Black Iris Angel Network has officially launched in Saudi Arabia, established through a strategic partnership between Q Fund (the investment arm of Quwam Holding) and New Whys, aiming to support early-stage startups with funding, mentorship, and investor access.
Filling the “valley of death” for early-stage founders
The network is designed to tackle persistent challenges for founders between ideation and institutional backing — a phase often described as the “funding gap.” Black Iris provides early capital infusions, guidance, and access to experienced angel investors.
Strategic timing as Saudi startup ecosystem evolves
Saudi Arabia’s startup scene has seen rising activity, but early-stage capital remains scarce. Black Iris’ launch reflects a recognition of this gap and aims to catalyze more startup formation, potentially contributing to the national diversification and innovation agenda.
What comes next
Execution will be key — deploying capital effectively, offering meaningful mentorship, vetting high-potential founders, and building a track record. If successful, Black Iris could become a key early-stage pipeline for Saudi innovation, complementing later-stage funds and institutional investors.
Editor’s Note — The Startups MENA Team
At Startups MENA, we focus on the narratives that define how the Middle East builds its next-generation workforce and innovation economy. The UAE’s new initiative to train 10,000 youth and create 30,000 jobs is more than a development program—it’s a blueprint for how a nation future-proofs its human capital. By merging education, entrepreneurship, and digital innovation, this campaign moves beyond traditional job creation and lays the groundwork for an ecosystem where young Emiratis are founders, builders, and contributors to a self-sustaining economy.
— The Startups MENA Editorial Team
