Latest news with #SayginYalcin
Zawya
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
iMENA raises $135mln in pre-IPO funding round: IFR
Saudi digital platform operator iMENA has raised $135m in a private funding round ahead of a planned IPO. Funding comes from the Public Investment Fund via Sanabil Investments, venture capital firm FJ Labs, founder of SellAnyCar Saygin Yalcin and other Saudi investors, with the capital raise taking the form of both cash and contributions in kind. iMENA will use the funds to increase its shareholding in its three highest performing businesses; classified advertising platform OpenSooq, ride hailing service Jeeny and vehicle marketplace SellAnyCar. Al Rajhi Bank was adviser for the placement. The capital raise is the first tranche of a pre-IPO funding round as the company restructures as a Saudi closed joint stock company in preparation for listing on Tadawul. Saudi Arabia and the UAE contribute the company's largest sources of revenue at 40% each and it has operations in Jordan, Oman and Kuwait. Yalcin will join the board of directors and Sanabil will also appoint a board member.
Arab News
28-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
iMENA raises $135m in pre-IPO round led by PIF's Sanabil Investments
RIYADH: Digital platform operator iMENA Holding has raised $135 million in a pre-initial public offering funding round led by Sanabil Investments, a unit of the Public Investment Fund, as venture capital activity in Saudi Arabia gains momentum. The round, comprising private placements and in-kind contributions, also attracted participation from FJ Labs, entrepreneur Saygin Yalcin, and a group of investors from the Kingdom, iMENA said in a statement. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval. Proceeds will be used to consolidate iMENA's stakes in three key businesses — OpenSooq, SellAnyCar, and Jeeny — while supporting vertical and geographic expansion and enhancing synergies across its portfolio, it added. The transaction comes as the business restructures into a Saudi closed joint stock company under the name iMENA Holding, positioning it for future public market access. It also coincides with a surge in venture capital activity in Saudi Arabia, which attracted $391 million in investments during the first quarter of 2025, a 53 percent increase from a year earlier, according to MAGNiTT. Nasir Al-Sharif, chairman of iMENA Holding, said: 'This transaction marks an important inflection point for iMENA in its journey to IPO-readiness by taking advantage of the great opportunities provided by the Kingdom's Vision (2030) and in cooperation with the largest investment entities.' He added: 'The high growth and profitability of our businesses, in sectors and markets within which we have high conviction, provide material value creation opportunities and an exciting pathway for us to accelerate forward.' The company's businesses operate in key sectors including real estate, automotive, and mobility, with a footprint across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan, as well as Oman, Kuwait, and the wider Middle East and North Africa region. iMENA's businesses have achieved an average annual growth rate exceeding 55 percent, with approximately 40 percent of revenues generated from Saudi Arabia and another 40 percent from the UAE, the two largest strategic markets for the group. PIF-backed Sanabil Investments, which deploys around $3 billion annually across private investments including venture capital, growth funding, and small buyouts, said it backed iMENA for its 'proven scalability and profitability.' 'Leveraging our own experience in Internet marketplaces, we understand their unique strategy and are committed to bringing our expertise to support their growth and future IPO aspirations on the Saudi Exchange,' said a spokesperson for Sanabil Investments. Saygin Yalcin, founder and CEO of SellAnyCar, will join iMENA Holding's board of directors and management committee to help drive strategic direction. The new board includes Al-Sharif and Khaldoon Tabaza, co-founder and managing director of iMENA. Adey Salamin, co-founder of iMENA and CEO of OpenSooq, also joins alongside Yalcin. Other members include Mazin Al-Dawood, CEO of Osool and Bakheet Investment; Usman Sikandar, head of Investment Banking at Al Rajhi Capital; and Marco Somalvico, vice president of M&A at e&. Sanabil Investments will also appoint a member to the board in due course. Al Rajhi Capital acted as financial adviser on the private placement. Hossam Al-Basrawi, CEO of Al Rajhi Capital, said: 'Al Rajhi Capital is proud to support iMENA's transformation and potential IPO journey. The group's integrated model and strategic vision make it a standout in the region's digital landscape.'
