Netaj Launches Nawat: "Iraq's First VC Studio"
By John Lee.
Netaj -- a Baghdad-based innovation firm that offers venture support, strategic consulting, and capability-building for entrepreneurs and institutions -- has announced the official launch of Nawat, which it describes as the country's first-ever Venture Capital (VC) Studio.
According to a press release, Nawat is designed to identify, support, and invest in high-potential Iraqi startups through a tailored 6-month journey that combines mentorship, product development, market access, and funding readiness.
Wissam Mattout (pictured), CEO of Netaj, said:
"Nawat is a movement to reimagine how startups are built and backed in Iraq. We are bridging the gap between raw talent and structured capital, offering founders a launchpad to scale both locally and globally.
"For too long, Iraqi entrepreneurs have had to build in isolation. Nawat will equip them with the expertise, tools, and capital they need, not just to survive, but to lead the next wave of innovation in the region."
The studio is open to 40 startups, segmented across three tracks:
Ideation stage
MVP/Prototype stage
Early-established startups
Each startup receives customized support, including expert-led bootcamps, one-on-one consultations, mentorship from industry veterans, and direct access to investors through demo days and curated matchmaking.
"This is Iraq's moment," said Mattout. "If we want to build serious startups, we need serious infrastructure. Nawat is the missing puzzle piece - designed for founders, by founders."
Nawat offers a hybrid investment model, combining:
In-kind investment (product development, branding, digital tools) valued between $10K-$25K.
Direct financial investment ranging from $25K-$250K using convertible notes or equity.
Netaj aims to invest in the top 5 to 10 startups that demonstrate traction, scalability, and founder commitment to operational growth.
(Source: EQ.IQ)
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