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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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TRENDING

Abu Dhabi Launches Public Road Trials for Teslas Full Self-Driving Tech

Abu Dhabi Launches Public Road Trials for Teslas Full Self-Driving Tech

TikTok Parent ByteDance Hits 0 Billion Valuation In Private Market Deal

TikTok Parent ByteDance Hits $550 Billion Valuation In Private Market Deal

Microsoft Boosts Digital Sovereignty With New Secure AI and Private Cloud Features

Microsoft Boosts Digital Sovereignty With New Secure AI and Private Cloud Features

Saudi Arabia’s Jeel Tamooh Program Graduates Over 150 Students to Drive Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia’s Jeel Tamooh Program Graduates Over 150 Students to Drive Vision 2030

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Latest News
Abu Dhabi Launches Public Road Trials for Teslas Full Self-Driving Tech
TikTok Parent ByteDance Hits $550 Billion Valuation In Private Market Deal
Microsoft Boosts Digital Sovereignty With New Secure AI and Private Cloud Features
Saudi Arabia’s Jeel Tamooh Program Graduates Over 150 Students to Drive Vision 2030
Angelic Intelligence Nabs $15 Million Seed Funding With Sights On MENA Market
UAE’s Skipr Secures USD 2 Million to Scale Sovereign AI Infrastructure
Funding
3 Min Read
February 27, 2026

UAE’s Skipr Secures USD 2 Million to Scale Sovereign AI Infrastructure

Skipr, an Abu Dhabi-based startup developing a trust fabric for autonomous AI systems, has announced the close of its USD 2 million seed funding round. The investment brings the company's…

Jordan’s AB Xelerate Invests In Ubyx To Advance Global Tokenized Money Infrastructure
Funding
4 Min Read
February 27, 2026

Jordan’s AB Xelerate Invests In Ubyx To Advance Global Tokenized Money Infrastructure

Saudi-Egyptian VC EDAFA Targets USD 10 Million for Egyptian Startups in 2026
News
3 Min Read
February 26, 2026

Saudi-Egyptian VC EDAFA Targets USD 10 Million for Egyptian Startups in 2026

UAE’s EDGE Group Forges .5 Billion Defence Joint Venture With Spain’s EM&E
News
3 Min Read
February 26, 2026

UAE’s EDGE Group Forges $1.5 Billion Defence Joint Venture With Spain’s EM&E

Jordan’s Entrepreneurship Fund Activates M Second Phase With Initial World Bank Tranche
News
4 Min Read
February 25, 2026

Jordan’s Entrepreneurship Fund Activates $50M Second Phase With Initial World Bank Tranche

Saudi Arabia’s Jeel Tamooh Program Graduates Over 150 Students to Drive Vision 2030
Ecosystem
4 Min Read
February 27, 2026

Saudi Arabia’s Jeel Tamooh Program Graduates Over 150 Students to Drive Vision 2030

Jordan’s ISSF Calls for Smarter Sovereign Capital to Catalyse MENA’s Venture Ecosystem
Ecosystem
3 Min Read
February 27, 2026

Jordan’s ISSF Calls for Smarter Sovereign Capital to Catalyse MENA’s Venture Ecosystem

DIGIT Innovation Hub Launches 8bitslab To Incubate Emerging Gaming Startups in Syria
Ecosystem
3 Min Read
February 27, 2026

DIGIT Innovation Hub Launches 8bitslab To Incubate Emerging Gaming Startups in Syria

Main Headlines

Presight-Shorooq AI Fund Deploys First Capital in Five US and Emirati Startups

Presight-Shorooq AI Fund Deploys First Capital in Five US and Emirati Startups

News
4 Min Read
February 24, 2026
Jada Fund Of Funds Taps India’s Stride Ventures For A USD 200M Private Credit Push

Jada Fund Of Funds Taps India’s Stride Ventures For A USD 200M Private Credit Push

News
3 Min Read
February 24, 2026
Saudi IPO Pipeline Heats Up With Four Major Companies Preparing Listings

