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TURN8 Venture Capital
Leading Saudi venture builder in Riyadh partnering with corporates across KSA, UAE & Qatar to build, invest in and scale startups through corporate venture...
TURN8 Venture Capital
Leading Saudi venture builder in Riyadh partnering with corporates across KSA, UAE & Qatar to build, invest in and scale startups through corporate venture building.
General information
Firm type
Venture Capital
Year founded
2013
Location
Region
Middle East
Country
United Arab Emirates
City
Dubai
Corporate office
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Principals
Kushal Shah
Founder and Managing Partner
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at TURN8?
Kushal Shah, founder and managing partner, leads investment decisions at TURN8. He established the firm inside DP World in 2013 and has driven its strategy through its corporate-spinout evolution. Day-to-day deal execution is handled by a lean internal team operating from Dubai.
What was TURN8's original relationship with DP World?
TURN8 was founded as DP World's corporate venture capital unit in 2013, tasked with investing in startups that could optimize ports, logistics, and global trade operations. It later spun out to operate as an independent venture capital firm, though its deal flow and operational insight remain shaped by the relationship.
Does TURN8 primarily invest in the Middle East or globally?
TURN8 concentrates on the Middle East and North Africa, with additional allocations to South and Southeast Asia. The firm looks for founders across these regions building logistics, supply-chain, enterprise-software, and mobility solutions, often with global scaling potential.
What investment stages does TURN8 typically target?
TURN8 primarily deploys into Seed and Series A rounds, occasionally participating in later-stage follow-ons for existing portfolio companies. Its stage-agnostic approach allows flexibility to support founders from the earliest commercial inflection points through growth-stage fundraising.
How does TURN8 source proprietary deal flow?
The firm's legacy inside DP World gives it visibility into supply-chain and logistics startups that other regional VCs may miss. Its network across Middle Eastern ports, freight operators, and trade corridors surfaces deals before they reach broad auction, and its portfolio founders often provide referrals to adjacent ventures.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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