Stride Ventures completes first close of landmark ADGM Fund 

Stride Ventures, a global leader in venture debt, today announced the successful first close of its flagship Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Fund V, marking a pivotal moment in the firm’s strategic expansion across the GCC. With this milestone, Stride Ventures underscores its commitment to becoming the largest provider of highly non-dilutive and flexible shariah compliant capital to high-growth startups across the region, empowering founders with world-class underwriting, deep sector expertise, and transformative capital.

Building on a consistently superior track record of deploying over $1.2 billion across more than 170+ high-growth companies worldwide. The firm has already executed several significant transactions in the region, with ticket sizes averaging $10 to $15 million, and a strong $110 million deal pipeline that spans key sectors including fintech, healthtech, logistics, and climate tech.

Stride’s focus extends beyond capital - the firm brings global underwriting expertise, deep sector insights, and a founder-first, sector-agnostic approach that empowers entrepreneurs. Some of the region’s most dynamic startups are already part of Stride’s growing portfolio, including Merit Incentives, a leading provider of customer and employee engagement solutions, among others.

Through the ADGM Fund V, Stride plans to triple its assets under management in the GCC to over $500 million by 2026, reinforcing its long-term commitment to supporting the region’s entrepreneurial and innovation economy. Stride Ventures has doubled its presence across the GCC, with a particular focus on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Supported by an experienced leadership team and an expanding regional footprint, the firm is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for venture debt while contributing to the goals of Vision 2030 by enabling innovation, supporting entrepreneurship, and contributing to job creation.

Ishpreet Singh Gandhi, Founder and Managing Partner, Stride Ventures said - “The region is at the centre of one of the most dynamic growth stories of our time - driven by a clear vision for economic diversification and global competitiveness. At Stride Ventures, we are here to be a long-term partner in that journey. Through the ADGM Fund, we are committed to providing the capital, expertise, and partnership that ambitious founders and innovators need to build businesses that will define the region’s future.”

Initiatives in the region continue to play a key role in supporting the ecosystem and Stride Ventures expansion in the region. In Saudi Arabia, the Riyadh Digital Innovation District (RDID), led by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, has provided an enabling environment for global investors and ecosystem partners. As part of this, The Garage has served as a world-class platform connecting Stride directly with startups, fund managers, and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem, helping the firm establish meaningful partnerships and a growing presence in the Kingdom.

Stride’s entry into ADGM, a global financial centre, reflects its commitment to bringing global best practices, institutional discipline, and a strong international network to the region’s innovation ecosystem. Stride Ventures is also partnering with top banks in the region to enhance access to venture debt for new-age businesses and provide comprehensive financing solutions tailored for high-growth companies. With a disciplined investment approach and a proven founder-first philosophy, Stride has consistently delivered strong returns, including the full return of Fund I and ongoing distributions from Fund II.

Fariha Ansari, Partner at Stride Ventures, shared, “Saudi Arabia is rapidly positioning itself as a dynamic and promising destination for innovative financing solutions, particularly in growth debt. Driven by Vision 2030’s ambitious goals to diversify the economy and foster innovation, the Kingdom’s forward-looking regulatory environment is creating exciting opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs alike. The overall momentum and commitment to transformation make Saudi Arabia a key partner in shaping the future of financing across the Middle East. At Stride Ventures, we are energized by the potential here and proud to be part of this transformative journey.”