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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

Saudi’s PIF Inks Over SAR 60 Billion in MOUs to Fuel Private Sector Growth

Saudi’s PIF Inks Over SAR 60 Billion in MOUs to Fuel Private Sector Growth

Amazon Reportedly Plans A Marketplace For Publishers To Sell Content To AI Firms

Amazon Reportedly Plans A Marketplace For Publishers To Sell Content To AI Firms

E-commerce Giant Jumia Announces Exit From Algerian Market By 2026

E-commerce Giant Jumia Announces Exit From Algerian Market By 2026

Edventures CEO Emphasizes The Critical Value of Strategic Partners Over Pure Capital

Edventures CEO Emphasizes The Critical Value of Strategic Partners Over Pure Capital

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Latest News
Saudi’s PIF Inks Over SAR 60 Billion in MOUs to Fuel Private Sector Growth
Amazon Reportedly Plans A Marketplace For Publishers To Sell Content To AI Firms
E-commerce Giant Jumia Announces Exit From Algerian Market By 2026
Edventures CEO Emphasizes The Critical Value of Strategic Partners Over Pure Capital
Egypt’s Next Growth Phase Hinges on Integrating SMEs with AI Technology
UAE’s QuicKart Raises .5M Seed To Scale Farm-to-Home Fresh Commerce
Funding
4 Min Read
February 12, 2026

UAE’s QuicKart Raises $1.5M Seed To Scale Farm-to-Home Fresh Commerce

UAE-based fresh commerce startup QuicKart has secured $1.5 million in a seed funding round to expand its farm-to-home operations across the Emirates. The round was led by Orbit Ventures, with…

Egypt’s Tactful AI Secures  Million Pre-Series A to Scale Agentic CX Platform
Funding
4 Min Read
February 9, 2026

Egypt’s Tactful AI Secures $1 Million Pre-Series A to Scale Agentic CX Platform

Saudi’s PIF Inks Over SAR 60 Billion in MOUs to Fuel Private Sector Growth
News
4 Min Read
February 12, 2026

Saudi’s PIF Inks Over SAR 60 Billion in MOUs to Fuel Private Sector Growth

QDB And Ooredoo Evolve Joint Incubator Into New Investment Platform
News
4 Min Read
February 9, 2026

QDB And Ooredoo Evolve Joint Incubator Into New Investment Platform

stc Wins 0 Million Bid to Build Syria’s Silklink Digital Infrastructure
News
3 Min Read
February 9, 2026

stc Wins $800 Million Bid to Build Syria’s Silklink Digital Infrastructure

Edventures CEO Emphasizes The Critical Value of Strategic Partners Over Pure Capital
Ecosystem
5 Min Read
February 12, 2026

Edventures CEO Emphasizes The Critical Value of Strategic Partners Over Pure Capital

Dubai Founders HQ Partners With Global VC Antler To Foster Next-Gen Startups
Ecosystem
4 Min Read
February 12, 2026

Dubai Founders HQ Partners With Global VC Antler To Foster Next-Gen Startups

Dubai SME And INJAZ UAE Launch Pioneers of Tomorrow To Nurture University Startups
Ecosystem
5 Min Read
February 12, 2026

Dubai SME And INJAZ UAE Launch Pioneers of Tomorrow To Nurture University Startups

Main Headlines

Saudi’s Masna Ventures Launches USD 100M Fund To Bolster Defense Tech

Saudi’s Masna Ventures Launches USD 100M Fund To Bolster Defense Tech

News
2 Min Read
February 9, 2026
Red Sea Global And Bunat VC To Launch New AI Venture Fund in Saudi Arabia

Red Sea Global And Bunat VC To Launch New AI Venture Fund in Saudi Arabia

News
4 Min Read
February 9, 2026
Egypts CIB To Invest USD 300M In New Standalone Digital Bank

Egypts CIB To Invest USD 300M In New Standalone Digital Bank

News
3 Min Read
February 9, 2026
UAE Cloud Specialist Zero&One Acquired By Global Tech Giant NTT DATA

UAE Cloud Specialist Zero&One Acquired By Global Tech Giant NTT DATA

News
3 Min Read
February 9, 2026
Islamic Development Bank Launches Concessional Fund to Support Least Developed Member Countries

Islamic Development Bank Launches Concessional Fund to Support Least Developed Member Countries

