Samantha Evans

Samantha Evans is a global leader with over 15 years of experience driving sustainable economic growth through innovation and technology strategies. Her work spans the UK, Europe, Asia, the USA, and the Middle East, blending government expertise, private sector leadership, and advisory roles for high-growth technology companies. This unique combination has positioned her as a transformative force in emerging tech economies.

As Managing Director, MENA at Startup Genome, Sam spearheads strategic initiatives across the Middle East and North Africa. She designs and implements international growth-stage programs for scaleups, working closely with governments to develop data-driven, sustainable strategies that strengthen regional technology ecosystems. Her efforts align with the region’s ambition to become a global innovation hub, fostering long-term resilience and competitiveness.

Sam’s career is defined by her ability to bridge strategic vision and execution. As International Director at Tech Nation (#1 UK accelerator), she launched and scaled a new division, expanding into four Asian markets and supporting over 500 UK scaleups in achieving global success. During her eight years in Silicon Valley and New York, she led the UK Government’s new trade initiatives in the USA and worked with some of the most dynamic scaleups from Silicon Valley as they entered international markets.

With a global perspective and a deep understanding of both public and private sector priorities, Sam has become a trusted advisor to governments and corporate leaders worldwide, having served on multiple advisory boards focused on innovation and economic development. Her expertise encompasses ecosystem growth strategies, scaling initiatives, market expansion, foreign direct investment, export development, and the design of high-impact programs to future-proof economies.

Read about the work we are doing in The GCC and North Africa here