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MENA Startup Ecosystem News, Updates and opportunities | MENA Startup Digest

MENA Startup Ecosystem News, Updates and opportunities | MENA Startup Digest

Your Source for MENA Startup News, Trends & Opportunities

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MENA Startup Ecosystem News, Updates and opportunities | MENA Startup DigestMENA Startup Ecosystem News, Updates and opportunities | MENA Startup Digest
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TRENDING

Jordan’s High-Growth Startups Selected for EBRD Star Venture Program to Fuel Global Expansion

Jordan’s High-Growth Startups Selected for EBRD Star Venture Program to Fuel Global Expansion

Orange Corners Palestine Spotlight Innovative Founders for Pre-Acceleration Cycle 9

Orange Corners Palestine Spotlight Innovative Founders for Pre-Acceleration Cycle 9

Qatari Youth And Startups Invited To Join The Youth Initiatives Incubator

Qatari Youth And Startups Invited To Join The Youth Initiatives Incubator

Saudi Tenders: Local Content Requirements Set To Empower Bidders This February

Saudi Tenders: Local Content Requirements Set To Empower Bidders This February

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Latest News
Jordan’s High-Growth Startups Selected for EBRD Star Venture Program to Fuel Global Expansion
Orange Corners Palestine Spotlight Innovative Founders for Pre-Acceleration Cycle 9
Qatari Youth And Startups Invited To Join The Youth Initiatives Incubator
Saudi Tenders: Local Content Requirements Set To Empower Bidders This February
Don’t Let Legal Kill Your Round 2026 Set To Guide MENA Founders In Virtual Masterclass
Morocco’s Charikaty Raises 0K To Digitize Company Formation
Funding
3 Min Read
February 18, 2026

Morocco’s Charikaty Raises $150K To Digitize Company Formation

Moroccan regtech startup Charikaty has successfully raised $150,000 (MAD 1.5 million) during Season 3 of the popular national investment show, “Qui Veut Investir Dans Mon Projet?”. The funding was secured…

UAE’s Origen Secures  Million to Scale Real-World AI Solutions
Funding
3 Min Read
February 18, 2026

UAE’s Origen Secures $50 Million to Scale Real-World AI Solutions

Saudi PIF-Backed Scopely Acquires Turkish Game Developer Loom Games in Billion-Dollar Deal
News
4 Min Read
February 20, 2026

Saudi PIF-Backed Scopely Acquires Turkish Game Developer Loom Games in Billion-Dollar Deal

News
2 Min Read
February 20, 2026

Saudi’s PIF Reduces US Stock Portfolio to $12.9 Billion in Strategic Rebalancing

Egypt Secures 5 Million To Bolster Its Venture Capital Ecosystem
News
3 Min Read
February 19, 2026

Egypt Secures $135 Million To Bolster Its Venture Capital Ecosystem

Jordan’s High-Growth Startups Selected for EBRD Star Venture Program to Fuel Global Expansion
Ecosystem
3 Min Read
February 20, 2026

Jordan’s High-Growth Startups Selected for EBRD Star Venture Program to Fuel Global Expansion

Orange Corners Palestine Spotlight Innovative Founders for Pre-Acceleration Cycle 9
Ecosystem
4 Min Read
February 20, 2026

Orange Corners Palestine Spotlight Innovative Founders for Pre-Acceleration Cycle 9

Incubateur Bidaya Empowers Entrepreneurs Through CESAR II Program in Settat
Ecosystem
3 Min Read
February 20, 2026

Incubateur Bidaya Empowers Entrepreneurs Through CESAR II Program in Settat

Main Headlines

Saudi Public Investment Fund Transfers  Billion Take-Two Stake to Savvy Games Group

Saudi Public Investment Fund Transfers $3 Billion Take-Two Stake to Savvy Games Group

News
2 Min Read
February 18, 2026
Egypt’s Dawar Acquires Stake In BekyaPay To Digitize The Recycling Value Chain

Egypt’s Dawar Acquires Stake In BekyaPay To Digitize The Recycling Value Chain

News
3 Min Read
February 18, 2026
Saudi Arabia Debuts .6M Namaa Fund To Advance Environmental Initiatives

Saudi Arabia Debuts $26.6M Namaa Fund To Advance Environmental Initiatives

News
3 Min Read
February 18, 2026
Mubadala Faces 0 Million Lawsuit From Getir Founders Over Restructuring Deal

Mubadala Faces $700 Million Lawsuit From Getir Founders Over Restructuring Deal

News
3 Min Read
February 17, 2026
Egypt’s AntX Acquires EdTech Startup Magnum Egypt to Boost Regional Tech Talent

Egypt’s AntX Acquires EdTech Startup Magnum Egypt to Boost Regional Tech Talent

News
3 Min Read
February 16, 2026
Kuwait’s Baims Acquires MedMasters to Enter Iraq’s EdTech Market

