GENIUS VENTURES

Genius Ventures provides capital, value, and support for early-stage MENA region tech companies. According to Zawya Private Equity Monitor "Arab private equity funds raised US$5 billion in 2008, of which only US$72 million (approx 1%) was allocated to venture capital funds." Looking at Egypt as a microcosm, a country of 80 million is serviced by only two serious technology VC firms that have raised under $150 million in combined capital in the past decade. Genius Ventures intends to take advantage of this opportunity through GVF1. They are based in Cairo, with representation in Dubai and Doha, Genius Ventures provides capital, value-added insight, and support for early-stage tech companies in the MENA region. It was founded by Karim Elsahy.