Saudi IPO Pipeline Heats Up With Four Major Companies Preparing Listings

News
3 Min Read
February 23, 2026
IFZA Acquires IF HUB To Expand Its Integrated Business Ecosystem

IFZA Acquires IF HUB To Expand Its Integrated Business Ecosystem

News
3 Min Read
February 23, 2026
Egypt’s Beltone Holding Expands Into Private Equity to Support Startups From Seed to IPO

Egypt’s Beltone Holding Expands Into Private Equity to Support Startups From Seed to IPO

News
3 Min Read
February 23, 2026
Emirates Driving Company Acquires Majority Stake in AI Firm Performise Labs

Emirates Driving Company Acquires Majority Stake in AI Firm Performise Labs

News
3 Min Read
February 23, 2026

Read More →

Latest Funding Rounds

Saudi’s Wyld VC Leads Series A In US AI Startup Odyssey Alongside NVIDIA and GV

Saudi’s Wyld VC Leads Series A In US AI Startup Odyssey Alongside NVIDIA and GV

Funding
2 Min Read
February 25, 2026
Bahrain’s Beban Secures Fresh Foras AI Investment For Egypt Expansion

Bahrain’s Beban Secures Fresh Foras AI Investment For Egypt Expansion

Funding
3 Min Read
February 25, 2026
Bahrain’s Sellou Secures Seed Funding At Three Million Dollar Valuation To Scale Video Commerce

Bahrain’s Sellou Secures Seed Funding At Three Million Dollar Valuation To Scale Video Commerce

Funding
4 Min Read
February 25, 2026
Morocco’s WafR Raises  Million Seed To Empower Corner Stores With Fintech

Morocco’s WafR Raises $4 Million Seed To Empower Corner Stores With Fintech

Funding
3 Min Read
February 23, 2026
UAE’s Proptech Takeem Secures Strategic Investment From REACH Middle East

UAE’s Proptech Takeem Secures Strategic Investment From REACH Middle East

Funding
4 Min Read
February 23, 2026
Saudi Deep-Tech Firm Immensa Secures Growth Funding to Fuel Global Expansion

Saudi Deep-Tech Firm Immensa Secures Growth Funding to Fuel Global Expansion

Funding
2 Min Read
February 23, 2026

Read More →

Ecosystem Updates

Bahraini Businesswomen’s Society Strengthens Ecosystem Ties and Celebrates IWEC 2026 Award Winners

Bahraini Businesswomen’s Society Strengthens Ecosystem Ties and Celebrates IWEC 2026 Award Winners

Ecosystem
3 Min Read
February 26, 2026
Al Nahda Women’s Association Launches Initiative To Boost Female Entrepreneurship in UAE

Al Nahda Women’s Association Launches Initiative To Boost Female Entrepreneurship in UAE

Ecosystem
2 Min Read
February 26, 2026
Startup Bahrain Pitch Event Crowns AI, Fashion and EdTech Startups as Winners

Startup Bahrain Pitch Event Crowns AI, Fashion and EdTech Startups as Winners

Ecosystem
3 Min Read
February 26, 2026
Sharjah Bolsters Sustainable Creative Economy with Strategic Partnerships

Sharjah Bolsters Sustainable Creative Economy with Strategic Partnerships

Ecosystem
5 Min Read
February 26, 2026
Syria’s Economic Recovery Gains Momentum With IMF Endorsement

Syria’s Economic Recovery Gains Momentum With IMF Endorsement

Ecosystem
3 Min Read
February 26, 2026
Syria Partners With Visa To Accelerate National Digital Economy And Fintech Growth

Syria Partners With Visa To Accelerate National Digital Economy And Fintech Growth

Ecosystem
3 Min Read
February 26, 2026

Read More →

Programs & Opportunities

Apply Now For The GreenCHEM Innovate! Call For Chempreneurs Worldwide

Apply Now For The GreenCHEM Innovate! Call For Chempreneurs Worldwide

Opportunities
3 Min Read
February 27, 2026
UAE Startups And Students Invited To Join The 8th UAE AI & IoT Challenge
February 27, 2026
AI Challenge Entrepreneurship

