Amman, June 13 (Petra) – The Innovative Startups and SMEs Fund (ISSF)
announced on Saturday a $7 million investment in Endeavor Catalyst V,
a $300 million co-investment fund aimed at emerging markets that
supports high-growth, high-impact companies in more than 60
countries.

This milestone agreement serves as the kickoff for the second phase
of the ISSF’s investment activities in the Jordanian entrepreneurial
ecosystem following a successful first phase, which extended until
2025 during which the fund received the highest performance rating
from the World Bank, its main shareholder.

The partnership and investment agreement was inked by Mohammad
Al-Muhtasib, CEO of ISSF, and Allen Taylor, Managing Partner of
Endeavor Catalyst.

The parties called the partnership a strategic step aimed at
connecting local startups with international venture capital sources.
This will ensure a direct flow of funding to promising
entrepreneurial projects in the Kingdom and bridge the funding gaps
faced by startups in their advanced stages of growth as they seek
regional and global expansion, they pointed out.

Al-Muhtasib said the investment will allow the fund to continue
strengthening the Jordanian entrepreneurship ecosystem and developing
the venture capital environment in the Kingdom.

For his part, Taylor commented that the ISSF investment in Endeavor
Catalyst V is a true embodiment of a shared vision to empower
high-impact companies in Jordan.

“Long-term partnerships in markets where we have a strong investment
conviction are more important than the timing of market cycles,” he
said, adding that “since Endeavor entered Jordan in 2009 as its first
market in the MENA region, we have been committed across several
investment cycles, reinforcing our belief that a sustained presence
creates the strongest investment opportunities and insights.”

Endeavor’s strategy revolves around seizing promising opportunities
in emerging markets globally, but not limited to a specific
investment sector.

One of its key successes is its investment in Replit, an artificial
intelligence and software development company founded by Jordanian
entrepreneurs Amjad Masad and Haya Odeh. Replit reached a market
valuation of $9 billion, reflecting the fund’s ability to identify
and support innovative entrepreneurial ventures with global impact
and rapid growth.

//Petra//SS