Venture capitalist and serial entrepreneur, Murat Abdrakhmanov, is a veteran in the intricate game of tech entrepreneurship. His seasoned portfolio, boasting 52 innovative startups and a staggering $25 million in investments, speaks volumes of his three-decade-long odyssey in this high-stakes industry. In 2024, Abdrakhmanov brought to life MA7 Ventures, an investment management structure comprising the MA7 Self-funded Rolling Fund, MA7 Angels Club, and MA7 Community. This comprehensive initiative was designed to nurture and scale startups, fortifying the ever-evolving biotech ecosystem.
This biotech ecosystem, in its infancy, stands at the cusp of monumental growth. Angel investor syndicates, such as the ones helmed by Abdrakhmanov via MA7 Ventures, are the unseen forces propelling this growth. Offering more than just capital, these syndicates are the pillars of support for startups, providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and strategic guidance. They guide startups through the labyrinth of growth and sustainability, leading them towards success. Abdrakhmanov’s extensive network and deep-rooted experience ensure startups under MA7 Ventures umbrella have access to a smorgasbord of resources and opportunities, thereby amplifying their chances of success in this fiercely competitive landscape.
MA7 Venture’s structured approach guarantees the effective management of investments, thus optimizing returns for both investors and startups. With the backing of angel investor syndicates, emerging startups are not just surviving, but thriving and significantly contributing to the creation of a robust and dynamic ecosystem.
The last decade has witnessed a surge in the power and influence of angel investor syndicates shaping startup ecosystems, particularly in emerging markets. Through pooling resources – capital, expertise, and networks – these syndicates offer startups a fighting chance to flourish. Notably, they have made investing more accessible to a broader spectrum of participants.
The global startup ecosystem has been through a roller coaster ride. It hit a trough in 2023 when venture capital plummeted to $285 billion, marking the lowest ebb since 2017. Although a strong rebound is yet to be seen, the first quarter of 2025 saw venture funding total $113 billion, largely buoyed by the $40 billion funding deal for OpenAI.
In the 2023 downturn, early-stage startups bore the brunt of the impact. However, in emerging markets, the narrative was different. Local investors stepped in to stabilize the ecosystem. In Turkey, almost 60% of the $497 million venture deals originated from domestic investors, primarily in seed-stage startups. In Abdrakhmanov’s home turf, Kazakhstan, local investors accounted for 80% of deals, with a significant 52% funneled to pre-seed rounds.
The role of local business angels in the startup ecosystem is indispensable. These angels, often successful entrepreneurs themselves, invest in startups at the earliest stages, with smaller checks starting at $10,000. In 2023, business angels in Kazakhstan represented 50% of all venture deals, outstripping traditional venture funds by 10%. This underscores the pivotal role a solid angel investor network can play in driving market growth, even amidst uncertainty.
Most business angels are successful entrepreneurs scouting for new investments. Unlike venture capitalists, they don’t invest full time and often lack the experience for effective deal-making. Syndicates — collaborative groups of angel investors pooling resources to fund startups — can serve as an ideal gateway for venture investing. In conclusion, Murat Abdrakhmanov and his MA7 Ventures are setting the stage for a profound transformation in the biotech startup landscape, harnessing the power of angel investor syndicates for a more robust and dynamic ecosystem.
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