UAE Startups And Students Invited To Join The 8th UAE AI & IoT Challenge

Apply Now For The InnoStart Electronics Pre-Incubation Program
February 27, 2026
AI Ecosystem Egypt

Apply Now For The InnoStart Electronics Pre-Incubation Program

Apply Now For The Arab Conference At Harvard Startup Competition
February 25, 2026
Arab Conference Competition Conference

Apply Now For The Arab Conference At Harvard Startup Competition

Apply Now For The Sharakah VC999 Business Incubator Program
February 25, 2026
Entrepreneurship Incubator Oman

Apply Now For The Sharakah VC999 Business Incubator Program

Apply Now For The WMF 2026 Startup Competition
February 25, 2026
Competition Entrepreneurship Event

Apply Now For The WMF 2026 Startup Competition

KSA Startups Invited To Join Plug And Play Tourism Startup Program
February 25, 2026
Accelerator Entrepreneurship KSA

KSA Startups Invited To Join Plug And Play Tourism Startup Program

Apply Now For The ZAKA Ambassador Program
February 25, 2026
AI Ambassador MENA

Apply Now For The ZAKA Ambassador Program

Join The Tuwaiq No-Code Hackathon To Build Innovative Solutions
February 25, 2026
Entrepreneurship Hackathon KSA

Join The Tuwaiq No-Code Hackathon To Build Innovative Solutions

Read More →

Startup News

Saudi Food Delivery Platform Keeta Unveils Key Consumer Trends From 2025

Saudi Food Delivery Platform Keeta Unveils Key Consumer Trends From 2025

Startups
3 Min Read
February 27, 2026
UAE’s Hoopla Wins Best HealthTech Startup At Global Startup Awards Middle East

UAE’s Hoopla Wins Best HealthTech Startup At Global Startup Awards Middle East

Startups
3 Min Read
February 27, 2026
UAE’s Sav Named Best FinTech Startup At Global Startup Awards Middle East

UAE’s Sav Named Best FinTech Startup At Global Startup Awards Middle East

Startups
3 Min Read
February 27, 2026
UAE’s SYSPOS Joins Dubai Founders HQ Accelerator To Scale Real-Time Retail Analytics

UAE’s SYSPOS Joins Dubai Founders HQ Accelerator To Scale Real-Time Retail Analytics

Startups
3 Min Read
February 27, 2026
Ronaldo Mouchawar Shares The Strategic Blueprint Behind Souq’s Historic Amazon Exit

Ronaldo Mouchawar Shares The Strategic Blueprint Behind Souq’s Historic Amazon Exit

Startups
4 Min Read
February 27, 2026
Space42 Navigates Strategic Shift As Core Space Services Revenue Climbs 6 Percent

Space42 Navigates Strategic Shift As Core Space Services Revenue Climbs 6 Percent

Startups
4 Min Read
February 26, 2026

Read More →

Upcoming Events

Scale Now Cycle 4 Info Session 2026 To Guide High-Growth Startups Online

Scale Now Cycle 4 Info Session 2026 To Guide High-Growth Startups Online

Events
3 Min Read
February 27, 2026
Meska AI Ramadan Nights 2026 To Host AI Deep-Dive Sessions Online

Meska AI Ramadan Nights 2026 To Host AI Deep-Dive Sessions Online

Events
4 Min Read
February 27, 2026
Nawah Pre-Accelerator Program Cycle 2 Info Session 2026 For Palestinian Founders

Nawah Pre-Accelerator Program Cycle 2 Info Session 2026 For Palestinian Founders

Events
3 Min Read
February 27, 2026
Qatar Venture Capital Association Hosts Strategic Workshop On SAFE Notes For Regional Investors

Qatar Venture Capital Association Hosts Strategic Workshop On SAFE Notes For Regional Investors

Events
3 Min Read
February 27, 2026
Syria Signals Tourism Comeback With Launch Of Syria Travel Show 2026

Syria Signals Tourism Comeback With Launch Of Syria Travel Show 2026

Events
4 Min Read
February 25, 2026
LEAP 2026 Set To Convene The Global Tech Ecosystem In Riyadh

