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MENA Startup Digest

MENA Startup Digest

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TRENDING

Abu Dhabi’s Presight Inks Deal to Build AI Urban OS for Kazakhstan’s Largest City

Abu Dhabi’s Presight Inks Deal to Build AI Urban OS for Kazakhstan’s Largest City

Tunisia Launches TunPay To Unify and Accelerate Mobile Payment Adoption

Tunisia Launches TunPay To Unify and Accelerate Mobile Payment Adoption

UAE Bets on Bio-Intelligence as the Next Layer of its Tech Infrastructure

UAE Bets on Bio-Intelligence as the Next Layer of its Tech Infrastructure

UAE’s Dubizzle Reports 27% Plunge in Scams, Signaling a Market-Wide Shift Towards Trust

UAE’s Dubizzle Reports 27% Plunge in Scams, Signaling a Market-Wide Shift Towards Trust

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Latest News
Abu Dhabi’s Presight Inks Deal to Build AI Urban OS for Kazakhstan’s Largest City
Tunisia Launches TunPay To Unify and Accelerate Mobile Payment Adoption
UAE Bets on Bio-Intelligence as the Next Layer of its Tech Infrastructure
UAE’s Dubizzle Reports 27% Plunge in Scams, Signaling a Market-Wide Shift Towards Trust
Mastercard and Yellow Card Target UAE for New Stablecoin Payment Initiative
Saudi AI Startup Gabster Secures 0K Pre-Seed to Unify Business Communication
Funding
2 Min Read
May 10, 2026

Saudi AI Startup Gabster Secures $500K Pre-Seed to Unify Business Communication

Saudi-based AI startup Gabster has closed a $500,000 Pre-Seed funding round. The investment was backed by Mugran Alrajhi Investment (RAI) and T2, marking the company's first institutional capital injection. Quick…

Lebanese-American Founder Tarek Mansour’s Kalshi Secures B at a Staggering B Valuation
Funding
4 Min Read
May 10, 2026

Lebanese-American Founder Tarek Mansour’s Kalshi Secures $1B at a Staggering $22B Valuation

Algeria’s CERIST Launches Deeptech Hub to Turn National Research into Startups
News
4 Min Read
May 9, 2026

Algeria’s CERIST Launches Deeptech Hub to Turn National Research into Startups

Qatar’s Vodafone Acquires Local SaaS Platform MaktApp to Boost Enterprise Services
News
3 Min Read
May 9, 2026

Qatar’s Vodafone Acquires Local SaaS Platform MaktApp to Boost Enterprise Services

Khwarizmi Ventures Closes Over M for Fund II, Doubling Down on Saudi and GCC Startups
News
3 Min Read
May 8, 2026

Khwarizmi Ventures Closes Over $70M for Fund II, Doubling Down on Saudi and GCC Startups

Mastercard and Yellow Card Target UAE for New Stablecoin Payment Initiative
Ecosystem
3 Min Read
May 10, 2026

Mastercard and Yellow Card Target UAE for New Stablecoin Payment Initiative

Saudi Public Investment Fund Raises Record  Billion in Bond Sale to Fuel Vision 2030
Ecosystem
3 Min Read
May 10, 2026

Saudi Public Investment Fund Raises Record $7 Billion in Bond Sale to Fuel Vision 2030

Emirates Growth Fund Launches National Champions Program, Signs ADNOC Deal to Fuel UAE Industrial SMEs
Ecosystem
4 Min Read
May 10, 2026

Emirates Growth Fund Launches National Champions Program, Signs ADNOC Deal to Fuel UAE Industrial SMEs

Main Headlines

Abu Dhabi’s TII Sells Advanced AI Technology to US Firm OPAQUE in Landmark Acquisition

Abu Dhabi’s TII Sells Advanced AI Technology to US Firm OPAQUE in Landmark Acquisition

News
5 Min Read
May 4, 2026
Qatar Free Zones Authority Rolls Out New Measures To Ensure Business Continuity For 800+ Companies

Qatar Free Zones Authority Rolls Out New Measures To Ensure Business Continuity For 800+ Companies

News
2 Min Read
May 4, 2026
Qatar Rolls Out Financial Relief Package to Retain Foreign Businesses Amidst Economic Strain

Qatar Rolls Out Financial Relief Package to Retain Foreign Businesses Amidst Economic Strain

News
3 Min Read
May 2, 2026
Oman Decrees AI Special Economic Zone To Attract Foreign Investment

Oman Decrees AI Special Economic Zone To Attract Foreign Investment

News
3 Min Read
May 2, 2026
Bahrain Crypto Giant Rain Acquires Financial Media Network Digital Ma’arefa

Bahrain Crypto Giant Rain Acquires Financial Media Network Digital Ma’arefa

News
2 Min Read
April 29, 2026
Sheraa Unveils AED 5 Million Fund to Strengthen Startup Resilience After Founder Roundtable

Sheraa Unveils AED 5 Million Fund to Strengthen Startup Resilience After Founder Roundtable

News
4 Min Read
April 29, 2026

Read More →

Latest Funding Rounds

UAE Fintech OGold Secures Major Investment from Silicon Valley’s Plug and Play Ventures

UAE Fintech OGold Secures Major Investment from Silicon Valley’s Plug and Play Ventures

