Qatar’s Rasmal Ventures launches $100m debut VC fund

Rasmal Ventures, Qatar’s first independent venture capital firm,  has unveiled its inaugural fund, Rasmal Innovation Fund I.

This fund, the first of its kind established in Qatar, targets $100m in commitments and has already secured over $30m in its first closing.

Investors include a prestigious institutional investor, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals from Qatar and globally.

Registered under the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority, the fund will focus on high-growth technology startups and scaleups across Qatar, the Middle East and North Africa region, and internationally. Investment stages will range from pre-Series A to Series B.

While sector-agnostic, the fund will have a strategic focus on climate and energy tech, fintech, supply chain logistics, B2B SaaS, and Artificial Intelligence.

The launch aligns with Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy (NDS3) by fostering a vibrant tech ecosystem with accessible investment opportunities.

Read: Qatar Investment Authority’s new VC fund to boost startup ecosystem

Rasmal debut fund to be led by an experienced team

Rasmal Innovation Fund I benefits from a team of seasoned professionals, including Alexander Wiedmer and Angus Paterson, veterans with over 20 years of VC experience and successful exits, including Careem, the Middle East’s first unicorn.

“We have helped build the region’s most successful unicorn and many other companies,” said Wiedmer. “We will do it again with Rasmal Ventures. Qatar’s strategic location makes it the perfect springboard for the region.”

Qatar Development Bank welcomed the fund’s launch. “Qatar’s emergence as a major VC hub is promising,” said QDB CEO Abdulrahman Hesham Al-Sowaidi. “This aligns with our national development strategy, equipping the private sector to drive innovation and growth.”