MENA Startup Funding & Exits Hit $1.47 Billion in November 2025

Startup funding and acquisition activity across the Middle East and North Africa surged in November 2025, with publicly announced deals surpassing $1.47 billion. The month’s total reflects one of the strongest periods for venture activity in the region this year.

Artificial intelligence and deep-tech ventures led the acceleration, accounting for over 80 percent of November’s funding. The largest contribution came from Luma AI, which secured $900 million in a round involving multiple international investors. Additional deep-tech momentum included a $275 million injection into d-Matrix from the Qatar Investment Authority and a $125 million round for Saudi Arabia-based Irad.

Geographically, Saudi Arabia recorded the highest number of deals, while international and US-linked investments represented the majority of capital deployed, largely due to the Luma AI transaction. The United Arab Emirates and Egypt continued to register steady activity across a mix of early-stage investments and strategic acquisitions, signalling wider ecosystem maturity.

Across all sectors, disclosed investments reached approximately $1.39 billion. Beyond AI, funding covered alternative finance, digital transformation, fractional real estate ownership, refurbished electronics, workforce housing, robotics and construction technology, digital health, and e-commerce.

The month’s activity indicates rising investor confidence in MENA’s capacity to generate scalable technology ventures, supported by increasing cross-border participation and a growing pipeline of advanced tech startups.