Funding
3 Min Read
May 9, 2026
CredibleX Lands Series A Led by Mubadala to Accelerate SME Lending in the UAE

CredibleX Lands Series A Led by Mubadala to Accelerate SME Lending in the UAE

Funding
4 Min Read
May 8, 2026
Bahrain’s Siin Reaches  Million in Total Funding to Scale Live Commerce Across the GCC

Bahrain’s Siin Reaches $3 Million in Total Funding to Scale Live Commerce Across the GCC

Funding
4 Min Read
May 8, 2026
Oman Investment Authority Invests in Elon Musk’s Brain Chip Firm Neuralink

Oman Investment Authority Invests in Elon Musk’s Brain Chip Firm Neuralink

Funding
2 Min Read
May 7, 2026
Saudi Arabia’s Madeed Closes 5K Pre-Seed for AI-Powered Preventive Health Platform

Saudi Arabia’s Madeed Closes $925K Pre-Seed for AI-Powered Preventive Health Platform

Funding
3 Min Read
May 5, 2026
Saudi Digital Health Startup Metafare Raises  Million for AI and VR Wellness Expansion

Saudi Digital Health Startup Metafare Raises $1 Million for AI and VR Wellness Expansion

Funding
3 Min Read
May 5, 2026

Read More →

Ecosystem Updates

UAE’s MoIAT Partners With PepsiCo to Expand Future Industries Lab for SMEs and Emirati Talent

UAE’s MoIAT Partners With PepsiCo to Expand Future Industries Lab for SMEs and Emirati Talent

Ecosystem
4 Min Read
May 10, 2026
Egypt’s EdVentures Crowned Global Investor Of The Year In Major Win For MENA EdTech

Egypt’s EdVentures Crowned Global Investor Of The Year In Major Win For MENA EdTech

Ecosystem
2 Min Read
May 10, 2026
Egypt’s Capital University Convenes 220+ Innovators for Regional Entrepreneurship Rally Finals

Egypt’s Capital University Convenes 220+ Innovators for Regional Entrepreneurship Rally Finals

Ecosystem
2 Min Read
May 10, 2026
Saudi Arabia’s Merak Capital Pinpoints AI’s Real Value for VCs in New Report

Saudi Arabia’s Merak Capital Pinpoints AI’s Real Value for VCs in New Report

Ecosystem
4 Min Read
May 9, 2026
Orange Jordan Spotlights Top Female-Led Startups in Healthtech and Fintech with Inspiring Change Award

Orange Jordan Spotlights Top Female-Led Startups in Healthtech and Fintech with Inspiring Change Award

Ecosystem
3 Min Read
May 9, 2026
Dubai Chambers and UAE Ministry Target Indian Family Businesses to Bolster Governance and Sustainability

Dubai Chambers and UAE Ministry Target Indian Family Businesses to Bolster Governance and Sustainability

Ecosystem
4 Min Read
May 9, 2026

Read More →

Programs & Opportunities

Apply Now For The GEC+Africa 2026 Regional Pitch Competition In Egypt

Apply Now For The GEC+Africa 2026 Regional Pitch Competition In Egypt

Opportunities
3 Min Read
May 9, 2026
Apply Now For Hasoub Angels’ 6th Cohort Training Program
May 9, 2026
Hasoub Hasoub Angels Opportunity

Apply Now For Hasoub Angels’ 6th Cohort Training Program

Apply Now For Creativa Alexandria’s AI For Egypt Real Problems Hackathon
May 5, 2026
AI CREATIVA Creativa Innovation Hub

Apply Now For Creativa Alexandria’s AI For Egypt Real Problems Hackathon

Apply Now For The Cigna Healthcare Future Of Health Experience Challenge
May 5, 2026
AI Challenge health

Apply Now For The Cigna Healthcare Future Of Health Experience Challenge

Apply Now For The Takween Program To Support Small Projects In The West Bank
May 2, 2026
Entrepreneurship Opportunity Palestine

Apply Now For The Takween Program To Support Small Projects In The West Bank

Apply Now For The 5th Cohort Of The Green Growth And Jobs Accelerator Project In Morocco
May 2, 2026
Accelerator Entrepreneurship Flat6Labs

Apply Now For The 5th Cohort Of The Green Growth And Jobs Accelerator Project In Morocco

Syrian Developers Invited To Join Mobile Dev Hackathon In Homs
May 2, 2026
Entrepreneurship Hackathon Homs

Syrian Developers Invited To Join Mobile Dev Hackathon In Homs

Apply Now For Syrian Technocrats’ Innovative Technical Projects Competition
May 2, 2026
Competition Entrepreneurship Opportunity

Apply Now For Syrian Technocrats’ Innovative Technical Projects Competition

Apply Now For Impact46 Gaming Fund Investment Opportunities
May 2, 2026
Fund Funding Gaming

Apply Now For Impact46 Gaming Fund Investment Opportunities

Read More →

Startup News

UAE’s Dubizzle Reports 27% Plunge in Scams, Signaling a Market-Wide Shift Towards Trust

UAE’s Dubizzle Reports 27% Plunge in Scams, Signaling a Market-Wide Shift Towards Trust