Kuwait’s Baims Acquires MedMasters to Enter Iraq’s EdTech Market

News
3 Min Read
February 16, 2026

Read More →

Latest Funding Rounds

HUMAIN Invests  Billion In Elon Musk’s xAI Ahead Of SpaceX Merger

HUMAIN Invests $3 Billion In Elon Musk’s xAI Ahead Of SpaceX Merger

Funding
4 Min Read
February 18, 2026
Saudi Sovereign AI Pioneer Deep.SA Adds Vision Ventures to Pre-Seed Round

Saudi Sovereign AI Pioneer Deep.SA Adds Vision Ventures to Pre-Seed Round

Funding
2 Min Read
February 18, 2026
Egypt’s Flextock Closes .6 Million Series A To Scale Its E-Commerce Operating System

Egypt’s Flextock Closes $12.6 Million Series A To Scale Its E-Commerce Operating System

Funding
4 Min Read
February 17, 2026
Qatar Development Bank Leads  Million Series B Round For European AI Firm Contents To Establish Doha Hub

Qatar Development Bank Leads $7 Million Series B Round For European AI Firm Contents To Establish Doha Hub

Funding
2 Min Read
February 17, 2026
UAE’s Stake Secures  Million Series B To Expand Global Digital Real Estate Footprint

UAE’s Stake Secures $31 Million Series B To Expand Global Digital Real Estate Footprint

Funding
4 Min Read
February 17, 2026
Egypt’s Breadfast Secures  Million Pre-Series C To Fuel African Expansion And IPO Ambitions

Egypt’s Breadfast Secures $50 Million Pre-Series C To Fuel African Expansion And IPO Ambitions

Funding
3 Min Read
February 16, 2026

Read More →

Ecosystem Updates

University of Aleppo Partners with Saudi Beyond 360 to Launch National AI and Entrepreneurship Center

University of Aleppo Partners with Saudi Beyond 360 to Launch National AI and Entrepreneurship Center

Ecosystem
3 Min Read
February 20, 2026
Flat6Labs Partners With Entlaq Holding To Support Research On Migrant Economic Integration

Flat6Labs Partners With Entlaq Holding To Support Research On Migrant Economic Integration

Ecosystem
3 Min Read
February 20, 2026
Syria’s Jadwa Al-Yaqin Investment Launches Integrated Digital Platform for Technology Fund

Syria’s Jadwa Al-Yaqin Investment Launches Integrated Digital Platform for Technology Fund

Ecosystem
3 Min Read
February 20, 2026
SySSR Partners with Feras Alhlou to Launch Black Belt Educational Series for Founders

SySSR Partners with Feras Alhlou to Launch Black Belt Educational Series for Founders

Ecosystem
3 Min Read
February 20, 2026
Egypt’s Creativa Concludes 2026 Annual Roundtable To Scale Provincial Startup Growth

Egypt’s Creativa Concludes 2026 Annual Roundtable To Scale Provincial Startup Growth

Ecosystem
3 Min Read
February 20, 2026
Orange Corners Iraq Graduated Cohort 11 Startups Pitch For Growth And Investment

Orange Corners Iraq Graduated Cohort 11 Startups Pitch For Growth And Investment

Ecosystem
4 Min Read
February 20, 2026

Read More →

Programs & Opportunities

Qatari Youth And Startups Invited To Join The Youth Initiatives Incubator

Qatari Youth And Startups Invited To Join The Youth Initiatives Incubator

Opportunities
3 Min Read
February 20, 2026
Palestinian Tech Companies Invited To Join Elevate 3.0 Program
February 20, 2026
Elevate 3.0 Gaza Sky Geeks Opportunity

Palestinian Tech Companies Invited To Join Elevate 3.0 Program

Lebanese Tech Startups Invited To Join National Delegation At VivaTech 2026
February 20, 2026
Delegation Entrepreneurship Event

Lebanese Tech Startups Invited To Join National Delegation At VivaTech 2026

Join The Urban Up Municipal Innovation Incubator In Palestine
February 20, 2026
Entrepreneurship GIZ Incubator

Join The Urban Up Municipal Innovation Incubator In Palestine

Morocco Startup Founders Invited To Contribute To The 2026 Ecosystem Report
February 20, 2026
Ecosystem Entrepreneurship Morocco

Morocco Startup Founders Invited To Contribute To The 2026 Ecosystem Report

Apply Now For EdVentures’ Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Cohort 3
February 20, 2026
Edtech EdVentures Egypt

Apply Now For EdVentures’ Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Cohort 3

Apply Now For The COREangels MEA Immersion Startup Bootcamp
February 20, 2026
Bootcamp COREangels MEA Entrepreneurship

Apply Now For The COREangels MEA Immersion Startup Bootcamp

Join The Health Entrepreneurship Incubator For Specialized Startup Support
February 20, 2026
Entrepreneurship health Healthcare

Join The Health Entrepreneurship Incubator For Specialized Startup Support

Apply Now For The Swedish Institute’s Impact Pioneers ’26 MENA Program
February 18, 2026
Climate ClimaTech Climatetech

