The 100 NRIs – 2026: Sonia Gokhale, Co-Founder and General Partner, VentureSouq
Feb 22, 2026
This article forms part of The 100 NRIs, a special edition by Entrepreneur Middle East spotlighting the most influential non-resident Indians shaping business, innovation, and investment across the region.
Sonia Gokhale is a distinguished venture capital professional and Co-Founder of VentureSouq, a leading Dubai-based investment firm established in 2013. She serves as General Partner, directing the firm’s strategic investments across the MENA region and international markets.
Under her leadership, VentureSouq has built a portfolio of more than 300 companies spanning over 30 countries, with a focus on early-stage technology start-ups in FinTech and ClimateTech. The firm is recognised for its sector-specific funds, including the pioneering MENA FinTech Fund I — a US$50 million vehicle targeting early-stage fintech and SaaS companies across MENA and Pakistan. She also leads the Conscious Collective fund, which supports start-ups addressing environmental and social challenges, underscoring VentureSouq’s strong commitment to impact investing.
Prior to co-founding VentureSouq, Gokhale developed extensive experience in the investment sector. She worked as a consultant in the Global Special Situations Group at the Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC), a prominent sovereign wealth fund in the UAE.
Earlier in her career, she served as an Actuarial Consultant at Mercer Human Resource Consulting, with professional experience in both Dubai and Toronto. She is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and the Society of Actuaries. Academically, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto, graduating with distinction in Actuarial Science and Statistics.
VentureSouq is widely regarded as a pioneering force within the MENA venture capital ecosystem, supported by leading regional sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and financial institutions. Its thesis-driven investment philosophy centres on partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs to generate long-term value and impact. Initiatives such as Angel Rising and the Conscious Investor Fellowship further reflect the firm’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across emerging markets.
This article forms part of The 100 NRIs, a special edition by Entrepreneur Middle East spotlighting the most influential non-resident Indians shaping business, innovation, and investment across the region.
Sonia Gokhale is a distinguished venture capital professional and Co-Founder of VentureSouq, a leading Dubai-based investment firm established in 2013. She serves as General Partner, directing the firm’s strategic investments across the MENA region and international markets.
Under her leadership, VentureSouq has built a portfolio of more than 300 companies spanning over 30 countries, with a focus on early-stage technology start-ups in FinTech and ClimateTech. The firm is recognised for its sector-specific funds, including the pioneering MENA FinTech Fund I — a US$50 million vehicle targeting early-stage fintech and SaaS companies across MENA and Pakistan. She also leads the Conscious Collective fund, which supports start-ups addressing environmental and social challenges, underscoring VentureSouq’s strong commitment to impact investing.