Startups
4 Min Read
May 10, 2026
Abu Dhabi’s Yasi One Launches New AI Platform to Tackle Accuracy and Arabic Context

Abu Dhabi’s Yasi One Launches New AI Platform to Tackle Accuracy and Arabic Context

Startups
3 Min Read
May 10, 2026
Syrian Founder Marah Ismail Named Sweden’s Young Professional Woman of the Year 2026

Syrian Founder Marah Ismail Named Sweden’s Young Professional Woman of the Year 2026

Startups
2 Min Read
May 10, 2026
Saudi Delivery Startup Ninja Targets  Billion IPO

Saudi Delivery Startup Ninja Targets $1 Billion IPO

Startups
3 Min Read
May 10, 2026
Qatar’s Snoonu Launches in Kuwait, Fueling GCC Super App Competition

Qatar’s Snoonu Launches in Kuwait, Fueling GCC Super App Competition

Startups
3 Min Read
May 9, 2026
UAE’s Quiqup Launches Shop Local Platform to Boost E-commerce for Local Brands

UAE’s Quiqup Launches Shop Local Platform to Boost E-commerce for Local Brands

Startups
4 Min Read
May 9, 2026

Read More →

Upcoming Events

Marrakech Awards Spotlight Moroccan Diaspora Founders Driving Innovation and Investment Back Home

Marrakech Awards Spotlight Moroccan Diaspora Founders Driving Innovation and Investment Back Home

Events
3 Min Read
May 10, 2026
Register Now For Innovation Cafe’s Strategic Product Management Bootcamp

Register Now For Innovation Cafe’s Strategic Product Management Bootcamp

Events
3 Min Read
May 9, 2026
What It Takes To Grow: Founder Stories For Next Gen 2026 Set For Dubai This May

What It Takes To Grow: Founder Stories For Next Gen 2026 Set For Dubai This May

Events
4 Min Read
May 9, 2026
The Founder’s Operating System 2026: Masterclass With Ghizlan Guenez Set For Sharjah This May

The Founder’s Operating System 2026: Masterclass With Ghizlan Guenez Set For Sharjah This May

Events
3 Min Read
May 9, 2026
Egypt’s ITIDA to Host AI-Focused Summit to Bolster Software Testing Capabilities

Egypt’s ITIDA to Host AI-Focused Summit to Bolster Software Testing Capabilities

Events
3 Min Read
May 9, 2026
Egypt to Host Second ICCID Regional Forum, Boosting Support for African Startups

Egypt to Host Second ICCID Regional Forum, Boosting Support for African Startups

Events
3 Min Read
May 9, 2026

Read More →

Tech Bytes

Abu Dhabi’s Presight Inks Deal to Build AI Urban OS for Kazakhstan’s Largest City

Abu Dhabi’s Presight Inks Deal to Build AI Urban OS for Kazakhstan’s Largest City

Tech
4 Min Read
May 10, 2026
UAE Bets on Bio-Intelligence as the Next Layer of its Tech Infrastructure

UAE Bets on Bio-Intelligence as the Next Layer of its Tech Infrastructure

Tech
3 Min Read
May 10, 2026
du Partners with ADIO to Drive Tech Adoption in the Industrial Sector

du Partners with ADIO to Drive Tech Adoption in the Industrial Sector

Tech
3 Min Read
May 10, 2026
Microsoft Report: UAE Claims Top Spot Globally For AI Adoption at 70%

Microsoft Report: UAE Claims Top Spot Globally For AI Adoption at 70%

Tech
3 Min Read
May 10, 2026
Meta Acquires Assured Robot Intelligence in Major Push for Humanoid AI

Meta Acquires Assured Robot Intelligence in Major Push for Humanoid AI

Tech
5 Min Read
May 9, 2026
Tunisia Secures 6th Spot in Africa’s AI Startup Landscape with 11 Ventures

Tunisia Secures 6th Spot in Africa’s AI Startup Landscape with 11 Ventures

Tech
4 Min Read
May 9, 2026

Read More →

What’s Happening in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Fintech Eddekhar Secures Sharia Certification for its Employee Savings Platform

Saudi Fintech Eddekhar Secures Sharia Certification for its Employee Savings Platform

May 9, 2026
Eddekhar Fintech KSA
Saudi Fintech RiFD Taps UK’s Kingsbury to Expand Structured Finance in the Kingdom

Saudi Fintech RiFD Taps UK’s Kingsbury to Expand Structured Finance in the Kingdom

May 9, 2026
KSA RiFD Startups
PIF’s ROSHN Group Launches Civil Foundation to Drive Sustainable Community Development in Saudi Arabia

PIF’s ROSHN Group Launches Civil Foundation to Drive Sustainable Community Development in Saudi Arabia

May 9, 2026
Ecosystem KSA PIF
From Classroom to Market: Riyadh Technical College Fuels Next Wave of Saudi Female Founders

From Classroom to Market: Riyadh Technical College Fuels Next Wave of Saudi Female Founders

May 9, 2026
Ecosystem KSA Riyadh
Saudi Arabia Greenlights Lite E-Wallet, Expanding Its Digital Payments Market

