FIKR VENTURES

Fostering Founders, Transforming Minds

WELCOME TO FIKR VENTURES:

Fikr Ventures is dedicated exclusively to nurturing the next generation of groundbreaking educational technology startups. We believe in the transformative power of education and are committed to making high-quality learning accessible to all. By investing in seed-stage edtech startups, we aim to reshape the future of education.

Students learning with VR technology and educational tools - representing the future of EdTech

Focused Mentorship

Personalized guidance to conquer the unique challenges of the MENA education landscape.

Networking Opportunities

Forge connections with top leaders in education and technology.

Collaborative Power

Cultivate collaboration among startups in education and technology. Targeting these segments for greater impact.

Executive Team

Mohammad Khawaja

Mohammad Khawaja

Founding Partner

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Mohammad Khawaja

Visionary with 20+ years in tech, startups, and education. Co-creator of "Business Model Generation" & founding CEO of Startappz. Angel investor and lean startup evangelist transforming EdTech across EMEA.

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Ahmad S Abdo

Ahmad S Abdo

VP, PARTNERSHIPS

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Ahmad S Abdo

Serial entrepreneur, go-to-market expert, and venture capitalist with ventures spanning software, oil & gas, education, logistics, and recycling — including Unirsal, Rematter, Masafat, and OTS Express. A trained pilot and self-described flâneur known as a fast, instinct-driven "back of the napkin" investor who connects the dots across industries.

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Amer Nasereddin

Amer Nasereddin

VP, Investor Relations

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Amer Nasereddin

Serial Entrepreneur with 25+ years in digital transformation. Co-founder & Managing Partner of Primus with presence in MENA, Gulf, US & UK. Former EO Jordan President and active mentor with Endeavor Jordan.

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Yosef Hamza

Yosef Hamza

General Partner

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Yosef Hamza

General Partner at Fikr Ventures, bringing strategic vision and deep expertise in EdTech investment and venture capital.

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Walid Thabet

Walid Thabet

General Partner

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Walid Thabet

General Partner at Fikr Ventures, contributing strategic expertise and leadership in EdTech venture capital.

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Haytham Honjol

Haytham Honjol

VP, Strategy

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Haytham Honjol

Vice President of Strategy at Fikr Ventures, leading strategic initiatives and long-term planning for EdTech investments.

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Advisory Council

Ahmad Takatkah

Ahmad Takatkah

Investment Advisor

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Ahmad Takatkah

Technical founder turned VC with 15+ years in venture capital and startup operations. Harvard-trained VC and Kauffman Fellow. Author of 3 books on venture capital. Hosts The VC React Podcast and The VC Evolve Podcast. Focus areas: FinTech, DeepTech, AI, SaaS, Media, and Web3.

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Sinan Sweis

Sinan Sweis

Strategic Advisor & Partner

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Sinan Sweis

Seasoned director at Jabal Amman Publishers and CEO at Kutubee with 16+ years in publishing. Master's in Near and Middle Eastern Studies from SOAS, driving innovation through strategic thinking and creative entrepreneurship.

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Aref Ali Nayed

Aref Ali Nayed

Strategic Advisor

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Aref Ali Nayed

Libyan Islamic scholar, businessman, and politician. Former Libyan Ambassador to UAE (2011-2016). Founder of Kalam Research & Media and Libyan Institute for Advanced Studies. Leader of Ihya Libya. Ranked among top 50 most influential Muslims globally. Senior Advisor to Cambridge Inter-Faith Programme.

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Raslan Deiranieh

Raslan Deiranieh

Advisor

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Raslan Deiranieh

Chairman and Deputy CEO of Orange Jordan. Extensive expertise in CFO and executive leadership roles across telecom and IT sectors. Driving digital transformation and socio-economic progress in Jordan through innovative, customer-centric solutions and financial strategy.

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Abeer Jarrar

Abeer Jarrar

Advisor

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Abeer Jarrar

Partner at Baker McKenzie with 20+ years in Middle East M&A. Fulbright scholar with doctorate in law from Georgetown University. Ranked in Chambers Global 2025 for Corporate/M&A. Previously at Clifford Chance and Linklaters. Board member at Georgetown Law MENA Advisory Board.

