The LEAP tech event is one of the world’s most influential gatherings for innovators, investors, and founders. This year, COREangels MEA took center stage, hosting an exclusive investors meetup that connected angel investors from Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Europe. The event served as a melting pot of investment ideas, global opportunities, and deep discussions on how angel investors can collaborate across markets to foster startup growth and innovation.
Bridging Investment Ecosystems
Maha Mandour, fund leader at COREangels MEA, shared her thoughts:
LEAP 2025 was incredibly well-organized, with a much stronger presence of European investors and African angel syndicates. Our meetup was particularly exciting because of the diverse backgrounds of investors, all bringing unique insights to the table. We discussed not just capital, but how angel investing in Africa and the Middle East can be optimized to drive more innovation and cross-border partnerships.
During the session, investors discussed:
- Emerging trends in early-stage investing across Africa and the Middle East.
- The growing role of female investors in the region, breaking barriers and leading investment decisions.
- The ticket sizes and funding vehicles shaping the early-stage investment landscape.
- Investment risks and mitigation strategies, ensuring that angel investors can successfully scale their portfolios in these high-growth markets.
- Collaborative opportunities between angel syndicates, venture capital firms, and governmental initiatives designed to promote investment in startups.
Why Cross-Border Angel Investing Matters
Angel investing is no longer a local game. Investors are now actively collaborating across continents to access high-growth startups and diverse market opportunities. With Africa’s startup ecosystem booming and Middle Eastern venture capital firms expanding their reach, partnerships between these regions are becoming increasingly important.
The panelists highlighted how governments and investor networks are working together to create stronger investment structures, improved access to capital, and regulatory frameworks that encourage cross-border investments.
According to data shared at the event:
- Africa’s VC ecosystem has grown by over 100% in the past five years, making it one of the most promising regions for angel investors looking to diversify their portfolios.
- Saudi Arabia has been positioning itself as a global startup hub, offering tax incentives, funding support, and infrastructure for both local and international investors.
- Cross-border investments are increasing, and more angel syndicates are looking for ways to partner with emerging markets that present high-growth potential.
This rapid expansion calls for increased investor education to ensure angel investors can make well-informed decisions, understand local market nuances, and mitigate risks effectively while maximizing return on investment.
Education & Awareness in Angel Investing
One of the strongest themes that emerged from the meetup was the need for more education and structured awareness around angel investing in these regions. Many investors emphasized that knowledge gaps still exist, especially for new entrants into the angel investing space.
Key Takeaways on Investor Education:
- Workshops and mentorship programs are needed to support new angel investors and help them make informed decisions.
- Investment literacy needs to be strengthened, particularly in understanding term sheets, valuations, and deal structuring.
- More female representation is crucial—governmental support for increasing the participation of women in venture capital was a major discussion point.
- Shared investment knowledge can de-risk portfolios, allowing more investors to participate confidently in high-growth markets.
With COREangels International already surpassing industry benchmarks for female angel representation, this meetup served as a strong validation of the mission to support diversity, innovation, and the next generation of angel investors.
The Path Forward
With the success of this investor meetup at LEAP 2025, COREangels MEA is actively exploring ways to strengthen global collaborations, continue fostering educational programs for investors, and create meaningful connections between investors and startups in Africa, the Middle East, and beyond.
What’s next? COREangels is working on launching initiatives that will provide more structured angel investing frameworks, including:
- Cross-border angel syndicates with shared risk models.
- Angel investing bootcamps for new investors.
- Partnerships with venture capital firms for follow-on funding opportunities.
- Increased participation of female angel investors in COREangels syndicates.
If you are an investor looking for high-growth opportunities, now is the time to either join Angel Investors Hub (an online course for angel investors to explore the essentials of investing in early-stage startups) or join COREangels Syndicate Club
About COREangels MEA
COREangels MEA is a group of successful angel investors and entrepreneurs investing in startups in the Middle East and Africa.