Saudi Arabia Greenlights Lite E-Wallet, Expanding Its Digital Payments Market

May 9, 2026
Digital Payment e-Wallet Ecosystem
First Abu Dhabi Bank Taps Temenos for Major Islamic Banking Push in Saudi Arabia

First Abu Dhabi Bank Taps Temenos for Major Islamic Banking Push in Saudi Arabia

May 8, 2026
Banking Ecosystem Expansion

Read More →

What’s Happening in UAE

UAE’s LaLaZar Launches Interactive Virtual Mall to Tackle High Retail Overheads

UAE’s LaLaZar Launches Interactive Virtual Mall to Tackle High Retail Overheads

May 9, 2026
LaLaZar Retail Startups
UAE’s EDGE Partners With Kerno to Manufacture Sovereign-Grade Encryptors Locally

UAE’s EDGE Partners With Kerno to Manufacture Sovereign-Grade Encryptors Locally

May 9, 2026
EDGE Manufacturing Partnership
UAE’s EDGE Group Signs MoU with France’s ICAPE to Localize Critical Electronics Supply Chain

UAE’s EDGE Group Signs MoU with France’s ICAPE to Localize Critical Electronics Supply Chain

May 9, 2026
EDGE Partnership Supply Chain
UAE’s COINPAYMENTS Partners With Aston Martin To Explore Crypto Car Payments

UAE’s COINPAYMENTS Partners With Aston Martin To Explore Crypto Car Payments

May 9, 2026
Crypto Cryptocurrency Ecosystem
Tawazun Council Launches Program to Fast-Track Defense and Security Startups in UAE

Tawazun Council Launches Program to Fast-Track Defense and Security Startups in UAE

May 9, 2026
Defense Defense Tech Ecosystem
UAE’s Sovereign AI Ambitions Get Major Boost with Core42 and Solutions+ Partnership

UAE’s Sovereign AI Ambitions Get Major Boost with Core42 and Solutions+ Partnership

May 9, 2026
AI Core42 Partnership

Read More →

What’s Happening in Qatar

Qatar Museums Enhances AI Tour Guide with Chinese and French to Deepen Visitor Engagement

Qatar Museums Enhances AI Tour Guide with Chinese and French to Deepen Visitor Engagement

May 8, 2026
AI Qatar Qatar Museums
INJAZ Qatar Awards Top Student Startups at Annual Mubadara 2026 Competition

INJAZ Qatar Awards Top Student Startups at Annual Mubadara 2026 Competition

May 7, 2026
Award Competition Ecosystem
Qatar Report Sounds Alarm on Hidden Water and Energy Costs of GCC’s AI Boom

Qatar Report Sounds Alarm on Hidden Water and Energy Costs of GCC’s AI Boom

May 7, 2026
AI Energy GCC
Qatar Business Incubation Center Unveils Full Cohort For 2026 Accelerator Program

Qatar Business Incubation Center Unveils Full Cohort For 2026 Accelerator Program

May 5, 2026
Accelerator Cohort Ecosystem
Qatar Science & Technology Park Crowns Winners Of Build For QSTP Hackathon

Qatar Science & Technology Park Crowns Winners Of Build For QSTP Hackathon

May 5, 2026
Award Ecosystem Entrepreneurship
Qatar’s Newly Formed QISR Foundation Appoints Board To Drive National Research Agenda

Qatar’s Newly Formed QISR Foundation Appoints Board To Drive National Research Agenda

May 5, 2026
Ecosystem Government Innovation

Read More →

What’s Happening in Egypt

Hult Prize Egypt: Mansoura University to Host National Finals as 60 Startups Vie for M Prize

Hult Prize Egypt: Mansoura University to Host National Finals as 60 Startups Vie for $1M Prize

May 9, 2026
Ecosystem Egypt Entrepreneurship
Egypt’s Solvytix Launches Venture Studio to Co-Build Tech Startups from Scratch

Egypt’s Solvytix Launches Venture Studio to Co-Build Tech Startups from Scratch

May 9, 2026
Ecosystem Egypt Solvytix
Egypt’s FRA Greenlights Valu and Five Other Firms in Major Fintech Expansion

Egypt’s FRA Greenlights Valu and Five Other Firms in Major Fintech Expansion

May 8, 2026
Ecosystem Egypt Expansion
Egypt’s Investors Union Pushes for Nationwide Industrial Cities to Boost SME Growth

Egypt’s Investors Union Pushes for Nationwide Industrial Cities to Boost SME Growth

May 8, 2026
Ecosystem Egypt Entrepreneurship
Egypt’s Business Lobby Returns With 60 Startups and Eyes on KSA Expansion

Egypt’s Business Lobby Returns With 60 Startups and Eyes on KSA Expansion

May 8, 2026
Business Lobby Ecosystem Egypt
Alexandria University Forum Draws Over 950 Students to Startup Competition

Alexandria University Forum Draws Over 950 Students to Startup Competition

May 7, 2026
Alexandria Alexandria University Competition

Read More →

What’s Happening in Syria

Syria’s Central Bank Launches Five-Year Strategy to Stabilize Currency and Boost Digital Payments

Syria’s Central Bank Launches Five-Year Strategy to Stabilize Currency and Boost Digital Payments

May 8, 2026
Central Bank of Syria Digital Payment Ecosystem
Syrian Computer Society And Syriatel Partner To Accelerate National Digital Transformation

