Venture Capital

We provide seed capital to companies and projects in industries which we understand and where we can add value. After closing an investment (sometimes before) we roll-up our sleeves and provide strategic and business development support, locally to spearhead the portfolio company's expansion into the GCC region, but also globally to assist its international roll-out. We typically look for companies with proven or nearly-proven technology, with customer validation in commercial or beta testing stage. We also look for opportunities that are “GCC-relevant”, meaning that they can be deployed and developed into the GCC where we enjoy extensive relationships and experience. Although we tend to be opportunistic, sectors of particular interest include technology, healthcare, education, logistics, consumer and cleantech.

Incubation

We develop business ideas around products and services that address unmet market needs. Our role can span across the concept ideation, the business planning, feasibility study, financial modelling, and initial development stage of a project or company, including company formation, corporate structuring or re-structuring, identification and negotiation of key strategic and commercial relationships, local sponsors, suppliers, customers. We can take founder-manager roles in the initial stages of the company development or we can just act as mentors and advisors. We also support early stage companies with an existing product or service, that needs to grow into a fast track mode.

Advisory

We provide support in business expansion, new market mapping, incorporation of new technologies. We perform market research, feasibility studies. We also partner with reputable management consultancies with unique domain knowledge in areas like brand management, operational management. From a business development standpoint, we enjoy extensive relationships inside the GCC but also throughout Europe, the United States and Asia, at the most senior level. We can partner with overseas companies seeking commercial expansion or strategic partnerships or joint-ventures inside the GCC, to help them identify strategic and commercial partners, including local sponsors, suppliers and customers.

Business Building Experience

Mavericks’ founder, Jean-Noel Odier got involved incubating, accelerating or restarting new ventures in a wide range of industries, either in as co-founder, member of executive management, or in an advisory capacity.

Drug Development

Based in Nyon, Switzerland, started, incubated, grew and sold a biopharma company focused on acquiring and developing clinical-stage drug candidates for central system disorders in the psychiatry and neurology fields. Acquired 1 Phase-2 candidates for traumatic brain injury and a Phase-1 molecule with potential treatment effect on schizophrenia, major depression and cocaine addiction. Raised $25m as company CFO, and was instrumental in merging the company with a California-based venture-backed drug discovery company.

Metals Recycling

Based in Dubai and Noida, India, developed business plan to build a network of mid-size non-ferrous metal recycling plants in the Middle East, Africa and India. Taking the role of interim-finance director, handled complete company restart involving the development of systems and processes including strategy, finance and HR. Spearheaded the restart of 2 plants in Ethiopia, the development and construction of 2 plants in Angola. Raised $10m in debt finance for UAE plant and performed feasibility study on Cameroon plant.

Electronics Waste Recycling

Based in Dubai, as transaction lead, developed business strategy for a joint-venture company, to become the GCC's largest integrated electronics waste management company, including due diligence, feasibility study, financial model, investor documentation development, corporate structuring and legal documentation development and negotiation.

Commodities Trading

Based in Dubai, as company director, spearheaded the incubation and acceleration of a gum Arabic and other agricultural commodities trading company sourcing materials from Africa for commercialization in Europe. Built financial model, and advised on the company structure and the acquisition of stock and identified prospective purchasers.

Healthcare Services

Based in Dubai, developed concept and business strategy for an integrative healthcare center of excellence, to address multiple age and lifestyle-related conditions in one single location, through several channels: bio-identical hormone therapy, medical weight management, technology-enabled personal training and non-invasive esthetic and body care.

Real Estate Asset Repositioning

Developed business plan, financial model and acquisition strategy for the buyout of a 1,400-acre steel plant site in the United States, and the demolition, monetization of all improvements thereon (150,000 tons of steel scrap and millions of slag), and the environmental abatement, as the initial stage of a brownfield redevelopment into a tri-modal river port.

Food Service and Food Processing

Based in Dubai, took over management of a casual dining and premium artisan food manufacturing company as part of a buyout transaction. Upon closing, spearhead the redesign of the casual dining brand and the creation of new fast casual and ice cream parlor concepts, including menus, brand, design, as wholly owned entities. Spearheaded the brand’s franchise development activity in the GCC.

Leisure and Hospitality

Based in Dubai, co-founded and developed business plan, brand development and feasibility study for an integrated leisure destination offering a mix of in-land surfing, sports, events, F&B and hospitality experience to the growing demand for surf culture and lifestyle. Identified strategic partners (land owner and master developer, brand consultants, architects, hotel operator, F&B operator, technology suppliers, civil contractors).

Consumer Digital Health

Developed business plan, financial model and investor documentation for a US-based consumer healthcare company harnessing the power of optical scanning, computer-assisted design, 3D printing, materials science, big data and artificial intelligence to mass-produce medical-grade, custom footcare and footwear solutions within 2 hours at the point of sale and point of care, at a fraction of the cost of any competitive solutions.