Impact
Success Stories.
Founders, investors and ventures connecting through the Keiretsu Forum MENA network; creating access to capital, expertise and cross-border opportunities.
Featured case study
Savara Pharmaceuticals
- Sector
- Biotechnology / Specialty Pharma
- Headquarters
- Austin, Texas, USA
- Stage
- Series B - 2012
- $3M
- Keiretsu-led Series B investment
- $10M
- Approx, cumulative
- NASDAQ
- Listed via reverse merger in 2017 (SVRA)
Keiretsu Forum anchored Savara’s $8M Series B with a $3M investment led by members across multiple chapters, supporting the company through clinical development and follow-on rounds.
From early-stage angel backing to a Nasdaq listing in 2017
Case study structure
How each story is told.
Every fundraising story follows the same three-part narrative, giving founders and investors a clear view of the journey from opportunity to outcome.
- 01
The Challenge
For early-stage companies across MENA, raising capital often means navigating fragmented markets and building relationships with the right investors across borders.
- 02
The Journey
Keiretsu Forum MENA screens investment opportunities through its Investment Committee before selected startups are invited to present directly to investors.
- 03
The Outcome
The network creates opportunities for founders to access regional and international investors, while enabling investors to discover vetted startups and participate in cross-border opportunities.
Case studies
Fundraising stories
Every fundraising story follows the same three-part narrative, giving founders and investors a clear view of the journey from opportunity to outcome.
- Specialty PharmaUSA / Texas
Savara Pharmaceuticals
Keiretsu Forum anchored Savara’s $8M Series B with a $3M investment — its largest single investment at the time — funded jointly by three chapters.
Reached Nasdaq in 2017 via a reverse merger, trading as SVRA.
Read Story 
Beauty & WellnessUSA / WashingtonClarisonic
Keiretsu Forum seeded Pacific Bioscience Laboratories at its earliest stage, and the company scaled to a category-leading skincare device brand entirely on angel financing.
Acquired by L’Oréal USA in 2011, with no institutional VC round ever raised.
Read Story
Interactive EntertainmentUSA / CaliforniaTelltale Games
The Northern California chapter backed the episodic-narrative studio behind The Walking Dead early, before it became one of the best-known names in the genre.
A $40M Lionsgate-led Series D in 2015 became the exit for early members.
Read Story
Immunotherapy PlatformUSA / MarylandImmunomic Therapeutics
Members across the Mid-Atlantic, Northwest and Vancouver chapters funded the LAMP vaccine platform through the years when its value was still unproven.
Astellas Pharma licensed LAMP-vax worldwide in a deal reported at $300M.
Read Story- Vaccine PlatformUSA / Maryland
LAMP-vax
An earlier Keiretsu Forum round in Immunomic Therapeutics, reported separately by the network against the same Astellas licensing event.
A reported 4.4x return on a $3.2M investment, resolved by the Astellas licence.
Read Story - Specialty PharmaUSA / Texas
Savara Pharmaceuticals
Keiretsu Forum anchored Savara’s $8M Series B with a $3M investment — its largest single investment at the time — funded jointly by three chapters.
Reached Nasdaq in 2017 via a reverse merger, trading as SVRA.
Read Story - Beauty & WellnessUSA / Washington
Clarisonic
Keiretsu Forum seeded Pacific Bioscience Laboratories at its earliest stage, and the company scaled to a category-leading skincare device brand entirely on angel financing.
Acquired by L’Oréal USA in 2011, with no institutional VC round ever raised.
Read Story - Interactive EntertainmentUSA / California
Telltale Games
The Northern California chapter backed the episodic-narrative studio behind The Walking Dead early, before it became one of the best-known names in the genre.
A $40M Lionsgate-led Series D in 2015 became the exit for early members.
Read Story - Immunotherapy PlatformUSA / Maryland
Immunomic Therapeutics
Members across the Mid-Atlantic, Northwest and Vancouver chapters funded the LAMP vaccine platform through the years when its value was still unproven.
Astellas Pharma licensed LAMP-vax worldwide in a deal reported at $300M.
Read Story - Vaccine PlatformUSA / Maryland
LAMP-vax
An earlier Keiretsu Forum round in Immunomic Therapeutics, reported separately by the network against the same Astellas licensing event.
A reported 4.4x return on a $3.2M investment, resolved by the Astellas licence.
Read Story
In their words
Voices from our network
Keiretsu Forum MENA is building a regional bridge between founders and investors, combining local market knowledge with access to a global investment network.
Manal RifkiHead of Advisory BoardLinkedInKeiretsu Forum MENA brings an investment-led approach to deal sourcing, evaluation and investor engagement across the region.
Naima DriouichChapter Manager · Qatar & North AfricaLinkedInKeiretsu Forum MENA is building a regional bridge between founders and investors, combining local market knowledge with access to a global investment network.
Haitham SammanLegal Advisory BoardLinkedInBuilding the next great company?
Whether you’re raising capital or looking for your next investment opportunity, connect with Keiretsu Forum MENA.