In the dynamic world of venture capital, few figures stand out as prominently as Noor Sweid. As the founder and managing partner of Global Ventures, a UAE-based firm investing across the Middle East and Africa, Sweid has been instrumental in reshaping the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Her journey from scaling businesses to leading a top-tier venture capital firm is both inspiring and instructive.
Early Life and Educational Background
Noor Sweid’s story begins with a rich tapestry of cultural influences. Born to Syrian-British parents, she was raised in the United States, where she pursued dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Economics from Boston College. This solid academic foundation was further strengthened by an MBA from the prestigious MIT Sloan School of Management. Such a diverse background equipped her with a unique perspective, blending Eastern heritage with Western education.
Scaling New Heights with Depa
Upon returning to the Middle East, Sweid joined her family business, Depa, a leading interior contracting company. Her tenure at Depa was marked by remarkable growth. Under her leadership, the company expanded its operations from six to 22 countries, achieving a tenfold increase in revenue. This meteoric rise culminated in a landmark moment in 2008 when Depa went public, listing on both the NASDAQ Dubai and the London Stock Exchange with a valuation exceeding $1 billion. This achievement made Sweid the first woman in the MENA region to lead a company to an initial public offering (IPO).
Entrepreneurial Venture: ZenYoga
Not one to rest on her laurels, Sweid ventured into the wellness industry by founding ZenYoga, the Middle East’s first yoga and Pilates studio chain. Recognizing a gap in the market, she cultivated ZenYoga into the region’s largest wellness chain. Her strategic vision and operational acumen led to a successful exit in 2014 when the company was acquired by a private equity firm.
Steering Innovation at Dubai Future Foundation
Sweid’s commitment to fostering innovation was further evident during her tenure as the Chief Investment Officer at the Dubai Future Foundation. In this role, she played a pivotal part in shaping Dubai’s technology and innovation landscape, laying the groundwork for future-forward initiatives that continue to influence the region’s economic trajectory.
Founding Global Ventures: A Vision for the Future
In 2018, driven by a passion for empowering entrepreneurs, Sweid founded Global Ventures. The firm quickly established itself as a leading venture capital entity, focusing on Series-A investments across emerging markets. With a presence in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria, Global Ventures has, as of June 2024, completed over 66 investments, including 13 in digital health startups and 14 in fintech companies. The firm’s portfolio reflects a deliberate focus on sectors that positively impact millions of lives, such as fintech, digital health, edtech, and agritech. This strategic approach has not only generated impressive financial returns but has also created approximately 10,500 jobs, promoted female leadership, and expanded healthcare access to over 6.8 million patients.
Accolades and Recognitions
Sweid’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. Forbes has consistently recognized her influence, listing her among the “World’s Top 50 Women in Tech” and the “Middle East’s Top Venture Capitalists.” In 2024, she was ranked first on Forbes Middle East’s list of the region’s top venture capitalists, underscoring her leadership in the industry. Furthermore, Arabian Business has acknowledged her as one of the “Top 100 Most Influential Arab Women,” highlighting her role as a trailblazer in the business world.
Role as a Judge on Shark Tank Dubai
Expanding her influence beyond boardrooms, Sweid serves as a judge on Shark Tank Dubai. In this capacity, she provides budding entrepreneurs with invaluable insights, mentorship, and funding opportunities. Her participation in the show reflects her commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators and underscores her belief in the transformative power of entrepreneurship.
Authorship: ‘Coming of Age’
In addition to her business endeavors, Sweid is an accomplished author. Her book, “Coming of Age: How Technology and Entrepreneurship are Changing the Face of MENA,” delves into the region’s entrepreneurial evolution over the past 25 years. Featuring interviews with 35 founders, the book charts the Middle East and North Africa’s remarkable journey toward becoming a hub for transformative ventures. With a foreword by Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, the book has garnered praise from industry leaders and offers readers a comprehensive understanding of MENA’s digital entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Balancing Personal Life and Professional Commitments
Beyond her professional achievements, Sweid is a dedicated mother to three boys: Kinan, Jad, and Karim. She maintains a balanced lifestyle, finding time for personal interests such as hiking, wakesurfing, and practicing yoga. This commitment to personal well-being complements her professional ethos, reflecting a holistic approach to life and work.
Current Endeavors and Future Aspirations
As of 2025, Sweid continues to lead Global Ventures with a vision of scaling its impact. The firm recently co-led a $9 million pre-Series B funding round for Locad, aiming to support its international expansion into the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This move aligns with Sweid’s strategy of backing companies that drive economic growth and technological advancement in the region.
Looking ahead, Sweid envisions a Middle East and Africa where entrepreneurship thrives, technology bridges gaps, and innovation drives sustainable development. Her journey serves as a testament to the possibilities that arise when vision meets determination, and it continues to inspire countless individuals across the globe.
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