Apply Now For The Swedish Institute’s Impact Pioneers ’26 MENA Program

Read More →

Startup News

Palestine’s Olive App Sees Valentine’s Day Surge As Users Pivot From Mainstream Platforms

Palestine’s Olive App Sees Valentine’s Day Surge As Users Pivot From Mainstream Platforms

Startups
3 Min Read
February 20, 2026
Egypt’s Sprints Partners With Ahmed El Ghandour And WideBot AI To Train 100,000 Youth

Egypt’s Sprints Partners With Ahmed El Ghandour And WideBot AI To Train 100,000 Youth

Startups
3 Min Read
February 20, 2026
Egypt’s ValU Confirms Jordanian Market Entry Amid Expansion Speculation

Egypt’s ValU Confirms Jordanian Market Entry Amid Expansion Speculation

Startups
2 Min Read
February 19, 2026
Egypt’s ValU Launches Instant Large-Ticket Financing to Simplify Consumer Credit

Egypt’s ValU Launches Instant Large-Ticket Financing to Simplify Consumer Credit

Startups
4 Min Read
February 18, 2026
Egypt’s WideBot AI Partners With Al-Daheeh To Demystify AI For The Arab World

Egypt’s WideBot AI Partners With Al-Daheeh To Demystify AI For The Arab World

Startups
4 Min Read
February 18, 2026
UAE’s Hoxton Wealth App Surpasses  Billion In Assets Tracked

UAE’s Hoxton Wealth App Surpasses $10 Billion In Assets Tracked

Startups
4 Min Read
February 18, 2026

Read More →

Upcoming Events

Saudi Tenders: Local Content Requirements Set To Empower Bidders This February

Saudi Tenders: Local Content Requirements Set To Empower Bidders This February

Events
4 Min Read
February 20, 2026
Don’t Let Legal Kill Your Round 2026 Set To Guide MENA Founders In Virtual Masterclass

Don’t Let Legal Kill Your Round 2026 Set To Guide MENA Founders In Virtual Masterclass

Events
4 Min Read
February 20, 2026
Algeria’s Sidi Belabbes Disrupt Conference Strengthens National Startup Ecosystem Integration

Algeria’s Sidi Belabbes Disrupt Conference Strengthens National Startup Ecosystem Integration

Events
3 Min Read
February 20, 2026
Ihsan Forum Announces Fifth Edition To Foster Regional Entrepreneurial Initiatives in Oman

Ihsan Forum Announces Fifth Edition To Foster Regional Entrepreneurial Initiatives in Oman

Events
4 Min Read
February 19, 2026
Dubai To Host Global Megacampus Summit In 2026 With James Cameron Headlining

Dubai To Host Global Megacampus Summit In 2026 With James Cameron Headlining

Events
3 Min Read
February 17, 2026
Dubai To Host Second Annual TechNext AI And Cybersecurity Summit In 2026

Dubai To Host Second Annual TechNext AI And Cybersecurity Summit In 2026

Events
3 Min Read
February 16, 2026

Read More →

Tech Bytes

UAE’s G42 To Deploy 8 Exaflops Of AI Compute In India With Cerebras

UAE’s G42 To Deploy 8 Exaflops Of AI Compute In India With Cerebras

Tech
3 Min Read
February 20, 2026
Meta Pivots Horizon Worlds From VR To Mobile Amid B Losses

Meta Pivots Horizon Worlds From VR To Mobile Amid $80B Losses

Tech
4 Min Read
February 20, 2026
OpenAI Nears Landmark 0 Billion Funding At An 0 Billion Valuation

OpenAI Nears Landmark $100 Billion Funding At An $850 Billion Valuation

Tech
3 Min Read
February 20, 2026
Google Unveils Gemini 3.1 Pro With Record-Breaking Performance

Google Unveils Gemini 3.1 Pro With Record-Breaking Performance

Tech
3 Min Read
February 20, 2026
Unilever Partners With Google Cloud To Build An AI-Powered CPG Future

Unilever Partners With Google Cloud To Build An AI-Powered CPG Future

Tech
5 Min Read
February 19, 2026
OpenAI Barred From Using Cameo Name In Major Trademark Ruling

OpenAI Barred From Using Cameo Name In Major Trademark Ruling

Tech
4 Min Read
February 18, 2026

Read More →

What’s Happening in Saudi Arabia

Cristiano Ronaldo Invests €6.4 Million In AI Health-Tech Startup Chronos

Cristiano Ronaldo Invests €6.4 Million In AI Health-Tech Startup Chronos

February 20, 2026
AI Chronos Cristiano Ronaldo
Gulf Nations Spearhead Cautious Multi-Billion Dollar Return to Syria

Gulf Nations Spearhead Cautious Multi-Billion Dollar Return to Syria

February 18, 2026
Ecosystem Gulf Interesting
Saudi EV Brand CEER Inks Strategic Partnership With FEV To Accelerate Local Automotive Industry

Saudi EV Brand CEER Inks Strategic Partnership With FEV To Accelerate Local Automotive Industry

