Fund Leadership & Advisers
Led by a combined executive team from Taranis Capital (Technical Services Advisor) and J.AWAN CAPITAL (CMA-licensed Fund Manager), supported by an Investment Committee and Scientific Advisory Board comprising the Kingdom's most respected biotech, clinical, and regulatory leaders.
Nicholas S. Bingham
Founding Partner & CEO — Taranis Capital
25+ years in investment banking, asset management and venture capital. Leads fund strategy across Taranis Capital's fintech, biotech and AI-focused funds. Deep expertise in fund structuring, capital deployment and LP relationship management.
Mark Walker
Co-Founder & Managing Partner — Taranis Capital
Global multi-sector entrepreneur with extensive operational experience. Specialist in operations, growth strategy and strategic execution. Track record of building, scaling and exiting ventures across fintech, technology and healthcare.
Osama BenSaleh Bukhari
Chief Technology Officer — Taranis Capital
Seasoned Saudi entrepreneur and King Saud University graduate. CEO of AlFaris International Group and Head of the ICC Banking Committee. Pioneer of internet banking and e-wallets in the Kingdom. Named by Arabian Business as one of the '50 People You Need to Know'.
Dr Tarek El Mansy
Director of Localisation — Taranis Capital
Biotech growth architect with 25+ years in KSA and MENA. Expert in localisation strategy, NUPCO tenders, and SFDA pathways. Proven track record building profitable entities, scaling revenue and driving end-to-end commercialisation for biologics and pharmaceuticals.
Mazen Al-Rahim
Director of Local Manufacturing — Taranis Capital
Petrochemicals and supply chain executive with 30+ years' experience. Former SABIC Director leading Asia Pacific operations and joint ventures with ARAMCO and Exxon. Expert in manufacturing, risk, and strategic sourcing. Chemical Engineer and MBA.
Mohamed Essam
Legal Counsel — Matouk Bassiouny
Partner at Matouk Bassiouny; Head of Corporate and M&A (UAE) and Head of Emerging Companies and Venture Capital. Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales. Advised on 100+ transactions including leading fintech and M&A deals across MENA.
Emad Zowawi
KSA Legal Counsel to the CEO
New York and Washington DC licensed corporate lawyer and former banker. Over 20 years across international law firms and financial institutions. Provides specialist KSA legal counsel to the CEO on fund structuring, regulatory compliance, and cross-border transactions.
Dr Qaisar Hamed Metawea
Local KSA Counsel — QHM Law Firm
Saudi lawyer and founding partner of QHM Law Firm. Licensed attorney by the Saudi Ministry of Justice with over 15 years of practice. SJD and LLM in International Intellectual Property Law from Indiana University. Extensive experience in legal opinions, business transactions, and regulatory matters.
Svitlana Burlakova, ICA, TEP
Compliance Officer & MLRO — Taranis Capital
DFSA-regulated Compliance Officer and Money Laundering Reporting Officer for Taranis Capital. Ensures compliance with DFSA Conduct of Business Rules, AML/KYC regulations and investor protection requirements.
Jehanzeb Awan
Founder & CEO — J.AWAN CAPITAL
Founding Partner and CEO of J.AWAN CAPITAL, the CMA-licensed Fund Manager. Former Regional Head of Compliance for Morgan Stanley MENA and Head of Compliance for National Bank of Dubai (now Emirates NBD). Strong regulatory relationships across the Kingdom and wider region.
Mustafa Mahmood Khan, CFA
Head of Asset Management — J.AWAN CAPITAL
CMA-registered with over 15 years of experience in asset management and financial consulting. Has successfully managed portfolios for high-net-worth individuals, institutional investors, and treasury funds, delivering multi-million-dollar mandates and bespoke investment strategies.
Nicholas S. Bingham
Chair — Founder & CEO
Global investor and entrepreneur with 25 years in finance. Former investment banker, now CIO for GCC venture capital funds and advisor to global boards.
