and accept payments from customers, vendors, and partners.

ExpandCart

Series B in 2022
ExpandCart is an online platform established in 2013 and based in Cairo, Egypt, that facilitates the creation of professional online stores. Recognized as the fastest growing Arabic e-commerce platform in the Middle East, ExpandCart serves a diverse clientele, ranging from individuals and small businesses to enterprise-level corporations. The platform provides users with an intuitive interface to build websites, blogs, or online stores, allowing them to incorporate various media, including images and videos. This enables entrepreneurs to effectively showcase their products and stories, connect with potential buyers, and establish authority in their respective fields. ExpandCart's commitment to affordability and user-friendly design has contributed to its significant traction and success among its clients.

GoodsMart

Venture Round in 2021
GoodsMart is a mobile application developed to facilitate the online shopping of groceries and household products. Founded in 2013 and based in Cairo, Egypt, the company aggregates local grocery stores within its platform, allowing users to purchase a range of items including groceries, personal care, and home care products. GoodsMart offers a premium shopping experience with next-day delivery, enabling consumers to enjoy fresh products delivered directly to their homes. By streamlining the grocery shopping process, GoodsMart helps users save both time and money, making daily errands more manageable.

Fatura

Seed Round in 2021
Fatura is a technology platform established in 2019 that aims to transform the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry in Egypt and Africa. It serves as a digital solution connecting FMCG manufacturers and wholesalers directly with retailers, streamlining the traditional trade cycle. By digitizing the ordering process, Fatura addresses significant challenges faced by retailers, such as supply-side inefficiencies and access to market intelligence. The platform enables retailers to make on-credit purchases, thereby improving their working capital. Additionally, Fatura employs advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence to assess the creditworthiness of retailers within its network, enhancing financial decision-making for both retailers and wholesalers. With notable traction in Cairo and Giza, Fatura is positioned to become a leading player in the FMCG technology landscape across the region.

almentor

Series B in 2021
Almentor is a prominent continuous e-learning platform that focuses on personal and professional development for individuals in the Middle East and Africa. Launched in January 2018, it boasts the largest library of high-quality Arabic video content, featuring a wide range of paid courses, free talks, crash courses, and books. The platform offers educational resources in both Arabic and English, delivered by experts across various fields, including management, technology, languages, marketing, sales, art, wellness, parenting, and design. By catering to both B2C and B2B markets, Almentor aims to meet the educational needs of Arab learners worldwide, providing them with valuable digital knowledge for their professional growth.

Empoweromics

Seed Round in 2021
Empoweromics is a property tech company that leverages AI and ML to provide real estate consultants with end-to-end business solutions.

Si-Ware Systems

Venture Round in 2021
Si-Ware Systems is a technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of integrated circuits and micro electro mechanical systems. The company operates in two primary sectors: ASIC Solutions, which focuses on custom ASIC development with expertise in analog/mixed-signal and RF design, and Optical MEMS Technology, which enables the fabrication of multiple optical components on silicon substrates. Si-Ware is also known for its NeoSpectra platform, an all-in-one material analysis solution that employs single-chip FT-NIR spectrometers to facilitate on-site analysis across various industries, including agriculture, food, and life sciences. The company is headquartered in Menlo Park, California, with additional research and development facilities in Paris, France, and Cairo, Egypt.

Docspert Health

Seed Round in 2021
Docspert Health is a telemedicine platform that connects patients in the Middle East and Africa with international medical experts through video consultations. The company aims to provide inclusive and accessible healthcare by leveraging technology to facilitate appointments with healthcare professionals. Its services include telehealth consultations and access to medical equipment, allowing patients to initiate treatment promptly and effectively. By focusing on patient-centered care, Docspert Health enhances the healthcare experience for individuals seeking specialized medical advice and support from experts across the globe.

ExpandCart

Series A in 2020
ExpandCart is an online platform established in 2013 and based in Cairo, Egypt, that facilitates the creation of professional online stores. Recognized as the fastest growing Arabic e-commerce platform in the Middle East, ExpandCart serves a diverse clientele, ranging from individuals and small businesses to enterprise-level corporations. The platform provides users with an intuitive interface to build websites, blogs, or online stores, allowing them to incorporate various media, including images and videos. This enables entrepreneurs to effectively showcase their products and stories, connect with potential buyers, and establish authority in their respective fields. ExpandCart's commitment to affordability and user-friendly design has contributed to its significant traction and success among its clients.

Brantu

Series A in 2020
Brantu AB is a fashion technology company based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 2016. It operates a digital marketplace that focuses on enhancing the fashion sales experience for both consumers and brands. The company specializes in women's shoes, apparel, and accessories, including dresses, jackets, and skirts. Brantu aims to digitize the fashion supply chain by connecting brands, retailers, and manufacturers, facilitating a seamless shopping experience through a mobile-first platform. The services offered include strategic planning, payment solutions, and logistics support, ensuring efficient delivery and convenient returns. By simplifying the onboarding process, Brantu enables local and global fashion brands to effectively reach consumers across various markets.

Money Fellows

Series A in 2020
Money Fellows is a collaborative group lending and savings platform designed to help individuals access interest-free credit and improve their savings outcomes. The platform allows users to form circles with friends and family, enabling them to contribute to a shared fund and take turns withdrawing the total amount. This innovative approach leverages users' social networks to facilitate financial collaboration, making it easier for individuals to achieve their savings goals while providing access to credit without interest. The service is characterized by its simplicity and efficiency, allowing users to validate their circles within minutes.

almentor

Series A in 2019
Almentor is a prominent continuous e-learning platform that focuses on personal and professional development for individuals in the Middle East and Africa. Launched in January 2018, it boasts the largest library of high-quality Arabic video content, featuring a wide range of paid courses, free talks, crash courses, and books. The platform offers educational resources in both Arabic and English, delivered by experts across various fields, including management, technology, languages, marketing, sales, art, wellness, parenting, and design. By catering to both B2C and B2B markets, Almentor aims to meet the educational needs of Arab learners worldwide, providing them with valuable digital knowledge for their professional growth.

