Licensed UAE fintech Zand has signed a strategic agreement with Mastercard to enhance cross-border payments using Mastercard Move, enabling customers to send money worldwide.
UAE-based Coraly.ai has raised $2M in pre-seed funding to grow its AI-powered real estate platform, expand into Saudi Arabia, and launch pilots in France and the US.
Egypt-based Thndr has become the first remote retail trading member on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, expanding its multi-market platform to give millions of users access to UAE-listed stocks.
The Chamber’s report also notes that the first half of 2025 saw a rise in the number of international companies establishing a presence in Dubai.
According to Wamda, startup funding for 2025 has already exceeded the total for 2024. Saudi Arabia recorded 16 deals totalling $396.5 million, while the UAE followed with 22 deals worth $359 million.
The investment round includes Fahy, NJD, Game Cooks, Starvania, and Alpaka, whose projects span mobile, PC, console, and hybrid-casual action games.
With approval from Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority, Digified can now provide digital onboarding, eKYC, and legally binding e-contracts for fintech and NBFI platforms.
Founded in late 2024, Boxy aims to address the fragmentation of Iraq’s last-mile delivery sector, where most courier companies operate independently without shared infrastructure or standards.
Founded in 2022 by McKinsey alumni Parthi Duraisamy and Karun Kurien, Alaan provides corporate spend management tools that automate finance tasks.
Headquartered in Riyadh, Salasa provides end-to-end fulfilment services including warehousing, last-mile delivery, bonded zones, inventory management, and international shipping.
Founded in 2022, Suplyd helps small and medium-sized restaurants manage procurement more efficiently.
Approximately 70% of Al Hashemeya’s land is currently cultivated with citrus, mangoes, grapes, dates, olives, wheat, and sugar beet.
Egypt’s new national innovation competition invites youth to submit projects in AI, gaming and digital arts for cash prizes and training opportunities.
Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) is accepting applications for its updated Sharjah Startup Studio (S3), a four-month programme that provides UAE startups with over Dhs 3 million in services.
REACH Middle East, launched by Dubai Land Department and Second Century Ventures, will fund and mentor startups shaping the future of real estate tech in the region.
Rawi Al Kotob spent three months refining its digital storytelling for Saudi Arabia’s growing market. With a new local lead and fresh content, the Qatari startup is ready to test new ground.
