POWERED BY FANARQSTP recently launched the Women Investors Focus Group, bringing together inspiring women leaders who are shaping the future of VC in MENA. Here are my 7 takeaways from this event:
Collaboration fuels change – Women leaders have the ability to unite and advance efforts in closing the funding gap across MENA, where women-led startups receive less than 3% of global VC funding.
Expert insights – Rama Chakaki broke down VC basics, from how capital is aggregated and allocated to the different funding stages — Seed, Early Stage, Later Stage, IPO, and Public Markets. She also explained tools like SAFE agreements that make early-stage deals easier, while addressing the systemic barriers women face in the sector.
Women-led networks shine – WAIN, the first investor network for women in MENA, stood out as a powerful model empowering women investors and founders, with a goal to invest in 30+ female-led ventures and support initiatives like AI for Good.
Real-world impact – Success stories from KamKalima (gamified Arabic e-learning), Sobol (air quality and safety solutions), and Rawi Al Kotob (Arabic audiobooks) showcased the tangible influence of women-led ventures.
Authentic journeys – Rama’s personal story of launching Baraka Ventures in 2003 and investing in 23 companies highlighted resilience, learning from setbacks, and building purpose-driven innovation.
Calling out bias – The group explored how systemic and unconscious biases influence investment decisions, from pitch rooms to follow-on funding, and how women’s communication styles are often misinterpreted.
A clear roadmap – Upcoming QSTP-led workshops, including the FemTech Accelerator and AI for Good initiatives, aim to equip women with the skills and confidence to step into VC and angel investing.
Stay tuned for our upcoming workshops and events on “The 300” — a step toward building a more inclusive investment ecosystem. Follow us on our socials and share this with someone who wants to be part of this initiative.
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