Afaq Capital, a Saudi company licensed by the Capital Market Authority (CMA), has fully acquired a venture capital portfolio in a transaction structured and completed with Cotyledon for Management Consultancy. This deal represents the first of its kind in the region involving both full entry and exit of a venture capital portfolio—a landmark move in shaping the regional and local investment ecosystem.
Hassan Ikram, Founder and CEO of Cotyledon, stated:
“This is the first such exit in the region and a clear demonstration that liquidity events in this sector are becoming realistic and achievable.“
The deal sends strong signals to investors:
- For international investors: it confirms the presence of reliable exit paths.
- For local investors: it proves that VC-backed companies can deliver real returns, driving more capital inflow and deeper engagement.
This milestone is expected to:
- Accelerate capital recycling,
- Encourage the launch of new funds,
- Strengthen alignment among founders, fund managers, and institutional investors,
- And support Saudi Arabia’s ongoing vision to become a regional innovation and private capital hub.
