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MENA ECOSYSTEMS

How Startups Can Survive in an Economic Downturn

28 Sep 2022
We go in-depth on the mindset required to approach an economic downturn, and the resilience needed to come out of it larger than before. [...]
How Startups in the MENA Region are Embracing Sustainability

How Startups in the MENA Region are Embracing Sustainability

18 Sep 2022
Staff writer May El Habachi speaks with some of the foremost entrepreneurs in the green sphere to discuss the future of sustainability in the MENA region. [...]
Startups Without Borders Concludes Competition in Palestine With Meta

Startups Without Borders Concludes Competition in Palestine With Meta

16 Sep 2022
The ‘Boost Without Borders - Palestine’ competition - the first of its kind in Gaza - saw 10 startups pitch their business ideas for a chance to win up to $20,000 in cash prizes. [...]
The UAE's Rise as the Next Foodtech Hub of the Middle East

The UAE's Rise as the Next Foodtech Hub of the Middle East

07 Sep 2022
Staff writer May El Habachi speaks with some of the leading figures of the UAE's agritech industry to discuss the future of food - and the necessity of such tech to the future of the UAE. [...]
How to Choose the Right Accelerator Program for Your Business

How to Choose the Right Accelerator Program for Your Business

01 Sep 2022
Staff writer May El Habachi reached out to experienced entrepreneurs in the accelerator space to discuss the intricacies of choosing the program that fits your startup best. [...]
Why Investors Should Join the Femtech Revolution in the MENA Region

Why Investors Should Join the Femtech Revolution in the MENA Region

30 Aug 2022
StartupScene Staff Writer May El Habachi sat down with some of the leading femtech entrepreneurs in the MENA region to discuss the rise of femtech - and why investors need to pay attention. [...]
An Ecosystem in Exodus: The Future of Lebanon's Startups

An Ecosystem in Exodus: The Future of Lebanon's Startups

18 Aug 2022
Staff writer May El Habachi sat down with the leaders and major players behind the Lebanese businesses pioneering a new path through the eye of the storm. [...]
10 Edtech Startups Transforming Education in the MENAP Region

10 Edtech Startups Transforming Education in the MENAP Region

23 Jul 2022
The Middle East and Africa's edtech market is expected to reach $7 billion by 2027, as schools across the region continue adopting technology solutions and products in classrooms. [...]
The Rise & Fall of Airlift Technologies - An Insider Analysis

The Rise & Fall of Airlift Technologies - An Insider Analysis

20 Jul 2022
Less than a year since its record-breaking $85 million dollar raise, the delivery service is shutting down. EquiTie founder Ahmed El Hamawy shares his insights on the implications of this crash... [...]
Egypt's Fintech Boom in Numbers

Egypt's Fintech Boom in Numbers

12 Jul 2022
The Fintech Investment Focused Landscape Review surveyed 148 fintech startups and 26 investors and accelerators to cover all aspects of the fintech ecosystem. [...]
Jordan: The Middle East's Overlooked Tech and Innovation Hub

Jordan: The Middle East's Overlooked Tech and Innovation Hub

27 Jun 2022
Staff writer May El Habachi sat down with some of the most established and up-and-coming entrepreneurs in Jordan to get the final word on the country’s oft-overlooked tech and innovation industry. [...]
KSA Venture Builder BIM Ventures Launches New $32 Million Fund

KSA Venture Builder BIM Ventures Launches New $32 Million Fund

25 Jun 2022
'BIM Investments II' will focus on Saudi proptech, fintech and investtech startups, though the company will also explore Egypt and UAE. [...]
KSA’s Ajlan & Bros Signs $5B Investment Agreements in Egypt

KSA’s Ajlan & Bros Signs $5B Investment Agreements in Egypt

24 Jun 2022
Agreements have been signed with a number of companies from a variety of sectors, including Sami Saad Holding, Triangle Group, Magrabi Agriculture, Pharco Pharmaceuticals and Hassan Allam Holding. [...]
Abu Dhabi’s ADQ Launches $100 Million Tech Fund in Jordan

Abu Dhabi’s ADQ Launches $100 Million Tech Fund in Jordan

15 Jun 2022
Launched in collaboration with Jordan’s Ministry of Digital Economy & Entrepreneurship, the fund will invest in high-growth technology companies to further accelerate the country’s digital economy. [...]
Everything You Need to Know About the Debut Edition of EEA Talks

