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MENA ECOSYSTEMS

Egyptian Fintech Services Provider valU Will Expand to Jordan in 2024

02 Oct 2023
This move follows valU's acquisition of Paynas, a company providing financial services to micro to medium enterprises in Egypt. [...]
How UAE Agritech Graze-it is Disrupting the Food Value Chain in MENA

How UAE Agritech Graze-it is Disrupting the Food Value Chain in MENA

24 Sep 2023
By supplying companies with “feed as a service”, Graze-it aims to reduce reliance on imported feed stock and cut over 35% of carbon emissions accounted for each litre of milk produced. [...]
New Egyptian Initiative Helps Inventors Turn Patents Into Products

New Egyptian Initiative Helps Inventors Turn Patents Into Products

23 Sep 2023
The P2 initiative will help Egyptian inventors transform their patents into marketable products to bolster the knowledge economy. [...]
Startups Bringing New Life to Waste in the MENA Region

Startups Bringing New Life to Waste in the MENA Region

07 Sep 2023
As sustainability becomes a priority for governments and businesses in the Middle East, startups are coming up with innovative solutions to repurpose waste. [...]
The Saudi Fashion Startup Using AI to Change the Way We Shop

The Saudi Fashion Startup Using AI to Change the Way We Shop

02 Sep 2023
We speak with co-founder Shahad Geoffrey about the power of early pivots, and the emerging tech that made her platform possible. [...]
KSA Launches Program Encouraging Small & Medium Industrial Projects

KSA Launches Program Encouraging Small & Medium Industrial Projects

22 Aug 2023
The program has been supported by a substantial fund set aside by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources. [...]
Five Funding Alternatives for When Venture Capital Isn’t an Option

Five Funding Alternatives for When Venture Capital Isn’t an Option

21 Aug 2023
With funds becoming scarcer today, many founders are forced to be creative and look beyond venture capital funding. [...]
A Historic Cairo Home Turned Into a Vibrant Coworking Space

A Historic Cairo Home Turned Into a Vibrant Coworking Space

20 Aug 2023
Developed by Marakez, the villa was repurposed in 2019 to provide a versatile workplace environment in the heart of Cairo. [...]
Antler Singapore Launches $60 Million Fund in MENA Entrepreneurs

Antler Singapore Launches $60 Million Fund in MENA Entrepreneurs

18 Aug 2023
As one of Singapore’s most active investors, Antler has mentored over 600 entrepreneurs and invested in over 850 companies across more than 20 countries since 2018. [...]
Startups Without Borders & UNFPA Launch Mentorship Programme

Startups Without Borders & UNFPA Launch Mentorship Programme

17 Aug 2023
The programme will provide guidance to female founders contributing to reproductive health and women's empowerment. [...]
Dubai-Based VC Illuminati Capital Secures $50M to Back Web3 Startups

Dubai-Based VC Illuminati Capital Secures $50M to Back Web3 Startups

15 Aug 2023
The firm's partners collectively possess experience in blockchain investments exceeding $1 billion. [...]
What’s Driving BNPL Growth in the MENA Region?

What’s Driving BNPL Growth in the MENA Region?

08 Aug 2023
With the BNPL market in MENA expected to rise to $89bn by 2030, we speak with fintech experts on the future of the industry. [...]
Saudi Arabia’s Aramco Purchases $3.4B Stake in China’s Rongsheng

Saudi Arabia’s Aramco Purchases $3.4B Stake in China’s Rongsheng

06 Aug 2023
The integrated energy and chemicals company is seeking to expand its reach in China. [...]
Financial Services Company Banknbox Opens $10M Regional HQ in Egypt

Financial Services Company Banknbox Opens $10M Regional HQ in Egypt

01 Aug 2023
The startup aims to expand their digital financial services across the country. [...]
UAE-Based Wellness Platform Wellx Raises $2 Million in Seed Round

UAE-Based Wellness Platform Wellx Raises $2 Million in Seed Round

27 Jul 2023
Wellx's expansion plans include attracting global talent and developing new functionality and innovative customer experiences [...]
E-commerce App Botit Brings Instant Delivery to Egypt’s North Coast

E-commerce App Botit Brings Instant Delivery to Egypt’s North Coast

17 Jul 2023
Considered an industry-first, the move looks to fill a gap in the market at Egypt’s premiere summer destination. [...]
Shariah-Compliant Cryptocurrency ‘Islamic Coin’ Secures $200 Million

Shariah-Compliant Cryptocurrency ‘Islamic Coin’ Secures $200 Million

09 Jul 2023
This latest investment into Islamic Coin represents one of the largest fundraisings in the history of the crypto space. [...]
Five Trends VCs are Predicting for the Second Half of 2023

Five Trends VCs are Predicting for the Second Half of 2023

05 Jul 2023
Where are VCs looking to allocate their money? Here are five trends that VCs predict for H2’23. [...]
Egypt’s TFK Acquires Opio to Form Region’s First Fashion Aggregator