News
3 Min Read
February 9, 2026
Saudi Arabia Set To Launch First 0 Million Defense-Focused Venture Fund

Saudi Arabia Set To Launch First $100 Million Defense-Focused Venture Fund

News
3 Min Read
February 8, 2026

Read More →

Latest Funding Rounds

Saudi Proptech Safqah Capital Closes .2 Million Seed to Power Real Estate Development

Saudi Proptech Safqah Capital Closes $15.2 Million Seed to Power Real Estate Development

Funding
5 Min Read
February 9, 2026
UAE’s InvestSky Secures  Million Seed Round for Saudi Arabia Expansion

UAE’s InvestSky Secures $4 Million Seed Round for Saudi Arabia Expansion

Funding
3 Min Read
February 9, 2026
Saudi F&B Tech Platform Juzur Secures 3K Pre-Seed Funding

Saudi F&B Tech Platform Juzur Secures $213K Pre-Seed Funding

Funding
2 Min Read
February 9, 2026
UAE’s ThrowMeNot Secures 0K Pre-Seed To Tackle Food Waste

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

Funding
3 Min Read
February 9, 2026
UAE’s Omnispay Secures 2 Million Dollars To Enhance Its SME Financing Platform

UAE’s Omnispay Secures 2 Million Dollars To Enhance Its SME Financing Platform

Funding
3 Min Read
February 9, 2026
Saudi Fintech SiFi Secures  Million Series A To Scale Spend Management Platform

Saudi Fintech SiFi Secures $20 Million Series A To Scale Spend Management Platform

Funding
3 Min Read
February 9, 2026

Read More →

Ecosystem Updates

Morocco’s StartGate And Glovo Launch Initiative To Bridge Iberian Tech Ecosystems

Morocco’s StartGate And Glovo Launch Initiative To Bridge Iberian Tech Ecosystems

Ecosystem
3 Min Read
February 12, 2026
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

Ecosystem
3 Min Read
February 12, 2026
Egypt’s Sawari Ventures Partner Urges Startups To Master Risk Management For Sustainable Growth

Egypt’s Sawari Ventures Partner Urges Startups To Master Risk Management For Sustainable Growth

Ecosystem
4 Min Read
February 12, 2026
Qatar Chamber Of Commerce Partners With UNIDO To Launch New Innovation Hub

Qatar Chamber Of Commerce Partners With UNIDO To Launch New Innovation Hub

Ecosystem
4 Min Read
February 12, 2026
Gulf Business Opens Nominations For Inaugural Real Estate Awards

Gulf Business Opens Nominations For Inaugural Real Estate Awards

Ecosystem
3 Min Read
February 12, 2026
UAE’s MoHRE Shuts Down 230 Unlicensed Social Media Recruitment Accounts

UAE’s MoHRE Shuts Down 230 Unlicensed Social Media Recruitment Accounts

Ecosystem
3 Min Read
February 12, 2026

Read More →

Programs & Opportunities

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

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

Opportunities
3 Min Read
February 11, 2026
Apply Now For Flow Angels’s Investment Round 1 (2026)
February 11, 2026
Angel Angel Investor Angel Netowrk

Apply Now For Flow Angels’s Investment Round 1 (2026)

Apply Now For The Garage Accelerator Tenth Cohort
February 10, 2026
Accelerator KSA Opportunity

Apply Now For The Garage Accelerator Tenth Cohort

Apply Now For WaSa Venture Accelerator Program Cohort 01
February 10, 2026
Accelerator Africa Egypt

Apply Now For WaSa Venture Accelerator Program Cohort 01

Apply Now For The Kering Generation Award X MENA 2nd Edition
February 10, 2026
Award Entrepreneurship Fashiontech

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

Join The CircuPack Sustainable Packaging Hackathon At Heliopolis University
February 9, 2026
CircuPack Entrepreneurship Hackathon

Join The CircuPack Sustainable Packaging Hackathon At Heliopolis University

Palestinian Founders Invited To Join Nawah Pre-Accelerator Program Cycle 2
February 8, 2026
Entrepreneurship Flat6Labs Nawah

Palestinian Founders Invited To Join Nawah Pre-Accelerator Program Cycle 2

Apply Now For Startup Syria Catalyst 2026 Program
February 7, 2026
Entrepreneurship Opportunity Program

Apply Now For Startup Syria Catalyst 2026 Program

Apply Now For The Plug And Play XDC Network DeFi Accelerator
February 7, 2026
Accelerator DeFi Entrepreneurship

