Credit: Tribe Techie
Jordan Capital and Investment Fund (JCIF) has launched Manara Ventures, a $70.5 million (JOD 50 million) investment fund focused on supporting Jordanian technology and tech-enabled startups with regional expansion ambitions.
The fund, backed by regional institutional investors including Abu Dhabi-based Lunate, has been registered within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) as a fully Sharia-compliant investment platform.
Manara Ventures plans to invest in more than 20 Jordanian growth-stage startups operating across technology and digital sectors. The fund will also allocate follow-on capital to support up to 15 companies pursuing regional expansion.
Investment tickets are expected to range between $750,000 and $3 million, including follow-on financing rounds.
The launch comes as regional institutional investors continue increasing exposure to the MENA region startup ecosystem through structured venture capital platforms and cross-border investment partnerships.
Jordan has developed a strong reputation for producing technical talent and startup founders across sectors, including fintech, SaaS, media, and digital infrastructure. However, access to late early-stage and growth capital has remained a challenge for many startups seeking to scale regionally while maintaining operations in the country.
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The new fund aims to address that funding gap by providing growth-stage capital designed to help Jordanian startups expand across regional markets.
The partnership with Lunate also reflects increasing integration between Gulf financial centers and Levant technology ecosystems, particularly through ADGM-based investment structures.
According to JCIF, the fund is intended to support Jordan’s digital economy and strengthen the country’s position as a regional technology and innovation hub.
The launch highlights growing institutional interest in venture capital across the region, as Gulf-backed investment platforms increasingly target scalable technology companies and cross-border digital growth opportunities.
Related: ADCB Launches AI Banking App As UAE Banks Accelerate Digital Push
Why It Matters to MENA
The launch of Manara Ventures signals growing institutional momentum behind the MENA region startup ecosystem, particularly for growth-stage companies seeking regional expansion capital.
Jordan has long been recognized for its strong technical talent and startup founders, but scaling capital has remained a key gap for companies looking to expand without relocating abroad.
The fund also reflects deeper integration between Gulf capital markets and Levant technology ecosystems, as regional investors increasingly deploy capital through structured venture platforms tied to innovation, digital infrastructure, and cross-border entrepreneurship.
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