Syrian Computer Society And Syriatel Partner To Accelerate National Digital Transformation

May 5, 2026
Digital Transformation Ecosystem Partnership
Central Bank of Syria Greenlights Visa and Mastercard in Major Push for Digital Economy

Central Bank of Syria Greenlights Visa and Mastercard in Major Push for Digital Economy

May 5, 2026
Central Bank of Syria Digital Economy Ecosystem
Syria’s HiTech 12 Concludes With Major Strategic Agreements To Accelerate Digital Transformation

Syria’s HiTech 12 Concludes With Major Strategic Agreements To Accelerate Digital Transformation

May 4, 2026
Data Center Deal Digital Transformation
Syria’s Economic Meltdown: How Poverty Became the New Normal for 90% of the Population

Syria’s Economic Meltdown: How Poverty Became the New Normal for 90% of the Population

May 4, 2026
Economy Ecosystem Report
Syria’s Nawafith Launches Dedicated Government Transparency Portal For Transitional Period

Syria’s Nawafith Launches Dedicated Government Transparency Portal For Transitional Period

May 2, 2026
Government Nawafith Startups

Read More →

What’s Happening in Morocco

Morocco Introduces Spending Caps on AI and Social Media Ahead of Elections

Morocco Introduces Spending Caps on AI and Social Media Ahead of Elections

May 7, 2026
AI Government Morocco
Village Capital and Moody’s Foundation Launch AI Upskilling Initiative Across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco

Village Capital and Moody’s Foundation Launch AI Upskilling Initiative Across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco

May 7, 2026
AI Egypt Initiative
Morocco Launches PACTE TPME Initiative to Supercharge SME Growth and Competitiveness

Morocco Launches PACTE TPME Initiative to Supercharge SME Growth and Competitiveness

May 1, 2026
Ecosystem Government Initiative
Morocco’s Cash Plus Rolls Out Instant Bank Transfers on its 4 Million-User App

Morocco’s Cash Plus Rolls Out Instant Bank Transfers on its 4 Million-User App

April 29, 2026
Cash Plus Fintech Morocco
Foundever and Carerha Launch Business Mama in Morocco to Upskill Women for Digital Entrepreneurship

Foundever and Carerha Launch Business Mama in Morocco to Upskill Women for Digital Entrepreneurship

April 28, 2026
Business Mama Carerha Ecosystem
Report: AI Set to Erase Over 1.3 Million Jobs in Morocco by 2030

Report: AI Set to Erase Over 1.3 Million Jobs in Morocco by 2030

April 27, 2026
AI Morocco Report

Read More →

What’s Happening in Palestine

Tech For Palestine Incubator Launches Nazah Ethical E-Commerce Marketplace

Tech For Palestine Incubator Launches Nazah Ethical E-Commerce Marketplace

May 5, 2026
e-Commerce Ecosystem Marketplace
Flow Accelerator And Dar Al Kalima University Partner To Advance Student Entrepreneurship in Palestine

Flow Accelerator And Dar Al Kalima University Partner To Advance Student Entrepreneurship in Palestine

May 2, 2026
Dar Al Kalima University Ecosystem Entrepreneurship
Flow Accelerator and Palestinian Ministry Host Her Story Summit to Bolster Women-Led Startups in Palestine

Flow Accelerator and Palestinian Ministry Host Her Story Summit to Bolster Women-Led Startups in Palestine

April 21, 2026
Event Flow Accelerator Her Story Summit
Palestine’s Green Forward Working Group Convenes To Advance Circular Economy Policy

Palestine’s Green Forward Working Group Convenes To Advance Circular Economy Policy

April 19, 2026
Circular Circular Economy Ecosystem
HerStory: Inspire & Connect 2026 Set To Empower Palestinian Women In Ramallah This April

HerStory: Inspire & Connect 2026 Set To Empower Palestinian Women In Ramallah This April

April 9, 2026
Event HerStory Palestine
Apply Now For The Powered By Women Business Development Program In Palestine

Apply Now For The Powered By Women Business Development Program In Palestine

April 8, 2026
Opportunity Palestine Program

Read More →

Entrepreneurship Across MENA

Saudi TAQADAM Accelerator Backs Global Startups With Over M In Non-Dilutive Funding

Saudi TAQADAM Accelerator Backs Global Startups With Over $1M In Non-Dilutive Funding

May 8, 2026
Accelerator Ecosystem Entrepreneurship
Al-Baha Chamber Boosts Saudi Entrepreneurs with SME Funding Workshop

Al-Baha Chamber Boosts Saudi Entrepreneurs with SME Funding Workshop

May 8, 2026
Al-Baha Chamber Entrepreneurship Event
Make it in the Emirates 2026 Spotlights Industrial Tech Startups and a National AI Push

Make it in the Emirates 2026 Spotlights Industrial Tech Startups and a National AI Push

May 8, 2026
Entrepreneurship Event Industrial
Jordan Enterprise Fund Earns Top World Bank Rating, Mobilizes 0M for 160 Startups

Jordan Enterprise Fund Earns Top World Bank Rating, Mobilizes $110M for 160 Startups