Apply Now For The Plug And Play XDC Network DeFi Accelerator

Read More →

Startup News

E-commerce Giant Jumia Announces Exit From Algerian Market By 2026

E-commerce Giant Jumia Announces Exit From Algerian Market By 2026

Startups
3 Min Read
February 12, 2026
Egypt’s AI Optimization Startup Zaher AI Targets 10,000 Clients And A  Million Raise

Egypt’s AI Optimization Startup Zaher AI Targets 10,000 Clients And A $2 Million Raise

Startups
4 Min Read
February 12, 2026
UAE’s Presight AI Reports Record AED 3 Billion Revenue Fueled By Global Expansion

UAE’s Presight AI Reports Record AED 3 Billion Revenue Fueled By Global Expansion

Startups
3 Min Read
February 12, 2026
UAE’s CADO Launches In Qatar To Build A Unified Regional Gifting Network

UAE’s CADO Launches In Qatar To Build A Unified Regional Gifting Network

Startups
3 Min Read
February 12, 2026
Saudi’s HyperPay Secures Key SAMA National Payment Gateway Certification

Saudi’s HyperPay Secures Key SAMA National Payment Gateway Certification

Startups
3 Min Read
February 12, 2026
Saudi’s Shahbandr Integrates Tabby To Empower 20,000 Merchants With BNPL Solutions

Saudi’s Shahbandr Integrates Tabby To Empower 20,000 Merchants With BNPL Solutions

Startups
4 Min Read
February 12, 2026

Read More →

Upcoming Events

Saudi Arabia Launches AI Salon Riyadh to Accelerate the Kingdom’s AI Ecosystem

Saudi Arabia Launches AI Salon Riyadh to Accelerate the Kingdom’s AI Ecosystem

Events
3 Min Read
February 12, 2026
Step Dubai 2026 Kicks Off With A Strong AI-First Focus

Step Dubai 2026 Kicks Off With A Strong AI-First Focus

Events
4 Min Read
February 12, 2026
World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum (WEIF) Concluded in Bahrain

World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum (WEIF) Concluded in Bahrain

Events
4 Min Read
February 12, 2026
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

Events
3 Min Read
February 11, 2026
WAM Saudi 2026 Set To Transform Industrial Innovation In Riyadh This February

WAM Saudi 2026 Set To Transform Industrial Innovation In Riyadh This February

Events
4 Min Read
February 11, 2026
Recruitment Compliance In Saudi Arabia: Navigating Labor Laws Effectively Webinar Set For February 2026

Recruitment Compliance In Saudi Arabia: Navigating Labor Laws Effectively Webinar Set For February 2026

Events
4 Min Read
February 11, 2026

Read More →

Tech Bytes

Amazon Reportedly Plans A Marketplace For Publishers To Sell Content To AI Firms

Amazon Reportedly Plans A Marketplace For Publishers To Sell Content To AI Firms

Tech
3 Min Read
February 12, 2026
Egypt’s Next Growth Phase Hinges on Integrating SMEs with AI Technology

Egypt’s Next Growth Phase Hinges on Integrating SMEs with AI Technology

Tech
4 Min Read
February 12, 2026
UAE’s Real Estate Sector Fuels VR Market Surge To Dhs1.6 Billion By 2030

UAE’s Real Estate Sector Fuels VR Market Surge To Dhs1.6 Billion By 2030

Tech
3 Min Read
February 12, 2026
UNDP and GSMA Launch High-Level Training to Advance AI Governance in Egypt

UNDP and GSMA Launch High-Level Training to Advance AI Governance in Egypt

Tech
3 Min Read
February 12, 2026
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

Tech
3 Min Read
February 12, 2026
Saudi Arabia’s AI Ambitions Take Center Stage at High-Level Riyadh Forum

Saudi Arabia’s AI Ambitions Take Center Stage at High-Level Riyadh Forum

Tech
4 Min Read
February 12, 2026

Read More →

What’s Happening in Saudi Arabia

HUMAIN Unveils Execution-First AI Model And National OS Ambitions

HUMAIN Unveils Execution-First AI Model And National OS Ambitions

February 12, 2026
AI HUMAIN KSA
Saudi Arabia Advances Vision 2030 with Microsoft Azure Region Set for 2026 Launch

