Netaj launches Iraq's first VC studio to boost local startups
Based in Baghdad, Nawat will support 40 Iraqi startups through a six-month, hands-on program combining mentorship, product development, market access, and funding.
The studio operates in three stages: ideation, MVP/prototype, and early-stage startups, providing tailored bootcamps, one-on-one guidance, and investor connections.
'Nawat is a movement to reimagine how startups are built and backed in Iraq,' said Wissam Mattout, CEO of Netaj. 'We're bridging the gap between raw talent and structured capital.'
Startups will benefit from a hybrid investment model, including in-kind support valued at $10K–$25K and direct funding from $25K–$250K. Netaj plans to invest in the top 5–10 ventures showing high scalability and founder commitment.
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