May 7, 2026
Ecosystem Entrepreneurship Innovative Startups and SMEs Fund (ISSF)
Riyadh’s Technical College for Girls Spotlights Graduate Startups at Business Launch Expo

Riyadh’s Technical College for Girls Spotlights Graduate Startups at Business Launch Expo

May 7, 2026
Ecosystem Entrepreneurship Event
Egypt to Launch Technology Hubs Across 12 Universities to Fuel Startup Growth

Egypt to Launch Technology Hubs Across 12 Universities to Fuel Startup Growth

May 7, 2026
Ecosystem Egypt Entrepreneurship

Read More →

Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Tech

UAE’s Inception Launches InceptionClaw, A Sovereign AI Assistant Built for Enterprise

UAE’s Inception Launches InceptionClaw, A Sovereign AI Assistant Built for Enterprise

May 8, 2026
AI AI Assistant Enterprise
UAE Cyber Security Council and Cisco Launch National Lab to Certify AI Systems

UAE Cyber Security Council and Cisco Launch National Lab to Certify AI Systems

May 8, 2026
AI Cybersecurity Tech
Saudi Aramco Taps IBM To Scale Industrial AI Solutions

Saudi Aramco Taps IBM To Scale Industrial AI Solutions

May 8, 2026
AI Aramco IBM
Abu Dhabi’s CentaureAI Launches to Convert Existing CCTV Networks into Real-Time Intel Hubs

Abu Dhabi’s CentaureAI Launches to Convert Existing CCTV Networks into Real-Time Intel Hubs

May 8, 2026
Abu Dhabi AI CentaureAI
UAE Taps Sinaha Technology to Boost AI and Robotics Across Its Manufacturing Sector

UAE Taps Sinaha Technology to Boost AI and Robotics Across Its Manufacturing Sector

May 8, 2026
AI Manufacturing Partnership
Perplexity’s On-Device Personal Computer AI Is Now Available For All Mac Users

Perplexity’s On-Device Personal Computer AI Is Now Available For All Mac Users

May 8, 2026
AI Perplexity Tech

Read More →

Gaming & Esports

Savvy Games Group Taps Roblox to Supercharge Local Game Development and Education in Saudi Arabia

Savvy Games Group Taps Roblox to Supercharge Local Game Development and Education in Saudi Arabia

May 7, 2026
Ecosystem Education Gaming
Apply Now For Prompt And Play AI Game Development Hackathon In Jordan

Apply Now For Prompt And Play AI Game Development Hackathon In Jordan

May 2, 2026
AI Entrepreneurship Gaming
Morocco Proposes New Law to Regulate Children’s Access to Online Gaming Platforms

Morocco Proposes New Law to Regulate Children’s Access to Online Gaming Platforms

April 21, 2026
Gaming Law Morocco
Global Games Show 2026 Set To Highlight Riyadh As A Global Gaming Hub

Global Games Show 2026 Set To Highlight Riyadh As A Global Gaming Hub

April 21, 2026
Event Games Games Show 2026
Apply Now For The Inwi And Ministry Of Youth Gaming Startup Challenge

Apply Now For The Inwi And Ministry Of Youth Gaming Startup Challenge

April 19, 2026
Challenge Entrepreneurship Gaming

Tamatem Acquires Playable Factory To Build AI-First Gaming And Ad Tech Ecosystem

April 17, 2026
Acquisition AdTech AI

Read More →

Fintech & Digital Finance

Visa Launches Neighborhood Legends Initiative to Boost UAE’s Homegrown Businesses

Visa Launches Neighborhood Legends Initiative to Boost UAE’s Homegrown Businesses

May 8, 2026
Ecosystem Fintech Initiative
Tabby Inks Deal with Yuno to Power BNPL Payments for Merchants in Saudi Arabia and UAE

Tabby Inks Deal with Yuno to Power BNPL Payments for Merchants in Saudi Arabia and UAE

May 8, 2026
BNPL Fintech KSA
Rain Secures Key Dubai Approval From VARA, Completing Its GCC Licensing Footprint

Rain Secures Key Dubai Approval From VARA, Completing Its GCC Licensing Footprint

May 7, 2026
Bahrain Dubai Ecosystem
UAE’s Cashew Launches Hazel to Capture High-Value Pay Later Market

UAE’s Cashew Launches Hazel to Capture High-Value Pay Later Market

May 7, 2026
Cashew Fintech Hazel
UAE’s Payments Scene Shifts as Lean Technologies Rolls Out Regulated Pay by Bank Service

UAE’s Payments Scene Shifts as Lean Technologies Rolls Out Regulated Pay by Bank Service

May 7, 2026
Ecosystem Fintech Payment
Central Bank of UAE and Zoud Launch 2nd Global Money Week to Champion Youth Financial Literacy

Central Bank of UAE and Zoud Launch 2nd Global Money Week to Champion Youth Financial Literacy

May 7, 2026
Central Bank of UAE Ecosystem Event

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Property & Real Estate Technology

Egypt’s Tatweer Misr Partners With EEA To Launch EGP 2 Million Startup Competition For Real Estate Innovation

Egypt’s Tatweer Misr Partners With EEA To Launch EGP 2 Million Startup Competition For Real Estate Innovation

