# Yassine Cherkaoui

> Yassine Cherkaoui is a founding member and CEO of Bidra Innovation Ventures, overseeing a $250 million global investment mandate connected to OCP Group and the UM6P research ecosystem. His career includes utilities financing at the European Investment Bank and World Bank and strategy and business development within OCP. Bidra backs companies in agriculture, industrials, mining, water, materials and energy.

- **Role:** Founding member and CEO at Bidra Innovation Ventures
- **Organizations:** Bidra Innovation Ventures, OCP Group, World Bank, European Investment Bank
- **Education:** Master in Strategic Management, HEC Paris, Master of International Affairs, Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs
- **Known for:** Named among the 100 corporate venturing professionals in Global Corporate Venturing’s 2026 Powerlist., Leads Bidra’s $250 million global investment mandate., Founding member of Bidra Innovation Ventures.

## Career timeline

- **2010** — Named as a Columbia SIPA team member on a World Bank client project examining the trade collapse through global supply chains.
- **2014** — Credited as an infrastructure specialist on the World Bank team behind the Cairo Traffic Congestion Study, published in May.
- **—** — Worked on utilities development and financing at the European Investment Bank and World Bank before holding corporate strategy and business development roles at OCP.
- **2024** — As Bidra CEO, commented on its lead investment in Niqo Robotics’ $13 million Series B.
- **2025** — Attended Niqo Robotics’ May 4 field demonstration with OCP visitors.
- **2026** — Recognised in Global Corporate Venturing’s Powerlist, published June 22.

## Achievements

- Named among the 100 corporate venturing professionals in Global Corporate Venturing’s 2026 Powerlist.
- Leads Bidra’s $250 million global investment mandate.
- Founding member of Bidra Innovation Ventures.

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — Named to Global Corporate Venturing’s 2026 Powerlist.
- **2026-02** — Discussed Bidra’s investment rationale for BigHaat, highlighting farmer access to inputs, value-chain connections and capital efficiency.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yassinecherkaoui

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/yassine-cherkaoui
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-27