Cairo — Egypt-based cleantech startup Tagaddod has raised $26.3 million in a Series A funding round led by The Arab Energy Fund (TAEF), with participation from FMO, VKAV, A15 Ventures, and other existing investors. The investment will drive the company’s regional expansion, AI-powered tech innovation, and infrastructure scale-up to meet growing demand for renewable feedstocks.
Founded in 2013 by Nour El Assal and Ahmed ElFarnawany, Tagaddod operates a tech-driven platform that collects, traces, and certifies renewable waste-based feedstocks — including used cooking oil, acid oils, and animal fats — from thousands of suppliers such as households, restaurants, and food manufacturers. The company currently operates in Egypt, Jordan, and the Netherlands, with an expanding footprint across Africa, Asia, and Europe.
“This is more than just a funding milestone — it’s a strategic partnership that empowers us to build the infrastructure, technology, and supply chains needed to support a cleaner energy future,” said Nour El Assal, Co-Founder and CEO of Tagaddod.
The new funds will be used to:
- Expand operations into new regional markets.
- Enhance AI-driven logistics, predictive analytics, and traceability systems.
- Increase capacity through infrastructure and partnerships to process larger feedstock volumes.
- Strengthen leadership in the biofuels and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) sectors.
Ahmed ElFarnawany, CFO of Tagaddod, emphasized the company’s disciplined approach: “This capital is not here to burn — it’s here to scale. Our focus is on profitability, execution, and delivering long-term value.”
The global demand for biofuels and SAF is rapidly increasing due to climate mandates and decarbonization goals, with feedstock shortages emerging as a key bottleneck. Tagaddod’s technology-driven model directly addresses this by connecting fragmented waste sources with industrial-scale processors and refineries.
Maheur Mouradi, CIO of The Arab Energy Fund, said the investment aligns with TAEF’s mission to support scalable, sustainable infrastructure that accelerates the region’s shift toward alternative energy and circular economies.
Looking ahead, Tagaddod plans to expand its operations, grow its team, and further digitize sustainability compliance through advanced traceability tools, reinforcing its role as a regional leader in renewable feedstock supply and biofuel innovation.
