We Capitalize on the Future by Investing in Brilliant Entrepreneurs

HALA Ventures is a Saudi VC that empowers tech-startups in early-growth stages.

We, at HALA Ventures, catalyze future growth by investing in technology-based start-ups that achieved sustainable revenue, and empower them with investment and consultancy to reach their highest potential.

As one of the region’s trusted, well-reputed VC firms, Hala Ventures, envisions being MENA’s most active Venture Capital while contributing to enhancing the economic infrastructure.

It started operating in 2014 under the umbrella of its affiliated company, Financial Horizon Group, as a Corporate Fund investing in various Asset-Classes including Venture Capital. It’s been established as it’s known today since 2018.

Our Fund

We invest in capital efficient businesses that leverage technology to scale fast globally.

Regional Focus

GCC Region, Egypt, & Jordan

Target Startups

Technology-based Startups
Large Addressable Markets

Investment Stage

Early & Growth stages

Meet the Team

Ali Abussaud

Founding Managing Partner

Professional Investor, Licensed Financial Consultant, Serial Entrepreneur, and Ex- Corporate Banker.
After 18 years in managing the family investments, and 10 years in the Corporate & Institutional banking sector, between ABC Bank, SAMBA, NCB, & Saudi Hollandi Bank, where Ali Abussaud was managing a portfolio in excess of USD 1.5 Billion, Ali founded Financial Horizon Group in 2014 that provides financial & management consulting, recruitment and executive search services. During the same period, Ali & his business partner started their Corporate Investment Fund which invested in various Asset-Classes including Venture Capital.

In 2018, Ali co-founded Hala Ventures, one of the well valued active venture capital firms in Saudi and MENA region.

Ali holds a B.S. degree in Finance & Economics from KFUPM.

Hussain Almarhoon

Founding Managing Partner

Professional Investor, Social Entrepreneur, and Ex- Corporate Banker.

After several years as a corporate banker at National Commercial Bank “NCB”, where he used to manage a diversified portfolio of more than USD 150 million, Hussain AlMarhoon joined his family business as a Deputy General Manager, where he managed the Finance & Investment Division. Later on, he joined Financial Horizon Group to co-manage the SME Consultation department.
In 2014, Hussain & his business partner started their Corporate Investment Fund which invested in various Asset-Classes including Venture Capital.

In 2018, Hussain co-founded Hala Ventures, one of the well valued active venture capital firms in Saudi and MENA region.

Hussain holds a B.S. degree in Management Information System from KFUPM.

Ayat AlSabbagh

Investment Associate

Ayat is an accomplished and self-motivated Finance Personnel. She has earned her B.S Degree with honors in Finance and Banking from IAU. She brings passion and deep analytical and research skills to her rule at Hala Ventures since 2019. She’s currently focusing on the deal sourcing, Investment Analyses, Reporting, and due diligence with what matches the investment criteria at Hala Ventures.

Lulwah Alduhami

Value Creation & Marketing

Lulwah is a business enthusiast with experience in profitable business strategizing, project management, design thinking, user experience, branding, and content creation. She has co-founded several startups in the industries of marketing & advertising, social entrepreneurship, and art e-commerce. As she’s passionate about entrepreneurship, In 2019, she joined Hala Ventures as Value Creation & Marketing specialist for the aim of adding value and creating a positive impact on the community and economy through supporting and empowering technology-based ventures.

Lulwah holds a B.S degree in Business Administration from Jubail University College (JUC).

Zahra Al Huraiz

Executive Assistant

Zahra is an Ambitious and disciplined administrative professional with eight years of experience as an administrative assistant that sharpened her skills as a team player in communication and critical thinking. She has joined HALA Ventures in 2021 as an executive assistant to smoothen the daily operational tasks and refine her knowledge in the Venture Capital sector.

Zahra has graduated with an honor degree in Business Administration from AOU.

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Our Investments

Sarwa is a robo advisory app that helps individuals maximize returns at a risk they’re comfortable with. It is a wealth management platform that obtained first DIFC License.

Tamara is a Saudi Fintech startup providing Buy Now Pay Later solution. It is designed for customers to pay instantly with no fees with the ability to defer payments up to 30 days or pay in 3 installments.

MAGNiTT, The venture data platform for emerging markets across MENA region. It connects entrepreneurs directly with ecosystem stakeholders including investors, mentors, support services, and talent.

LamsaWorld is a fun learning app for everyone. It provides various educational games; games for kids, games for toddlers, and learning games for preschoolers.

Enhance is a venture builder that builds online businesses that deliver life-enhancing products & services to their customers. Enhance's first venture “Joi Gifts”, is currently the largest online gifting platform in the MENA, and recently, Tojjar.me was launched as the second venture of Enhance.

360VUZ is a multimedia company that specializes in creating and streaming content in 360 technology.

Eventtus is an engagement platform for physical and virtual events, and is the leading event technology company in MENA.

POSRocket provides an intuitive, secure, cloud-based point-of-sale system and empowers merchants to run smarter businesses by optimizing staffing, regulating inventory, and accessing sales reports in one seamless, cloud-based platform.

PointCheckout is the first of its kind dedicated online payment provider that allows members to pay online within the PointCheckout merchant network using their points.

Buseet is a ride-hailing bus service, for both B2B & B2C, allowing users to take the fastest route every day while enjoying comfortable rides.

Telfaz11, a leading Arabic Multi-Channel Network (MCN) changing the face of home-grown online entertainment, who are committed to conceptualizing and producing entertaining and creative online content through YouTube partnership.

GEEKS is reinventing the world of IT, as an on-demand and Automated IT Support providers for both businesses and consumers.

Democrance is an insurance technology company with a mission to create partnerships that make insurance accessible for those who need it most but can afford it least.

Quantum Sampling Solutions is an online marketing marketplace,
allowing businesses to use AI in order to establish specialized marketing
campaigns.

The Operating System for Omnichannel Retail. A simple and powerful platform for omnichannel operations management. Instantly ship online orders directly from your physical retail stores.

El-dokan offers integrated and customized e-commerce solutions to suit the needs of various commercial activities and all types of stores.

Bondai allowing the exploration of Saudi Arabia by providing a one-stop shop platform which not only offers online booking for a wide variety of tourism experiences available in the country, but also offers custom-made experiences curated by the Bondai team.

A B2B2C Shariah compliant On Demand pay system to:
Reduce financial stress by providing employees with instant access to a portion of their earned income using a reloadable prepaid card.

Raqamyah is Peer to Peer (P2P) financing platform. As a Fintech company, Raqamyah uses innovative technology to directly connect small businesses seeking fast, affordable finance with financers who can help fund their growth.

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