New Venture Studio Aims to Support Founders Across the Region
FAST Ventures, a UAE-based marketing and technology group, has launched FAST Foundry, a new venture studio backed by a $3 million fund to support early-stage startups in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). FAST Foundry is designed to help founders turn ideas into scalable businesses by providing both capital and operational support.
Focus on High-Potential Tech and Consumer Startups
FAST Foundry will invest in startups working on technologies and products with potential for global reach. The focus areas include adtech, retail tech, creator tools, AI products, fintech, proptech, traveltech and edtech sectors where technology, consumer behaviour and commerce intersect.
Rather than simply providing funding, FAST Foundry connects startups with the broader FAST Ventures ecosystem. This gives founders access to FAST’s specialist teams in product development, marketing, creative services and AI, helping them build, launch and grow more effectively.
Combined Investment and Support Model
FAST Foundry’s model blends financial investment with hands-on support. Participating startups can tap into FAST’s operational expertise and resources. This includes access to engineering, go-to-market strategies, branding and creator partnerships that many early-stage startups struggle to secure on their own.
By offering more than just capital, the venture studio aims to help startups overcome common early-stage challenges such as gaining product-market fit and achieving initial traction. The support structure is intended to shorten the time between concept and market validation, improving a startup’s likelihood of success.
Targeting Structural Gaps in the MENA Ecosystem
The launch of FAST Foundry comes amid ongoing efforts to strengthen the MENA startup ecosystem. Many regional technology ventures face challenges related to scaling, operational support and access to growth expertise. FAST Foundry seeks to address these gaps by building an environment where founders can rely on integrated support from ideation to early growth stages.
Building on FAST Ventures’ Existing Capabilities
FAST Ventures has developed a network of platforms and services focused on marketing, commerce and consumer technology. FAST Foundry extends this ecosystem by inviting external founders to leverage these capabilities for their own products and services. Participating startups will benefit from proximity to FAST’s teams and infrastructure, which spans creative, technical and commercial disciplines.
What Founders Can Expect
Startups accepted into FAST Foundry can expect access to capital, strategic guidance, team support and operational resources that are often out of reach for early ventures. The initiative is positioned as a launchpad for high-growth potential startups in the MENA region, helping founders navigate early hurdles and scale their offerings with strong backing.