Osama BenSaleh Bukhari
Investment Committee Member
Senior Saudi entrepreneur and CEO of AlFaris International Group. Head of the ICC Banking Committee. Drives innovation across education, medical, and IT sectors in the Kingdom.
Dr Abdulaziz Al Sayyari
Investment Committee Member
BiSynergic Managing Partner and former SFDA Executive Director. Global expert in regulatory biotech and cell & gene therapy, serving on ICH bodies. Shaped the Kingdom's national frameworks for advanced therapies. PhD Bioprocessing and IMD MBA.
Kuyoung Chung
Investment Committee Member
Managing Director driving healthcare venture creation and digital strategy. Expert in AI commercialisation with 3 patents and 10 publications. Previously led innovation for Samsung and LG. IMD MBA and ETH Zurich alumnus.
Dr Sebastian Vaughan
Investment Committee Member
CEO of Phytome Life Sciences and serial healthcare entrepreneur. PhD in Biochemistry (Leeds) and MBA (Imperial College). Former Imperial College post-doctoral researcher — discovered novel cancer gene functions, published in Nature and Cancer Discovery.
Prof. Arjumand Warsy
Scientific Advisory Board
Distinguished retired King Saud University biochemistry professor. Leading expert in genetic diseases and molecular genetics research. Former Senior Scientist at the Central Laboratory, Female Medical Centre. Multiple teaching and research excellence awards.
Dr Junaid Kashir
Scientific Advisory Board
Reproductive biology expert at Khalifa University. Associate Professor specialising in PLCζ and embryonic development research. Leads groundbreaking lab-grown halal meat and FBS alternatives research programmes. Previous positions at Oxford, Cardiff, NHS, and Alfaisal University.
Prof. Abdullah Alawad
Scientific Advisory Board
PhD in Stem Cell Biology (Sheffield). Founded the National Center for Stem Cell Technology at KACST and served on the Saudi Human Genome Program founding team. Expert in biotech, genetics and healthcare transformation.
Dr Amer Mahmood
Scientific Advisory Board
Senior Scientist at King Saud University Stem Cell Unit. Directs comprehensive regenerative medicine and gene therapy research programmes. Develops novel treatments for chronic diseases and injuries. Maintains strong international collaboration networks.
Prof. Mohamed Al Jumah
Scientific Advisory Board
Founder and CEO of Itkan Health Consulting. Former KAIMRC Executive Director and 25+ year neurologist. Serves on SNIH and MoH national biotech committees and pharma advisory boards. Led multiple national health projects with CHI, PHA and SHC.
H.E. Eng. Osama Al-Zamil
Board Advisor
Vision 2030 and economic development expert. Former Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Strategic adviser on GCC technology policy, government relationships, and regional opportunities.
Asim Chohan
Advisory Board
SVP Global Operations and COO at a top US investment bank. 21 years driving Fortune 100 growth. Expert in AI, business intelligence, and global transformation across three continents. Harvard, MIT and Cambridge educated.
Bruno Martorano
Advisory Board
35-year banking and fintech executive. Former CEO of a major Abu Dhabi bank and a European neobank. Hands-on leader driving digital transformation in finance, health, and energy sectors.
Michael Boevink
Advisory Board
Tech, telecom and finance executive with 15+ years scaling global operations. Expert in international expansion, capital raises and go-to-market strategy. Bradford MBA with a worldwide network.
Osama Al-Thanon
Advisory Board
Tech pioneer with 40+ years in leadership and cybersecurity. Former ABB C-level executive and serial entrepreneur. Expert in digital transformation, white-hat hacking and AI ventures. Member of the Saudi Council of Engineers.
Rayan Al-Karawi
Advisory Board
Financial industry veteran with 30+ years. Career began at SAMA, evolved into senior roles at Dar Al-Arkan and Razeen Capital. Chairman of Razeen Capital and founding member of MEIRA Saudi Arabia. Expert in investor relations, IPOs, and corporate restructuring.