Saudi-based venture capital firm Wyld VC launches a $50 million fund focused on early-stage artificial intelligence startups in both the Middle East and the San Francisco Bay Area. The fund aims to strengthen AI collaboration between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and the U.S., while fueling innovation through cross-border investments.
Backed by the Lawrence E. Golub Family Office, Wyld VC plans to invest in emerging AI companies that can benefit from U.S. technical talent and Middle Eastern capital and infrastructure. The firm positions itself at a strategic inflection point where the GCC’s push to build AI ecosystems can align with Silicon Valley’s rapid advancements in the field.
This move comes as AI infrastructure becomes a cornerstone of economic diversification strategies for countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. With high-level government interest and pro-AI policies already in place, Wyld VC looks to capture this momentum and build a pipeline of ventures that link U.S. innovation with Middle Eastern market potential.
The fund expects to announce its first deals shortly, coinciding with increased diplomatic engagement between the U.S. and Gulf nations. Wyld VC, headquartered in Saudi Arabia, is also setting up offices in the UAE and Silicon Valley to enable deeper operational reach.
The launch follows the success of earlier investments by Wyld VC’s leadership in regional unicorns like Tabby, and signals a continued commitment to shaping the next wave of AI-driven startups in and beyond the Middle East.