LEAP 2026 Set To Convene The Global Tech Ecosystem In Riyadh

Events
4 Min Read
February 24, 2026

Read More →

Tech Bytes

Abu Dhabi Launches Public Road Trials for Teslas Full Self-Driving Tech

Abu Dhabi Launches Public Road Trials for Teslas Full Self-Driving Tech

Tech
3 Min Read
February 27, 2026
TikTok Parent ByteDance Hits 0 Billion Valuation In Private Market Deal

TikTok Parent ByteDance Hits $550 Billion Valuation In Private Market Deal

Tech
3 Min Read
February 27, 2026
Microsoft Boosts Digital Sovereignty With New Secure AI and Private Cloud Features

Microsoft Boosts Digital Sovereignty With New Secure AI and Private Cloud Features

Tech
3 Min Read
February 27, 2026
Angelic Intelligence Nabs  Million Seed Funding With Sights On MENA Market

Angelic Intelligence Nabs $15 Million Seed Funding With Sights On MENA Market

Tech
3 Min Read
February 27, 2026
Qatar Accelerates Its Transformation Into A Global Tech And Innovation Hub

Qatar Accelerates Its Transformation Into A Global Tech And Innovation Hub

Tech
5 Min Read
February 27, 2026
Saudi Arabia Registers NovaChargeX Patent to Bolster Vision 2030 Clean Energy Goals

Saudi Arabia Registers NovaChargeX Patent to Bolster Vision 2030 Clean Energy Goals

Tech
3 Min Read
February 27, 2026

Read More →

What’s Happening in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia Boosts AI Capabilities With New Accenture Innovation Hub in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia Boosts AI Capabilities With New Accenture Innovation Hub in Riyadh

February 27, 2026
AI Innovation innovation Hub
Saudi Arabia’s Sadq Accredited As Official Expert Entity By Ministry Of Justice

Saudi Arabia’s Sadq Accredited As Official Expert Entity By Ministry Of Justice

February 25, 2026
KSA Permit Sadq
Saudi-Backed Lucid Accelerates MENA Expansion with New Showrooms

Saudi-Backed Lucid Accelerates MENA Expansion with New Showrooms

February 25, 2026
Automotive Expansion KSA
Saudi AI Firm HUMAIN Deploys 1,024 Qualcomm Accelerators for New 200MW Data Center

Saudi AI Firm HUMAIN Deploys 1,024 Qualcomm Accelerators for New 200MW Data Center

February 24, 2026
AI Data Center HUMAIN
LEAP 2026 Set To Convene The Global Tech Ecosystem In Riyadh

LEAP 2026 Returns to Riyadh in April with an Expanded Global Tech Focus

February 24, 2026
Ecosystem Entrepreneurship Event
Saudi Arabia Leads GCC Push Towards A 1 Billion Global Islamic Fintech Market

Saudi Arabia Leads GCC Push Towards A $341 Billion Global Islamic Fintech Market

February 24, 2026
Ecosystem Fintech GCC

Read More →

What’s Happening in UAE

Jeff Bezos’s B AI Lab Project Prometheus Reportedly Courts Abu Dhabi Investment Authority

Jeff Bezos’s $30B AI Lab Project Prometheus Reportedly Courts Abu Dhabi Investment Authority

February 27, 2026
Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi Investment Authority AI
UAE Unveils World’s First Sovereign Financial Cloud Ecosystem With Core42

UAE Unveils World’s First Sovereign Financial Cloud Ecosystem With Core42

February 26, 2026
AI Cloud Core42
Emirates NBD Launches Apple Pay to Advance Digital Payments

Emirates NBD Launches Apple Pay to Advance Digital Payments

February 26, 2026
Apple Apple Pay Digital Economy
UAE’s Rewa Launches to Digitize Rent Payments with Integrated Rewards

UAE’s Rewa Launches to Digitize Rent Payments with Integrated Rewards

February 26, 2026
Proptech Rewa Startups
Zoho To Build Two New Data Centres In The UAE

Zoho To Build Two New Data Centres In The UAE

February 26, 2026
Data Data Center Tech
UAE’s Professional.me Selected For Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund Accelerator