February 17, 2026
Automotive Ceer EV
SVC Unveils AI Platform Aian To Reshape Venture Capital Decisions

SVC Unveils AI Platform Aian To Reshape Venture Capital Decisions

February 17, 2026
AI Alan Ecosystem
Saudi Swvl Secures .5 Million Multi-Year Contract To Enhance Healthcare Mobility

Saudi Swvl Secures $1.5 Million Multi-Year Contract To Enhance Healthcare Mobility

February 16, 2026
Healthcare KSA Startups
Savvy Games Group in Advanced Talks for  Billion Moonton Acquisition

Savvy Games Group in Advanced Talks for $6 Billion Moonton Acquisition

February 16, 2026
Acquisition Esports Gaming

Read More →

What’s Happening in UAE

MBZUAI Secures  Million From Google.org For MENA Language AI Research

MBZUAI Secures $1 Million From Google.org For MENA Language AI Research

February 17, 2026
AI MBZUAI MENA
Botim Adds Digital Silver To Its Investment Platform After Gold Success

Botim Adds Digital Silver To Its Investment Platform After Gold Success

February 17, 2026
Botim Fintech Gold
Yango AI Routing Technology Reclaims 5 Million Hours for Urban Commuters

Yango AI Routing Technology Reclaims 5 Million Hours for Urban Commuters

February 17, 2026
AI MENA Tech
Khalifa University Unveils Breakthrough AI Model to Interpret Radio Signals

Khalifa University Unveils Breakthrough AI Model to Interpret Radio Signals

February 17, 2026
AI Khalifa University Tech
UAE’s Technology Innovation Institute Successfully Launches First Domestically Developed Hybrid Rocket

UAE’s Technology Innovation Institute Successfully Launches First Domestically Developed Hybrid Rocket

February 17, 2026
Rocket Space Spacetech
UAE’s Qashio Partners With Dubai Chambers To Boost SME Financial Tools

UAE’s Qashio Partners With Dubai Chambers To Boost SME Financial Tools

February 17, 2026
Dubai Dubai Chambers Fintech

Read More →

What’s Happening in Qatar

Ooredoo Qatar Forges Alliance With Dell To Advance Sovereign AI Services

Ooredoo Qatar Forges Alliance With Dell To Advance Sovereign AI Services

February 18, 2026
AI Dell Technologies Ooredoo
Apply Now For QBIC’s Acceleration Program 2026

Apply Now For QBIC’s Acceleration Program 2026

February 17, 2026
Accelerator Agritech Digital Economy
Qatar Investment Authority Co-Leads 0 Million Round For Commercial Space Leader Axiom Space

Qatar Investment Authority Co-Leads $350 Million Round For Commercial Space Leader Axiom Space

February 16, 2026
Funding Investment NEWS
Apply Now For The Artificial Intelligence For Qatar (AIQAT) Research Grant

Apply Now For The Artificial Intelligence For Qatar (AIQAT) Research Grant

February 16, 2026
AI AIQAT Grant
Qatar’s Venture Capital Funding Skyrockets 81% To A Record  Million

Qatar’s Venture Capital Funding Skyrockets 81% To A Record $59 Million

February 16, 2026
Qatar VC Venture Capital
Qatar Positions Itself As A Global Logistics Hub With 2026 FIATA RAME Conference

Qatar Positions Itself As A Global Logistics Hub With 2026 FIATA RAME Conference

February 15, 2026
Conference Event Logistics

Read More →

What’s Happening in Egypt

MSMEDA Launches Qitar Al Khair Initiative Across 22 Governorates in Egypt

MSMEDA Launches Qitar Al Khair Initiative Across 22 Governorates in Egypt

February 19, 2026
Ecosystem Egypt Entrepreneurship
Starz Program Graduates First Cohort Of Socially-Conscious Startups in Egypt

Starz Program Graduates First Cohort Of Socially-Conscious Startups in Egypt

February 19, 2026
Ecosystem Egypt Entrepreneurship
Visa Establishes New North Africa Sub-Region To Deepen Digital Payments Push

Visa Establishes New North Africa Sub-Region To Deepen Digital Payments Push

February 18, 2026
Ecosystem Egypt Fintech
Egypt Central Bank Initiative Nilepreneurs Powers 14,000 SMEs With EGP 19 Billion In Financing

Egypt Central Bank Initiative Nilepreneurs Powers 14,000 SMEs With EGP 19 Billion In Financing

February 18, 2026
Ecosystem Egypt Egypt Central Bank
Egypt’s Souhoola Secures Initial Approval To Launch Reloadable Prepaid Card

Egypt’s Souhoola Secures Initial Approval To Launch Reloadable Prepaid Card

February 17, 2026
Approval Egypt Fintech
Egypt’s New Startup ID Initiative Attracts 99 Applications In First Week

