Noor Sweid: A Trailblazer in Middle Eastern Venture Capital
In the landscape of Middle Eastern entrepreneurship, Noor Sweid stands as a pioneering figure. A visionary venture capitalist, serial entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for innovation, Sweid has made a profound impact on the startup ecosystem in the region. Through her leadership at Global Ventures, she has empowered countless entrepreneurs and reshaped the way investors view opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Her journey from a corporate professional to one of the region’s most respected business leaders is not only inspiring but also highlights the growing importance of women in driving economic change across the Arab world.
Early Life and Education
Noor Sweid was born in the United Arab Emirates into a family that valued hard work, education, and resilience. From an early age, she demonstrated a keen interest in problem-solving and innovation. Seeking to expand her horizons, she moved to the United States to pursue higher education.
Sweid earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Boston College, followed by a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from MIT’s Sloan School of Management, one of the world’s most prestigious business schools. Her academic journey gave her a strong foundation in both science and business, nurturing her ability to bridge analytical thinking with strategic leadership.
Career Beginnings
Before venturing into entrepreneurship and venture capital, Noor Sweid began her career in the corporate world. She joined Accenture as a strategy consultant in the U.S., where she worked with Fortune 500 companies on restructuring and organizational strategy.
In 2005, she returned to Dubai and joined her family business, Depa Group, a global interior contracting company. At Depa, she spearheaded the firm’s expansion and strategic initiatives. Under her guidance as Chief Strategy Officer, Depa grew rapidly and eventually went public on the London Stock Exchange in 2008. This IPO made it the first company from the Middle East to list on the LSE, a milestone that highlighted her leadership and strategic foresight.
Her experience at Depa equipped her with invaluable skills in scaling businesses, corporate governance, and international finance — tools that would later prove essential in her career as a venture capitalist.
Transition to Venture Capital
After a successful corporate career, Noor Sweid turned her focus toward fostering entrepreneurship in the region. She realized that while the Middle East was brimming with talented founders and bold ideas, the ecosystem lacked the necessary funding and mentorship to scale startups into global players.
Sweid became an early member of Dubai Angel Investors and also served as the Chief Investment Officer at Dubai Future Foundation, where she helped build initiatives that supported technology and innovation.
In 2018, she founded Global Ventures, a Dubai-based venture capital firm. With Global Ventures, Sweid sought to bridge the gap between ambitious entrepreneurs and the resources they needed to grow. The firm quickly established itself as one of the leading VC firms in the region, backing high-growth startups in fintech, health-tech, edtech, logistics, and other key sectors.
Global Ventures: Driving Innovation
Global Ventures was born out of a mission to support visionary entrepreneurs in emerging markets, particularly in MENA and Africa. Noor Sweid and her team recognized that the region faced unique challenges but also offered untapped opportunities.
Some of Global Ventures’ most notable investments include:
- Helium Health (Nigeria) – a digital healthcare company revolutionizing hospital management.
- Kitopi (UAE) – a cloud kitchen platform scaling globally.
- Tabby (UAE/Saudi Arabia) – a buy-now-pay-later fintech startup.
- Mamo Pay (UAE) – a digital payments platform.
- MaxAB (Egypt) – a B2B e-commerce platform supporting small retailers.
Under her leadership, Global Ventures has raised hundreds of millions in capital across multiple funds and invested in dozens of startups that are transforming industries. What makes the firm unique is its focus not just on funding but also on mentoring founders, providing strategic advice, and helping startups expand internationally.
A Champion for Women in Business
As one of the most prominent female venture capitalists in the Middle East, Noor Sweid has become a role model for women in business. The region has historically seen underrepresentation of women in entrepreneurship and investment, but leaders like Sweid are helping change that narrative.
She often speaks about the importance of diversity and inclusion, not just as social imperatives but also as business advantages. Research consistently shows that companies with diverse leadership outperform their peers, and Sweid has been at the forefront of promoting this mindset in the Middle East’s business ecosystem.
Her own journey proves that women can thrive as entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders in male-dominated industries. By breaking barriers, she has inspired a new generation of young women to pursue careers in finance, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Recognition and Influence
Noor Sweid’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. She has been featured in Forbes Middle East’s list of the most powerful Arab women and recognized globally as one of the top venture capitalists in emerging markets.
Her insights on venture capital, entrepreneurship, and innovation have been shared at global forums, including the World Economic Forum, MIT conferences, and regional summits on investment and technology.
She has also served on multiple boards, contributing her expertise to both private companies and nonprofit organizations. Through these roles, she continues to shape the future of the Middle East’s economic landscape.
Philosophy and Leadership Style
What distinguishes Noor Sweid is her forward-thinking philosophy. She believes in long-term value creation rather than short-term gains. For her, venture capital is not just about investing money but about building ecosystems and enabling sustainable growth.
Her leadership style is collaborative and mentorship-driven. Entrepreneurs who work with her often describe her as approachable, empathetic, and deeply committed to their success. At the same time, she is known for being pragmatic and data-driven, ensuring that investment decisions are based on solid fundamentals.
Challenges and Resilience
Like many leaders, Noor Sweid has faced challenges throughout her career. Expanding a family business during global financial uncertainty, launching a VC firm in a nascent ecosystem, and pushing for greater gender diversity in conservative environments were not easy tasks.
However, her resilience and adaptability have always shone through. By embracing challenges as opportunities for growth, Sweid has managed to build credibility and respect across industries.
Legacy and Future
As of today, Noor Sweid continues to lead Global Ventures with a vision of making the Middle East and Africa hubs of innovation. She firmly believes that the region has the talent and creativity to build companies that can compete on a global scale.
Her legacy goes beyond financial success. She has helped foster a culture of entrepreneurship, mentored countless founders, and advocated for women in business. By doing so, she has not only transformed the startup ecosystem but also paved the way for sustainable economic growth in the Middle East.
Looking ahead, Noor Sweid is likely to continue expanding Global Ventures’ footprint, investing in disruptive technologies, and shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Conclusion
Noor Sweid’s story is one of vision, determination, and impact. From her early days as a corporate strategist to becoming a trailblazing venture capitalist, she has consistently demonstrated leadership and innovation.
Through Global Ventures, she has created a platform that supports entrepreneurs in building transformative companies, while also challenging traditional norms and advocating for diversity. Her journey serves as an inspiration not only for women but for anyone striving to make a difference in business and society.
In many ways, Noor Sweid is more than an investor — she is a catalyst for change in the Middle East’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and her influence will be felt for decades to come.
Published: 11th November 2025
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