Image Credit : WAM
The GCC and wider Middle East are positioning themselves for a new surge of global investment, particularly across AI and technology-led sectors, as business-friendly policies and innovation-focused regulation continue to attract capital and talent.
The outlook was shared by regional and international business leaders speaking at the ninth edition of Sharjah Entrepreneurial Festival (SEF 2026), where investors and founders examined how venture capital trends are evolving across the region.
During a Day One panel titled What Does the Next Year of Venture Capital Look Like, speakers said the regional investment landscape is showing clear signs of maturity and long-term momentum. The session was moderated by Jamie Lane, co-founder of FWDstart, at the Founders Stage within the Startup Town zone, powered by Du Business.
Highlighting the region’s competitive advantages, Tala Al Jabri, founder and managing partner of Wyld VC, said the GCC is uniquely positioned to lead in artificial intelligence.
“The region benefits from low energy costs, progressive governments that are ahead on policy, regulation and data privacy, and strong educational institutions that are increasingly focused on AI and technical skills,” she said. “Our objective is to see the GCC emerge as an AI superpower. Investing in talent is the biggest priority, because in the AI race, technical expertise ultimately determines success.”
On investor confidence, Christos Mastoras, founder and managing partner of Iliad Partners, pointed to growing European participation in regional funds.
“We have been fortunate to bring in the three largest banks in Greece as limited partners,” he said. “This represents global and European capital coming into the region and investing alongside strong regional leaders.”
Tushar Singhvi, deputy CEO and head of investments at Crescent Enterprises, said the Middle East now accounts for around 30 percent of the company’s total venture allocation.
“International growth funds are entering the market, which signals ecosystem maturity,” he said. “The region’s ability to attract talent, its innovation-first government approach, and the abundance of local and international capital are the key foundations driving growth.”
Sector-specific opportunities were also highlighted. Paula Tavangar, chief investment officer at Injaz Capital, noted that Saudi Arabia is leading the region in deal value, recording around 250 of the largest-ticket transactions in 2025.
She added that founders stand to benefit from technology transfer, accelerator programmes and a rapidly expanding biotech sector. “Specialised early-stage biotech venture funds launched last year and already have capital ready to deploy,” she said. “There is a significant opportunity ahead.”
CEOs share insights on sustainable growth
Another Day One panel shifted the focus from capital to leadership. Titled Inside the CEO Role: What it Takes to Grow, the discussion explored how senior executives maintain performance while scaling organisations. The session was moderated by Reim El Houni, CEO of Ti22 Films, at the Impact Stage in the Impact Zone, powered by Arada.
Hamad Al Hajri, CEO and founder of Snoonu, stressed the importance of setting boundaries between work and personal life, encouraging leaders to disconnect periodically to maintain clarity.
Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and board member of Astra Tech, advised leaders to constantly challenge themselves while prioritising sleep, exercise and overall wellbeing.
For Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah, passion and customer understanding were central to long-term success. “To excel, you must stay close to your customers and truly understand their needs,” he said.
Karim Benkirane, chief commercial officer of Du, highlighted the link between internal culture and business outcomes. “When you make your people happy, customers benefit, and shareholders follow,” he said.
Closing the discussion, Ambareen Musa, CEO of Revolut GCC, pointed to emotional resilience as a defining leadership trait. “The ability not to panic is critical,” she said. “Focus on what you can control, not on what you cannot.”
Together, the sessions underlined a shared message at SEF 2026: the Middle East’s investment ecosystem is entering a new phase, driven by policy, talent and leadership practices designed for sustainable, long-term growth.
