Founders Circle Capital Joins QIA’s $1 Billion Fund of Funds Program

Doha–San Francisco — Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has announced that Founders Circle Capital (FCC), a leading San Francisco–based growth-stage venture firm, has joined its $1 billion Fund of Funds program, further strengthening Qatar’s links to the global innovation and venture ecosystem.

Strengthening Qatar’s Global Innovation Footprint

QIA’s Fund of Funds program, launched in 2024, aims to attract world-class VC firms to stimulate Qatar’s startup landscape, facilitate knowledge transfer, and drive new investment activity across high-growth sectors. FCC becomes the seventh VC partner to join the program.

The partnership focuses on fueling growth in FCC’s core investment verticals:

• Software
• Cloud infrastructure
  
• Fintech
• Healthcare
• Consumer internet

These sectors are central to global venture markets and align with Qatar’s goals of diversifying its digital and knowledge-based economy.

Who Is Founders Circle Capital?

Founded in 2012, FCC has established a distinctive model in venture investing by focusing on the human and organizational dynamics behind high-growth private companies.

The firm is known for pioneering:

• Employee liquidity solutions, enabling teams within late-stage startups to access capital during longer private-company life cycles.
• A private leadership community, The Circle, which supports founders, executives, and senior operators in navigating scaling challenges.

FCC’s portfolio spans major U.S. technology hubs and includes multiple high-performing, venture-backed companies.

FCC to Open First International Office in Doha

As part of its commitment to Qatar, FCC will:

• Establish its first international office in Doha, which will serve as the regional headquarters for the MENA market.
• Place the office under the initial leadership of Ken Loveless, Co-Founder and Partner at FCC.

This move underscores growing international confidence in Qatar as a rising regional hub for technology, venture capital, and innovation leadership.

Bringing “The Circle” Leadership Community to Qatar

FCC will expand its flagship executive community, The Circle, to Doha.

The Circle includes top executives from global growth-stage companies across and beyond the FCC portfolio. Its expansion into Qatar is expected to:

• Support local founders and executives with world-class leadership development
• Facilitate targeted programming, workshops, and scaling frameworks
• Connect Qatar’s innovation ecosystem with Silicon Valley’s executive networks

This initiative complements Qatar’s broader digital transformation agenda and supports emerging local talent.

Creating a Digital Bridge Between Silicon Valley and Doha

QIA and FCC will also launch exchange programs enabling Qatar-based executives and institutions to engage directly with Silicon Valley.

Key elements include:

• Visits to FCC’s San Francisco hub
• Specialized learning sessions on scaling companies
• Virtual programming and shared leadership content
• Opportunities to explore partnerships, co-investments, and market expansion

These initiatives are designed to enhance knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and cross-border business development.

Strategic Impact for Qatar’s Startup Ecosystem

The partnership between QIA and FCC is expected to have several long-term impacts:

• Increased access to late-stage capital for companies in Qatar and MENA
• Global exposure for Qatari startups and innovation programs
• Enhanced leadership development pipelines for founders and executives
• Stronger integration between Qatar and U.S. tech ecosystems
• Support for Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Digital Agenda 2030

By attracting a firm with deep networks in Silicon Valley’s growth-stage market, Qatar positions itself as a bridge between regional innovators and global investment channels.