
Riyadh - Sharikat Mubasher: Afaq Capital, a leading provider of investment services licensed by the Capital Market Authority (CMA), successfully acquired an entire venture capital (VC) portfolio in the region's first secondary entry and exit transaction.
The transaction was structured, negotiated, and successfully closed under the leadership of Cotyledon for Management Consultancy, pending regulatory approval, Cotyledon announced in a statement yesterday.
The portfolio was originally established by and led by Hassan Ikram during his tenure as Co-founder and Chief Investment Officer at Falak Investment Hub. It was built through targeted investments across multiple sectors and supported promising startups throughout their growth journeys.
This transaction marks a significant milestone in both the local and regional investment landscape and reflects the increasing maturity and liquidity potential of the VC market in Saudi Arabia and the broader region.
Commenting on this milestone, Ikram, who acts now as the Founder and CEO of Cotyledon, said: “This is the first of its kind exit in our market and a clear indication that liquidity events in the VC space are becoming both real and achievable. While building the equity story is an art, it is also essential to unlocking value.”
For his part, Saleh Almuhanna, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Afaq Capital, said: “In this project, Afaq Capital opened the door for investors of all kinds to access a complete venture capital portfolio, something rarely available in the region. It’s thoughtfully structured with precision and designed to be accessible, backed by a qualified and experienced team to provide an entry point into the VC space.”
Afaq Capital's participation in this transaction reflects its leading role in enabling innovative investment products in the region. Its digital platform simplifies access to complex opportunities like VC portfolios, making onboarding, subscription, and tracking seamless within a secure, regulated environment.