MASNA Ventures Sentinel Shield Fund I the “Fund”, a defense-focused venture capital fund, has appointed Al Marji Advisory Company AMA, a Kingdom-based Sharia advisory firm, to provide independent Sharia governance. The Fund is managed by j. awan capital (the Fund Manager), with MASNA Ventures, LLC as the Technical Advisor.
Under the engagement, AMA will support the constitution and ongoing supervision of an independent Sharia Board, review the Fund’s structure and investment activities, oversee the Sharia certification process, and facilitate periodic Sharia audits. AMA’s mandate will also cover the Fund’s relevant underlying investments and special-purpose vehicles to help maintain Sharia compliance throughout their investment lifecycle.
MASNA Ventures Sentinel Shield Fund I is a Saudi-focused defense venture capital fund pursuing structured venture and project-backed growth-equity opportunities. The Fund seeks to support the localization and manufacture of proven US and Allied advanced technologies in Saudi Arabia through investments in locally established companies and special-purpose vehicles.
Mr. Nehal Farooqui, General Partner and Co-Founder of MASNA Ventures, stated “With the Fund regulated by the Capital Market Authority (CMA), a strong Sharia governance framework is part of the foundation we are building for MASNA Ventures Sentinel Shield Fund I. As the Fund invests in businesses supporting the localized manufacturing of advanced US and Allied technologies and industrial capabilities in Saudi Arabia, AMA’s independent oversight for matters related to Sharia compliance will help ensure that its structure and investment activities remain aligned with applicable Sharia principles.”
Mr. Yasser S. Dahlawi, CEO of AMA, commented “We are pleased to support MASNA Ventures and MASNA Ventures Sentinel Shield Fund I. Specialized venture and project-backed investments require Sharia governance that extends beyond the initial certification of the Fund. Our role will include ongoing review of the Fund and its underlying investments, oversight through the appointed Sharia Board, and facilitation of periodic Sharia audits to help maintain compliance throughout the investment lifecycle.”
ABOUT AL MARJI ADVISORY COMPANY
Al Marji Advisory Company (AMA)is a Sharia governance provider to Islamic financial institutions in the Kingdom and beyond. has an international scholarly platform of 30 scholars representing the four major schools of Islamic jurisprudence across 12 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Russia.
Its services include Sharia Board constitution and management, product and fund certification, ongoing Sharia review, and Sharia compliance audit for financial institutions, banks, takaful operators, fintech companies, asset managers, and investment firms.
About j, awan capital
- awan capital is a Riyadh-based capital market institution authorised by the CMA for managing investments. As the licensed Fund Manager, j. awan capital retains full regulatory, and fiduciary responsibility for the funds under its umbrella. It provides the governance, compliance, risk-management and operational infrastructure within which specialist technical advisers, such as MASNA Ventures, LLC, can bring their sector expertise to market under a sound and fully regulated framework. By pairing institutional-grade oversight with its partners’ deep domain knowledge, j. awan capital enables the efficient establishment and management of investment funds positioned for long-term success in the Kingdom.
About MASNA Ventures:
MASNA Ventures is a defense-focused venture capital firm supporting the development of Saudi Arabia’s private-sector defense and advanced-technology ecosystem. MASNA invests last-mile activation capital for world-leading, globally in-demand defense systems to be manufactured at scale in Saudi Arabia. Through MASNA Ventures Sentinel Shield Fund I, MASNA Ventures pursues structured venture and project-backed growth-equity investments designed to enable the localization and Saudi-based manufacture of proven advanced technologies. The Fund’s strategy focuses on investing in companies and special-purpose vehicles operating across strategically important areas, including unmanned systems, aerial threat defense, maritime capabilities, propulsion and supply-chain technologies, and AI-enabled and autonomous systems.
Media contact:
- awan capital: Mustafa Khan, mustafa.khan@jawanpartners.com, +966 50 272 3376
MASNA Ventures: Nehal Farooqui, nehal@masnavc.com, +971 50 4567 220
Al Marji Advisory Company: Hadil Murad, hadil@marjea.net, + 966122293424
This announcement is provided for information purposes only. It does not constitute an offer of units in the Fund, an invitation or solicitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities, or investment advice, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or any other jurisdiction. MASNA Ventures Sentinel Shield Fund I is a private investment fund offered solely by way of private placement to eligible investors under the Investment Funds Regulations issued by the Capital Market Authority (CMA). The CMA does not make any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of this document and expressly disclaims any liability whatsoever for any loss arising from, or incurred in reliance upon, any part of it. Prospective investors should conduct their own due diligence and, if they do not understand its contents, consult an authorised financial adviser.
