What MEVCA does

MEVCA (The Middle East Venture Capital Association) is a non-profit industry association founded in 2019 and headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, operating as the primary forum for venture capital discourse in the MENA region. The association serves venture capital firms, angel investors, institutional investors, family offices, startups, policymakers, and service providers (banks, law firms, tech companies) across 12+ countries including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Palestine, Oman, and Turkey. MEVCA's core offerings are organized around three strategic pillars: Community Networking (curated events with regional and global thought leadership), Education and Advancement (MEVCA Academy delivering masterclasses, executive courses, and short courses), and Best Practices promotion (industry reports and global research distribution through its GPCA partnership).

The association's product surface consists of MEVCA Academy (educational programs), Community Networking Events, GPCA Research (global private capital data access), MEVCA Reports (curated market analysis), and a Membership Program encompassing 80+ members and partners. There is no proprietary technology platform — the association operates a digital presence at mevca.me and delivers value through events, content, and in-person programs. The association is governed by a 10-member board led by Chairperson Stephanie Nour Prince, with board members drawn from leading regional VC and PE institutions.

MEVCA is funded through a hybrid revenue model comprising recurring membership fees from VCs, institutional investors, angel investors, startup programs, banks, law firms, and tech companies, combined with corporate sponsorships (2026 sponsors include e&, Lincoln International, Carta, DLA Piper, HSBC, ADGM, KandS, Simmons, and Zest) and strategic partnership contributions (notably a three-year deal with e& Capital and a multi-year alliance with GPCA). The association does not publicly disclose pricing. Its go-to-market motion is community-led, acquiring members through curated events, educational programs, and ecosystem partnerships rather than direct sales.

Name

MEVCA

Legal name

The Middle East Venture Capital Association (MEVCA)

Website

https://mevca.me

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MEVCA is the Middle East Venture Capital Association, a non-profit industry association connecting VCs, investors, startups, and policymakers across 12+ MENA countries through curated events, MEVCA Academy educational programs, and global research partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Association / Venture Capital Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Joint Venture CVC / Consortium Funds (Multi-corporate) (FSANAHAE)

Keywords

• Venture capital association
• Industry networking events
• Private equity research
• Ecosystem professional education
• MENA investment community

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: MEVCA generates revenue through membership fees from VCs, angel investors, startup programs, banks, law firms, tech companies, and other service providers who join the association.
2. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships from organizations such as e&, Lincoln International, Carta, DLA Piper, HSBC, ADGM, and others fund association activities and events.
3. Partnership Programs: Strategic partnerships with organizations like e& Capital (three-year partnership) and Global Private Capital Association provide funding and support for ecosystem development initiatives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MEVCA is a non-profit industry association that serves the MENA venture capital and private equity ecosystem through three strategic pillars: Community Networking (curated events connecting investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers), Education & Advancement (MEVCA Academy offering masterclasses, executive courses, and short courses), and Best Practices promotion (industry reports and research). The association sells membership access to its 70+ member network and delivers educational programs and curated research to VCs, institutional investors, family offices, startups, and service providers.

Product overview

MEVCA (Middle East Venture Capital Association) is an industry association serving as the primary forum for venture capital discourse in the Middle East since 2019. Rather than a traditional software platform, MEVCA offers a unified suite of services organized around three strategic pillars: Community Networking (curated events connecting VCs, investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers), Education and Advancement (MEVCA Academy providing masterclasses, executive courses, and short courses with top VCs and global experts), and Best Practices promotion. The organization also provides access to GPCA Research for global insights and curates industry Reports for the MENA venture ecosystem. Membership spans 80+ members and partners across 12+ countries in the MENA region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MEVCA Academy: Educational pillar of MEVCA offering masterclasses, workshops, executive courses, and short courses to nurture ecosystem mentorship with top VCs and global experts.

Products and services

• MEVCA Academy Educational platform offering professional development programs for the MENA venture capital ecosystem, including masterclasses, workshops, executive courses, and short courses designed to nurture ecosystem mentorship with top VCs and global experts. Targeted at investors, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem participants.
• Community Networking Events Curated events with regional and global thought leadership designed to support relationship building and collaboration among investors, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem stakeholders across the MENA region.
• GPCA Research Access to global private capital research and insights shared through partnership with the Global Private Capital Association, broadening perspective of the MENA venture community and connecting regional trends to global capital flows.
• MEVCA Reports Curated collection of insights, reports, and analysis informing and strengthening the MENA venture ecosystem, including industry data, valuation guides, and investment trends from partner research institutions such as Wamda, Lincoln International, and TaylorWessing.
• Membership Program Network of 70+ members and partners across the regional and global investment ecosystem, including VCs, angel investors, startup programs, banks, law firms, tech companies, and service providers, providing access to events, programs, and industry connections.

