Sawari Ventures

Sawari Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Cairo, Egypt, focused on harnessing the investment potential of the Middle East and North Africa region. Recognizing the area's unique demographic advantages, including a large population of digital natives and higher per capita GDP than many emerging markets, Sawari Ventures aims to capitalize on the growing demand for consumer technology products and services. The firm specializes in identifying and supporting local visionaries in the technology sector, particularly in mobile, internet, social media, and eCommerce. With a deep understanding of the regional culture and business landscape, Sawari Ventures leverages its extensive experience and global relationships to transform innovative local ideas into successful international ventures.

Ahmed Alfi

Founder 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 that specializes in the development of reference clocks and clock generators utilizing piezoelectric MEMS resonators integrated with CMOS technology. The company focuses on providing high-performance timing integrated circuits (ICs) tailored for various industries, including industrial, networking, telecommunications, and automotive applications. Pearl Semiconductor's innovative manufacturing processes and patented IC design technologies enable the production of programmable reference clocks and integrated circuits that meet stringent performance requirements. By delivering a combination of advanced technology and competitive pricing, Pearl Semiconductor aims to address the specific needs of its customers across these demanding sectors.

Axis

Seed Round in 2023
Axis is a digital banking alternative tailored for small businesses and solopreneurs, addressing the various challenges they face in managing operations and finances. The platform simplifies employee payroll, salary advances, and business payments to suppliers, contractors, and vendors through an interoperable mobile wallet. Employees benefit from this system by being able to send and receive money from any mobile wallet in Egypt, while also earning rewards for their transactions. Fully licensed by the Central Bank of Egypt, Axis has developed its entire technology infrastructure in-house, offering a comprehensive suite of tools and resources designed to help small business founders thrive in a competitive landscape.

almentor

Series C in 2023
almentor is an innovative e-learning platform that offers a comprehensive collection of video-based training programs aimed at personal and professional development for Arabic speakers worldwide. Launched in January 2018, it features the largest library of high-quality Arabic educational content, including paid courses, free talks, crash courses, and books. The platform delivers courses in various fields such as management, technology, languages, marketing, sales, art, wellness, parenting, and design, ensuring that learners can access valuable knowledge from leading subject matter experts. Almentor caters to both individual learners and businesses, providing resources that support continuous learning and professional growth in the Middle East and Africa.

WaterSec

Seed Round in 2022
WaterSec is a manufacturer of Internet of Things (IoT) devices that facilitate communication with gateways to transmit water usage data to application dashboards. The company focuses on enabling customers to monitor their water consumption effectively. By providing real-time data, usage predictions, and anomaly detection, WaterSec assists clients in enhancing water-use efficiency. Their solutions aim to optimize water consumption for both individuals and businesses, supporting a more sustainable approach to water management.

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 lending and savings platform designed to help individuals access interest-free credit and achieve better savings outcomes. The platform allows users to form circles with friends and family, enabling them to pool their resources into a common fund. Participants can contribute to this fund and take turns withdrawing the total amount, facilitating a supportive financial network. By leveraging social connections, Money Fellows provides a unique approach to saving and borrowing, promoting financial collaboration among users.

ADVA

Seed Round in 2022
ADVA is an innovative online service installment platform based in Egypt. The company has developed a mobile application that allows users to access various services, including health, education, insurance, home finishing, and wedding expenses, through tailored installment plans. This user-friendly application simplifies the process of obtaining necessary services by enabling customers to complete transactions with just one click. ADVA aims to make essential services more accessible by providing flexible payment options that cater to individual needs.

Proteinea

Seed Round in 2022
Proteinea is a biotechnology company that specializes in developing biotherapeutics by utilizing advanced protein engineering techniques. The company has created a platform that employs proprietary artificial intelligence models and computational tools to design next-generation antibodies with enhanced efficacy, safety, and convenience. By integrating novel deep-learning models with smart experimental throughput, Proteinea aims to streamline the process of biologics design for antibody medicines. This innovative approach allows clients to evaluate the efficacy, yield, safety, and pharmacological properties of their products more effectively, ultimately leading to smarter and faster development of therapeutic solutions.

Kashier

Venture Round in 2022
Kashier is a payment management platform tailored for commerce and retail businesses, offering a comprehensive toolkit to facilitate various aspects of business operations. It simplifies the payment process by providing features such as professional and customized invoicing, automated regular billing, and subscription payment management. The platform is designed to accommodate the diverse needs of businesses, from small startups to large enterprises, enabling them to efficiently process and accept payments from customers, vendors, and partners through multiple payment methods and channels.

