Seattle-based global investment fund of funds Capria Ventures (Capria) has invested in UAE-based venture capital firm Global Ventures’ second fund, as part of a strategic partnership. This marks Capria’s first direct investment in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.

Capria Ventures is a global investment firm, partnering with and funding the largest network of emerging market fund managers. It is backed by international investors, including Vulcan Capital, the Ford Foundation, Bill Gates, the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation, Unitus Labs, and other impact investors.

“Capria has always backed fund managers across the globe with aligned interests and incentives. Our collaboration is our first entry into the region, which will diversify our investors’ access to opportunities in a region seeing significant growth in the digital health, fintech, edtech and agritech sectors. We are already seeing synergy between Global Ventures’ portfolio and the portfolios of our Capria Network managers in Asia, LatAm and Africa,” said Susana Garcia Robles, venture partner at Capria Ventures.

Capria manages over $400 million in assets, deployed in early-stage/growth companies in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. It has more than $100 million in assets under management invested directly in India and in other markets.

Since its inception, Global Ventures has focused on backing growth-stage companies in MEA and globally. To date, It has invested in 25 companies, operating across 15 markets, using capital from its two funds. The second fund is focused on technology companies addressing critical needs and demands in recently accelerated industries.

“We are delighted to welcome a new investor to the regional ecosystem. Capria is one of the first US fund-of-funds to invest in the region and is internationally renowned for its success in emerging markets. We are very excited to see the transformative impact this investment and partnership will have across the region. We’re very much looking forward to our partnership with Capria and expanding ties between our regional ecosystem and other high-growth markets,” said Noor Sweid, founder and general partner of Global Ventures.