Egypt’s New Startup ID Initiative Attracts 99 Applications In First Week

February 16, 2026
Ecosystem Egypt Entrepreneurship

Read More →

What’s Happening in Syria

Damascus University Center Tackles Graduate Skill Gap to Boost Employability

Damascus University Center Tackles Graduate Skill Gap to Boost Employability

February 16, 2026
Damascus Damascus University Ecosystem
Saudi Digital Solutions Leader Elm To Spearhead Syria’s Financial Transformation

Saudi Digital Solutions Leader Elm To Spearhead Syria’s Financial Transformation

February 16, 2026
Ecosystem Elm Finance
Syrian Authorities Launch QR Code Initiative to Regulate Damascus Markets

Syrian Authorities Launch QR Code Initiative to Regulate Damascus Markets

February 16, 2026
Damascus Initiative QR Code
Syria Aims To Modernize Industrial Sector Through New Academia-Government Partnership

Syria Aims To Modernize Industrial Sector Through New Academia-Government Partnership

February 16, 2026
Ecosystem Government Partnership
Syria’s ShamCash Navigates Growth Amidst Regulatory and Security Risks

Syria’s ShamCash Navigates Growth Amidst Regulatory and Security Risks

February 15, 2026
Fintech ShamCash Startups
SYNC Dubai Chapter 2026 Set To Shape The Future Of Syria’s Tech Ecosystem This February

SYNC Dubai Chapter 2026 Set To Shape The Future Of Syria’s Tech Ecosystem This February

February 14, 2026
Event SYNC Sync Dubai

Read More →

What’s Happening in Morocco

UM6P Launches Green Energy Park In Côte d’Ivoire To Advance Continental Solar Research

UM6P Launches Green Energy Park In Côte d’Ivoire To Advance Continental Solar Research

February 20, 2026
Ecosystem Energy Green Energy
Orange Corners Morocco Selects Fifteen Startups For The 2026 Agri Cohort

Orange Corners Morocco Selects Fifteen Startups For The 2026 Agri Cohort

February 20, 2026
Agricultural Agriculture Agritech
Morocco Leads Maghreb Startups and Ranks Fourth in MENA Funding

Morocco Leads Maghreb Startups and Ranks Fourth in MENA Funding

February 16, 2026
Ecosystem Entrepreneurship Funding
Morocco’s Leading Fintech Startups Reshaping Digital Finance In 2026

Morocco’s Leading Fintech Startups Reshaping Digital Finance In 2026

February 15, 2026
Alya Chari Finance
Morocco Launches Idarati X.0 To Digitize Government Services With AI

Morocco Launches Idarati X.0 To Digitize Government Services With AI

February 13, 2026
AI Idarati X.0 Morocco
Moroccan Retail Tech Builder Launches START 2.0 To Accelerate Digital Commerce

Moroccan Retail Tech Builder Launches START 2.0 To Accelerate Digital Commerce

February 13, 2026
e-Commerce Ecosystem Entrepreneurship

Read More →

What’s Happening in Palestine

Jerusalem Female Entrepreneurs Invited To Apply For Reyadyat Program

Jerusalem Female Entrepreneurs Invited To Apply For Reyadyat Program

February 15, 2026
Entrepreneurship Jerusalem Opportunity
Saudi Arabia’s Zid And Sellenvo Partner To Streamline Multi Channel Operations For Regional E-commerce Merchants

Saudi Arabia’s Zid And Sellenvo Partner To Streamline Multi Channel Operations For Regional E-commerce Merchants

February 14, 2026
e-Commerce KSA Palestine
Palestine’s Tzkrti Introduces New Fund To Empower Independent Arab Creatives

Palestine’s Tzkrti Introduces New Fund To Empower Independent Arab Creatives

February 13, 2026
Creative Creative Economy Creative Entrepreneurship
Stewardship As A Business Model Webinar Set To Explore Purpose-Driven Governance In February 2026

Stewardship As A Business Model Webinar Set To Explore Purpose-Driven Governance In February 2026

February 11, 2026
Event Palestine Palestine Technopark
Apply Now For Gaza Sky Geeks’s Coworking Space Support Initiative

Apply Now For Gaza Sky Geeks’s Coworking Space Support Initiative

February 11, 2026
Coworking Space Gaza Gaza Sky Geeks
Palestine’s Tech Sector Taps Into Diaspora Networks To Drive Jobs And Venture Investment

Palestine’s Tech Sector Taps Into Diaspora Networks To Drive Jobs And Venture Investment

February 11, 2026
Diaspora Ecosystem Investment

Read More →

Entrepreneurship Across MENA

Egypt’s NilePreneurs Selects Top 10 Startups For ClimaTech Accelerator Cycle 3

Egypt’s NilePreneurs Selects Top 10 Startups For ClimaTech Accelerator Cycle 3

February 20, 2026
Accelerator ClimaTech ClimaTech Accelerator
Oman Expands Entrepreneurial Support with New Center in Al Dhahirah Governorate

Oman Expands Entrepreneurial Support with New Center in Al Dhahirah Governorate

February 19, 2026
AI Ecosystem Entrepreneurship
New Program Aims To Turn Military Veterans Into Entrepreneurs in Jordan