Everything You Need to Know About the Debut Edition of EEA Talks

31 May 2022
Set to debut as part of the road to the second edition of Egypt’s Entrepreneur Awards, the speakers and topics for EEA Talks have been announced and have thrown up some unique topics. [...]
Tunisia’s 216 Capital Ventures Raises $9.6M for Early-Stage Fund

Tunisia’s 216 Capital Ventures Raises $9.6M for Early-Stage Fund

29 May 2022
The raise comes as the first tranches of the VC firm's fund, which will look to invest in 50 startups at pre-seed and seed stages. [...]
Meet the Finalists of Egypt's Entrepreneur Awards 2022

Meet the Finalists of Egypt's Entrepreneur Awards 2022

25 May 2022
Across 17 categories, some of the country's most innovative entrepreneurs have been chosen out of hundreds of nominees for this year’s EEA. [...]
UAE’s Alpha Dhabi to Invest $2.5B in Alpha Wave Ventures II Fund

UAE’s Alpha Dhabi to Invest $2.5B in Alpha Wave Ventures II Fund

25 May 2022
Run by Abu Dhabi’s Chimera Capital and New York’s Alpha Wave, the fund has wasted no time in making investments. [...]
Saudi VC Fund STV Partners With Meta to Support Local Tech Startups

Saudi VC Fund STV Partners With Meta to Support Local Tech Startups

24 May 2022
The news comes as digital transformation and futuristic technologies come to the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. [...]
Algeria Venture & AIF to Launch New $10M VC Fund for Local Startups

Algeria Venture & AIF to Launch New $10M VC Fund for Local Startups

18 May 2022
The news comes as more and more international VCs divert their gaze towards a booming African ecosystem. [...]
UAE & South Korea Sign Partnership to Empower SMEs

UAE & South Korea Sign Partnership to Empower SMEs

09 May 2022
The two parties have signed an MoU that paves the way for the exchange of information and research, while paving the way for easy cross-market expansion. [...]
SMEs Won $1.8 Billion in Contracts at Expo 2020 Dubai

SMEs Won $1.8 Billion in Contracts at Expo 2020 Dubai

05 May 2022
64% of these SMEs were from the UAE, while the rest composed companies from the US, the UK, Australia, India and France. [...]
Crown Prince of Dubai Launches $100M Funding & Venture Debt Fund

Crown Prince of Dubai Launches $100M Funding & Venture Debt Fund

04 May 2022
The ‘Venture Capital Fund for Startups’ will look to empower startups that have the potential to go global, especically out of the fintech sector. [...]
Hong Kong’s SparkLabs FIntech Enters Pakistan With New $5M Fund

Hong Kong’s SparkLabs FIntech Enters Pakistan With New $5M Fund

01 May 2022
The SparkLabs Pakistan Fund I will look to invest in three startups, before following up with a fund six times its size. [...]
KSA's KAUST Targets Seed Stage Deeptech Firms With New Innovation Fund

KSA's KAUST Targets Seed Stage Deeptech Firms With New Innovation Fund

23 Apr 2022
The university’s fund comes as part of ongoing efforts to develop the country’s innovation economy, but it faces an uphill struggle. [...]
Dubai’s SHUAA Capital Launches $250M Venture Debt Fund

Dubai’s SHUAA Capital Launches $250M Venture Debt Fund

10 Apr 2022
The asset management and investment banking platform will target tech-enabled startups across the GCC with a form of investment that is still finding its place in the regional ecosystem. [...]
Global Ventures & Egypt’s Top Banks Launch New ‘Nclude’ Fintech Fund

Global Ventures & Egypt’s Top Banks Launch New ‘Nclude’ Fintech Fund

21 Mar 2022
Aiming to invest in and back impactful fintech innovations, the fund has already announced that it has invested in four Egyptian startups. [...]
World Blockchain Summit Returns to Dubai on March 23rd & 24th

World Blockchain Summit Returns to Dubai on March 23rd & 24th

20 Mar 2022
The 22nd edition of the event will bring together vestors, government representatives and enterprises for inspirational keynotes, panels, network opportunities, showcases and pitch competitions. [...]
Egypt’s National Council for Women to Launch Entrepreneur Programme

