#73 This week In MENA's Startup Scene!
Dive into the latest Startup News, Trends & Opportunities shaping the MENA region
Welcome back to MENA Startup Digest!
Founders are building, deals are closing, and new programs are launching across the region.
Let’s get into it.
Fundraising Roulette
Ninja (KSA/Q‑Commerce) secured $250M in funding led by Riyad Capital to reach a $1.5B valuation and become Saudi’s latest unicorn ahead of a planned IPO
PetroApp (KSA/Mobility) raised $50M in Series B funding led by Jadwa Investment to scale AI-powered fleet management and fuel services ahead of a planned Tadawul listing
TruKKer (UAE/Logistics) secured a $15 M credit facility from Ruya Partners to accelerate fleet expansion and strengthen logistics services across MENA
Byzanlink (UAE/Web3) secured $1M seed round backed by Outlier Ventures and regional investors to grow its real-world asset tokenisation platform
Flawless (KSA/HRTech) closed a $1.5M pre‑seed round backed by regional angels to scale its AI-powered career guidance platform across the Kingdom
Kardium (Qatar/MedTech) secured a strategic investment from QIA to advance its cardiac diagnostic and treatment device development
InstaBank (Iraq/Fintech) anchored a $15M seed round led by EQIQ to launch its next‑generation AI-driven bank in Iraq
Main Headlines
KBW Ventures (KSA) joined a $60M Series D in US-based Clearspeed to scale AI risk-assessment tools for global security and finance markets
Aqua 1 Foundation (UAE) invested $100 M in Trump-linked WLFI tokens, becoming the largest public holder of the meme coin
Zodia Custody (UAE) acquired Tungsten Custody in a strategic integration to enhance its digital asset custody solutions and expand services across the MENA region
UAE and China launched a joint Service Center to boost $400B in annual trade ties by simplifying digital document services for exporters and investors across both countries
Dubai launched the region’s first Proptech Innovation Hub at DIFC, offering startups workspace, mentorship, and access to real estate investors
Mawarid Finance and AFS launched a fintech enablement hub in the UAE to accelerate card program rollouts by providing BIN sponsorship scheme connectivity, issuing, and processing tools in a unified platform
Oman launched Hadatha, a new cybersecurity centre to drive innovation, enhance threat intelligence, and support national digital resilience
Central Bank of Egypt offered $1.51B in debt instruments to support government financing needs and deepen liquidity in local capital markets
MSMEDA allocated $8.07M via Tasaheel to support micro enterprises with financing and capacity-building in underserved communities in Egypt
Egypt introduced targeted VAT amendments to broaden the tax base in sectors like construction, real estate, energy, tobacco, and alcohol
Egypt launched a $200M solar complex in Kom Ombo aimed at scaling its local renewable energy industry and supporting national clean energy goals
Morocco approved $5B in development projects spanning infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, and digital economy as part of its Accelerated Growth program
Ecosystem Updates
Sharjah fast-tracking business setup with a One-Day Instant License, allowing entrepreneurs to start commercial operations within 24 hours without requiring a lease or Memorandum of Association in the first year
Dubai Future Foundation celebrated the graduation of 90 students from the Knowledge Society program in Dubai, focused on nurturing deep-tech talent
Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development launched the Future Entrepreneur Program to build entrepreneurial skills and foster a new generation of SME leaders in the UAE
Gulf Business Awards 2025 opened nominations and registration for the upcoming edition, recognizing top innovators, startups, and corporates shaping the Gulf’s economic future
Bahrain’s Ministry of Youth Affairs launched a strategic initiative to empower young people via grants, vocational training, and entrepreneurship support across the kingdom
Standard Chartered and Bahrain FinTech Bay selected 10 female-led startups for their Women in Tech accelerator
Egypt unveiled its Catalyze Egypt Initiative to fuel startup growth and attract $10B in investment by supporting scale-ups, improving ecosystem infrastructure, and expanding access to capital
e& Egypt partnered with Fujairah Creative City to empower Egyptian entrepreneurs with regional expansion support and access to startup-friendly regulatory frameworks
Startups Highlights
HyperPay (KSA) won three prestigious industry awards, recognizing its innovation and regional leadership in digital payments, cybersecurity, and financial inclusion across MENA
Valify (Egypt) secured FRA approval to issue digital contracts and registries, paving the way for broader legal digitalization and smart contract integration in Egypt’s business ecosystem
ContactNow and Kashier (Egypt) partnered to provide flexible BNPL payment solutions for online purchases, combining Kashier’s infrastructure with ContactNow’s e-commerce capabilities
Beltone Financial (Egypt) launched Robin, a dedicated platform to deliver AI and data-driven enterprise solutions across the MENA region
FRA approved new licenses for Telda, Bokra, EGY Trend, and True Finance Lease, expanding Egypt’s non-banking financial services ecosystem with fresh players across lending, leasing, and digital finance