New Program Aims To Turn Military Veterans Into Entrepreneurs in Jordan

February 18, 2026
Ecosystem Entrepreneurship Jordan
Apply Now For Forward·Inc’s Digital Entrepreneurship Program Spring 2026

Apply Now For Forward·Inc’s Digital Entrepreneurship Program Spring 2026

February 17, 2026
Digital Entrepreneurship Program (DEP) Entrepreneurship Forward·Inc
Jordan’s Oasis500 Launches M+ Fund To Boost Early-Stage Tech Startups

Jordan’s Oasis500 Launches $20M+ Fund To Boost Early-Stage Tech Startups

February 16, 2026
Entrepreneurship Jordan NEWS
EdVentures Champions Inclusion and Innovation to Scale EdTech Impact

EdVentures Champions Inclusion and Innovation to Scale EdTech Impact

February 16, 2026
Ecosystem Edtech EdVentures

Read More →

Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Tech

Apple Accelerates Development Of Three New AI Wearables

Apple Accelerates Development Of Three New AI Wearables

February 18, 2026
AI AI Wearable Apple
Anthropic Unveils Sonnet 4.6 With Major Upgrades

Anthropic Unveils Sonnet 4.6 With Major Upgrades

February 18, 2026
AI Anthropic Tech
Google Integrates AI Music Generation into Gemini App

Google Integrates AI Music Generation into Gemini App

February 18, 2026
AI Gemini Google
Oman Debuts First Agentic AI Platform to Transform Recruitment

Oman Debuts First Agentic AI Platform to Transform Recruitment

February 17, 2026
Agentic AI AI Oman
WordPress.com Rolls Out AI Assistant To Simplify Website Editing

WordPress.com Rolls Out AI Assistant To Simplify Website Editing

February 17, 2026
AI Tech WordPress
GoDaddy Launches Global Naming System To Verify AI Agent Identities

GoDaddy Launches Global Naming System To Verify AI Agent Identities

February 17, 2026
AI GoDaddy Tech

Read More →

Gaming & Esports

Savvy Games Group Partners With NMBRS To Boost Kingdom’s Game Production Capabilities

Savvy Games Group Partners With NMBRS To Boost Kingdom’s Game Production Capabilities

February 14, 2026
Ecosystem Esports Gaming
Saudi Arabia’s Exel By Merak Gaming Accelerator Graduates 19 Startups From Second Cohort

Saudi Arabia’s Exel By Merak Gaming Accelerator Graduates 19 Startups From Second Cohort

February 14, 2026
Accelerator Ecosystem Esports
UAE’s iBLOXX Studios Secures  Million To Scale Web3 Shooter Game StrayShot

UAE’s iBLOXX Studios Secures $5 Million To Scale Web3 Shooter Game StrayShot

February 13, 2026
Esports Funding Gaming
Egypt Blocks Roblox Gaming Platform Citing Child Safety Concerns

Egypt Blocks Roblox Gaming Platform Citing Child Safety Concerns

February 9, 2026
Egypt Gaming Regulation
Saudi Arabia Powers Regional Gaming Market Past .5B Surpassing Streaming And Music

Saudi Arabia Powers Regional Gaming Market Past $2.5B Surpassing Streaming And Music

February 8, 2026
Ecosystem Gaming Interesting
Savvy Games Group Partners With Alfaisal University To Launch New Game Design Program in Saudi Arabia

Savvy Games Group Partners With Alfaisal University To Launch New Game Design Program in Saudi Arabia

February 7, 2026
Ecosystem Gaming KSA

Read More →

Fintech & Digital Finance

Saudi Arabia’s Digital Payment Ecosystem Boosted by Mastercard and Google Pay Partnership

Saudi Arabia’s Digital Payment Ecosystem Boosted by Mastercard and Google Pay Partnership

February 19, 2026
Ecosystem Fintech Google Pay
UAE’s Hala Eyes International Expansion With VEON Partnership

UAE’s Hala Eyes International Expansion With VEON Partnership

February 17, 2026
Expansion Fintech Hala
Bahrain FinTech Bay Partners With AlloyX To Drive Stablecoin Innovation

Bahrain FinTech Bay Partners With AlloyX To Drive Stablecoin Innovation

February 16, 2026
AlloyX Bahrain Bahrain FinTech Bay
Finshape Unveils AI Blueprint To Move Banks From Pilot To Production

Finshape Unveils AI Blueprint To Move Banks From Pilot To Production

February 16, 2026
AI Bank Banking
Saudi Fintech CASHIN Secures  Million Series A To Digitize The Energy Sector

Saudi Fintech CASHIN Secures $16 Million Series A To Digitize The Energy Sector

February 16, 2026
CASHIN Fintech Funding
Saudi Arabia’s Digital Banking Boom Meet The Five Key Players Dominating 2026

