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Exits MENA, the Cairo-based investment advisory platform for startups and SMEs, has signed a multi-seven-figure transaction to fully acquire Avanz Capital Egypt (ACE), a private equity and asset management firm, in partnership with ACE's existing local management. The deal has received initial approval from Egypt's Financial Regulatory Authority.
ACE's management will stay in place, led by CEO and managing director Haytham Wagih, with Dr Nader Elsayed joining as a shareholder and executive director and Masa Arafa continuing as investment director with an ownership stake.
"We are now better aligned through ownership participation. Our team remains in place and will continue to expand. Our investment process remains unchanged," Wagih said. "What changes is our capacity to grow and retain key talent."
ACE will be rebranded Exits Manara, becoming the group's private capital and asset management subsidiary. It will continue managing Manara 1, its existing fund of funds dedicated to SMEs, and plans a second vehicle, Manara 2 for Export Investments, targeting mid-sized Egyptian exporters expanding into international markets.
The acquisition is the firm's first, and its first step from matchmaking and advisory into owning and running a direct-investment business.
Exits MENA obtained a securities promotion and underwriting licence from the FRA in 2023, formed a Saudi joint venture in 2024 with Ammar Shata of Ghutra Ventures aimed at advisory work around the Kingdom's Vision 2030 SME targets, and in early 2025 co-founder Mohamed Abuelnaga Nagaty sold a 36% stake in Beban, the Bahrain-licensed crowdfunding platform he also founded, to Abu Dhabi investor Foras.
Founded in 2022 by Nagaty, Ayman El Tanbouly and Ahella El Saban, and describing itself as the region's first investment platform and advisory firm focused on startups and SMEs, Exits MENA operates across more than seven markets and says it has built over 75 partnerships, launched three investment-readiness programmes and supported more than 2,000 businesses.
The group says it will keep advisory mandates separated from investment decision-making under the combined structure.
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