Egypt’s TFK Acquires Opio to Form Region’s First Fashion Aggregator

26 Jun 2023
The acquisition has a long term aim of offering culturally relevant and relatable brands that reduce reliance on imports. [...]
Emirates Development Bank Launches $27 Million Agritech Loans Program

Emirates Development Bank Launches $27 Million Agritech Loans Program

25 Jun 2023
The programme aims to empower farms, local growers, and food suppliers by supporting their adaptation and modernization efforts. [...]
UAE’s InstaShop Acquires GroCart Marketplace for MENA Expansion

UAE’s InstaShop Acquires GroCart Marketplace for MENA Expansion

24 Jun 2023
This venture allows InstaShop to further penetrate the lucrative Traditional Trade & HORECA business. [...]
Silicon Valley’s Plug and Play Launches $100M Fund for Saudi Startups

Silicon Valley’s Plug and Play Launches $100M Fund for Saudi Startups

21 Jun 2023
Silicon Valley-based tech investor, Plug and Play Tech Center, has recently unveiled its plan to invest in Saudi tech startups. [...]
The Real Deal With Cofounder of Synapse Analytics Galal Elbeshbishy

The Real Deal With Cofounder of Synapse Analytics Galal Elbeshbishy

20 Jun 2023
Guest writer Galal Elbeshbishy shares his insights on how companies can best implement AI whilst minimising its risk. [...]
Egypt-Based Startups Are Now Exempt from Taxes for Five Years

Egypt-Based Startups Are Now Exempt from Taxes for Five Years

20 Jun 2023
The new law was announced by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during a visit to an Alexandrian university. [...]
CUEX 2023 Explores Customer Experience in Egypt With First-Ever Expo

CUEX 2023 Explores Customer Experience in Egypt With First-Ever Expo

15 Jun 2023
Organised by Cairo-based Cmiles CX, CUEX Expo 2023 will highlight the importance of Customer Experience strategies in Egypt. [...]
Egypt's Acasia Ventures Launches Office in Nigeria's Lagos

Egypt's Acasia Ventures Launches Office in Nigeria's Lagos

15 Jun 2023
Strategically located in Lagos' Impact Hub building, the new office further solidifies Acasia Ventures' commitment to Africa. [...]
Spare: The Fintech Startup Spearheading Open Banking in Kuwait

Spare: The Fintech Startup Spearheading Open Banking in Kuwait

14 Jun 2023
In this week’s StartupSpotlight, we speak to Dalal Alrayes, co-founder of fintech platform Spare, on the future of open banking in the GCC. [...]
The GrEEK Campus & MQR Merge Into MENA’s Largest Startup Community

The GrEEK Campus & MQR Merge Into MENA’s Largest Startup Community

13 Jun 2023
The merger is poised to usher in a new era of cooperation and innovation in Egypt’s workspace industry. [...]
Google Launches Cleantech Accelerator Programme in MENA Region

Google Launches Cleantech Accelerator Programme in MENA Region

11 Jun 2023
The 10-week program, conducted in-person and virtually, is open to Seed to Series A startups with a focus on green technology. [...]
RiseUp Retail: Everything You Need To Know About This Weekend’s Summit

RiseUp Retail: Everything You Need To Know About This Weekend’s Summit

06 Jun 2023
Over 35 industry experts will speak at this unmissable weekend of networking, discussion, and solution-building. [...]
How Women Are Closing the Gender Gap in MENA’s Tech Ecosystem

How Women Are Closing the Gender Gap in MENA’s Tech Ecosystem

06 Jun 2023
Whether through inclusivity programmes or by eliminating barriers, these tech pioneers are changing the industry for other women. [...]
EEA Announces Shortlisted Entrepreneurs of the Year

EEA Announces Shortlisted Entrepreneurs of the Year

05 Jun 2023
Check out the names whom the Egyptian Entrepreneur Awards have deemed to be this year’s most impactful business leaders. [...]
Egyptian Startup Cardoo Launches Iot-Enabled Smartwatch

Egyptian Startup Cardoo Launches Iot-Enabled Smartwatch

04 Jun 2023
The development follows CardoO recent acquisition of $660,000 through a seed fund round, led by the Alexandria Angel Network. [...]
Startup Grind to Host Virtual Product & AI Summit This June

Startup Grind to Host Virtual Product & AI Summit This June

27 May 2023
The global startup community will bring together entrepreneurs from all corners of the earth to discuss the future of AI. [...]
Beltone Launches VC Fund to Back Egypt’s Tech Startups

Beltone Launches VC Fund to Back Egypt’s Tech Startups

26 May 2023
Beltone Venture Capital will primarily focus on pre-seed and seed funding rounds, with additional support in follow-up rounds. [...]
UAE-Based Blockchain Reef Announces $10M Web3 Accelerator Programme

UAE-Based Blockchain Reef Announces $10M Web3 Accelerator Programme

24 May 2023
The award-winning startup seeks to drive growth in the MENA region and support initiatives building on the Reef Chain. [...]
RiseUp Launches Egypt’s First Retail-Focused Summit at District 5

