In the ever-evolving ecosystem of Middle Eastern startups, few figures stand out quite like Mohamed Aboulnaga (Nagaty) the Egyptian entrepreneur and CEO of Exits MENA, the region’s pioneering digital platform for startup acquisitions and secondary share liquidity. Known for his visionary approach and relentless drive, Aboulnaga is reshaping how founders, investors, and acquirers navigate the complex world of startup exits across the Middle East and North Africa.
With over a decade of experience in building and scaling businesses, Aboulnaga’s journey is one that reflects the rise of Egypt’s startup ecosystem itself fast-moving, resilient, and driven by a deep belief in the potential of local innovation. Before co-founding Exits MENA, he was instrumental in launching and leading several successful ventures, including Halan, Egypt’s first fintech super app, where he played a key role in driving strategic growth and funding. His earlier experience with companies such as Careem and Fawry gave him first-hand exposure to the dynamics of high-growth startups and the challenges of scaling in emerging markets.
In 2022, spotting a critical gap in the regional market, Aboulnaga launched Exits MENA with a clear mission: to create liquidity and visibility for startups and investors through a transparent, data-driven platform. The concept was simple yet revolutionary enabling startup founders to find buyers, investors to realize returns, and acquirers to identify promising opportunities. What began as a niche idea has since grown into a trusted hub facilitating acquisitions and secondary deals across the MENA region.
Under Aboulnaga’s leadership, Exits MENA has become more than just a platform it’s a catalyst for maturity in the regional startup scene. By introducing structure, valuation benchmarks, and strategic matchmaking, the company is bridging the gap between early-stage innovation and long-term sustainability. “Our vision is to build the infrastructure that allows founders and investors to capture value not just build it,” Aboulnaga often emphasizes.
Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Aboulnaga has positioned himself as a mentor and advocate for young founders. He is part of a growing movement of Egyptian entrepreneurs who are driving the regional conversation on exits, valuations, and investor returns topics once considered too advanced for the nascent MENA ecosystem. His efforts have earned him recognition as one of the new generation leaders shaping the future of entrepreneurship in the Arab world.
What sets Aboulnaga apart is his strategic clarity and grounded leadership style. He combines data-driven decision-making with a deep understanding of regional market nuances. As MENA continues to attract global venture capital and regional startups scale beyond borders, his work at Exits MENA stands as a key enabler of this evolution.
For Mohamed Aboulnaga, success is not defined merely by building companies but by creating pathways for others to exit successfully. His journey embodies the spirit of the next chapter of the Middle East’s startup revolution: a shift from building businesses to building sustainable ecosystems.
GCC Business Hub | CEO Spotlight Series