UAE’s Professional.me Selected For Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund Accelerator

February 25, 2026
Accelerator MBRIF Professional.me

Read More →

What’s Happening in Qatar

Qatar Fortifies Its Financial Hub Ambitions as Apex Group Launches Doha Office

Qatar Fortifies Its Financial Hub Ambitions as Apex Group Launches Doha Office

February 25, 2026
Apex Group Ecosystem Finance
DoorDash Pulls Deliveroo From Qatar In Wider Global Restructuring

DoorDash Pulls Deliveroo From Qatar In Wider Global Restructuring

February 25, 2026
Deliveroo Delivery DoorDash
Qatar Investment Authority Enters Strategic Partnership With US Firm 5C Investment Partners

Qatar Investment Authority Enters Strategic Partnership With US Firm 5C Investment Partners

February 24, 2026
Ecosystem Partnership Qatar
Qatar Accelerates Venture Growth With New Cohort of Builders VC Portfolio Companies

Qatar Accelerates Venture Growth With New Cohort of Builders VC Portfolio Companies

February 24, 2026
Builders VC Ecosystem Entrepreneurship
Qatar’s Center For Entrepreneurship Launches Third Cohort Of Shell Intilaaqah Program

Qatar’s Center For Entrepreneurship Launches Third Cohort Of Shell Intilaaqah Program

February 23, 2026
Center For Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Entrepreneurship
Qatar’s Strategic Alliance With The UK Reaches New Heights Through Future Framework And Multi Billion Dollar Investments

Qatar’s Strategic Alliance With The UK Reaches New Heights Through Future Framework And Multi Billion Dollar Investments

February 22, 2026
Alliance Business Ecosystem

Read More →

What’s Happening in Egypt

Algeria Launches National Network of 124 University Incubators to Boost Startup Ecosystem

Algeria Launches National Network of 124 University Incubators to Boost Startup Ecosystem

February 25, 2026
Algeria Egypt Entrepreneurship
Fawry Champions Employee Entrepreneurship With Internal SME Bazaar in Egypt

Fawry Champions Employee Entrepreneurship With Internal SME Bazaar in Egypt

February 25, 2026
Bazaar Egypt Entrepreneurship
ITIDA Launches InnoStart Electronics to Foster AI and IoT Startups in Egypt

ITIDA Launches InnoStart Electronics to Foster AI and IoT Startups in Egypt

February 25, 2026
AI Ecosystem Egypt
Egypt’s EFG Hermes Democratizes Investing with Five New Funds on Its ONE App

Egypt’s EFG Hermes Democratizes Investing with Five New Funds on Its ONE App

February 25, 2026
Ecosystem EFG Hermes Egypt
Bahrain’s Beban Expands Equity Crowdfunding Platform To Egypt With Foras AI Support

Bahrain’s Beban Expands Equity Crowdfunding Platform To Egypt With Foras AI Support

February 24, 2026
Bahrain Beban Crowdfunding Crowdfunding
Egypt’s Mortgage Fintech Qasatli Eyes 2027 EGX Listing and USD 20M Raise

Egypt’s Mortgage Fintech Qasatli Eyes 2027 EGX Listing and USD 20M Raise

February 23, 2026
Egypt Fintech Mortgage

Read More →

What’s Happening in Syria

Aga Khan Foundation Syria Invites Small Businesses To Apply For Development Support

Aga Khan Foundation Syria Invites Small Businesses To Apply For Development Support

February 23, 2026
Aga Khan Foundation Opportunity Program
SYNC Syria Collaborates With Ministry To Restore Global Digital Services

SYNC Syria Collaborates With Ministry To Restore Global Digital Services

February 23, 2026
Ecosystem Partnership SYNC
Syrian Economic Report Reveals 2 Billion Reconstruction Funding Gap

Syrian Economic Report Reveals $222 Billion Reconstruction Funding Gap

February 22, 2026
Economy Ecosystem Funding
Techtown Graduates First Artificial Intelligence Cohort In Partnership With Subul in Syria

Techtown Graduates First Artificial Intelligence Cohort In Partnership With Subul in Syria