Saudi Arabia Advances Vision 2030 with Microsoft Azure Region Set for 2026 Launch

February 12, 2026
AI Azure KSA
Blossom Accelerator Concludes Third Cohort Of Yumnak Program To Scale High Growth Startups in Saudi Arabia

Blossom Accelerator Concludes Third Cohort Of Yumnak Program To Scale High Growth Startups in Saudi Arabia

February 11, 2026
Blossom Accelerator Ecosystem Entrepreneurship
Saudi’s SNB Capital And Investcorp Forge Strategic Partnership To Target KSA Opportunities

Saudi’s SNB Capital And Investcorp Forge Strategic Partnership To Target KSA Opportunities

February 9, 2026
Ecosystem Investcorp KSA
Saudi Con-Tech Partners With Bechtel To Launch Major Construction Tech Accelerator

Saudi Con-Tech Partners With Bechtel To Launch Major Construction Tech Accelerator

February 9, 2026
Accelerator Contech Ecosystem
Saudi’s Tabby Named MENA FinTech Startup Of The Year 2026 By Global Brands Magazine

Saudi’s Tabby Named MENA FinTech Startup Of The Year 2026 By Global Brands Magazine

February 9, 2026
Award Fintech KSA

Read More →

What’s Happening in UAE

UAE Unveils Comprehensive Price Control Strategy Ahead of Ramadan

UAE Unveils Comprehensive Price Control Strategy Ahead of Ramadan

February 12, 2026
Interesting Policy Ramadan
Ajman University Unveils Executive Education Platform To Bolster Leadership Skills

Ajman University Unveils Executive Education Platform To Bolster Leadership Skills

February 12, 2026
Ajman Ajman University Ecosystem
E& Money Enters Lending Space After Securing Central Bank License

E& Money Enters Lending Space After Securing Central Bank License

February 12, 2026
CBUAE E& E& Money
UAE’s G42 Partners With OpenAI To Develop A Localized ChatGPT

UAE’s G42 Partners With OpenAI To Develop A Localized ChatGPT

February 12, 2026
AI Chatgpt G42
ARUSTO Wins Creative Industries Pitch Competition At Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2026

ARUSTO Wins Creative Industries Pitch Competition At Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2026

February 10, 2026
ARUSTO Award Competition
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

Read More →

What’s Happening in Qatar

Qatar Launch Of WaterTech Accelerator To Combat Regional Water Scarcity

Qatar Launch Of WaterTech Accelerator To Combat Regional Water Scarcity

February 12, 2026
Accelerator Ecosystem Entrepreneurship
Robix Holding Launches Region’s First Corporate Venture Studio in Qatar

Robix Holding Launches Region’s First Corporate Venture Studio in Qatar

February 12, 2026
Corporate Venture Studio Entrepreneurship Qatar
Qatar’s Utopia Studio Partners With Global Tech Leaders To Launch Full Stack AI Infrastructure Package

Qatar’s Utopia Studio Partners With Global Tech Leaders To Launch Full Stack AI Infrastructure Package

February 11, 2026
AI Ecosystem Infrastructure
Entrepreneurship And Innovation Forum 2026 Set To Shape Qatar’s New Economy In Lusail

Entrepreneurship And Innovation Forum 2026 Set To Shape Qatar’s New Economy In Lusail

February 10, 2026
Entrepreneurship Event Forum
Qatar’s Cytomate Launches Battle Twin To Simulate Industrial Cyberattacks

Qatar’s Cytomate Launches Battle Twin To Simulate Industrial Cyberattacks

February 10, 2026
Cybersecurity Cytomate Qatar
Qatar’s Rasmal Ventures Welcomes Snoonu Founder Hamad Mubarak Al Hajri As New Investor

Qatar’s Rasmal Ventures Welcomes Snoonu Founder Hamad Mubarak Al Hajri As New Investor

February 10, 2026
Ecosystem Investor Qatar

Read More →

What’s Happening in Egypt

Egypt’s Nexsun.ai Rethinking Intelligence In Global Energy Markets

Egypt’s Nexsun.ai Rethinking Intelligence In Global Energy Markets

February 12, 2026
AI Egypt Energy
Egypt’s Innovators Support Fund Launches New Venture Capital Funding Program To Empower Tech Startups

Egypt’s Innovators Support Fund Launches New Venture Capital Funding Program To Empower Tech Startups

