Top Startup Investors in Baghdad

Baghdad’s startup scene is no longer just talk—it’s building momentum, thanks to a new wave of founders, angel investors, and VC funds putting their money where their mouth is. There’s real hunger from the local startup community for venture capital, and now, firms from home and abroad are moving in fast.

Fresh funding has started flowing to everything from media tech to fintech, agri, food delivery and more. For founders looking to get their pitch deck seen and acheive the next round, knowing which VCs actually invest in Baghdad is half the battle. Here’s an up-to-date, easy-to-browse list of the key players—arranged A to Z for sanity’s sake. (And yes, Arageek’s been watching this scene for ages.)

If you think TV companies just do entertainment, think again. Al Sharqiya Television, the biggest network in Iraq, has its own investment arm dabbling in Baghdad’s startup world. They’re behind 1001, an over-the-top media platform that racked up a million users in just three weeks. Al Sharqiya has made two investments in local startups, betting big on media and OTT innovations—helping modernise the region’s digital scene in their own way.

With a name straight out of Mesopotamian legend, Euphrates Ventures is all-in on Iraqi markets. Led by Geoffrey Batt and Rawaz Rauf, they specialise in early-stage startups, particularly those shaking up food delivery and agri-tech. Alsaree3 Group (think Iraq’s take on speedy food delivery) and Nakhla, a social enterprise in agri-tech, both scored investment from Euphrates. These guys are genuinely helping lay foundations for Baghdad’s next generation of scaleups.

Flat6Labs, though based in Cairo, has put down roots in Baghdad with a clear interest in tech-driven startups. Known across MENA for high-volume seed funding, their yearly count tops 100 companies region-wide. Baghdad founders can expect ticket sizes from $50K to $500K if they catch Flat6Labs’ eye, especially those between pre-seed and pre-Series A. They’re as plugged-in as it gets to accelerators and the wider MENA ecosystem.

This firm keeps a low profile but has definitely put money to work in Baghdad’s early-stage market. Two local investments to date, and positioned as one of Iraq’s most active global VC funds. GFC rarely shout about their choices, so if you catch their attention, it’s usually for solid, scaleable tech or consumer ideas. Proof that good decks speak for themselves, even to international capital.

Iraq Tech Ventures acts as both seed funder and matchmaker, connecting international investors with promising Iraqi tech projects. They’ve put cash into two Iraqi startups so far and are counted among the region’s most active early-stage backers. Their playbook is simple: minimum capital, focused support, and bringing new faces into Baghdad’s startup game—useful when you need both funding and network.

IVP holds the title as Baghdad’s first locally-based early-stage VC firm. Founded by heavyweights like Omar Al-Handal, Bassam Falah, and Mohammed Khudairi, their whole mission is about smart capital for exceptional Iraqi startups. They partner with global names (think Orange Corners Innovation Fund) and have big plans—IVP will soon be running Gateway Fund for pre-Series A and Series A raises, with cheques from $250K up to $1M. Not just finance, but actual advice from people who know Baghdad inside out.

London-based, but with real skin in Baghdad’s startup ecosystem, Kingsway Capital puts its focus on financial services, cryptocurrency, and the emerging fintech scene. They’ve invested in two Iraqi startups so far, offering know-how from much larger markets to help local teams raise the bar. It’s management for scale—handy if your funding round is about proving you can do more than survive in a tough landscape.

Known throughout the region for malls and leisure, Majid Al Futtaim has quietly joined Baghdad’s VC crowd. Their investment slant in Iraq? Taxi services—directly plugged into the daily grind and urban transformation. It’s unusual to see such a lifestyle giant back local mobility, but there’s clear logic if you think about cities where Uber and Careem first got traction.

March Holding doesn’t shout, but the numbers don’t lie—they’ve backed two Baghdad-based startups and made it onto the region’s most active investor lists. While details are thin on their exact playbook, their willingness to fund local founders is the real headline, especially as Iraq’s ecosystem picks up pace. Sometimes an open cheque and quiet guidance matter more than attention.

MSA Novo brings the global multi-stage VC style to Baghdad, with a wide portfolio in tech, fintech, and consumer plays. They’ve made at least one documented investment locally, keeping an eye on e-commerce, finance, and the usual high-growth suspects. Their past work with big international names puts them on a lot of founder radars—even more so if your sights are set beyond Iraq down the line.

Originally from Kyiv, Vostok Ventures have put out capital in Baghdad, mainly in mobile apps, cloud, transport, and gaming. Co-founded by Michael Kharenko and Svyatoslav Pogrebnoy, the fund backs seed to Series B rounds—often supporting product-led teams exploring fresh tech angles. If you’re bridging Eastern Europe and Iraq or thinking cross-border, these are your people.

Baghdad’s VC scene isn’t just surviving—it’s taking shape, with a surprisingly wide cast of funds, local and international, keeping early-stage startups and scale-ups in play. Yes, there are still unknowns—applying can be hit-and-miss, transparency isn’t always a given, and you’ll want your term sheet and cap table lined up before you hit send. But between the homegrown energy and global money, these VCs are set to back Iraq’s next big things—if you’re ready to make some noise.