IT TAKES A LOT TO BUILD BIG
WE'RE HERE FOR THE JOURNEY
WHO WE ARE
EQ2 Ventures was built on the foundations of Equitrust, a corporate VC arm launched in 2015 by Dubai-based Choueiri Group
Since the CVC spin-off in 2020, EQ2 has been operated as an evergreen venture holding, where all investment decisions are screened by an independent Investment Committee
EQ2 in Numbers
$30M CONTRIBUTED BY SHAREHOLDERS SINCE INCEPTION
$10.2M
Redistributed to shareholders
$71.8M
Portfolio NAV DEC 2024
27
Active Investments
7
Full Exits
$420M+
Annual Portfolio Revenue
2,900+
Jobs created
17%
IRR (NET)
2.6x
MOIC
Why us
Time is on our side
We know it takes time to build a large company in emerging markets; our evergreen mandate means we remain aligned on the long-term picture with our founders.
ECOSYSTEM APPROACH
Value creation comes with portfolio synergies. Half of our startups already work with at least another EQ2 portfolio company.
EQ = EMOTIONAL QUOTIENT
Emotional intelligence is often lacking in the VC space. We combine data with common sense and good governance to steer away from halo effects and build sustainable value with founders.
what we look for
WE INVEST EARLY
We identify exceptional founders at Seed to Series A stages. We can invest up to $3M in follow-on rounds.
Preferred Verticals
Our focus spans across Ad-tech, E-commerce, Marketplaces, Ed-tech, Fin-tech, and AI-powered SaaS
Geographic focus
With a footprint centered across the Middle East and Africa, we are on the lookout for more emerging market-based founders addressing global opportunities
OUR PORTFOLIO
CORPORATE VC PORTFOLIO (2015-2019)
Exited
The Luxury Closet
Marketplace for buying, selling, and consigning pre-owned luxury items at discounted prices
INVESTMENTS POST SPIN-OFF (2020 ONWARDS)
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Exited
TERN
AI-powered talent mobility platform connecting healthcare professionals with global opportunities
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PEOPLE
Management Team
We combine deep industry knowledge, operational experience, and a genuine passion for supporting entrepreneurs
Patrick Thiriet
Chief Executive Officer
Manish Phulwani
Associate Director
Iman Beheiry
Head of Operations
Rija Nadeem
Investment Analyst
Investment Committee
A unique combination of Operators, Founders, and Investors
Hosam Arab
Co-Founder, Tabby
Noor Lozi
COO, Optima
Joel Ayala
Partner, Class 5
Elie Habib
CEO, OSN+ & Anghami
Thomas Grynbaum
Ex CEO, Olivianna London
why they chose us
“EQ2 Ventures has helped us tremendously from the start of our journey at Eyewa, always trying to help us grow and challenge ourselves to do more things in a better way. They leverage their extensive network in MENA to connect us with multiple partners, from media and tech to HR and data analytics. The EQ2 team decides fast and allows startups to focus on what matters: more company building and less fundraising.”
It has been great working with EQ2! Beyond capital, they bring deep sector expertise in AdTech and in the Consumer space, where they leverage a powerful network of advisors and partners. Their early support has helped us scale faster - Sneha Mehta and Jade Oyateru Co-founders of Uncover
"After 4 years of purely organic growth, we were very cautious about getting the right external investors into ArabyAds. But our decision to bring EQ2 Ventures onboard is proving to be of immense value to us, and the support they extend goes far beyond a monetary investment. Their network, their ability to spot synergies or strategic collaboration opportunities are the main reasons we are confident we chose the right partners."
NEWS & EVENTS
September 10, 2025
TERN Group Raises $24M Series A to Build the Future of Global Healthcare Workforce Mobility
July 8, 2025
Majid Al Futtaim’s Precision Media partners with Ritelo (by ArabyAds) to transform Retail Media Solutions in Egypt and KSA
November 1, 2024
LA news: Uncover wins Best Brand Storyteller award at Beauty Connect, launches in North America
August 27, 2024
Sukhiba raises $1.55M seed extension round to accelerate growth and expansion across Africa & emerging markets
July 15, 2024
Kenya-based beauty brand Uncover Skincare has successfully raised $1.4M in their second seed funding round to fuel its expansion
October 25, 2023
Sukhiba eyes expansion to power WhatsApp conversational commerce in Africa
May 29, 2023
Mawdoo3 & ArabyAds partner to scale up the digital advertising landscape in the region
October 31, 2022
Invygo raises $10M in Series A to make long-term car subscription a breeze
September 21, 2022
Ivorian fintech, Julaya, raises $5M to become banking partner for businesses in Francophone Africa
August 23, 2022
UAE-based AdTech startup, ArabyAds, raises $30M in a Pre-Series B funding round for global expansion
August 1, 2022
Homzmart, GCC’s leading furniture and home goods marketplace, secures a $23M Pre-Series B funding round
November 15, 2021
Abwaab raises $20 million in Series A funding to accelerate its expansion across MENA and Pakistan
June 27, 2021
Eyewa secures $21 million in Series B funding to accelerate its offline retail expansion and open in new GCC countries
June 11, 2021
Fresha raises $100M Series C for its beauty and wellness platform and marketplace
May 18, 2021
Egyptian furniture marketplace Homzmart lands $15M Series A for MENA expansion
March 29, 2021
Abwaab, Jordan-based EdTech, raises $5.1M Seed funding round
February 15, 2021
ArabyAds appoints Gulrez Alam as the Chief Investment & Strategy Officer
October 15, 2020
ArabyAds acquires AdFalcon as part of their vision to become the MENA region’s leading AdTech platform
August 11, 2020
Eyewa, e-commerce eyewear player raises $2.5M Pre-Series B Bridge round
May 12, 2020
Dubai-based startup Invygo raises $1 million USD in funding in its Pre-Series A round
February 3, 2020
Homzmart, an Egyptian-based online home furnishing marketplace raises $1.3M Seed funding from regional investors
December 24, 2019
ArabyAds breaks its Black Friday records with more than AED200 million in sales for its clients
December 12, 2019
Exclusive Q&A with Arabic content giant Mawdoo3 following acquisition of SuperMama
November 27, 2019
Dubai-based car subscription startup Invygo raises $1 million seed, plans expansion to Saudi & Bahrain
May 27, 2019
Mawdoo3.com tops its Series B round with $10 Million, totaling $23.5M for the launch of its ‘Ujeeb’ platform
April 14, 2019
Exclusive Q&A with eyewa following the close of their $7.5M Series A funding
April 14, 2019
UAE eyewear e-commerce startup eyewa closes $7.5 Million in Series A Funding
April 7, 2019
ArabyAds secures USD 6.5 Million in funding from Equitrust, the investment arm of Choueiri Group