A new chapter in Egypt’s startup story
In a bold move that bridges private equity with early-stage venture capital, Development Partners International (DPI) has officially launched DPI Venture Capital, its new VC arm. The announcement was made at an exclusive event held inside the iconic Grand Egyptian Museum, setting the stage for what could be a game-changer in Egypt’s innovation landscape.
But that’s not all, DPI also revealed that it will now act as the advisor to the Nclude Fund, Egypt’s flagship fintech investment fund. With this, DPI is reinforcing its long-term commitment to the country’s digital economy.
What happened at the launch?
The high-profile event brought together leading investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to celebrate Egypt’s rising status as a regional innovation hub.
- The evening kicked off with a keynote speech by Mr. Rami Aboul Naga, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, setting a strong tone around national support for tech innovation.
- DPI Co-Founder & CEO Runa Alam opened the night by expressing DPI’s vision for the region. She emphasized the importance of long-term partnerships and DPI’s belief in Egypt’s entrepreneurial talent.
- One of the highlights was a fireside chat featuring Mounir Nakhla, founder of fintech giant MNT-Halan, alongside DPI’s Ziad Abaza and Runa Alam. The discussion centered around how Egypt’s market is ripe for scale and innovation.
- DPI Venture Capital Managing Partner Ashley Lewis outlined the roadmap for the firm’s VC arm, focusing on how DPI will bring institutional rigor to early-stage investing in Egypt and beyond.
Power Players and Key Themes
The event also featured two insightful panel discussions with stakeholders from:
- ✅ Egypt’s largest banks
- ✅ Mastercard
- ✅ Fintech leaders like Paymob, FlapKap, Sylndr, Nawy, and Money Fellows
They explored Egypt’s growing role as a launchpad for regional innovation, as well as the challenges and opportunities in the local fintech and startup ecosystem.
Why This Matters
DPI Venture Capital and its advisory role in the Nclude Fund mark a pivotal moment for Egypt’s tech scene. By combining early-stage agility with institutional strength, DPI aims to support startups from seed to scale to exit.
The fund will primarily invest in:
- ✅ Fintech & embedded finance
- ✅ Digital infrastructure
- ✅ Healthtech
- ✅ Agri-tech
- ✅ Mobility & proptech
This founder-first approach ensures startups are not only funded, but strategically supported to build long-term value.
What’s Next?
With committed investors and a sharpened focus on Egypt’s innovation economy, DPI Venture Capital and the Nclude Fund are setting the stage for a more dynamic, inclusive, and investment-ready ecosystem. Egypt is clearly positioning itself to become a top destination for global capital and a regional powerhouse for tech innovation.