Swvl

Series B in 2019
Swvl is a technology-driven mobility company that offers an app for booking fixed-route bus trips, providing users with a cost-effective alternative to traditional public transportation and ride-sharing services. Founded in 2017, Swvl operates in Egypt, Kenya, Pakistan, and has its headquarters in Dubai. The company's core product is the B2C Swvl Retail offering, which allows commuters to book rides on minibuses and other vehicles running on fixed or semi-fixed routes within cities through a mobile application. This service enables users to share rides during peak commute times for a flat fare with no surge pricing, promoting environmentally responsible mass transit solutions.

Wasoko

Seed Round in 2019
Wasoko is an e-commerce platform that connects small retail shops in Africa to the digital economy, enhancing their access to essential goods and services. By facilitating seamless transactions, the platform allows informal retailers to conveniently order products via SMS or a mobile app, ensuring they receive free same-day delivery to their stores. This approach not only simplifies the sourcing process for shopkeepers but also helps manufacturers maintain consistent product availability for consumers. Through this model, Wasoko aims to boost sales and market coverage for companies operating in emerging markets, thereby fostering trade and economic growth across the continent.

Kashier

Seed Round in 2019
Kashier is a payment management platform tailored for commerce and retail businesses, offering a comprehensive toolkit to streamline various payment processes. The platform facilitates the creation of professional and customized invoices, automates regular billing and subscription payments, and supports a range of payment methods and channels. Designed to adapt to the dynamic requirements of both small startups and large enterprises, Kashier simplifies the payment experience for businesses, enabling them to efficiently process and accept payments from customers, vendors, and partners.

Swvl

Series B in 2018
Swvl is a technology-driven mobility company that offers an app for booking fixed-route bus trips, providing users with a cost-effective alternative to traditional public transportation and ride-sharing services. Founded in 2017, Swvl operates in Egypt, Kenya, Pakistan, and has its headquarters in Dubai. The company's core product is the B2C Swvl Retail offering, which allows commuters to book rides on minibuses and other vehicles running on fixed or semi-fixed routes within cities through a mobile application. This service enables users to share rides during peak commute times for a flat fare with no surge pricing, promoting environmentally responsible mass transit solutions.

Financial Services Company

Venture Round in 2012
FSC is a market leader in retail based financial services. Our professional team and widespread service teams enable our clients to attain the utmost satisfaction. FSC was founded in 2008 with the idea of providing a suite of field based services to banks and financial sectors. Quickly, FSC proved its success and creative approach and diversity. FSC today operates Vodafone One loyalty system as well as having launched Egypt’s first anonymous prepaid cards nationwide, in collaboration with SAIB bank. FSC is currently operating in Egypt with a strategic plan to expand in the MENA region, specifically into North Africa and GCC markets. Our regional expansion is driven by our success and our belief that FSC has the capability and resources to serve its customers wherever and whenever required.

Zoomaal

Seed Round in 2012
Zoomaal is a prominent crowdfunding platform in the Arab world, launched in July 2013. It focuses on supporting creative, social, and youth projects by connecting them with funding sources from Arab expatriate communities. The platform aims to empower Arab creativity and culture, facilitating financial support for startups and entrepreneurs across the MENA region. Recognized for its impact, Zoomaal has been featured in major media outlets and has garnered backing from several Middle Eastern venture capital firms. As a semi-finalist in the MIT Arab Enterprise Forum business plan competition, the company plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and collaboration within the Arab community.

Kngine

Seed Round in 2011
Kngine, Inc. is an intelligent assistant and answer engine that provides users with direct answers to their inquiries. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, with an engineering office in Cairo, Egypt, Kngine is designed for developers and businesses to create smart applications. Its platform incorporates advanced natural language understanding and utilizes deep learning, big data, and knowledge-based approaches to deliver accurate responses. Kngine’s technology extracts factual information from web content to enhance its knowledge graph, allowing it to comprehend and process user questions effectively. The platform is capable of automating customer service, powering voice interfaces, and enhancing enterprise search functionality, ensuring that users receive meaningful results. Kngine also offers a beta application for iOS and Android devices, further extending its accessibility. As of 2017, Kngine operates as a subsidiary of Samsung Research America, Inc.

Vimov

Series A in 2011
Vimov LLC is a mobile applications development company founded in 2008 and based in Alexandria, Egypt. The company specializes in creating sophisticated yet user-friendly software solutions aimed at enhancing the end-user experience. Among its notable products is iSimulate, an application that enables developers to wirelessly send multi-touch events, accelerometer and compass data, and GPS location information to the iPhone simulator. Additionally, Vimov has developed a weather forecasting application that provides users with daily temperature updates and rain forecasts, helping them stay informed about weather conditions. The company primarily serves software developers, focusing on innovative applications that improve functionality and usability.

Alzwad Mobile Services

Venture Round in 2011
ALZWAD Mobile Services (ZMS), founded in 2009, started with a small team that had a collective vision of creating a mobile application and content platform, meeting all the possible needs of mobile users while enriching their lifestyles. Our team is driven by our passion for innovation and trendsetting while providing customers with the best value-added services today. And realize the dream of being the first platform for contents & apps targeting Arabic speaking communities globally.
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