RiseUp Launches Egypt’s First Retail-Focused Summit at District 5

19 May 2023
RiseUp is putting together Egypt’s first industry-focused summit ‘RiseUp Retail’ at District 5 in collaboration with Marakez. [...]
The Rise of Qatar’s Startup Ecosystem

The Rise of Qatar’s Startup Ecosystem

03 May 2023
StartupScene speaks with some of Qatar’s experienced investors and entrepreneurs on the nation’s burgeoning ecosystem. [...]
Al Tadamun Microfinance Foundation Establishes Mobile Branch in Egypt

Al Tadamun Microfinance Foundation Establishes Mobile Branch in Egypt

01 May 2023
The new mobile branch model is set to advance the foundation’s role in the economic empowerment of breadwinning women. [...]
Three Lessons from Silicon Valley Bank Collapse for Startup Founders

Three Lessons from Silicon Valley Bank Collapse for Startup Founders

16 Apr 2023
The bank’s failure exposed the need for founders to safeguard their investments, and build resilient businesses that can withstand the test of time. [...]
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Week Month Year

US-Based VC Fund P1 Ventures Completes $25M Close of Its Second Fund

The VC fund focuses on African companies building transformational business in fintech, e-commerce, healthtech, SaaS and AI. [...]

Canadian Adtech Group ClearPier Acquires UAE’s MQuest for $35 Million

The deal is part of Clearpier’s recent acquisition spree, which began with its May 2022 acquisition of PubPlus for $60 million. [...]

Egyptian Fintech Services Provider valU Will Expand to Jordan in 2024

This move follows valU's acquisition of Paynas, a company providing financial services to micro to medium enterprises in Egypt. [...]

Egyptian Digital Home and Décor Brand ariika Secures Series A Round

ariika has closed its Series A round backed by Beltone Venture Capital’s acquisition of 20% stake in the company to accelerate expansion to [...]

UAE-Based Zero Carbon Ventures Closes $5 Million Seed Round

The company has also appointed His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mana bin Khalifa Al Maktoum as a strategic investor and chairman. [...]

Kuwait Fintech Startup Kem Raises $1 Million Pre-Seed

Kem offers instant payment services through its digital application, facilitating secure money transfers via QR codes. [...]

How UAE Agritech Graze-it is Disrupting the Food Value Chain in MENA

By supplying companies with “feed as a service”, Graze-it aims to reduce reliance on imported feed stock and cut over 35% of carbon [...]

Startups Bringing New Life to Waste in the MENA Region

As sustainability becomes a priority for governments and businesses in the Middle East, startups are coming up with innovative solutions to [...]

Entrepreneur & Mentor Dina El Mofty Launches Business Bootcamp

Injaz founder, Dina El Mofty, launched a Business Bootcamp to support entrepreneurs in developing a growth mindset. [...]

Women’s Career Conference ‘Carerha Summit’ Launches in Downtown Cairo

Scheduled to take place in the GrEEK Campus, the one-day summit looks to help women achieve an ideal work-life balance. [...]

How Educational Platform Playbook is Closing the Gender Gap

Bahraini entrepreneur Wafa Al Obaidat has always played by her own rules. Now she’s created a ‘Playbook’ for women across the region… [...]

Interview with ‘What I Did Next’ Creators Malak Fouad & Chirag Desai

Journalist Malak Fouad and entrepreneur Chirag Desai take a turn in the hot seat in this exclusive interview. [...]

How to Put Together a Stellar Team for Your Startup

Here's what to consider when building a team that will allow you to set up a solid foundation for any startup to grow. [...]

US-Based VC Fund P1 Ventures Completes $25M Close of Its Second Fund

The VC fund focuses on African companies building transformational business in fintech, e-commerce, healthtech, SaaS and AI. [...]

Canadian Adtech Group ClearPier Acquires UAE’s MQuest for $35 Million

The deal is part of Clearpier’s recent acquisition spree, which began with its May 2022 acquisition of PubPlus for $60 million. [...]

Egyptian Fintech Services Provider valU Will Expand to Jordan in 2024

This move follows valU's acquisition of Paynas, a company providing financial services to micro to medium enterprises in Egypt. [...]

Egyptian Fintech Services Provider valU Will Expand to Jordan in 2024

This move follows valU's acquisition of Paynas, a company providing financial services to micro to medium enterprises in Egypt. [...]

US-Based VC Fund P1 Ventures Completes $25M Close of Its Second Fund

The VC fund focuses on African companies building transformational business in fintech, e-commerce, healthtech, SaaS and AI. [...]

Canadian Adtech Group ClearPier Acquires UAE’s MQuest for $35 Million

The deal is part of Clearpier’s recent acquisition spree, which began with its May 2022 acquisition of PubPlus for $60 million. [...]

UAE-Based E-Sports Startup Fanzword Secures $1.2 Million Pre-Seed

Fanzword’s virtual stadium allows football fans to follow their teams whilst earning rewards. [...]

How UAE Agritech Graze-it is Disrupting the Food Value Chain in MENA

By supplying companies with “feed as a service”, Graze-it aims to reduce reliance on imported feed stock and cut over 35% of carbon [...]

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