ISSF invests $7 million in Endeavor Catalyst V

The Innovative Startups and SMEs Fund (ISSF) announced a $7 million commitment to Endeavor Catalyst V, a $300 million co-investment fund focused on emerging markets, in a deal signed in Amman on June 13. The agreement — marking the start of ISSF’s second phase of investment activity following a successful first phase that ran through 2025 — was formalised by Mohammad Al-Muhtasib, CEO of ISSF, and Allen Taylor, Managing Partner of Endeavor Catalyst. The partners described the move as strategic for linking Jordanian startups with international venture capital and addressing financing gaps for later-stage companies pursuing regional and global growth.

Direct quote

Allen Taylor said: "Long-term partnerships in markets where we have a strong investment conviction are more important than the timing of market cycles," adding that "since Endeavor entered Jordan in 2009 as its first market in the MENA region, we have been committed across several investment cycles, reinforcing our belief that a sustained presence creates the strongest investment opportunities and insights."

Context and details

The $7 million investment places ISSF as a limited partner in Endeavor Catalyst V, which targets high-growth, high-impact companies across more than 60 countries. ISSF’s move initiates a new phase of its mandate to boost Jordan’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and develop the local venture capital environment after receiving the highest performance rating from the World Bank during its initial investment phase.

• Parties involved: Mohammad Al-Muhtasib (CEO, ISSF) and Allen Taylor (Managing Partner, Endeavor Catalyst) signed the partnership and investment agreement.
• Fund size: Endeavor Catalyst V is a $300 million co-investment vehicle aimed at emerging markets.
• ISSF commitment: $7 million.
• Geographic scope: Endeavor Catalyst supports companies in more than 60 countries; Endeavor entered Jordan in 2009 as its first market in the MENA region.
• Track record highlight: Endeavor’s portfolio includes Replit, founded by Jordanian entrepreneurs Amjad Masad and Haya Odeh, which reached a reported $9 billion market valuation.

ISSF framed the investment as a targeted response to funding shortages that often surface at the advanced growth stages of startups. Mohammad Al-Muhtasib said the commitment will "allow the fund to continue strengthening the Jordanian entrepreneurship ecosystem and developing the venture capital environment in the Kingdom," underlining the fund’s focus on enabling startups to scale beyond domestic markets.

Outlook

The partnership signals a clear intent to channel international capital into Jordanian ventures and to provide portfolio companies with access to Endeavor’s global networks and deal-flow expertise. By pairing ISSF’s local mandate and credibility — reinforced by its high World Bank performance rating — with Endeavor Catalyst V’s global investment reach, the initiative aims to reduce late-stage funding gaps and accelerate exits and regional expansion for Jordanian startups.

Success metrics to watch will include the number and stage of Jordanian companies receiving follow-on investments through the Endeavor vehicle, improvements in local venture capital activity, and potential high-value outcomes similar to Replit’s multi-billion dollar valuation. The partnership also positions ISSF to leverage international insights across multiple investment cycles, a strategy Allen Taylor emphasized as key to identifying durable opportunities in emerging markets.