February 11, 2026
Ecosystem Egypt Entrepreneurship
Egypt’s Lothgha Reaches Global Top Six University Startups With AI Powered Speech Therapy Platform

Egypt’s Lothgha Reaches Global Top Six University Startups With AI Powered Speech Therapy Platform

February 11, 2026
Edtech Egypt Lothgha
NilePreneurs And ADCB Egypt Conclude Pitching Day For ClimaTech Accelerator Cycle 3 in Egypt

NilePreneurs And ADCB Egypt Conclude Pitching Day For ClimaTech Accelerator Cycle 3 in Egypt

February 11, 2026
Accelerator ClimaTech ClimaTech Accelerator
Egypt’s Ministry of Youth and Sports Partners to Launch Major Franchise and Entrepreneurship Expo

Egypt’s Ministry of Youth and Sports Partners to Launch Major Franchise and Entrepreneurship Expo

February 9, 2026
Ecosystem Egypt Entrepreneurship
Egypt’s SIDEUP Launches Marhba To Champion Local E-commerce Brands

Egypt’s SIDEUP Launches Marhba To Champion Local E-commerce Brands

February 9, 2026
e-Commerce Egypt Marhba

Read More →

What’s Happening in Syria

Syria And Lebanon Launch Strategic Digital Partnership To Drive Post War Reconstruction

Syria And Lebanon Launch Strategic Digital Partnership To Drive Post War Reconstruction

February 11, 2026
Ecosystem Lebanon Partnership
Syria’s SEED Becomes Official Agri-Food Incubator For Damascus University

Syria’s SEED Becomes Official Agri-Food Incubator For Damascus University

February 10, 2026
Agriculture Agrifood Agritech
Saudi Arabia Spearheads Syria’s Economic Revival With Major Aviation and Telecom Deals

Saudi Arabia Spearheads Syria’s Economic Revival With Major Aviation and Telecom Deals

February 8, 2026
Deal Economy Investment
Syrian Startup Deel Secures Pre-Seed Funding To Modernize Secondhand Fashion

Syrian Startup Deel Secures Pre-Seed Funding To Modernize Secondhand Fashion

February 8, 2026
Angel Angel Investor Deel
Syria’s Yasmin Launches Digital Wallet To Connect Local Freelancers To Global Finance

Syria’s Yasmin Launches Digital Wallet To Connect Local Freelancers To Global Finance

February 7, 2026
e-Wallet Finance Fintech
Saudi Arabia Deepens Syrian Ties With Multi-Billion Dollar Investment Package

Saudi Arabia Deepens Syrian Ties With Multi-Billion Dollar Investment Package

February 5, 2026
Investment KSA NEWS

Read More →

What’s Happening in Morocco

Egypt’s Zilla Capital Targets Morocco And Saudi Arabia In Regional Growth Push

Egypt’s Zilla Capital Targets Morocco And Saudi Arabia In Regional Growth Push

February 7, 2026
Egypt KSA Morocco
Morocco Leverages 2030 World Cup To Become A Premier Global Investment Hub

Morocco Leverages 2030 World Cup To Become A Premier Global Investment Hub

February 7, 2026
Ecosystem Interesting Investment
Jadara Foundation Concludes Imal’Avenir Program To Empower Youth-Led Social Ventures in Morocco

Jadara Foundation Concludes Imal’Avenir Program To Empower Youth-Led Social Ventures in Morocco

February 5, 2026
Ecosystem Entrepreneurship Imal’Avenir
Morocco Renews Samsung Partnership to Advance AI and Programming Education

Morocco Renews Samsung Partnership to Advance AI and Programming Education

February 5, 2026
AI Education Morocco
Who Will Invest in My Project? TV Show Returns to Showcase a New Generation of Entrepreneurs in Morocco

Who Will Invest in My Project? TV Show Returns to Showcase a New Generation of Entrepreneurs in Morocco

February 1, 2026
Ecosystem Entrepreneurship Morocco
Orange Corners Morocco Acceleration Program Concludes Second Bootcamp For WASH Cohort

Orange Corners Morocco Acceleration Program Concludes Second Bootcamp For WASH Cohort

January 31, 2026
Accelerator Bootcamp Ecosystem

Read More →

What’s Happening in Palestine

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
PIEC Catalyst Launches Fifth Cycle Of Formation And Development Program in Palestine

PIEC Catalyst Launches Fifth Cycle Of Formation And Development Program in Palestine