February 22, 2026
AI Ecosystem Partnership
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
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

Read More →

What’s Happening in Morocco

Morocco’s Imad Bouibboukher Claims Double Victory at Forty Under Forty Africa Awards

Morocco’s Imad Bouibboukher Claims Double Victory at Forty Under Forty Africa Awards

February 21, 2026
Africa Award Morocco
Incubateur Bidaya Empowers Entrepreneurs Through CESAR II Program in Settat

Incubateur Bidaya Empowers Entrepreneurs Through CESAR II Program in Settat

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

Morocco Startup Founders Invited To Contribute To The 2026 Ecosystem Report

February 20, 2026
Ecosystem Entrepreneurship Morocco
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’s Charikaty Raises 0K To Digitize Company Formation

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

February 18, 2026
Charikaty Funding Morocco

Read More →

What’s Happening in Palestine

Palestine’s Ministry Of Labor Partners With Flow And SPARK To Boost Green Entrepreneurship

Palestine’s Ministry Of Labor Partners With Flow And SPARK To Boost Green Entrepreneurship

February 23, 2026
Ecosystem Entrepreneurship Flow Accelerator
Orange Corners Palestine Spotlight Innovative Founders for Pre-Acceleration Cycle 9

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

February 20, 2026
Ecosystem Entrepreneurship Orange Corners Palestine
Palestinian Tech Companies Invited To Join Elevate 3.0 Program

Palestinian Tech Companies Invited To Join Elevate 3.0 Program

February 20, 2026
Elevate 3.0 Gaza Sky Geeks Opportunity
Join The Urban Up Municipal Innovation Incubator In Palestine

Join The Urban Up Municipal Innovation Incubator In Palestine

February 20, 2026
Entrepreneurship GIZ Incubator
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

February 20, 2026
Dating Olive App 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

Read More →

Entrepreneurship Across MENA

Algeria Launches Four Digital Platforms To Bolster University Innovation and Student Services

Algeria Launches Four Digital Platforms To Bolster University Innovation and Student Services

February 26, 2026
Algeria Ecosystem Entrepreneurship
Procode.gg Takes Top Honors At StartUp Bahrain’s 23rd Pitch Night

Procode.gg Takes Top Honors At StartUp Bahrain’s 23rd Pitch Night

February 25, 2026
Award Bahrain Ecosystem
Beyond Capital Partners With KBCB To Enhance Financial Literacy For Circular Economy Startups in Jordan

Beyond Capital Partners With KBCB To Enhance Financial Literacy For Circular Economy Startups in Jordan

February 25, 2026
Beyond Capital Circular Circular Economy
BDC Empowers Nine Young Entrepreneurs in Irbid Through Azem Initiative in Jordan

BDC Empowers Nine Young Entrepreneurs in Irbid Through Azem Initiative in Jordan

February 25, 2026
Ecosystem Entrepreneurship Jordan
Apply Now For The Hub71 and ECA Anjal Z Program 2026 Cohort

Apply Now For The Hub71 and ECA Anjal Z Program 2026 Cohort

February 25, 2026
Accelerator Anjal Z Ecosystem
iPARK Selected As Implementing Partner For Queen Rania National Entrepreneurship Competition 2026 in Jordan

iPARK Selected As Implementing Partner For Queen Rania National Entrepreneurship Competition 2026 in Jordan

February 22, 2026
Competition Ecosystem Entrepreneurship

Read More →

Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Tech

Alibaba Cloud Powers The First AI-Driven Winter Olympics at Milano Cortina 2026

Alibaba Cloud Powers The First AI-Driven Winter Olympics at Milano Cortina 2026

February 27, 2026
AI Alibaba Cloud
G42 Is Now Formally Hiring AI Agents To Its Workforce

G42 Is Now Formally Hiring AI Agents To Its Workforce

February 27, 2026
Agentic AI AI AI Agent
Meta’s Landmark 0 Billion AI Chip Deal With AMD Shakes Up The Market

Meta’s Landmark $100 Billion AI Chip Deal With AMD Shakes Up The Market

February 26, 2026
AI AI Chip AMD
Google’s Gemini Now Automates Multi-Step Tasks On Android