Saudi Arabia’s Digital Banking Boom Meet The Five Key Players Dominating 2026

February 16, 2026
Banking Barq D360 Bank

Read More →

Property & Real Estate Technology

Iraq Launches Digital Overhaul of Property Sales and Ownership Transfers

Iraq Launches Digital Overhaul of Property Sales and Ownership Transfers

February 16, 2026
Ecosystem Iraq Proptech
Saudi Startup Ghaneem Opens Real Estate to Foreign Investors for Just 0

Saudi Startup Ghaneem Opens Real Estate to Foreign Investors for Just $270

February 15, 2026
Ghaneem KSA Proptech
UAE Proptech Sekra Launches With .5M Seed To Reimagine Community Living

UAE Proptech Sekra Launches With $12.5M Seed To Reimagine Community Living

February 14, 2026
Community Funding Proptech
Syrian Homes And Atabe Form Strategic Partnership To Drive Data Transparency In Real Estate

Syrian Homes And Atabe Form Strategic Partnership To Drive Data Transparency In Real Estate

February 14, 2026
Atabe Partnership Proptech
UAE’s PRYPCO Mint To Launch Regulated Marketplace For Trading Property Tokens

UAE’s PRYPCO Mint To Launch Regulated Marketplace For Trading Property Tokens

February 14, 2026
Marketplace Proptech PRYPCO
UAE’s AI Real Estate Startup Smart Bricks Lands  Million In a16z-Led Pre-Seed Round

UAE’s AI Real Estate Startup Smart Bricks Lands $5 Million In a16z-Led Pre-Seed Round

February 14, 2026
a16z AI Funding

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Arabic-First Technology

Qatar’s Sheikha Moza Warns Arabic Is Fighting Its Last Technological Battles at Web Summit

Qatar’s Sheikha Moza Warns Arabic Is Fighting Its Last Technological Battles at Web Summit

February 15, 2026
Arabic Arabic Tech Ecosystem
UAE’s Buy Any Flowers Launches Arabic Platform to Capture Local Gifting Market

UAE’s Buy Any Flowers Launches Arabic Platform to Capture Local Gifting Market

February 14, 2026
Arabic Arabic Tech Buy Any Flowers
Saudi Arabia Welcomes AI Leader Luma AI to Riyadh to Spearhead Arabic Creative Content

Saudi Arabia Welcomes AI Leader Luma AI to Riyadh to Spearhead Arabic Creative Content

February 12, 2026
AI Arabic Arabic Tech
Arabic.AI And Sheraa Partner To Support Founders With Arabic-First Artificial Intelligence

Arabic.AI And Sheraa Partner To Support Founders With Arabic-First Artificial Intelligence

February 10, 2026
AI Arabic Arabic Tech
Arabic AI And Stanford Unveil HELM Arabic To Benchmark Language Models

Arabic AI And Stanford Unveil HELM Arabic To Benchmark Language Models

February 1, 2026
AI Arabic Arabic Tech
Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre Launches Massive Digital Library on Amazon

Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre Launches Massive Digital Library on Amazon

January 30, 2026
Abu Dhabi Amazon Arabic

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Women in Entrepreneurship

Libyan Entrepreneurs Invited To Join The WAZIF Business Competition

Libyan Entrepreneurs Invited To Join The WAZIF Business Competition

February 16, 2026
Competition Entrepreneurship Libya
Egypt Champions Female Entrepreneurship at High-Profile OIC Conference

Egypt Champions Female Entrepreneurship at High-Profile OIC Conference

February 15, 2026
Conference Ecosystem Egypt
The General Women’s Union Collaborated with Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Launch the First-ever UAE-Kuwaiti Women’s Forum

The General Women’s Union Collaborated with Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Launch the First-ever UAE-Kuwaiti Women’s Forum

February 15, 2026
Ecosystem Entrepreneurship Event
Saudi Women Leaders Network Champions  Billion Investment to Empower Women in the Workforce

Saudi Women Leaders Network Champions $8 Billion Investment to Empower Women in the Workforce

February 15, 2026
Ecosystem Network Saudi Women Leaders Network
Ajman Business Women Council Launches Takamul To Boost Female Industrial Entrepreneurs

Ajman Business Women Council Launches Takamul To Boost Female Industrial Entrepreneurs

February 15, 2026
Ajman Ajman Business Women Council Ecosystem
UAE’s GAIA Launches ChatGPShe To Empower Women Leaders In Hospitality With AI

UAE’s GAIA Launches ChatGPShe To Empower Women Leaders In Hospitality With AI

February 14, 2026
AI ChatGPShe Ecosystem

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Crypto Trends

UAE’s EmCoin Launches as First Onshore Regulated Multi-Asset Investment Platform

UAE’s EmCoin Launches as First Onshore Regulated Multi-Asset Investment Platform

February 15, 2026
Crypto Cryptocurrency EmCoin
IHC and FAB Secure UAE’s Central Bank Approval for Dirham-Backed Stablecoin

IHC and FAB Secure UAE’s Central Bank Approval for Dirham-Backed Stablecoin

February 12, 2026
CBUAE Crypto Cryptocurrency
UAE’s Bybit Unveils Direct AED Bank Transfers For Crypto Trading

