The New Capital Map For Growth-Stage Founders
Global startup
investment just hit a record of $510 billion in the first half of 2026,
according to Crunchbase, already exceeding the total for 2025. OpenAI and
Anthropic took a big slice, backed by a diverse mix of investors, from tech
giants NVIDIA and Amazon, to venture capital firms like MGX, sovereign wealth
funds such as Qatar Investment Authority, and private institutional asset
managers.
Late-stage funding is accelerating too. $134 billion
invested in Q2, up 141% year on year. Meanwhile, global IPO market has
staged a remarkable comeback, reaching $186.8 billion H1 - a 201% jump. The EY Global
IPO Trends Report points to where investors put their money: larger deals,
AI-related opportunities and companies with strong growth narratives.
Founder takeaway: The capital stack is widening.
Growth VC still matters, but sovereign-backed platforms, private equity and
market-entry programmes are opening up new routes to larger cheques and
strategic capital.
The GCC capital
routes
The Gulf is becoming a critical part of this new capital landscape.
Take Abu Dhabi's MGX as example. Backed by the sovereign
fund Mubadala and G42, the firm has emerged as a major global investor, with
its $49
billion fund targeting AI infrastructure, semiconductors and leading
technology companies, including Anthropic and Isomorphic Labs.
In Saudi Arabia, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) is also
using its capital to anchor international investors. The giant investment firm
Brookfield just announced a $2
Billion first close for a PIF anchored Middle East-focused fund.
GCC moves
founders can make now
The Dubai Future District Fund (DFDF) is putting
institutional capital behind high-growth tech companies, including through
direct investments. Founders building in Future of Finance or Future Economies
can apply
for investment consideration.
Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 just launched the second edition of
UAE-India Start-Up Series to support Indian founders with access to funding,
mentorship, customers and market-entry opportunities. Applications close on 31 August.
The hub’s Access Programme is also accepting applications
for Cohort 20. Deadline 21 August. To apply click here.
Qatar is linking capital to market entry. The Startup
Qatar Investment Program, provided by Qatar Development Bank, offers
established tech startups up to $5.5 million through its GROW initiative. The
programme includes licensing support, visas, subsidized workspace, R&D
access and market-entry support. Applications are open here.
The new VC Funding Module Qatar Gateway gives
scale-ups a single entry to multiple QIA-backed funds, allowing founders to submit
pitches directly to fund managers. Explore
here.
From
capital access to expansion strategy
The region offers growing opportunities for founders looking
to scale.
But with opportunity come new challenges.
Who should you raise from? Where should you expand? Which
programmes can unlock the market? And who can help you get there?
That's where Expand North Star comes in.
This year, Scale-it! brings the UAE's innovation
ecosystem under one roof: government entities, innovation hubs, free zones, corporates,
investors, growth programmes. Learn more here.
And making its debut, the Founder’s Academy
gives founders a practical learning platforms to turn those opportunities
into action, with 3 days of specialised labs covering the startup
investment journey from idea to exit.
As you plan your next round, get in the room with the people
moving growth capital.
Get involved.