ExpandCart

Series B in 2022
ExpandCart is an online platform founded in 2013 and based in Cairo, Egypt, that enables users to create professional online stores. It is recognized as the fastest growing Arabic e-commerce platform in the Middle East, serving a diverse clientele that includes individuals, small businesses, and enterprise-level corporations. The platform offers a user-friendly interface that allows entrepreneurs to build websites or online stores by incorporating various media, such as images and videos. This functionality helps users effectively showcase their products and services, connect with potential buyers, and establish their presence in the digital marketplace. ExpandCart has gained significant traction in recent years, contributing to the success of its clients across the region.

GoodsMart

Venture Round in 2021
GoodsMart is a mobile application developed to facilitate online grocery shopping and delivery. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Cairo, Egypt, the platform aggregates local grocery stores, allowing users to purchase groceries, personal care, and home care products conveniently. GoodsMart aims to provide premium products while ensuring timely delivery, with options for next-day drop-off. The service is designed to help consumers streamline their daily errands, enjoy fresh products, and save money by bringing essential items directly to their homes.

Fatura

Seed Round in 2021
Fatura is a technology platform transforming the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector in Egypt and Africa since its inception in 2019. It serves as the first application to facilitate the entire FMCG traditional trade cycle, connecting manufacturers and wholesalers directly with retailers. By digitizing the ordering process, Fatura addresses critical challenges within the traditional FMCG framework, while also enhancing retailers' cash flow through the option of on-credit purchasing. The platform utilizes data analytics and advanced AI models to evaluate the creditworthiness of retailers efficiently. With a strong presence in Cairo and Giza, Fatura is positioned to become a leading technology provider in the FMCG industry across the region, helping to correct supply-side inefficiencies and providing valuable market intelligence.

almentor

Series B in 2021
almentor is an innovative e-learning platform that offers a comprehensive collection of video-based training programs aimed at personal and professional development for Arabic speakers worldwide. Launched in January 2018, it features the largest library of high-quality Arabic educational content, including paid courses, free talks, crash courses, and books. The platform delivers courses in various fields such as management, technology, languages, marketing, sales, art, wellness, parenting, and design, ensuring that learners can access valuable knowledge from leading subject matter experts. Almentor caters to both individual learners and businesses, providing resources that support continuous learning and professional growth in the Middle East and Africa.

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 specializes in manufacturing integrated circuits and micro electro mechanical systems solutions. The company offers ASIC Solutions, focused on custom ASIC development with an emphasis on analog/mixed-signal and RF design, alongside its Optical MEMS Technology, which enables the integration of multiple optical components on silicon. Si-Ware’s NeoSpectra platform is a comprehensive material analysis solution that utilizes single-chip FT-NIR spectrometers, allowing for high-performance and accurate analysis in various industries, including agriculture, food, and life sciences. This platform combines portable analyzers with the NeoSpectra LabStore, a repository for test methods developed by experts in FT-NIR technology. Si-Ware Systems is headquartered in Menlo Park, California, with additional research and development centers located in Paris, France, and Cairo, Egypt.

Docspert Health

Seed Round in 2021
Docspert Health is a telemedicine platform that facilitates connections between patients in the Middle East and Africa and international medical experts via video consultations. The platform aims to provide inclusive and accessible healthcare by offering a variety of services, which include appointments with healthcare professionals, online video consultations, telehealth services, and access to medical equipment. By leveraging technology, Docspert Health enables patients to initiate treatment promptly, thereby enhancing the chances of successful health outcomes.

ExpandCart

Series A in 2020
ExpandCart is an online platform founded in 2013 and based in Cairo, Egypt, that enables users to create professional online stores. It is recognized as the fastest growing Arabic e-commerce platform in the Middle East, serving a diverse clientele that includes individuals, small businesses, and enterprise-level corporations. The platform offers a user-friendly interface that allows entrepreneurs to build websites or online stores by incorporating various media, such as images and videos. This functionality helps users effectively showcase their products and services, connect with potential buyers, and establish their presence in the digital marketplace. ExpandCart has gained significant traction in recent years, contributing to the success of its clients across the region.