UAE’s Bybit Unveils Direct AED Bank Transfers For Crypto Trading

February 9, 2026
Bank Bybit Crypto
Dubai Insurance Launches Crypto Wallet for Premiums and Claims

Dubai Insurance Launches Crypto Wallet for Premiums and Claims

February 7, 2026
Crypto Cryptocurrency Dubai
UAE’s Federal Government Adopts AE Coin For Nationwide Service Payments

UAE’s Federal Government Adopts AE Coin For Nationwide Service Payments

February 2, 2026
AE Coin Crypto Cryptocurrency
Fintech Bay Bahrain Taps Ripple to Bolster Regional Digital Asset Hub

Fintech Bay Bahrain Taps Ripple to Bolster Regional Digital Asset Hub

February 2, 2026
Bahrain Bahrain FinTech Bay Blockchain

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Sustainability & Circular Economy

Apply Now For The Kering Generation Award X MENA 2nd Edition

Apply Now For The Kering Generation Award X MENA 2nd Edition

February 10, 2026
Award Entrepreneurship Fashiontech
Join The CircuPack Sustainable Packaging Hackathon At Heliopolis University

Join The CircuPack Sustainable Packaging Hackathon At Heliopolis University

February 9, 2026
CircuPack Entrepreneurship Hackathon
Sustainability Future Lab Crowns University Team For Innovative Digital Platform in Bahrain

Sustainability Future Lab Crowns University Team For Innovative Digital Platform in Bahrain

February 9, 2026
Bahrain Ecosystem Entrepreneurship
Abu Dhabi Launches Solar Self-Supply Policy to Accelerate Clean Energy Adoption

Abu Dhabi Launches Solar Self-Supply Policy to Accelerate Clean Energy Adoption

February 9, 2026
Abu Dhabi Ecosystem Policy
UAE’s ThrowMeNot Secures 0K Pre-Seed To Tackle Food Waste

UAE’s ThrowMeNot Secures $550K Pre-Seed To Tackle Food Waste

February 9, 2026
Foodtech Funding pre-seed
Green Growth And Jobs Accelerator Project Welcomes Fourth Cohort Of Sustainability Startups in Egypt

Green Growth And Jobs Accelerator Project Welcomes Fourth Cohort Of Sustainability Startups in Egypt

January 29, 2026
Accelerator Ecosystem Egypt

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Reports

MENA Tech Scene Sees Over 5 Million In Deals Driven By Logistics And Defense

MENA Tech Scene Sees Over $575 Million In Deals Driven By Logistics And Defense

February 16, 2026
AI Deal Defense
Stablecoins Poised To Transform Asset Management According To New Report

Stablecoins Poised To Transform Asset Management According To New Report

February 15, 2026
Fintech Report Stablecoin
UAEs Mortgage AI Shifts Focus From Speed To Smarter Decisions In 2026

UAEs Mortgage AI Shifts Focus From Speed To Smarter Decisions In 2026

February 7, 2026
AI Interesting Proptech
Property Finder Report Reveals A Decisive Shift To Home Ownership in UAE

Property Finder Report Reveals A Decisive Shift To Home Ownership in UAE

February 7, 2026
Property Finder Proptech Report
Snap And Business Of Fashion Detail The Future Of GCC Luxury In New Report

Snap And Business Of Fashion Detail The Future Of GCC Luxury In New Report

February 7, 2026
AI Business Of Fashion Fashiontech
Qatar’s FinTech Sector Achieves Major Milestones Toward National Vision 2030

Qatar’s FinTech Sector Achieves Major Milestones Toward National Vision 2030

February 7, 2026
Ecosystem Fintech Interesting

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Interesting Picks

Turkey’s Travel Association Sues to Block Airbnb Expedia and Other Global Giants

Turkey’s Travel Association Sues to Block Airbnb Expedia and Other Global Giants

February 15, 2026
Airbnb Interesting Tech
Global Tech Investors Pivot To Smaller Companies Amid Growing Risk Aversion

Global Tech Investors Pivot To Smaller Companies Amid Growing Risk Aversion

February 14, 2026
Ecosystem Interesting Investor
Mega Tech IPOs From SpaceX And OpenAI Signal A Breakout Year For Listings

Mega Tech IPOs From SpaceX And OpenAI Signal A Breakout Year For Listings

February 14, 2026
AI Interesting IPO
MrBeast’s Beast Industries Acquires Gen Z Fintech App Step

MrBeast’s Beast Industries Acquires Gen Z Fintech App Step

February 14, 2026
Acquisition Fintech Interesting
Dubai Sets New Tourism Record With 19.59 Million International Visitors

Dubai Sets New Tourism Record With 19.59 Million International Visitors

February 14, 2026
Dubai Interesting Tourism
UAE Unveils Comprehensive Price Control Strategy Ahead of Ramadan

UAE Unveils Comprehensive Price Control Strategy Ahead of Ramadan

February 12, 2026
Interesting Policy Ramadan

Read More →

This week In MENA's Startup Scene!

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