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Startup investments in the Middle East are on the rise: in 2020, despite a global pandemic, venture capital funding amounted to over $1 billion and increased 13 percent from 2019 according to a MAGNiTT report. Still, significant barriers remain that prevent greater investment and stymie the region’s economic growth.
empowerME at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East hosted a discussion about how to boost the venture capital industry in the Middle East to drive sustainable funding for startups.
Featuring
Amjad Ahmad
Director, empowerME, Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East
Atlantic Council
Ahmad AlNaimi
Partner
Saudi Technology Ventures (STV)
Ahmed El Alfi
Chairman and Co-Founder
Sawari Ventures
Noor Sweid
General Partner
Global Ventures
Moderated by
Christopher Schroeder
Venture Investor
![](https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/empowerME_redblue-1-2048x469-1-1024x235.png)
empowerME at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East is shaping solutions to empower entrepreneurs, women, and youth and building coalitions of public and private partnerships to drive regional economic integration, prosperity, and job creation.