Oasis 500. Based: in Amman,
Jordan. Launched: August, 2010 by a board of directors led by
Usama Fayyad, previously Yahoo’s Chief Data Officer. Model: Tech-oriented
startups must first apply and complete a six-day intensive Boot Camp. Qualified
startups proceed to receive 10,000 JD (~ $14,000) and three of mentorship at
Oasis500, for 10% equity. Startups that demonstrate growth qualify for a second
round of investment up to 50,000 JD (~ $70,000), another three months of
incubation, and a chance to pitch to a global network of investors at
Oasis500’s Angel Network event. Famous Alumni: MarkaVIP, Wheels
Express
Meydan. Based: in Amman,
Jordan. Launched: May, 2010, by Maher Kaddoura, of Hikmat Road
Safety. Model: Meydan offers 100 days of training for free and then
invests in bringing startups from the idea stage to the funding stage.
Plug and Play Egypt. Based: In
Cairo, Egypt. Launched: February 2011, by Dr. Ossama Hassanein of Rising
Tide Fund; Saeed Amidi of Plug
and Play International; and Hazem El Wassimy of Plug and Play
Egypt. Model: Rising Tide Fund provides funds for startups on a
case-by-case basis, ranging from $10,000 to $1 million. Plug and Play provides
office space and fulltime mentorship in Cairo, bringing startups to their
facilities in Silicon Valley four times a year for bootcamps to prepare for
potential venture capital investment. Famous Alumni: Offerna.com,
WirelessStars
Seeqnce. Based: in Beirut,
Lebanon. Launched: July, 2011, by Samer Karam, co-founder at Think
Green. Model: Web and mobile startups can apply to receive mentorship from
Seeqnce, which provides incubation from the idea stage to the growth stage.
Seeqnce also offers co-working spaces for tech entrepreneurs
generally. Alumni You May Know: Monaqasat, Cuevox
Berytech. Based: In Beirut,
Lebanon. Launched: June 2010. Model: Through its non-profit
incubator, Berytech offers direct grants starting at $10,000 and up to $50K or
$100K, which may include hosting. Through its seed capital fund, Berytech
invests in tech companies, anywhere between $50,000 and $1.2M for the first
round, for a share of equity.
Tenmou. Based: in Manama, Bahrain. Launched: July 2011, by a board of directors led by Sami M. Jalal of Mohammed Jalal & Sons. Model: Tenmou typically invests around 20,000 BHD (~$50,000) for a 20-40% equity stake. Startups must have a team of 2-4 Bahraini founders, but need not have a business plan. Tenmou don’t offer workspace, but does provide three months of intensive mentorship, culminating in an Investor Day in which startups pitch to investors.
Tenmou. Based: in Manama, Bahrain. Launched: July 2011, by a board of directors led by Sami M. Jalal of Mohammed Jalal & Sons. Model: Tenmou typically invests around 20,000 BHD (~$50,000) for a 20-40% equity stake. Startups must have a team of 2-4 Bahraini founders, but need not have a business plan. Tenmou don’t offer workspace, but does provide three months of intensive mentorship, culminating in an Investor Day in which startups pitch to investors.
SeedStartup. Based: in Dubai,
UAE. Launched: September, 2011, by Rony El-Nashar. Model: SeedStartup
invests $20,000 in teams with 2 founders and $25,000 in teams with 3 or more,
in exchange for 10% equity. Startup founders must quit their jobs and relocate
to Dubai for three months of intensive mentorship, culminating in a pitch to a
global network of investors and attendance at the Techstars Founder’s
conference. Seed Startup itself may also invest up to $250,000.
N2V Labs. Based:
In Amman, with access to their centers in Riyadh , Dubai, Cairo, and Silicon
Valley. Launched: Feb 2011, by parent company National Net
Ventures. Model: In addition to N2V's funding vehicles for seed , early
stage and Joint Venture startups, N2V recruits web and mobile talent as
entrepreneurs-in-residence, providing salaries, seed funding and 3-6 months of
mentorship and training to accelerate their ideas into startups.
Twofour54’s Ibtikar Creative Lab. Based:
in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Launched: October 2009, by parent company
twofour54. Model: Ibtikar invests from $50,000 to $5 million in early
stage or growth capital for ventures in the media and entertainment sector,
providing ongoing mentorship for startups that relocate to Abu Dhabi. It
uniquely also funds individuals for specific projects.
Flat6Labs. Based: in Cairo,
Egypt. Launched: June 2011. Model: Flat6Labs chooses teams from all
over Egypt, and brings to Cairo to receive three months of intensive mentorship
and training, culminating in a Demo Day. Flat6Labs invests 50,000-75,000 EGP (~$8,000
- $12,500) in its startups in exchange for a 10-15% equity stake, and offer
further investment of 250,000 EGP (~$40,000) in startups that demonstrate
promise.
