Khaldoon Tabaza

Mr. Tabaza is the managing director of iMENA Holdings and the Founder and CEO of Zad Capital, a venture capital platform focused on the Internet, technology, and media industries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). In January, 2010, Abraaj Capital acquired Mr. Tabaza’s pervious firm, Riyada Ventures, a venture capital firm that he established in 2005, which won the award for the best venture capital fund in MENA in 2008 and 2009. Throughout his career, Mr. Tabaza has been involved in 60+ SME and venture capital engagements, including co-founding, managing, and advising SME firms and investment funds in Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and United States. Sectors of expertise include technology, media, telecommunication, Internet, and healthcare. A self-made entrepreneur, Khaldoon in 1994 established Arabian Communications and Publishing. In 1997, he started Arabia Online, the first regional portal focused on the Arab world, attracting investments from the likes of Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, Intel Capital, and HP. Khaldoon holds a Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery degree from the University of Jordan. He has also completed the Young Global Leaders Leadership and Policy education component at Harvard University’s Kennedy School. In 2010, he was selected as a Kauffman Venture Capital Fellow.