Google’s Gemini Now Automates Multi-Step Tasks On Android

February 26, 2026
AI Android Gemini
Anthropic Acquires AI Agent Startup Vercept In High-Stakes Talent Grab

Anthropic Acquires AI Agent Startup Vercept In High-Stakes Talent Grab

February 26, 2026
Acquisition Agentic AI AI
Samsung Unveils AI-Powered Galaxy S26 Series At Annual Unpacked Event

Samsung Unveils AI-Powered Galaxy S26 Series At Annual Unpacked Event

February 26, 2026
AI Samsung Tech

Read More →

Gaming & Esports

Savvy Games Group Partners With Bahrain University To Cultivate Gaming Talent

Savvy Games Group Partners With Bahrain University To Cultivate Gaming Talent

February 24, 2026
Bahrain University Ecosystem Esports
Saudi PIF-Backed Scopely Acquires Turkish Game Developer Loom Games in Billion-Dollar Deal

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

February 20, 2026
Esports Gaming KSA
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
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

Read More →

Fintech & Digital Finance

Stripe Reportedly Explores Landmark Acquisition Of Rival PayPal

Stripe Reportedly Explores Landmark Acquisition Of Rival PayPal

February 25, 2026
Acquisition Fintech PayPal
Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways Becomes First Local Airline to Introduce Fly Now Pay Later Payments

Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways Becomes First Local Airline to Introduce Fly Now Pay Later Payments

February 24, 2026
BNPL Ecosystem Fintech
Oman Central Bank Sets New Regulatory Framework for Booming BNPL Market

Oman Central Bank Sets New Regulatory Framework for Booming BNPL Market

February 24, 2026
BNPL Ecosystem Fintech
UAE’s Fuze Finance Named Most Innovative Web3 Startup 2026 at AIBC World Awards

UAE’s Fuze Finance Named Most Innovative Web3 Startup 2026 at AIBC World Awards

February 24, 2026
Awards Digital Assets Fintech
UAE Central Bank Sets New Framework For Responsible AI In The Financial Sector

UAE Central Bank Sets New Framework For Responsible AI In The Financial Sector

February 23, 2026
AI Finance Fintech
UAE’s MoneyHash Partners With Wayl To Unlock The Iraqi Market

UAE’s MoneyHash Partners With Wayl To Unlock The Iraqi Market

February 23, 2026
Expansion Fintech Iraq

Read More →

Property & Real Estate Technology

REACH MENA Announces 2026 PropTech Cohort Featuring Startups from UAE and Saudi Arabia

REACH MENA Announces 2026 PropTech Cohort Featuring Startups from UAE and Saudi Arabia

February 22, 2026
Ecosystem Entrepreneurship KSA
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

February 17, 2026
Funding Proptech Real Estate
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

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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

NAMA Advances Financial Literacy For Nearly 400 Women In Third Program Edition in UAE

NAMA Advances Financial Literacy For Nearly 400 Women In Third Program Edition in UAE

February 21, 2026
Ecosystem Financial Inclusion NAMA
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

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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’s M&A Market Hits A Staggering 6 Billion In 2025

MENA’s M&A Market Hits A Staggering $106 Billion In 2025

February 21, 2026
Ecosystem Interesting M&A
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

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Interesting Picks

The Rise Of The OpenAI Mafia A New Generation Of AI Unicorns

The Rise Of The OpenAI Mafia A New Generation Of AI Unicorns

February 22, 2026
AI Interesting OpenAI
Epstein Files Expose Shadowy Dealmaking In The Early EV Startup Scene

Epstein Files Expose Shadowy Dealmaking In The Early EV Startup Scene

February 21, 2026
EV Interesting Silicon Valley
The Zombie Internet Has Arrived And It Could Reshape Our Digital World

The Zombie Internet Has Arrived And It Could Reshape Our Digital World

February 21, 2026
AI Interesting Moltbook
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
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

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This week In MENA's Startup Scene!

A weekly snapshot of the most important startup news, ecosystem updates, programs, opportunities, events, and tech across MENA. Every Monday.
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