February 7, 2026
Ecosystem Entrepreneurship Palestine
Palestine’s EnterVentures Launches Athar Fund To Back Early-Stage Tech Startups

Palestine’s EnterVentures Launches Athar Fund To Back Early-Stage Tech Startups

February 7, 2026
Athar Fund Ecosystem EnterVentures
Palestinan Founded UpScrolled Surpasses 2.5 Million Users Amid Big Tech Criticism

Palestinan Founded UpScrolled Surpasses 2.5 Million Users Amid Big Tech Criticism

February 2, 2026
Palestine Startups UpScrolled
Apply Now For The Creative Furniture Design Competition In Palestine

Apply Now For The Creative Furniture Design Competition In Palestine

February 2, 2026
Competition Creative Opportunity
Palestine Makes Historic Debut At Web Summit Qatar 2026 With 13 Cutting-Edge Startups

Palestine Makes Historic Debut At Web Summit Qatar 2026 With 13 Cutting-Edge Startups

February 2, 2026
Delegation Ecosystem Entrepreneurship

Read More →

Entrepreneurship Across MENA

Dubai Launches Government-Backed ConTech Hub With The Lab Ventures Partnership

Dubai Launches Government-Backed ConTech Hub With The Lab Ventures Partnership

February 10, 2026
Contech Dubai Ecosystem
Qatari Businessmen Association Crowns Six Startups in French-Qatari Innovation Competition

Qatari Businessmen Association Crowns Six Startups in French-Qatari Innovation Competition

February 9, 2026
Competition Ecosystem Entrepreneurship
Bahrain To Host 6th World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum To Drive Sustainable Growth

Bahrain To Host 6th World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum To Drive Sustainable Growth

February 9, 2026
Bahrain Entrepreneurship Event
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
University of Kirkuk Leads Initiative To Transform Student Ideas Into Sustainable Ventures

University of Kirkuk Leads Initiative To Transform Student Ideas Into Sustainable Ventures

February 9, 2026
Ecosystem Entrepreneurship Iraq
Bosta and RiseUp Forge Strategic Alliance to Support Startup Growth Across MENA

Bosta and RiseUp Forge Strategic Alliance to Support Startup Growth Across MENA

February 8, 2026
Bosta Ecosystem Egypt

Read More →

Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Tech

Uber Eats Unveils AI Cart Assistant For Faster Grocery Orders

Uber Eats Unveils AI Cart Assistant For Faster Grocery Orders

February 12, 2026
AI AI Assistant F&B
MENA-Founded UpScrolled Grapples With Content Moderation Amid Explosive Growth

MENA-Founded UpScrolled Grapples With Content Moderation Amid Explosive Growth

February 12, 2026
AI Startups Tech
Qlik Unveils Agentic AI to Power Smarter and More Transparent Business Decisions

Qlik Unveils Agentic AI to Power Smarter and More Transparent Business Decisions

February 12, 2026
Agentic AI AI Qlik
Zain Group Details Ambitious AI Roadmap for Autonomous Network Operations

Zain Group Details Ambitious AI Roadmap for Autonomous Network Operations

February 12, 2026
AI Event Kuwait
UAE’s Ambl Launches Multilingual AI Chat To Revolutionize Dining Reservations

UAE’s Ambl Launches Multilingual AI Chat To Revolutionize Dining Reservations

February 9, 2026
AI Ambl F&B
Inception Partners With Tajikistan To Advance National AI Adoption

Inception Partners With Tajikistan To Advance National AI Adoption

February 9, 2026
AI Inception Partnership

Read More →

Gaming & Esports

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
Saudi Arabia Leads MENA’s USD 2.5 Billion Gaming Boom Surpassing Streaming

Saudi Arabia Leads MENA’s USD 2.5 Billion Gaming Boom Surpassing Streaming

February 5, 2026
Ecosystem Gaming KSA
Dubai SME Arm Launches GameForward To Boost Emirati Gaming Talent

Dubai SME Arm Launches GameForward To Boost Emirati Gaming Talent

January 30, 2026
Dubai Dubai SME Ecosystem
Savvy Games Group And NEOM Partner To Streamline The Kingdom’s Gaming Startup Pipeline

Savvy Games Group And NEOM Partner To Streamline The Kingdom’s Gaming Startup Pipeline

