Saudi Arabia’s KAUST Launches MENA’s First Conscious Investor Programme

The ecosystem in the Middle East does a good job of looking it after itself, with new generations of entrepreneurs never too far behind, as investors look for the next big thing(s). But what of the investors? Who will invest when the investors stop investing? Who will groom the next risk-takers and quiet visionaries?

The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is looking to address this with the region’s first ‘conscious investor programme’. Launched in collaboration with investment platform, VentureSouq, Abu Dhabi-based global accelerator, startAD, and frequent partner, Tamkeen, the six-week fellowship aims to enable the next generation of investors to make impactful investments in startups that are making meaningful change.

The virtual programme will kick off on October 7th and conclude as part of the Angel Rising Symposium on November 24th and 25th, with 25 investors from family offices, corporate and government entities and more set to take part. 

Conscious investment strategies, startup diligence and valuations, impact measurement, portfolio management, and global sector trends in the impact space are among the topics that will be covered, alongside masterclasses with a focus on health tech, educational tech, environmental tech and agricultural. Participants will then get the chance to apply their newfound knowledge through VentureSouq’s Conscious Collective Fund.

Find out more on the official KAUST website.