Global Ventures' Noor Sweid on Coming of Age and the region's startup landscape

Gulf Business

13-03-2025

Image: Supplied
N
oor Sweid, founder and managing partner of Global Ventures, has witnessed firsthand the transformation of the MENA region's entrepreneurial and investment landscape.
From scaling businesses to angel investing and launching her venture capital firm to publishing her book, Sweid's journey is a testament to the region's burgeoning innovation.
Sweid's book,
Coming of Age: How Technology and Entrepreneurship Are Changing the Face of MENA,
published by Motivate Media Group's
,
span
ning
industries as diverse as fintech, healthtech and agritech all of which have emerged out of the desert since the new millennium to produce global-leading transformative ventures, and leapfrogging technologies.
In this interview, she discusses her founding journey, the vision behind Global Ventures, her book and the excitement surrounding MENA's emergence as a global tech hub.
Sweid also shares her insights into the future of the region's investment scene, tips for entrepreneurs, and the sectors poised for disruption in the coming years.
Tell us about Global Ventures' founding journey. What inspired you to start a venture capital firm?
I have been fortunate and blessed to have had many experiences in my career — from consulting in the biopharma industry to working in the family business to scale and IPO Depa, to being an entrepreneur myself in establishing ZenYoga, which grew into the largest chain of yoga and Pilates studios in the Middle East before being successfully sold to a private equity firm in 2014. Finally, my experiences gave me the privilege of working in the Dubai Future Foundation, realising the incredible vision for innovation that the leadership has.
Whereas all of these different experiences had steep learning curves, running an IPO and subsequently being involved in the public company, which was listed at over $1bn was challenging, my firsthand experience in scaling a regional startup from scratch helped me realise and understand the challenges that entrepreneurs face – and discover how tough it was. This is what led me to begin angel investing and supporting founders across the region.
Mentoring founders and angel investing further revealed a significant funding gap for startups. This realisation drove me to establish Global Ventures, pooling capital to back extraordinary founders building solutions that positively impact millions of lives.
Since starting Global Ventures, it has been inspirational to see venture capital evolve from its regional infancy to where it is now.
Congratulations on the launch of your book. What motivated you to write it?
Thank you. I'm thrilled to share
Coming of Age
, which explores how technology and entrepreneurship are transforming the MENA region. I believe that there are so many incredible stories of founders across the region, and many of them have yet to be told. In particular, the personal journeys and trials and tribulations are still not shared. Every time I listen to these founders; I am incredibly inspired and moved. So, I felt it would make sense to share these stories with the world as much as possible.
The book features the experiences of 35 pioneering regional founders, highlighting their transformative ventures, leapfrogging technologies, and the critical industries they have shaped that address acute market needs, including fintech, healthtech, agritech and transformative sectors like AI, blockchain, crypto and energy.
To buy the book, go to
:
Image: Booksarabia.com
What does the book focus on?
The book chronicles MENA's remarkable entrepreneurial journey, weaving together its history and current status as a global innovation hub.
While the coming-of-age stories of emerging markets like China, India, and Brazil have been well-documented, I noticed a lack of similar narratives for MENA, despite its impressive economic growth and entrepreneurial evolution.
Having invested in the region for over 15 years, I've witnessed incredible innovations by regional founders who are leveraging technology to drive both regional and global impact. The region's story needed to be told, not only to celebrate its journey but also to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.
What is the most important takeaway from
the book for readers?
There are so many, but if I had to choose one, it would be how promising MENA's future is.
A decade ago, MENA was largely a blank canvas for innovation. Many of the early founders, those I refer to as the 'Originals' in the book, faced the solitude of building in uncharted territory. Today, however, that creative isolation has given way to a thriving ecosystem teeming with talent, capital, and opportunity.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia are positioning themselves as global venture capital hubs, attracting international investors while nurturing home-grown startups that promise to make a global impact.
MENA's cities have evolved into innovation centres, addressing pressing challenges such as financial inclusion, food security, and healthcare access. The region is no longer just a consumer market but a launchpad for ideas that can change the world.
The 'Originals' paved the way, and now the next generation of innovators is building on their legacy. As MENA comes of age, the future is ours to imagine, create, and shape. It's an incredibly exciting time.
Share your insights on the region's VC and entrepreneurial landscape. How do you see the investment landscape evolving in the GCC, particularly in 2025?
The MENA investment landscape is vibrant and evolving. While regional venture funding dipped in 2024, mirroring global private capital trends, the overall trajectory since 2019 has been upward, with the sector growing from $990m to $2.6bn in just four years, reaching its peak in 2022.
In 2024, over half of venture capital investments (52 per cent) originated from international sources, a significant shift from the primarily domestic funding base just five years ago. International investors are drawn to the region's focus on profitability and capital efficiency. We expect this momentum to continue, fuelled by larger investment rounds, increasing M&A activity, and maturing capital markets.
Regional exits, for example, have doubled over the last five years. Government initiatives also play a key role, in fostering an innovation-friendly environment.
What has Global Ventures recently invested in?
We recently invested in BioSapien, a patented drug delivery platform treating cancer locally. Its flagship product, MediChip, is a 3D-printed, slow-release delivery system that minimises systemic side effects by concentrating treatment within the tumour microenvironment. This technology improves oncology outcomes and represents a cost-effective innovation with far-reaching patient benefits.
These are the types of innovations we see coming out of the MENA region and enabling us to create new technologies and solutions that are applicable around the world.
What is your long-term vision for Global Ventures?
Global Ventures will continue to back emerging-market founders who are creating transformative change. As highlighted in my book, the MENA region has transitioned from being an emerging market to a global innovation powerhouse.
It has the perfect blend of youthful energy, cutting-edge technology, and progressive regulatory frameworks to catalyse growth and leapfrog into the future.
Our vision is to remain at the heart of this transformation, inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.
These are exciting times for both Global Ventures and the region.
What tips do you have for entrepreneurs to succeed?
Do what you love
: Entrepreneurship is demanding, so it's essential to enjoy what you do.
Just start
: The entrepreneurial journey is rarely linear or predictable. Momentum follows action.
Solve clear problems
: This not only defines your market but also provides clarity on your business and product. Avoid being distracted by the solution and focus on the problem you're solving.
Build the right team
: Surround yourself with talented, positive people. They will help you reach your goals faster and more effectively.