Top Startup Investors in Beirut

Beirut hasn’t had it easy, but if you walk its streets these days, there’s a lot more than coffee brewing. The city is fast becoming the beating heart of Lebanon’s startup ecosystem. From fintech to SaaS and everything in between, early-stage founders are rolling up sleeves and cranking out pitch decks, even as challenges simmer in the background.

Still, no one gets far without capital, and the city’s collection of VC funds—and persistent angel investors—are stepping up to fill the gap. Below, Arageek’s rundown on Beirut’s VCs shaping the startup scene, listed A–Z for fair play. No firm gets special treatment.

Powered by a $51 million war chest from local banks, BeryTech Fund II stands out for backing Lebanese talent with real growth ambitions. It leans hard into software and digital training, aiming to drive Lebanon’s knowledge economy. Their picks include tech-focused startups like Cherpa, which is turning robotics into child’s play, and BSynchro, sitting at the crossroad of business and IT. With roots in Lebanon’s Circular 331 initiative, BeryTech’s long game is all about helping small, ambitious businesses thrive and scale inside—and beyond—Beirut.

B&Y Venture Partners keep it simple but bold—early-stage tech bets, with eyes always on the next disruption. While the cheque sizes aren’t public, what’s clear is the firm likes a mix of seed to growth rounds. Based in Beirut but thinking regionally, they've stepped in early for five Lebanon-based startups, usually hunting for creative founders who can play on the MENA field. If you’re building for the long run in tech or media, B&Y could be your out-of-the-ordinary backer.

Cedar Mundi Ventures likes startups with sights set on bigger things. They’re among the few bridging Lebanon’s ecosystem with Europe, which is huge if you’re dreaming of breaking out of Beirut. Their sweet spot: anything tech with global ambition, mainly healthcare, software, and digital commerce. Early investments went to Podeo (the Arab world’s podcasting giant), Frak Labs (blockchain smart wallets), and Kamea Labs. If you reckon your pitch can travel, write their name on your VC shortlist.

Flat6Labs is best known for mixing funding, an accelerator, and a regional network under one roof. Beirut’s branch offers that classic Flat6 blend—seed rounds from $50k up to $500k, structured support, and more mentors than you can shake a stick at. The focus is always on tech innovation, so if you’re cooking up a next-gen software, app or digital play, this is your stop. The selection is tough, but they’re one of the few that’ll walk you from first pitch deck to growth funding round.

IM Capital, with backing from USAID, stands out for matching capital and offering equity guarantees—music to a founder’s ears when you’re looking to seal your first funding round. They work both directly with startups and via intermediaries (think angel investors and accelerators). Over $15 million has gone into helping over 30 companies, with a couple of SaaS investments in the local scene. It’s a hands-on approach—expect more than just money if you land their support.

Kafalat iSME is something quite different—a $30 million Government of Lebanon and World Bank-backed push to nurture innovation at the rawest stages. They don’t just fund the usual suspects, but offer concept development grants too, letting bright founders experiment before even launching. Later, there’s equity co-investment when your idea starts to gather steam. Proper early-stage support for Beirut’s startup ecosystem, and a rare shot for founders ready to leap in before everything’s polished.

MEVP is probably the big dog on the block, with over $300 million in the pot and a sizeable team split between Beirut and the Gulf. They back early-stage to growth plays and have a soft spot for consumer tech and SaaS. At least eight investments in Lebanon, but loads more across the whole MENA region, mean they’ve got both capital and cross-border connections. If you’re founder material with products for the masses and plans to scale out of Beirut, they’ll want to see your pitch.

Phoenician VC claims the crown for the most local Lebanese investments. Since 2015, they’ve racked up deals with 14 startups, sticking mainly to what Beirut does well: fintech, digital innovation, and software. Their style is direct—if you’re a founder tackling big financial or business challenges in the Middle East, take note. Their local focus is bolstered by a region-wide outlook, helping their portfolio startups scale outside Lebanon’s borders.

Saned Partners fly under the radar, but their investments are thoughtful, not scattergun. Since 2013, they’ve targeted early-stage Lebanese founders with a clear, proven model—no wild guesses. Sector-agnostic, sure, but don't expect them to jump at every new SaaS or e-commerce idea unless it’s got solid market backing. They look for validation first, scale second—a rare breed in a landscape packed with experimenters.

Wamda Capital is usually known for its regional focus, but they’ve lobbed a few cheques into Lebanon—MAGNiTT, for one. If you’re building a tech or SaaS platform with regional impact, they might be worth a punt. Their name pulls weight with later investors, plus their portfolio doubles as a who’s who of the MENA scale-up game. Don’t bother unless you want your startup to be big—just being Beirut-based isn’t enough.

Beirut’s VC scene is holding steady against the odds, propping up founders with just enough grit to push past the usual barriers. No, the cheque sizes aren’t always massive, and yes, it’s fiercely competitive. But with capital scattered across seed, Series A, and a deep regional pool, there’s real opportunity here for startups ready to get their hands dirty. Each firm moves differently—some want proof, others hunt for wild potential—so get your homework done before you send off that next deck.