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Global Private Capital Association (GPCA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Multi-year strategic partnership to share research, host practitioner-led programs, and bring the MENA venture community into direct dialogue with peer markets. GPCA represents private capital investors managing more than USD 2 trillion in assets across Asia, Latin America, Africa, Central & Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
• e& CapitalflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Three-year strategic partnership between e& (global technology group) and MEVCA - the first partnership of its kind for the association. The collaboration leverages e&'s regional scale and innovation capabilities with MEVCA's role as the leading industry body for venture capital and private markets in the Middle East.
• CAIA AssociationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic Educational Partnership offering MEVCA members an exclusive 10% discount on first-time CAIA exam registration fees. The CAIA Charter is the global benchmark for professionals who manage, analyze, or regulate alternative investments, with 14,000+ members worldwide.
• Web SummitcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for convenings and industry events, providing ecosystem visibility and connections for MEVCA members at major international technology conferences.
• SuperReturn Middle EastcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for the premier private equity and venture capital conference in the Middle East region, facilitating deal flow and networking opportunities.
• LEAPcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for LEAP technology conference, one of the largest tech events in the Middle East, supporting startup and investor engagement.
• GITEX GlobalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for GITEX Global and GITEX Europe technology exhibitions, providing ecosystem access and visibility for MENA venture community.
• Hub71coreGTM or Marketing PartnerEcosystem partner - Abu Dhabi's global tech ecosystem powering the next generation of transformative companies through access to capital, incentives, and a global network.
• ADGMcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEcosystem and institutional partner - Abu Dhabi Global Market, an international financial centre providing regulatory framework and ecosystem support for venture ecosystem development.
• EndeavorcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEcosystem partner - global organization that supports high-impact entrepreneurs, connecting MEVCA members to international scaling opportunities.
• STEP ConferenceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for STEP Conference, a major startup and entrepreneurship event in the MENA region.
• RiseUp Summit EgyptminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for Egypt's leading startup summit, connecting MEVCA to the Egyptian venture ecosystem.
• Abu Dhabi Finance WeekcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEcosystem partner for Abu Dhabi Finance Week, a premier financial services event connecting regional and global investors.
• AWScoreTechnology or IntegrationEcosystem partner providing cloud infrastructure and startup support programs for MEVCA member companies.
• InvestopiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEcosystem partner - initiative connecting investment opportunities in the UAE and MENA region with global investors.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Hub71: Hub71 is a UAE-based global tech ecosystem and accelerator, connecting startups with capital and partners. It is an adjacent ecosystem builder in the same MENA VC ecosystem that MEVCA serves, with overlapping members and partner events.
• MAGNiTT: MAGNiTT is a MENA-focused venture data platform and ecosystem convener, providing research, deal sourcing, and community events. It is a regional emerging peer competing for the same VC ecosystem convening role that MEVCA plays.

Broad incumbents

• NVCA (National Venture Capital Association): NVCA is the U.S. venture capital industry association, providing advocacy, research, and member services for VCs and LPs. It is the most established and largest VC industry association globally, making it the most directly comparable peer to MEVCA in scope and mission.
• BVCA (British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association): BVCA is the UK industry body for private equity and venture capital, offering member services, training, policy advocacy, and research. It is closely comparable to MEVCA in operating model, revenue mix (membership + events), and mission to advance a regional VC/PE ecosystem.
• Invest Europe: Invest Europe is the European private equity and venture capital association, representing pan-European LPs and GPs. Comparable in governance model, member services, and policy advocacy role to MEVCA.
• ASCA (Australian Investment Council, formerly AVCAL): ASCA (formerly AVCAL) is Australia's private capital industry association, providing advocacy, research, and member services. It is structurally comparable to MEVCA in mission and operating model.
• CVCA (Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association): CVCA is the Canadian VC and PE association, providing advocacy, research, and programming to members. Its structural parallels (membership + events + research + policy) closely mirror MEVCA's three pillars.

Direct peers

• AVCA (African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association): AVCA is the pan-African private equity and venture capital association, serving a regional emerging-market ecosystem with similar dynamics to MENA. It is a directly comparable peer given its mission to professionalize and unite a regional VC/PE industry through events, education, and policy.
• LAVCA (Latin American Venture Capital and Private Equity Association): LAVCA is the industry association for private capital in Latin America, focused on emerging-market ecosystem development, research, and policy advocacy. Highly comparable to MEVCA given the similar emerging-market VC context and association-driven ecosystem-building model.
• IVCA (Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association): IVCA is the Indian venture and alternate capital industry body, focused on ecosystem development, research, and policy. Its emerging-market VC association role and structure closely mirrors MEVCA's three-pillar model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/me_vca

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MEVCA