Brantu

Series A in 2020
Brantu AB is a fashion technology company based in Stockholm, Sweden, established in 2016. It operates a digital marketplace focused on women's fashion, offering a range of products including shoes, clothing, and accessories. Brantu aims to create a seamless shopping experience by digitizing the fashion supply chain, connecting brands, retailers, and manufacturers, particularly in developing markets. The company's services encompass business development for e-commerce platforms, providing strategic planning, payment solutions, and logistics support for consumers and retail stores. By prioritizing a mobile-first approach, Brantu enhances user engagement with appealing content, swift delivery, and free returns, facilitating the entry of local and global fashion brands into various markets.

Money Fellows

Series A in 2020
Money Fellows is a collaborative lending and savings platform designed to help individuals access interest-free credit and achieve better savings outcomes. The platform allows users to form circles with friends and family, enabling them to pool their resources into a common fund. Participants can contribute to this fund and take turns withdrawing the total amount, facilitating a supportive financial network. By leveraging social connections, Money Fellows provides a unique approach to saving and borrowing, promoting financial collaboration among users.

almentor

Series A in 2019
almentor is an innovative e-learning platform that offers a comprehensive collection of video-based training programs aimed at personal and professional development for Arabic speakers worldwide. Launched in January 2018, it features the largest library of high-quality Arabic educational content, including paid courses, free talks, crash courses, and books. The platform delivers courses in various fields such as management, technology, languages, marketing, sales, art, wellness, parenting, and design, ensuring that learners can access valuable knowledge from leading subject matter experts. Almentor caters to both individual learners and businesses, providing resources that support continuous learning and professional growth in the Middle East and Africa.

Swvl

Series B in 2019
Swvl, LLC is a mobility company that offers an application enabling users to book fixed-route bus and van trips at affordable rates. Launched in 2017 and headquartered in Dubai, the app allows customers to reserve rides on underutilized buses during peak commuting hours without surge pricing. Swvl operates in several countries, including Egypt, Kenya, and Pakistan, providing a reliable alternative to traditional public transportation and ridesharing services. The company's primary focus is on creating a cost-effective, safe, and environmentally friendly mass transit solution, allowing commuters to travel between designated pick-up points within cities using its technology-driven platform.

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 facilitate various aspects of business operations. It simplifies the payment process by providing features such as professional and customized invoicing, automated regular billing, and subscription payment management. The platform is designed to accommodate the diverse needs of businesses, from small startups to large enterprises, enabling them to efficiently process and accept payments from customers, vendors, and partners through multiple payment methods and channels.

Swvl

Series B in 2018
Swvl, LLC is a mobility company that offers an application enabling users to book fixed-route bus and van trips at affordable rates. Launched in 2017 and headquartered in Dubai, the app allows customers to reserve rides on underutilized buses during peak commuting hours without surge pricing. Swvl operates in several countries, including Egypt, Kenya, and Pakistan, providing a reliable alternative to traditional public transportation and ridesharing services. The company's primary focus is on creating a cost-effective, safe, and environmentally friendly mass transit solution, allowing commuters to travel between designated pick-up points within cities using its technology-driven platform.

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 facilitates funding for creative, social, and youth projects across the MENA region by connecting entrepreneurs and startups with Arab expatriate communities. The platform aims to empower Arab creativity and culture by providing a space for individuals and organizations to seek financial support for their initiatives. Recognized as a semi-finalist in the MIT Arab Enterprise Forum business plan competition, Zoomaal has gained visibility through features in various media outlets, including CNN and the International Herald Tribune. Backed by several Middle Eastern venture capital firms, Zoomaal continues to be at the forefront of the crowdfunding movement in the region.

Kngine

Seed Round in 2011
Kngine, Inc. is an intelligent assistant and answer engine that provides direct answers to user inquiries. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, with an engineering office in Cairo, Egypt, Kngine's platform supports developers and businesses in creating smart applications that incorporate factual question-answering and knowledge capabilities. The technology leverages deep learning and knowledge-based approaches to comprehend natural language, allowing it to interpret user queries effectively. Kngine's search engine not only indexes web pages but also extracts factual information to enhance its knowledge graph. Its applications can automate customer service, facilitate voice interfaces, and improve enterprise search, ensuring that users receive meaningful and accurate responses. As of October 2017, Kngine operates as a subsidiary of Samsung Research America, Inc.

Vimov

Series A in 2011
Vimov LLC is a mobile application development company established in 2008 and headquartered in Alexandria, Egypt. It specializes in creating sophisticated yet user-friendly software solutions that enhance the end-user experience. One of its notable products is iSimulate, which allows 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 and aims to deliver innovative tools that facilitate mobile app development.

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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