The Sawari Ventures team brings together a unique combination of experience and expertise with track records in technology, operations, startups and investing spanning the Middle East, Europe, and North/South America. We draw on a vast network of talent from the technology, business, and investing communities on both sides of the Atlantic. We integrate best practices from market leaders with an in-depth understanding of the Middle East, its culture and business climate. The result is a team with the tools, talent and passion to help today’s entrepreneurs become tomorrow’s market leaders.
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Ahmed El Alfi
Founder & Chairman
Cairo, Egypt
Ahmed is a veteran investor and VC from California with over 25 years of experience in top executive and management positions. Ahmed’s investment track record over the last 17 years includes the execution of numerous successful transactions in technology, Internet, healthcare and financial services at various stages of development. He has executed many rewarding exits including several IPO’s on the NASDAQ. He relocated to Egypt in 2006 as the CEO of EFG-Hermes Private Equity. He subsequently founded Sawari Ventures, to which he brings a wealth of experience, superb industry insight and an invaluable international network. |
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Hany Al Sonbaty
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Cairo, Egypt
Hany is one of the most experienced VC in the MENA region with over 12 years of experience. Prior to co-founding Sawari Ventures, he was a Partner at EFG-Hermes Private Equity heading their TMT and Venture Capital business. Whilst at EFG Hermes, he managed over USD 200 million of TMT related investments and was involved with many of the region’s pioneering technology companies including Maktoob.com, LinkdotNet, ITWorx, Raya and NextMedia Holdings. Hany was also instrumental in the creation of IdeaVelopers - EFG-Hermes’ venture capital arm – and the formation of its Technology Development Funds, which aim to nurture and grow the next generation of TMT companies. Prior to joining EFG-Hermes, Hany was a Development Engineer at Motorola’s distributor in Egypt. Hany holds a B.Eng. and M.Sc. in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from Imperial College, London.
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Leslie A. Jump
Partner
Washington DC, USA
Leslie first starting working with entrepreneurs when she joined Bill McGowan’s (then) small team at MCI nearly 25 years ago. There, in collaboration with Vint Cerf and others, she pioneered MCI’s early Internet efforts including the company's first website and the world’s first online shopping mall, marketplace MCI. Since then Leslie has launched hundreds of products and companies, in businesses as diverse as telecommunications, eCommerce, online travel, consumer packaged goods, filmed entertainment, financial services and social media. She has held executive roles at Fortune 500 and emerging growth companies, as well as nonprofit organizations, with operational responsibilities in diverse markets worldwide. Leslie provides early and growth stage technology companies with strategic and business planning as well as marketing, business development and fundraising expertise. Additionally, Leslie coaches and mentors young technology entrepreneurs, providing them with business and operational expertise. After two+ decades of work with technology entrepreneurs she has a keen understanding of what it takes to transform a great idea into a successful enterprise.
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