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Hussein Al-Majali

Hussein Al-Majali

Advisor

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Hussein Al-Majali

Senior Associate at SAKS Capital (Family Office) with expertise in investment advisory and wealth management. Previously Strategy Consultant at Monitor Deloitte and Research Analyst at Wamda Capital. Co-founded Ettijahat (IT). McGill University graduate (Finance & Accounting).

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Jacob Abboud

Jacob Abboud

Advisor

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Jacob Abboud

Portfolio NED and CIO/Transformation Advisor with 25+ years in Financial Services, Insurance, and Government. Former CIO at Legal & General, Allianz UK, and AXA UK & Ireland. Founder of Petraenovus Consulting. Independent NED at MS Amlin, UK Statistics Authority, Financial Ombudsman Service, and DVSA.

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Ihsan Anabtawi

Ihsan Anabtawi

Advisor

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Ihsan Anabtawi

MD & Regional Head at AWS leading AI & Cloud specialist teams across MENAT. Ex-Microsoft COO & MD (MEA), ex-G42 EVP & Core42 CCO. Host of Future Now Podcast. Expert in AI/ML, Cloud Strategy, and GTM.

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Rajai El Khadem

Rajai El Khadem

Advisor

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Rajai El Khadem

Director Global Government Affairs. Seasoned executive with 20+ years in Government engagements. Expert in Public Policy, Government Affairs and Sales Leadership.

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Railey Gonta

Railey Gonta

Advisor

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Railey Gonta

Innovation leader scaling businesses across MENA with focus on GCC. Expert in venture building, VC, corporate innovation and digital transformation across US, UK, and MENA. Investor and entrepreneur in health & wellness, health-tech, and sports.

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Zaid Ayoub

Zaid Ayoub

Advisor

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Zaid Ayoub

Entrepreneur with focus on Silicon Valley and MENA high tech industry. Angel investor who started and sold successful tech companies. Expert in Private Equity, corporate value creation, and Real Estate investments.

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Tariq Hijazi

Tariq Hijazi

Advisor

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Tariq Hijazi

Extensive experience in multinational technology industry with expertise in sales strategy, negotiations, and strategic partnerships. Fluent in English, Arabic, and Bosnian. Passionate about technology, customer success, and leading high-performing teams in multicultural environments.

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Abdulraouf Al Taher

Abdulraouf Al Taher

Advisor

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Abdulraouf Al Taher

Director at President's Office, Majid Al Futtaim Holding. Strategic advisor with deep expertise in corporate strategy and executive operations.

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Basem Abu Dagga

Basem Abu Dagga

Advisor

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Basem Abu Dagga

Private Equity and EdTech veteran with 20+ years across GCC and North America. Invested and advised on $300M+ transactions. Co-founder of ReimaginED, The Learning Curve Holdings, and Tharaa Capital. EMBA from London Business School. Active Angel investor and mentor in EdTech and HealthTech.

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Basil Qubain

Basil Qubain

Advisor

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Basil Qubain

Veteran with 30+ years in Software and IT Service industry. Expert in taking calculated risks to drive sustainable growth and deliver high-performing solutions. Focus on Data and Technology.

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Dina Saoudi

Dina Saoudi

Advisor

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Dina Saoudi

Co-founder of Seven Circles (investments and consulting), Empowering through™ (social enterprise in 10+ countries), and miswada (consulting and tech development). Master's in Social Psychology. Board member at The Children's Museum and Royal Health Awareness Society. Mother of two inspiring change.

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Sara Asad

Sara Asad

Advisor

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Sara Asad

Investments at Novo Capital with expertise in venture capital and emerging markets. Former Growth Manager at Tamatem Games and Global Council Member at Endeavor. IE Business School graduate. Focus on EdTech, gaming, and high-growth startups across MENA and Gulf.

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John Glover

John Glover

Advisor

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John Glover

Head of Technology and Innovation Lab at Purdue Applied Research Institute. Executive Team member at Plan International USA. Executive Board Member at Society for International Development. Expert in international development, strategic partnerships, and adaptive strategies for low- and middle-income countries.

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