It Starts
with an idea

Fikra is the leading AI venture builder from MENA—ideating, funding, and scaling our own AI companies, and providing a soft-landing pad for global AI startups to land, grow, and scale in the region.

build
with us

FIKRA (فكرة) means “idea”
—and that’s where everything begins.

The world doesn’t need more apps or fleeting hype cycles. It needs bold ideas that solve real problems.

Find Your Path

Tap the box that fits you

Startup Founders

Have an AI idea? We’ll co-build, fund, and scale your venture

Launch Your Venture

Global AI Companies

Expand into MENA’s AI economy—build your next growth chapter here

Grow in MENA

Talent & Experts

We’re building the future of AI—be part of it

Join Fikra

Government & Institutions

Co-build AI solutions for smart cities, digital government, and national impact

Public Sector Partner

Corporates & Enterprises

From concept to market—unlock AI to accelerate innovation and scale

Corporate Partner

Academia & Research

From lab to launch—turn your research into real-world AI ventures

Academic Partner

AI should be commercial, not theoretical. Global, not gated

Powered by the brightest minds from MENA and beyond.

We build AI ventures that truly matter—to industries, markets, and people. We create the infrastructure to turn these ideas into reality—one idea at a time.

our
blueprint

FIKRA operates a dual-track model—

1. Venture Creation

Building groundbreaking AI ventures that push the boundaries of innovation and impact.

2. Strategic Partnerships

Collaborating with global AI startups as they enter and scale within the MENA region.

TRACK 1:

Creating AI Ventures

Ideate & Validate

Identify, test, validate market-ready AI concepts that solve real-world problems.

Build & Launch

Rapidly prototype and launch through dedicated in-house engineering and operations teams.

Scale & Expand

Accelerate growth with strategic capital, partnerships, and go-to-market strategies.

Deliver Value

Transform industries and deliver sustained returns to partners and investors.

TRACK 2:

STARTUP SUPPORT

Market Entry

Enable fast, low-friction regional entry with curated local networks and operational expertise

Strategic Guidance

Support positioning, regulatory navigation, commercial introductions, and talent acquisition for long-term success in MENA.

How We Work

Partner with FIKRA

From Idea to Scale

Transform ideas into AI ventures through leadership, proprietary data, and partnerships.

Sector Prioritization

Healthcare
Financial Services
Business Service & Logistics
Government & Infrastructure
Public Safety & Security

Built on Partnerships

Collaborations with corporations, governments, academia.

Ethical AI by Design

Transparent and ethical practices across ventures.

The Strategic Role of Venture Studios

Developed in collaboration with the American University in Cairo, this white paper explores how venture studios are becoming vital to innovation ecosystems—especially in high-growth regions like MENA.

Download White Paper

Who We Are

The People Behind the Ideas

Core Team

Wael Aburida

Managing Partner

(The Investor)

David Herbada

Head of Ventures

(The Builder)

Newton Howard, PHD

Chief Scientist

(The Scientist)

Basma Aburida

Head of Talent & Organizational Growth

(The Architect)

Leah Broger

AI Investment Research & Strategy

(The Researcher)

Marwan Hassanein

AI Infrastructure & Engineering

(The Engineer)

Nasser Hussain

Financial Risk & Compliance

(The Guardian)

Advisory Board

A global group of thought leaders guiding FIKRA on AI innovation, ethics, policy, and venture scaling.

Manal Alassaf, PhD

AI Strategy & Digital Transformation

Christina Ku

AI & Deep Tech Investment

Diana Mangalagiu, PhD

Ethical AI, Policy & Sustainability

Roberto Ordoñez

Strategy & Negotiation

Danielle Perszyk, PhD

Cognitive AI & AGI Strategy

Richard Horlick

Global Asset Management & Capital Strategy