CairoScene
28-04-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Saudi VC Company iMENA Raises $135 Million to Accelerate IPO Plans
Saudi VC Company iMENA Raises $135 Million to Accelerate IPO Plans Saudi-based venture capital investment company iMENA Group has raised $135 million in a pre-IPO investment round, securing backing from Sanabil Investments, FJ Labs, Saygin Yalcin, and other Saudi investors. The capital raise, comprising a private placement and in-kind contributions, represents the first tranche of iMENA's pre-IPO funding efforts. Proceeds will be directed toward increasing iMENA's shareholding in OpenSooq, SellAnyCar, and Jeeny, in addition to supporting vertical and geographic expansion and enhancing platform synergies. In a step toward a future public listing, iMENA has restructured into a Saudi Closed Joint Stock Company (CJSC) under the name iMENA Holding. Saygin Yalcin will join the Board of Directors and management committee to contribute to the company's strategic direction. The transaction was described as an important milestone in iMENA's path to IPO-readiness, closely aligned with opportunities created by Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. The newly appointed Board of Directors includes Nasir Alsharif, Khaldoon Tabaza, Adey Salamin, Saygin Yalcin, Mazin AlDawood, Usman Sikandar, and Marco Somalvico, with a representative from Sanabil Investments to be named soon. iMENA's platforms — OpenSooq, SellAnyCar, and Jeeny — are market leaders across the real estate, automotive, and mobility sectors in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Oman, Kuwait, and the wider Middle East. These businesses are profitable, with an annual growth rate exceeding 55%, and revenue contributions are balanced between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, each accounting for approximately 40%. Founded in 2012 by Nasir Alsharif, Khaldoon Tabaza, and Adey Salamin, iMENA has a track record of launching, acquiring, scaling, and exiting digital businesses across the region. Its leadership team brings extensive expertise in technology, marketplaces, investment, and venture capital within the MENA landscape.
Zawya
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
PIF-backed Sanabil funds Middle East tech firm planning a Saudi IPO
Sanabil Investments, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, is partly funding Middle East tech firm iMENA Group's $135 million capital raise, which the company said was the first tranche of a planned IPO. The funding round also drew investments from venture capital firm FJ Labs, and Saygin Yalcin, the founder and CEO of SellAnyCar, among other Saudi investors. The capital raise comprises a private placement and in-kind contributions, with iMENA allotting the funds to increase its shareholding in several digital marketplaces, including OpenSooq, SellAnyCar, and ride-sharing service Jeeny. The funding will also 'drive vertical and geographic expansion,' iMENA said. As part of the capital raise, iMENA said it has now restructured into a Saudi Closed Joint Stock Company (CJSC) under the name of iMENA Holding, with Yalcin joining the company's board and management committee. Al Rajhi Capital acted as financial advisor on the private placement. Founded in 2012, iMENA has operations in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Oman, Kuwait, and the broader Middle East region. (Writing by Bindu Rai, editing by Seban Scaria)
Wamda
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- Wamda
iMENA raises $135 million pre-IPO investment
Saudi Arabia-based digital platform supporter iMENA Group has raised a $135 million pre-IPO investment from Sanabil Investments, FJ Labs, and Saygin Yalcin, the founder and CEO of SellAnyCar, and a number of other Saudi investors. The capital raise is comprised of a private placement and in-kind contributions and is the first tranche of a pre-IPO funding round. The new funding round will be used to increase iMENA's shareholding in its three high-performing businesses to drive vertical and geographic expansion and to improve synergies across its platforms. Co-founded in 2012 by Nasir Alsharif, Khaldoon Tabaza, and Adey Salamin, iMENA is the mother company of three regional platforms, OpenSooq, SellAnyCar, and Jeeny. It has launched, acquired, scaled, and exited several successful regional platforms. Press release: iMENA Group ('iMENA'), a regional leader in digital platforms in the MENA region, has raised $135 million from Sanabil Investments, a wholly owned company of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), FJ Labs, a global venture capital firm known for backing category-leading marketplace and network-effect platforms, and Saygin Yalcin, the founder and CEO of SellAnyCar, and a number of other leading Saudi investors. The capital raise is comprised of a private placement and in-kind contributions and is the first tranche of a pre-IPO funding round. The new funding round will be used to increase iMENA's shareholding in its three high-performing businesses: OpenSooq, SellAnyCar, and Jeeny; to drive vertical and geographic expansion; and to improve synergies