Open For Application
QSTP & Shell AI Hackathon | Qatar/Global
Compete in a global AI challenge with a $100K prize pool! open to developers, researchers, and founders building sustainable AI solutions
Inclusive & Creative City Challenge | Ramallah
A new call for innovators and urban changemakers to reimagine the future of Ramallah’s public spaces through design, culture, and digital interventions
Orange Corners Cycle 8 | Palestine
Orange Corners Ramallah is accepting applications for its pre-accelerator's 8th cycle, offering training, business development, and networking opportunities for Palestinian youth-led startups
Sylabs Mentorship Offer | Algeria
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Sylabs is offering 10 free one-on-one mentorship sessions to Algerian entrepreneurs across tech, design, and business fields
PUSH+ Pre-Incubation Program | Syria
Sanad Youth Foundation’s new PUSH+ program supports early-stage founders in Damascus with mentoring, workshops, and business-model validation support
Launch Up 2025 | Syria
Applications are open for the Launch Up 2025 pre-incubation program in Homs, targeting early-stage founders with mentorship, training, and startup support
Core Istanbul Hub Experts Call | Syria
Experts in entrepreneurship, innovation, and creative industries are invited to join new startup hubs in Aleppo and Damascus as mentors, trainers, or advisors
ESCWA Investment Readiness | MENA
UN ESCWA is accepting applications for its 2025 Investment Readiness Program to support MENA startups with capacity-building, pitch readiness, and investor access
Techy Bytes
Dubai Future Foundation and WEF unveiled the Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2025 report, spotlighting next-gen breakthroughs in AI, clean energy, biotech, and space tech set to shape the global future economy
G42 (UAE) became the first UAE company recognized on TIME’s 100 Most Influential Companies list, reflecting its growing global impact in AI and advanced tech
ADX, FAB and HSBC launched MENA’s first DLT-based digital bond on the ADX, leveraging blockchain to enhance transparency and efficiency in regional capital markets
Inception announced its first commercial product, marking a major milestone for the Abu Dhabi-based AI company focused on generative intelligence
MBZUAI (UAE) unveiled the new GRACE framework to enhance robotic learning with adaptive AI, enabling faster perception, decision-making, and interaction in dynamic real-world environments
Zayed University (UAE) integrated AI across its operations and curriculum as part of a major transformation strategy to build institutional capacity in applied AI and future-ready education
King Saud University and KAIST discussed plans to establish a joint AI institute aimed at boosting bilateral research and innovation in science and engineering
Qatar and UAE introduced sovereign AI cloud services aimed at accelerating local innovation, securing digital infrastructure, and promoting regional data autonomy
Central Bank of Bahrain issued a comprehensive framework for regulating stablecoin issuance, including licensing, reserve requirements, and consumer protection measures
Bahrain’s Ministry of Communications and IT launched the Tamkeen Enablement Program to support employee retention through digital skills training and workplace development initiatives
Bahrain pioneered the GCC's first youth consumer protection program, targeting financial literacy and digital rights awareness among teenagers and young adults
Qatar Museums unveiled an AI-powered art tour platform to personalize museum experiences, integrating machine learning into cultural engagement across Doha
Qatar began trials of self-driving electric taxis as part of its national smart mobility strategy to reduce emissions and enhance transport efficiency ahead of full rollout
Morocco launched a national gaming initiative, including a developer hub, training programs, and the $26 M Rabat Gaming City, to grow its local gaming industry
Orange Jordan launched the Fiber Academy to equip Jordanian youth with advanced tech skills in fiber optics and broadband deployment
Yango launched an enhanced transport service in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah to offer smoother, tech-enabled commuting across the emirates
TikTok launched Family Academy to empower parents with digital literacy tools, safety resources, and content guidelines to protect youth online in UAE
Alibaba Cloud committed over $60 M in AI investment next year to accelerate global innovation with new infrastructure, open-source models, and enterprise applications targeting MENA and Asia
Amazon deployed its 1 millionth robot and released a new generative AI model as part of its continued automation and AI integration across global logistics operations
xAI raised $10B in debt and equity to accelerate development of its AI models and computing infrastructure under Elon Musk’s vision for open and competitive AI
Meta added business voice calling to WhatsApp and began testing AI-powered product recommendations to enhance customer engagement and commerce tools
That’s a wrap for this week!
We hope this week's digest of the latest funding, insights, and ecosystem news helps you stay ahead in the fast-paced MENA region.
Stay tuned for more insights next week