Life
How Noor Sweid is changing the landscape of entrepreneurship in the MENA region.
What inspired you write Coming Of Age?
While the coming-of-age stories of emerging markets like China, India, and Brazil have been well-documented, I noticed a lack of similar narratives for MENA, despite its impressive economic growth and entrepreneurial evolution. Having invested in the region for over 15 years, I’ve witnessed incredible innovations by regional founders who are leveraging technology to drive both regional and global impact. I believe that there are so many incredible stories of founders across the region, and many of them have yet to be told. In particular, the personal journeys and trials and tribulations are still not shared. Every time I listen to these founders, I am incredibly inspired and moved. So, I felt it would make sense to share these stories with the world as much as possible.
So inasmuch as this is a book about the region for founders in the region, it’s also a book about the region for the rest of the world – to share positive messages about what is really going on entrepreneurially here, rather than outdated perceptions.
The book highlights MENA’s transformation over the past 25 years. What do you see as the most significant turning point in this journey?
The Originals – the pioneering founders who built MENA’s foundational infrastructure – laid the groundwork for today’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. They navigated resource-scarce environments, operated under complex conditions, and built businesses in the region at a time where access to capital, talent, and resources was anything but guaranteed. That legacy remains today. MENA’s entrepreneurs today are inherently resilient, building companies that withstand uncertainty and can scale despite challenges. Their predecessors proved that success isn’t just about innovation – it’s about deep market understanding, stakeholder trust, and an unwavering commitment to creating value. The region’s next generation of founders isn’t just inspired by the Originals – they’re carrying their DNA forward, building the future of MENA’s economy on the foundations of resilience and adaptability. The success of these Originals was not just the turning point, it was an inspiration for the next wave of founders who are standing on their shoulders, looking further into the horizon, dreaming bigger and aiming higher than ever before. They carry with them lessons uncovered by their predecessors – and now knowing how to build sustainable businesses despite any resource scarcity.
How do you think technology and entrepreneurship are uniquely shaping MENA compared to other regions?
Technology and entrepreneurship are shaping MENA in a way that is fundamentally different from other regions—through leapfrogging. Unlike more established markets, MENA lacks deep legacy infrastructure in many industries, and large segments of the population remain underserved. This has created significant white spaces where digital solutions can scale rapidly. At the same time, technologies such as AI and cloud computing are enabling founders to build and scale faster, at lower costs, and with greater efficiency than ever before. What sets MENA apart is that founders here don’t have to follow a traditional, linear path of development. Instead, they can skip steps—leveraging global learnings to move directly into digital-first models—or even pioneer entirely new ways of solving challenges. This is already happening in financial services, healthcare, education, and now manufacturing and agriculture, where businesses are not just catching up but creating new market standards. By combining market-specific insights with cutting-edge technology, MENA’s entrepreneurs are building companies that are not just regionally relevant, but globally competitive. This is the future of innovation in the region—fast, adaptive, and built for scale.
How do you see the role of women evolving in MENA’s entrepreneurial landscape?
I see the contribution and role of women mirroring the exciting growth in MENA’s overall entrepreneurial journey. Every year will see more women become business leaders as they are inspired by role models – those Originals – who have gone before them. Women will increasingly come into their own, and – in business terms – literally come of age, as the book’s title suggests. I expect both trends to continue, with the tailwind of a more equitable and inclusive funding environment, and the growth in entrepreneurialism generally. It is an exciting future ahead.
What are the biggest challenges entrepreneurs in the MENA region face today?
Entrepreneurs in MENA face unique challenges, but they are building with resilience and adaptability. Access to capital remains a challenge, especially in a market where liquidity is limited, making alternative financing strategies like M&A increasingly relevant. Talent acquisition, albeit much better now especially in countries like the UAE and Saudi, is another possible constraint, as founders are often required to be intentional about attracting and retaining the right teams.
Yet, the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is still evolving, with investors playing a more hands – on role in guiding companies through these complexities. While the venture capital landscape is still maturing, founders in the MENA region are proving that innovation can thrive in constraint – turning challenges into opportunities and building businesses that are not just surviving, but also capable of scaling globally.
What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs in the region who want to make an impact?
Do what you love: Entrepreneurship is demanding, so it’s essential to enjoy what you do. Just start: The entrepreneurial journey is rarely linear or predictable. Momentum follows action. Solve clear problems: This not only defines your market but provides clarity on your business and product. Avoid being distracted by the solution and focus on the problem you’re solving. Build the right team: Surround yourself with talented, positive people. They will help you reach your goals faster and more effectively.
What’s next for you after Coming of Age? Are there any other projects or books in the pipeline?
There is no rest planned! One of the privileges of having had a front row seat to MENA’s entrepreneurial explosion, is you get to wear a lot of hats. Global Ventures keeps me extremely busy. We are currently investing from our third fund and are focused on extraordinary founders with some significant market opportunities. Global Ventures has always been about investing in emerging-market founders on a mission to change the world, and this will not change. As for another book – we’ll see. Writing ‘Coming of Age’ was a true labour of love, and while I’m happy to take a break from the keyboard for now – never say never. The region has so much exciting growth ahead – I’m sure there will be more stories to tell.
This is ‘The Resilience Issue’ – how do you stay resilient?
The stories of the 35 founders in the book are all about resilience. Entrepreneurship in the region has always had to operate in environments where access to capital, talent, and infrastructure is constrained – so, resistance is a necessity. This has shaped a generation of founders who build businesses that are resilient by design, navigating uncertainty with agility and creativity. Staying resilient requires three key things: First, adaptability – founders who succeed are those who can pivot when needed, whether due to market shifts, regulatory changes, or global economic pressures. Second, resourcefulness – learning to do more with less, leveraging partnerships, and tapping into alternative funding avenues like M&A when traditional capital is scarce. Third, a long-term vision – understanding that resilience isn’t about short-term survival, but about continuously evolving, scaling, and creating lasting value. In a region that moves fast and demands constant innovation, resilience isn’t just about overcoming challenges—it’s about thriving in the face of them. MENA’s founders are proving that with the right mindset and strategy, they’re not just building companies, they’re building industries that will shape the future of the region.