across its platforms. iMENA confirmed that it has now restructured into a Saudi Closed Joint Stock Company (CJSC) under the name of iMENA Holding. This transformation marks a major milestone in the company's evolution into a regional digital powerhouse, ahead of a potential public listing. Furthermore, Saygin Yalcin will also join iMENA's Board of Directors and management committee to help drive strategic direction for the company. Nasir Alsharif, Chairman of iMENA Holding, said: 'This transaction marks an important inflection point for iMENA in its journey to IPO-readiness by taking advantage of the great opportunities provided by the Kingdom's Vision (2030) and in cooperation with the largest investment entities. We are shaping the future of the region's digital economy as a platform of internet marketplaces driving innovation at pace and at scale. The high growth and profitability of our businesses, in sectors and markets within which we have high conviction, provide material value creation opportunities and an exciting pathway for us to accelerate forward.' A spokesperson at Sanabil Investments added: 'We are excited to invest in iMENA Holding, a digital platform with proven scalability and profitability. Leveraging our own experience in internet marketplaces, we understand their unique strategy and are committed to bringing our expertise to support their growth and future IPO aspirations on the Saudi Exchange.' Acting as a financial advisor to iMENA Holding on the private placement, Hossam AlBasrawi, CEO of Al Rajhi Capital, commented, 'Al Rajhi Capital is proud to support iMENA's transformation and potential IPO journey. The group's integrated model and strategic vision make it a standout in the region's digital landscape.' Closing of the capital raise remains subject to standard closing conditions and the approval of the authorities in Saudi Arabia. iMENA Holding's new Board of Directors will comprise the following regional leaders and sector veterans: Nasir Alsharif, Chairman of iMENA, Board Member at AWJ Holding Company and Executive Chairman of Sackville Capital Khaldoon Tabaza, Co-founder & Managing Director of iMENA Adey Salamin, Co-founder of iMENA and CEO of OpenSooq Saygin Yalcin, Founder & CEO of SellAnyCar Mazin AlDawood, CEO of Osool & Bakheet Investment Usman Sikandar, Head of Investment Banking at Al Rajhi Capital Marco Somalvico, Vice President M&A of e& Sanabil Investments will also appoint a member to the Board of Directors of iMENA Holding in due course. iMENA's businesses, OpenSooq, SellAnyCar, and Jeeny, are regional leaders in horizontal and vertical marketplaces across the largest sectors in the region, including real estate, automotive, and mobility, with operations in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Oman, Kuwait, and the broader Middle East region. iMENA's businesses are profitable and growing rapidly, with an average annual growth rate exceeding 55%. Almost 40% of the aggregate revenues of iMENA's businesses come from Saudi Arabia, with another 40% from the UAE, making them iMENA's two core strategic markets. iMENA's businesses aim to serve as a compelling proxy for the digital economy in the Middle East and North Africa region, giving investors direct exposure to the region's fastest-growing online sectors. About iMENA Holding: iMENA was founded in 2012 and has evolved into a regional internet champion, building and scaling high-growth internet businesses across the Middle East and North Africa region. The company was co-founded by Nasir Alsharif, Khaldoon Tabaza, and Adey Salamin, who joined as part of this restructuring by Saygin Yalcin. They plan to leverage their expertise in technology and investment to continue building and operating digital marketplaces. Over the years, iMENA has launched, acquired, scaled, and successfully exited a number of successful regional platforms, thereby becoming a strategic consolidator in the digital economy. Nasir Alsharif, iMENA's Chairman, is an experienced investor and builder of investment businesses across venture capital, technology and broader private markets, with current roles including Board Member at AWJ Holding Company and Executive Chairman at Sackville Capital. Khaldoon Tabaza, Managing Director of iMENA Holding and Chairman of Opensooq, is a pioneer in the region's technology and venture capital ecosystem with more than 30 years of experience in building and investing in digital ventures across MENA, including founding the first venture-backed online business in the region more than 25 years ago. Adey Salamin is a marketplace expert and the CEO of OpenSooq, known for scaling the platform into one of the region's most visited websites and mobile applications. Adey has over 20 years of experience as a founder, operator, investor, and advisor of growth businesses. Saygin Yalcin is a serial entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of SellAnyCar, one of the most prominent digital automotive brands in the Middle East. Previously, he was Founder and CEO of and Vice President of following a merger forming the Middle East's largest E-commerce group that was later acquired by Amazon.
