COREangels MEA Named Africa’s Top Angel Network at AESIS 2025 Awards

Well, here’s a bit of good news from Africa’s buzzing startup scene. COREangels MEA, part of PTS Holdings, has just been crowned “Best Angel Network in Africa” at the AESIS 2025 Awards – which took place during the ABAN Congress, one of the continent’s most influential gatherings for investors and innovators. It’s the kind of recognition that doesn’t come lightly, especially in a space where trust and access often make or break young ventures.

Now, if you haven’t come across them before, COREangels MEA runs a $10 million pre-seed fund focused on nurturing early-stage startups across the Middle East and Africa. What makes them stand out isn’t just the funding itself but their collaborative “venture studio” approach — pairing smart capital with mentorship, governance training, and impact-driven growth. And believe it or not, they’ve managed to make angel investing feel a little less like a gamble and a bit more like structured partnership.

Last year, the network launched its Investment-Ready Bootcamp, which drew more than 800 applications from across Africa. Out of that wave, 20 startups were hand-picked for a fully funded acceleration journey. Participants didn’t just get advice thrown at them – they enjoyed real, hands-on mentorship and investor-readiness workshops. The highlight? Three founders were flown out to pitch directly before COREangels’ global investment committee. I reckon that’s what you call levelling the playing field.

Maha Mandour, Executive Chairperson of PTS Holdings and Founding Partner of COREangels MEA, said the award “reflects our belief that Africa’s innovators deserve a global stage.” She went on to mention how their network – including COREangels MEA, Kemtix Ventures, and ORO E-Ventures – is working to combine innovation, investment, and impact to create meaningful, long-term value.

On the flip side, Rui Falcão, President of COREangels International and something of a veteran in angel investing, added that “access and trust go hand in hand.” He highlighted how COREangels MEA aims to bridge the gaps between investors and founders, emphasising that innovation from Africa and the Middle East deserves global visibility, while international capital should be guided by local know-how. Spot on, if you ask me – I’ve seen too many deals flounder due to that cultural blind spot.

It’s worth noting that COREangels MEA forms part of the wider COREangels International network, which counts over 300 angels spanning more than 40 countries. That global reach supports its structure of “de-risked” and purpose-driven investing – a model built for measurable social and economic outcomes.

When Mandour wrapped up her remarks, she credited their “incredible team” and every founder, investor, and partner who shared their mission. Together, she said, they’re proving that the continent’s next global success stories are already being shaped with structure, trust, and purpose.

At Arageek, we’ve always been a bit chuffed to bits when African or MENA-based startups get the spotlight they deserve. The region may still face its fair share of challenges, but ambitious players like COREangels MEA show what happens when vision meets discipline. And yeah, paperwork can be a bit of a faff, but when done right, it builds the credibility every founder needs to go global.

That’s why this recognition feels well-earned — not just a trophy on a shelf, but a signal that sustainable, human-centred investing in Africa isn’t a dream anymore… it’s happening right now. And that’s definately something to celebrate.

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