May 7, 2026
Competition Ecosystem Egypt
Dubai Scraps AED 750,000 Minimum for Property Visas to Counter Market Headwinds

Dubai Scraps AED 750,000 Minimum for Property Visas to Counter Market Headwinds

May 2, 2026
Dubai Interesting Proptech
PRYPCO Blocks Opens Fractional Property Investment to Iraq for 7

PRYPCO Blocks Opens Fractional Property Investment to Iraq for $137

April 29, 2026
Dubai Investment Iraq
Dubai Opens Real Estate Sector to Emirati SMEs Through Key Government Partnership

Dubai Opens Real Estate Sector to Emirati SMEs Through Key Government Partnership

April 25, 2026
Dubai Ecosystem Government
UAE Proptech Rently Hits  Million in Transactions as it Expands Flexible Rent Payments

UAE Proptech Rently Hits $10 Million in Transactions as it Expands Flexible Rent Payments

April 23, 2026
Payment Proptech Rently
Saudi Proptech Jozo Raises SAR 8.3 Million Seed to Expand Real Estate Tokenization

Saudi Proptech Jozo Raises SAR 8.3 Million Seed to Expand Real Estate Tokenization

April 10, 2026
Funding Jozo KSA

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Arabic-First Technology

Crescent Enterprises and Majarra Renew Partnership to Boost Arabic Digital Content for MENA Youth

Crescent Enterprises and Majarra Renew Partnership to Boost Arabic Digital Content for MENA Youth

May 2, 2026
Arabic Arabic Tech Content
Saudi Nabrah AI Outperforms Global Rivals In Arabic Speech Recognition

Saudi Nabrah AI Outperforms Global Rivals In Arabic Speech Recognition

May 2, 2026
AI Arabic Arabic Tech
Arabic.AI Taps HeyBreez to Scale Enterprise-Grade Arabic Voice AI

Arabic.AI Taps HeyBreez to Scale Enterprise-Grade Arabic Voice AI

April 22, 2026
AI Arabic Arabic Tech
Egypt Eyes Microsoft Azure to Power its National Arabic AI Model, Karnak

Egypt Eyes Microsoft Azure to Power its National Arabic AI Model, Karnak

April 10, 2026
Arabic Arabic Tech Azure
UAE-Based CNTXT AI Unveils Munsit as the World’s Most Accurate Arabic Voice Platform

UAE-Based CNTXT AI Unveils Munsit as the World’s Most Accurate Arabic Voice Platform

April 1, 2026
AI Arabic Arabic Tech
Arabic.AI and Qistas Partner to Deliver Sovereign Arabic Legal AI Across MENA

Arabic.AI and Qistas Partner to Deliver Sovereign Arabic Legal AI Across MENA

March 31, 2026
AI Arabic Arabic Tech

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Women in Entrepreneurship

Dubai’s FemTech Hub Partners With LightHouse Arabia to Tackle Women’s Mental Health

Dubai’s FemTech Hub Partners With LightHouse Arabia to Tackle Women’s Mental Health

May 7, 2026
Dubai Ecosystem Femtech
Qatar Science & Technology Park And Merck Partnership Accelerates Deployment Of FemTech Innovations

Qatar Science & Technology Park And Merck Partnership Accelerates Deployment Of FemTech Innovations

May 5, 2026
Ecosystem Femtech Merck
Qatar Science & Technology Park And Merck Launch Landmark FemTech Accelerator With Global Cohort

Qatar Science & Technology Park And Merck Launch Landmark FemTech Accelerator With Global Cohort

May 5, 2026
Cohort Ecosystem Entrepreneurship
Egypt’s National Council For Women Concludes Latest SIYB Training To Boost Female Founders

Egypt’s National Council For Women Concludes Latest SIYB Training To Boost Female Founders

May 4, 2026
Ecosystem Egypt Egypt National Council For Women
Egypt’s Nahdet El Mahrousa Launches HerVenture App To Empower Women Entrepreneurs

Egypt’s Nahdet El Mahrousa Launches HerVenture App To Empower Women Entrepreneurs

May 2, 2026
Ecosystem Egypt Entrepreneurship
Jordanian Women Entrepreneurs Are Bypassing Systemic Barriers With Digitisation, New Visa Study Reveals

Jordanian Women Entrepreneurs Are Bypassing Systemic Barriers With Digitisation, New Visa Study Reveals

May 1, 2026
Ecosystem Entrepreneurship Jordan

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Crypto Trends

UAE’s AE Coin and USDU Collaborate on Regulated AED-USD Digital Currency Framework for Institutional Settlement

UAE’s AE Coin and USDU Collaborate on Regulated AED-USD Digital Currency Framework for Institutional Settlement

May 8, 2026
AE Coin Crypto Cryptocurrency
Ripple Deepens Dubai Roots With New DIFC Regional Headquarters

Ripple Deepens Dubai Roots With New DIFC Regional Headquarters

May 4, 2026
Crypto Cryptocurrency DIFC
Binance Cements UAE Commitment with National Civic Partnership

Binance Cements UAE Commitment with National Civic Partnership

April 22, 2026
Binance Crypto Ecosystem
Iran’s Crypto Toll: Bitcoin Payments Emerge in Strait of Hormuz Amid Sanctions

