Oasis500 Launches $20M+ Oasis Ventures III Fund to Back Early-Stage Startups

Luma Fawaz, Oasis500 CEO

Oasis500 has unveiled its fourth investment vehicle, Oasis Ventures III, marking another chapter in Jordan’s early-stage funding story. The new fund, announced at a gathering of entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem players in Amman, is set to exceed $20 million and will focus squarely on early-stage tech and tech-enabled startups.

In simple terms, this is about backing founders at the beginning — when ideas are still raw but ambition is sky-high. The fund aims to support startups with clear, scalable business models that can grow beyond Jordan and compete regionally and globally. That, at least, is the thrust of Oasis500’s message.

Suhair Ali, Chairwoman of Oasis500, described Oasis Ventures III as “a direct investment in Jordanian youth and in promising companies capable of growth and sustainability.” She also highlighted that Oasis500 was established in 2010 in line with His Majesty King Abdullah II’s vision, positioning it as Jordan’s first dedicated investment fund for technology startups. Sixteen years on, the organisation continues to combine capital with what it calls hands-on strategic support — working closely with founders as they scale into new markets.

I’ve always felt that early-stage capital in our region can be a bit of a faff to secure, especially for first-time founders without connections. So when a fund with a legacy doubles down on seed and pre-seed stages, it does feel spot on. At Arageek, we often hear from young Jordanian founders who say that the first cheque — not the biggest one — is what changes everything. Well… I mean, confidence is currency too, you know?

Since launching, Oasis500 has invested in 193 startups. Those companies have collectively raised more than $135 million in follow-on funding and now carry a combined valuation of $243 million across the active portfolio. The broader impact is also notable: nearly 5,000 direct and indirect jobs created, and operations stretching across more than 22 countries. For a country the size of Jordan, that global footprint is no small feat.

Oasis Ventures III follows three earlier funds: Oasis Ventures I in 2010, Oasis Creative Industries in 2015, and Oasis Ventures II in 2019. The second Ventures fund shifted towards startups that had already reached commercial maturity and demonstrated product-market fit — that sweet spot where customers are paying and scaling becomes less of a gamble. This time, the focus returns to the earlier stages, where risk is higher but so is the upside.

The launch event also included a tribute to former chairman Marwan Juma, recognising his 15-year tenure with Oasis500. It was a reminder that ecosystems are built by people who stick around for the long haul — not just capital, but commitment.

Oasis500 was originally launched through the King Abdullah II Fund for Development, which aims to strengthen Jordan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, empower youth, and drive innovation-led job creation. The new fund is described as aligned with the Kingdom’s Economic Modernisation Vision and the broader push to equip young people with technological skills.

On the flip side, raising a $20 million-plus early-stage fund in today’s global climate is no easy task. Investors are more cautious, valuations have cooled, and founders are expected to prove traction earlier than before. Still, I reckon there’s something quietly powerful about staying the course in tougher cycles. Ecosystems mature when institutions do.

For Jordanian founders sketching their MVPs in small coworking spaces or coding late at night in Amman and Irbid, Oasis Ventures III could be the bridge between a promising pitch deck and a company with real economic impact. And if the past numbers are anything to go by, the ripple effects might stretch far beyond the country’s borders — which is where things get really intresting.

Source: Arageek