January 29, 2026
Ecosystem Gaming NEOM

Read More →

Fintech & Digital Finance

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
Qatar’s SkipCash and PayLater Secure a Combined  Million to Scale Payments and BNPL

Qatar’s SkipCash and PayLater Secure a Combined $14 Million to Scale Payments and BNPL

February 8, 2026
BNPL Fintech Funding
Qatar’s PayLater Secures Record-Breaking  Million Seed Round for BNPL Expansion

Qatar’s PayLater Secures Record-Breaking $10 Million Seed Round for BNPL Expansion

February 7, 2026
BNPL Expansion Fintech
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
National Bank of Bahrain and FinTech Bay Announce Winner of AI-Focused Banking Accelerator

National Bank of Bahrain and FinTech Bay Announce Winner of AI-Focused Banking Accelerator

February 7, 2026
Accelerator AI Bahrain
du Pay Launches Digital Loans To Boost Financial Inclusion For Expats in UAE

du Pay Launches Digital Loans To Boost Financial Inclusion For Expats in UAE

February 5, 2026
du du Pay Ecosystem

Read More →

Property & Real Estate Technology

UAE Proptech SmartCrowd Advances Tokenised Real Estate Plans With VARA Approval

UAE Proptech SmartCrowd Advances Tokenised Real Estate Plans With VARA Approval

February 9, 2026
Dubai Proptech Real Estate
UAE’s Daleel Launches AI-Native Real Estate Platform With M Pre-Seed To Eliminate Market Bias

UAE’s Daleel Launches AI-Native Real Estate Platform With $3M Pre-Seed To Eliminate Market Bias

February 8, 2026
AI Daleel Funding
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
South Africa’s MyProperty Launches Agent-First Portal For Pan-African Expansion

South Africa’s MyProperty Launches Agent-First Portal For Pan-African Expansion

February 7, 2026
Africa Expansion KSA
UAE PropTech PRYPCO Hits AED 1 Billion In Monthly Mortgage Disbursals

UAE PropTech PRYPCO Hits AED 1 Billion In Monthly Mortgage Disbursals

February 7, 2026
Proptech PRYPCO Startups
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

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Arabic-First Technology

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
Qatar’s BilAraby Initiative Links Arab Identity and Language to Future Innovation

Qatar’s BilAraby Initiative Links Arab Identity and Language to Future Innovation

January 30, 2026
Arab Arabic Arabic Tech
UAE’s Arabic.AI Partners With Stanford to Set the Gold Standard for Arabic AI

UAE’s Arabic.AI Partners With Stanford to Set the Gold Standard for Arabic AI

January 28, 2026
AI Arabic Arabic Tech
Notion Debuts in Arabic in First Major MENA Product Investment

Notion Debuts in Arabic in First Major MENA Product Investment

January 27, 2026
AI Arabic Arabic Tech
Egypt’s Edtech eYouth Enters Iraq With First Arabic Workforce Skills Platform

Egypt’s Edtech eYouth Enters Iraq With First Arabic Workforce Skills Platform

January 20, 2026
Arabic Arabic Tech Edtech

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Women in Entrepreneurship

Egypt’s Ra’eda Program Drives Female Entrepreneurship In Rural Communities

Egypt’s Ra’eda Program Drives Female Entrepreneurship In Rural Communities

February 8, 2026
Ecosystem Egypt Entrepreneurship
Ibtikar Fund Co-Hosts Inaugural Women In Tech Collective At Web Summit Qatar

Ibtikar Fund Co-Hosts Inaugural Women In Tech Collective At Web Summit Qatar

February 7, 2026
AI Ecosystem Event
GAIA Expands to Abu Dhabi to Build a Cross-Emirate Leadership Network

GAIA Expands to Abu Dhabi to Build a Cross-Emirate Leadership Network

February 6, 2026
Abu Dhabi Ecosystem GAIA
Egypt’s 6th of October Investors Association Debuts Unit To Champion Female Founders and Family Enterprises

Egypt’s 6th of October Investors Association Debuts Unit To Champion Female Founders and Family Enterprises

February 6, 2026
Ecosystem Egypt Investor
Jordan Sees Female Founders Surge to Lead 20 Percent of New Startups

Jordan Sees Female Founders Surge to Lead 20 Percent of New Startups

February 5, 2026
Ecosystem Entrepreneurship Jordan
OIC Conference Puts Women’s Entrepreneurship at the Forefront of Development

