When it comes to driving impactful change across health, climate, and development, few names are as influential as Dr. Alaa Murabit.
Now, she’s taking her wealth of experience and stepping into a pivotal leadership role at 500 Global—joining as Managing Partner of Sustainable Growth.
Driving a Vision of Sustainable and Inclusive Growth
In this new role, Dr. Murabit will lead 500 Global’s Sustainable Growth practice.
The goal? To strengthen economic resilience in emerging and frontier markets by connecting investment capital, technical know-how, and innovative strategies across sectors like climate, health, and human development.
This practice isn’t just about financial return—it’s about creating educational programs, advisory platforms, and strategic initiatives that blend public, private, and philanthropic funding to build sustainable, long-term economic outcomes.
A Global Changemaker with Proven Impact
Dr. Murabit is no stranger to global influence.
Her track record includes shaping policies that have reached over 193 countries and playing a key role in creating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She’s been instrumental in unlocking over $25 billion in funding for global health, sustainability, and security initiatives.
She’s also led game-changing organizations like Phase Minus 1 and IMPACT2030, and more recently, she directed a $300 million annual global portfolio at the Gates Foundation—driving innovation in maternal and child health, climate resilience, and health security.
Based in Abu Dhabi, she now brings this deep expertise to 500 Global, aligning with the firm’s mission to catalyze systemic change through strategic investment.
Who Is 500 Global and Why This Matters?
500 Global isn’t your average venture capital firm.
With $2.1 billion in assets under management, the firm has supported more than 5,000 founders and over 3,000 companies across 80+ countries.
Their approach focuses on high-growth tech startups in markets where innovation and investment can unlock long-term value.
More than 35 of their backed companies are valued at over $1 billion, and over 150 have crossed the $100 million threshold.
These include public, private, and exited businesses, illustrating the firm’s global reach and investment success.
Building Local Ecosystems to Solve Global Challenges
Since 2010, 500 Global has gone beyond just investing—they’ve worked hand-in-hand with national governments and local institutions to co-create venture ecosystems tailored to regional challenges.
In places like Georgia and Saudi Arabia, the firm has partnered with entities such as the Information and Technology Agency and Sanabil Investments to build the foundational infrastructure that supports a thriving startup environment.
Their localized approach is about much more than money—it’s about building sustainable models that can scale and thrive globally.
Highlighting New Frontiers in the Rise Report
One of 500 Global’s standout initiatives is the Rise Report, launched in 2023.
This report focuses on what they call “Rise Economies”—30 of the fastest-growing major economies outside the U.S. and China.
Countries like Mexico, Egypt, India, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia feature prominently on the list.
Through the report, 500 Global not only identifies venture capital gaps in these regions but also calls on institutional investors and policymakers to help close those gaps.
The goal is to create robust, self-sustaining startup ecosystems that fuel national economic growth and global resilience.
What Comes Next for 500 Global’s Sustainable Strategy?
With Dr. Alaa Murabit’s leadership and a firm-wide commitment to impact-driven investing, 500 Global appears poised to deepen its presence in critical sectors and geographies.
By combining financial resources with deep expertise and strategic partnerships, the firm aims to accelerate development where it matters most.
The appointment signals a bold step toward a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient global economy—one powered by innovation, collaboration, and smart capital.