Egypt’s National Council for Women to Launch Entrepreneur Programme

15 Mar 2022
With financial empowerment for women at the core of its goals, NCW is set to launch a programme that aims to better equip female business owners in a number of different areas. [...]
249Startups Launches Sudan's First Equity Fund ‘Rhino Investments’

249Startups Launches Sudan's First Equity Fund ‘Rhino Investments’

14 Mar 2022
The fund is geared towards cultivating a youth-empowering and socially responsible innovation hub and will be launched alongside an accelerator. [...]
Dubai to Establish First Law Regulating Crypto & NFTs

Dubai to Establish First Law Regulating Crypto & NFTs

14 Mar 2022
The Dubai Virtual Asset Regulation Law aims to protect investors and foster responsible dealings between individuals and businesses. [...]
Cairo Ranked as 'Top Business City in Africa' by Germany's Statista

Cairo Ranked as 'Top Business City in Africa' by Germany's Statista

13 Mar 2022
The 'Global Business Cities Index in 2022' ranked Cairo just ahead of Algiers and Johannesburg. [...]
Flat6Labs & Taibah Valley Partner to Support Tech Entrepreneurs in KSA

Flat6Labs & Taibah Valley Partner to Support Tech Entrepreneurs in KSA

20 Feb 2022
An MoU will look to kick off a number of initiatives to create opportunities for entrepreneurs working on the 4th Industrial Revolution technologies in the KSA. [...]
Central Bank of Egypt to Launch 'Innovation & Financial Tech Centre'

Central Bank of Egypt to Launch 'Innovation & Financial Tech Centre'

10 Feb 2022
The hub will look to make itself part of the regional fintech ecosystem, while 50 startups will be chosen across the two new incubators. [...]
Egypt to Launch Incubator for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities

Egypt to Launch Incubator for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities

06 Feb 2022
The selected entrepreneurs will have the chance to develop their innovative ideas that tackle the challenges faced by people with disabilities in Egypt and subsequently build up their own startups. [...]
International Finance Corporation Channels $20M Towards Egyptian SMEs

International Finance Corporation Channels $20M Towards Egyptian SMEs

03 Feb 2022
Invested through the country’s largest private equity fund manager, Ezdehar, the funds will target high-growth sectors including consumer and retail, business services, education, healthcare and more. [...]
Abu Dhabi's Chimera Capital Closes New VC Fund at $10 Billion

Abu Dhabi's Chimera Capital Closes New VC Fund at $10 Billion

27 Jan 2022
The multi-stage fund’s backers include a mix of leading institutional investors with ticket sizes expected to range from hundreds to tens of millions. [...]
Fawry Launches New ‘Fawry Yawmy’ Fund to Transform Egypt’s Debt Market

Fawry Launches New ‘Fawry Yawmy’ Fund to Transform Egypt’s Debt Market

24 Jan 2022
Co-founded with Misr Capital, the new fund will primarily serve individual retail investors, a feat only possible thanks to Fawry’s expansive retail presence across Egypt. [...]
GoDaddy Teams-Up with Egyptian Fintech Fawry to Support Digitisation

GoDaddy Teams-Up with Egyptian Fintech Fawry to Support Digitisation

22 Jan 2022
This new tech-based collaboration is aimed at helping startups step into the world of digitisation and digital payments. [...]
SEMD Programme to Support Immigrant Entrepreneurs in 3 MENA Countries

SEMD Programme to Support Immigrant Entrepreneurs in 3 MENA Countries

18 Jan 2022
SEMD has partnered with a number of local social entrepreneurship support systems including ACTED in Jordan, Alfanar in Egypt, and Changelabs in Lebanon. [...]
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Week Month Year

Saudi Recruitment Platform Elevatus Raises $10.5 Million Series A

The new investment will be used to accelerate the startup’s business expansion, enter new markets, and invest in product innovation. [...]

Gaza's Blue Filter Wins $10,000 at IGNITE Pitch Competition

Hosted by Startups Without Borders, SPARK and Google, the 9th annual IGNITE conference in Amsterdam saw 10 Palestinian startups pitch and [...]