OIC Conference Puts Women’s Entrepreneurship at the Forefront of Development

February 5, 2026
Conference Entrepreneurship Event

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Crypto Trends

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
Dubai Insurance Debuts First Crypto Wallet for the Insurance Sector

Dubai Insurance Debuts First Crypto Wallet for the Insurance Sector

February 2, 2026
Crypto Cryptocurrency Dubai
UAE’s Universal Secures Central Bank Approval for First Regulated USD Stablecoin

UAE’s Universal Secures Central Bank Approval for First Regulated USD Stablecoin

February 1, 2026
Crypto Cryptocurrency Licences
Riyad Bank Taps Ripple for Blockchain-Powered Financial Services

Riyad Bank Taps Ripple for Blockchain-Powered Financial Services

January 29, 2026
Blockchain Crypto Ecosystem

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Sustainability & Circular Economy

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
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
Youth 4 Sustainability Announces AI Health-Tech Startup As Out-of-Labs Winner in UAE

Youth 4 Sustainability Announces AI Health-Tech Startup As Out-of-Labs Winner in UAE

January 24, 2026
Abu Dhabi AI Award
Saudi Arabia Announces AI Matchmaking Network To Boost Sustainable Growth

Saudi Arabia Announces AI Matchmaking Network To Boost Sustainable Growth

January 22, 2026
AI Matchmaking Network
C3 Reports  Billion In Alumni Funding And Reach Of 69 Million Lives In 2025 Impact Report

C3 Reports $1 Billion In Alumni Funding And Reach Of 69 Million Lives In 2025 Impact Report

January 22, 2026
C3 - Companies Creating Change Ecosystem Entrepreneurship
Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards .9M To Global Innovators

Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards $5.9M To Global Innovators

January 17, 2026
Award Ecosystem Prize

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Reports

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
Egypt’s Government Report Spotlights Gen Z As The Driving Force Of The Startup Boom

Egypt’s Government Report Spotlights Gen Z As The Driving Force Of The Startup Boom

February 5, 2026
Ecosystem Egypt Entrepreneurship
UAE And Saudi Entities Dominate The 10 Most Active VC Investors In The Middle East

UAE And Saudi Entities Dominate The 10 Most Active VC Investors In The Middle East

February 5, 2026
Ecosystem KSA MENA
Egypt’s New Economic Report Puts Private Sector and Startups at the Forefront of Growth

Egypt’s New Economic Report Puts Private Sector and Startups at the Forefront of Growth

February 2, 2026
Ecosystem Egypt Report
Qatar Ranks Fourth In MENA As Venture Capital Funding Surges To QR 214 Million In 2025

Qatar Ranks Fourth In MENA As Venture Capital Funding Surges To QR 214 Million In 2025

February 2, 2026
Ecosystem Qatar QDB
Saudi Arabia Captures Two-Thirds of MENA Startup Funding in a Landmark  Billion Year

Saudi Arabia Captures Two-Thirds of MENA Startup Funding in a Landmark $5 Billion Year

February 1, 2026
Ecosystem Funding Investment

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Interesting Picks

Y Combinator To Offer Funding In USDC Stablecoins From 2026

Y Combinator To Offer Funding In USDC Stablecoins From 2026

February 5, 2026
Interesting Stablecoin Y Combinator
Global Tech Giants Under Scrutiny As Epstein Files Impact Market Sentiments

Global Tech Giants Under Scrutiny As Epstein Files Impact Market Sentiments

February 5, 2026
Interesting Tech
Europe’s New 2026 Unicorns Signal Strategic Alignment With MENA Tech Priorities

Europe’s New 2026 Unicorns Signal Strategic Alignment With MENA Tech Priorities

February 2, 2026
Entrepreneurship Interesting Startups
Dubai To Build New Gold District With Street Paved In Gold

Dubai To Build New Gold District With Street Paved In Gold

February 1, 2026
Dubai Gold Interesting
New Startup Aims To Make Space Burials Affordable With 2027 Launch

New Startup Aims To Make Space Burials Affordable With 2027 Launch

January 25, 2026
Interesting Space Spacetech
Saudi Arabia’s Digital Payment Adoption Surges as Two-Thirds of Consumers Go Largely Cashless

Saudi Arabia’s Digital Payment Adoption Surges as Two-Thirds of Consumers Go Largely Cashless

January 24, 2026
Cashless Digital Transformation Fintech

Read More →

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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