Averroes Ventures is setting itself a unique challenge in the venture capital market. Instead of chasing the sectors that received the lion's share of startup funding in recent years, this Egyptian fund is betting on industry, agriculture, and energy. They aim to raise $35-50 million and build a portfolio of 30 startups in Egypt and North Africa by 2030. This shift isn't just about reallocating funds between different sectors; it reflects a change in the investment philosophy itself. The fund seeks to build connections between companies within value chains, so the return isn't limited to the growth of a single company, but extends to the value that can arise from the integration of the companies and sectors it invests in. This model places the real economy at the center of Averroes Ventures' strategy, while technology and artificial intelligence become tools to boost productivity, improve efficiency, and reshape business models, rather than being independent investment goals. This is where the circular economy comes in, providing a framework that connects these sectors by finding ways to transform waste and wasted resources into production inputs and new economic value.
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