Egyptian Gaming Startup Ingame Sports Raises $1 Million Pre-Seed

With the new investment, the startup plans to expand its presence in Egypt and other countries, and launch new features built on web3 [...]

UAE’s Tabby Partners With Paymob to Support Retailers in Egypt

Through the partnership, Tabby and Paymob aim to create a seamless BNPL solution for both in-store and online retailers. [...]

talabat Egypt Celebrates International Programmers Day

talabat Egypt invited over 50 students from public schools to spend a day with local and regional Tech and Product (T&P) teams to gain [...]

Why Investors Should Join the Femtech Revolution in the MENA Region

StartupScene Staff Writer May El Habachi sat down with some of the leading femtech entrepreneurs in the MENA region to discuss the rise of [...]

How to Choose the Right Accelerator Program for Your Business

Staff writer May El Habachi reached out to experienced entrepreneurs in the accelerator space to discuss the intricacies of choosing the [...]

How Online Marketplace Esorus Revolutionises Egypt's Design Industry

Breaking the mould by serving as an intermediary on multiple levels between designers and consumers, the platform connects people with some [...]

AI-Powered Instant Commerce App Botit Could Change the Way We Shop

This new AI-powered e-commerce app promises to change the way we shop forever… [...]

The UAE's Rise as the Next Foodtech Hub of the Middle East

Staff writer May El Habachi speaks with some of the leading figures of the UAE's agritech industry to discuss the future of food - and the [...]

Egypt Chosen Among Six African Nations to Host Unicorn Group Incubator

The Lagos-based Unicorn Group is seeking nnovative ideas, startups and early-stage companies in tech and tech-enabled sectors. [...]

The Real Deal With General Partner at Algebra Ventures Laila Hassan

Laila Hassan, General Partner at Algebra Ventures and Venture Partner at 500 Startups MENA, shares how blindingly bright success stories [...]

THE REAL DEAL: An Op-Ed By Thndr’s Co-Founder Ahmad Hammouda

“I decided to write this op-ed sharing the pitch we used to raise $20 million, along with some key learnings I accumulated throughout the [...]

Stanford Africa Business Forum Launches New Venture Pitch Competition

The competition will amalgamate all finalists and offer them the opportunity to network with global investors as well as $15,000 worth of [...]

The Real Deal With SOLO Founder & CEO Georgina Merhom

Georgina Merhom, founder and CEO of SOLO - an international business financial management platform founded in Egypt - tells us why [...]

Saudi Recruitment Platform Elevatus Raises $10.5 Million Series A

The new investment will be used to accelerate the startup’s business expansion, enter new markets, and invest in product innovation. [...]

Gaza's Blue Filter Wins $10,000 at IGNITE Pitch Competition

Hosted by Startups Without Borders, SPARK and Google, the 9th annual IGNITE conference in Amsterdam saw 10 Palestinian startups pitch and [...]

Egyptian Gaming Startup Ingame Sports Raises $1 Million Pre-Seed

With the new investment, the startup plans to expand its presence in Egypt and other countries, and launch new features built on web3 [...]

UAE’s Tabby Partners With Paymob to Support Retailers in Egypt

Through the partnership, Tabby and Paymob aim to create a seamless BNPL solution for both in-store and online retailers. [...]

talabat Egypt Celebrates International Programmers Day

talabat Egypt invited over 50 students from public schools to spend a day with local and regional Tech and Product (T&P) teams to gain [...]

How Startups Can Survive in an Economic Downturn

We go in-depth on the mindset required to approach an economic downturn, and the resilience needed to come out of it larger than before. [...]

Egyptian B2B E-Commerce Marketplace Mazaya Raises $5 Million Pre-Seed

The new investments will be used to expand the startup’s operations in Egypt and enter new markets, like Nigeria, before the end of the [...]

UAE’s Tabby Partners With Paymob to Support Retailers in Egypt

Through the partnership, Tabby and Paymob aim to create a seamless BNPL solution for both in-store and online retailers. [...]

Egyptian Gaming Startup Ingame Sports Raises $1 Million Pre-Seed

With the new investment, the startup plans to expand its presence in Egypt and other countries, and launch new features built on web3 [...]

talabat Egypt Celebrates International Programmers Day

talabat Egypt invited over 50 students from public schools to spend a day with local and regional Tech and Product (T&P) teams to gain [...]

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