Private equity meets early-stage VC in bold next step unveiled at the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Here’s what happened 

Inside the striking Grand Egyptian Museum, Development Partners International (DPI) launched its new venture capital arm, DPI Venture Capital. It also announced that the firm has become the advisor to  Egypt’s fintech-focused Nclude Fund. 

The event brought together top investors, founders, and policymakers gathered to highlight Egypt’s rising role as a regional innovation hub. It opened up with a keynote delivered by the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, Mr. Rami Aboul Naga. 

Backed by Egypt’s largest banks and DPI’s private equity expertise, DPI Venture Capital, via the Nclude Fund  combines early-stage agility with institutional strength. Furthermore, the fund aims to boost fintech and technology startups from seed stage to exit. Together, they plan to accelerate Egypt’s digital and economic transformation.

What went down at the launch?

The launch event featured keynote speeches, panels, and fireside chats.  DPI Co-Founder and CEO Runa Alam opened the evening with a clear message: DPI is committed to Egypt and the broader MENA region. 

One of the highlights was a fireside chat with Mounir Nakhla, founder of MNT-Halan, alongside DPI partners Ziad Abaza and Runa Alam. They discussed what it takes to scale innovative startups in Egypt’s fast-growing market. DPI Venture Capital Managing Partner Ashley Lewis shared the vision for the new venture capital arm and the focus of the Nclude Fund in the future. 

Two panels brought together representatives from Egypt’s largest banks, Mastercard, and leading fintech startups including Paymob, FlapKap, Sylndr, Nawy, and Money Fellows. Together, they discussed Egypt’s potential as a destination for global investment and a launchpad for regional innovation.  

Bigger Picture 

The evening was about  more than a fund launch. It signals Egypt’s emergence as a key destination for global investment.  

DPI Venture Capital and The Nclude Fund’s founder-first approach will help startups build long-term value. The focus sectors include fintech and embedded finance, allowing the fund to also invest at the intersections of fintech and digital infrastructure, agriculture, mobility, healthtech, and proptech. With these types of focused investors committing to Egypt, the country is poised to lead regional innovation and attract global capital.