Iran’s Crypto Toll: Bitcoin Payments Emerge in Strait of Hormuz Amid Sanctions

April 19, 2026
Bitcoin Crypto Cryptocurrency
Dubai’s Tokinvest Tokenizes AED 40M UK Property, Signaling a New Era for On-Chain Real Estate

Dubai’s Tokinvest Tokenizes AED 40M UK Property, Signaling a New Era for On-Chain Real Estate

April 14, 2026
Crypto Dubai Ecosystem
Bybit Rolls Out AED Fiat Referral Campaign in the UAE with 7,500 USDT Prize Pool

Bybit Rolls Out AED Fiat Referral Campaign in the UAE with 7,500 USDT Prize Pool

March 30, 2026
Bybit Crypto Cryptocurrency

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Sustainability & Circular Economy

How Saudi Arabia is Turning Sustainability into its Next Big Startup Opportunity

How Saudi Arabia is Turning Sustainability into its Next Big Startup Opportunity

May 7, 2026
Ecosystem Entrepreneurship KSA
Digitizing Sustainability: ESG As A Growth Engine For Startups 2026 Set For Amman This May

Digitizing Sustainability: ESG As A Growth Engine For Startups 2026 Set For Amman This May

May 5, 2026
ESG Event Jordan
University of Dubai Launches 2026 Competition to Fund Next-Gen Sustainable Startups in the UAE

University of Dubai Launches 2026 Competition to Fund Next-Gen Sustainable Startups in the UAE

April 29, 2026
Competition Dubai Ecosystem
University of Doha for Taps Mannai Energy to Drive Carbon Neutrality by 2030

University of Doha for Taps Mannai Energy to Drive Carbon Neutrality by 2030

April 29, 2026
Doha Ecosystem Qatar
Saudi Arabia Opens Applications for Three Accelerators Targeting Agri-Tech, Water, and Sustainability

Saudi Arabia Opens Applications for Three Accelerators Targeting Agri-Tech, Water, and Sustainability

April 24, 2026
Accelerator Agritech Ecosystem
Morocco’s UM6P Develops Laser Technology to Turn Agricultural Waste Into Graphene

Morocco’s UM6P Develops Laser Technology to Turn Agricultural Waste Into Graphene

April 22, 2026
Agricultural Agritech Cleantech

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Reports

Jordan’s Impact Ecosystem: Shifting From Global Frameworks To Ethical Localisation

Jordan’s Impact Ecosystem: Shifting From Global Frameworks To Ethical Localisation

May 5, 2026
impact Impact Jordan Jordan
Saudi Endeavor Report Reveals 77 Percent Of Founders Are Eyeing IPOs

Saudi Endeavor Report Reveals 77 Percent Of Founders Are Eyeing IPOs

May 5, 2026
Ecosystem Endeavor Endeavor Saudi Arabia
Sandbox Dubai Report Outlines The Future Of Regulatory Innovation

Sandbox Dubai Report Outlines The Future Of Regulatory Innovation

May 5, 2026
Dubai Dubai Future Foundation Ecosystem
Global Islamic Fintech Sector Swells to 490 Startups, Reveals Saudi Study

Global Islamic Fintech Sector Swells to 490 Startups, Reveals Saudi Study

May 4, 2026
Ecosystem Fintech Islamic
MENA’s 0M Funding Rebound in April Masks Deeper Investor Caution

MENA’s $150M Funding Rebound in April Masks Deeper Investor Caution

May 4, 2026
Ecosystem Funding MENA
DMCC Reports Record 2025 Results With Membership Surpassing 26,000 Companies

DMCC Reports Record 2025 Results With Membership Surpassing 26,000 Companies

April 24, 2026
DMCC Dubai Ecosystem

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Interesting Picks

Why Replit’s Jordanian Founder Amjad Masad Is Choosing Independence Over A Buyout

Why Replit’s Jordanian Founder Amjad Masad Is Choosing Independence Over A Buyout

May 4, 2026
AI Amjad Masad Interesting
SpaceX Ties Elon Musk’s Pay to Mars Colonization and a .5 Trillion Valuation

SpaceX Ties Elon Musk’s Pay to Mars Colonization and a $7.5 Trillion Valuation

May 2, 2026
AI Elon Musk Interesting
Jack Dorsey’s Vine Successor Divine Launches Publicly, Reviving The 6-Second Video

Jack Dorsey’s Vine Successor Divine Launches Publicly, Reviving The 6-Second Video

May 2, 2026
Interesting Jack Dorsey Tech
SoftBank Bets on Robots to Build AI Data Centers, Eyes Massive 0B IPO

SoftBank Bets on Robots to Build AI Data Centers, Eyes Massive $100B IPO

May 2, 2026
AI Data Center Fund
From Playground to Portfolio: How Pokemon Trading Cards Became a Multi-Billion Dollar Asset Class

From Playground to Portfolio: How Pokemon Trading Cards Became a Multi-Billion Dollar Asset Class

April 27, 2026
Digital Assets Interesting Pokemon
Capital Pauses: MENA Founders Rewrite Growth Playbook as Q1 Funding Dips 20%

Capital Pauses: MENA Founders Rewrite Growth Playbook as Q1 Funding Dips 20%

April 27, 2026
Funding Interesting MENA

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