In MENA, the Day After the Crisis Begins Today
The article warns GCC founders, CEOs, and investors that cash liquidity is the single most reliable defense against the region’s frequent political and economic shocks. Drawing on the author’s experience at Aramex and citing startups like Insider and Maktoob, it shows how firms with a 12‑month cash runway not only survived crises but captured market share. It urges investors to focus on cash‑burn metrics and resist panic‑driven decisions. Ultimately, disciplined cash management turns volatility into a catalyst for long‑term growth.
Private Markets Are Entering Their AI-Native Era, and FinBursa Is Here to Lead It
FinBursa, a UAE‑based fintech, is rolling out an AI‑native infrastructure for private‑market firms, combining its FinBursa Access deal‑sourcing app with the FinBursa 360 operating system. The two platforms integrate investor discovery, virtual data rooms, CRM, fundraising workflows and AI‑driven diligence...
Sweden's PlayReplay Targets MENA Expansion After New $12M Investment
Swedish sportstech PlayReplay raised $12 million in a round led by Alfvén & Didrikson, joined by several sport‑focused investors. The capital will fund its AI‑powered line‑calling, coaching and analytics platform as it expands into the Middle East, targeting Saudi Arabia, the...
Arib Targets Saudi Digital Lending Boom with $23.5M Funding Round
Saudi fintech Arib raised $23.5 million in a round led by Merak Capital, adding Sharia‑compliant Murabaha financing facilities. Founded in 2018, Arib operates a digital marketplace that matches borrowers with banks and licensed lenders across Saudi Arabia. The capital will...
JCIF Unveils Manara Ventures, a $70 Million Growth Fund for Jordanian Tech Companies
Jordan Capital and Investment Fund (JCIF) has launched Manara Ventures, a JOD 50 million ($70.5 million) Sharia‑compliant growth fund targeting Jordanian tech startups. Backed by regional investors including Abu Dhabi‑based Lunate, the fund will invest $750,000‑$3 million in over 20 growth‑stage companies and reserve...
Tunisian Insurtech EYST Secures Six-Figure Investment From 216 Capital
Tunisian insurtech EYST Technology secured a six‑figure investment from 216 Capital to accelerate its SaaS platform that issues instant virtual bank cards for claim reimbursements. Founded in 2022, the startup enables insurers to pay policyholders immediately, turning a traditionally delayed...
Dealfuze Launches AI-Powered Investor-Founder Matchmaking Platform
Dealfuze, a London‑based venture‑discovery platform, has opened a closed‑beta waitlist and announced the region’s first algorithmically curated Online Demo Day on May 20, 2026. The service uses AI to match founders in the Middle East and Africa with investors based...
UAE-Based eVoost AI Expands Globally After $2.2M Funding Round
UAE‑based proptech startup eVoost AI announced a $2.2 million funding round led by First Drop VC, with participation from a Hub71‑linked vehicle backed by Mubadala. The capital will accelerate development of its AI‑driven residential sales platform and fund expansion across Spain,...
Peekabox Raises $1.5 Million to Tackle Food Waste in the UAE
UAE‑based food‑tech startup Peekabox closed an oversubscribed $1.5 million seed round to accelerate its surplus‑food marketplace across the Emirates. The platform lets restaurants, cafes and grocery chains sell fresh surplus items at 50‑70% discounts through app‑based “surprise boxes.” At launch it...
Egrobots Unveils AI-Powered Harvesting Robot Built Entirely by Egyptian Engineers
Egrobots announced the launch of the first autonomous agricultural harvesting robot built entirely by Egyptian engineers. The robot combines AI, computer‑vision and autonomous navigation to identify ripe crops and harvest them with up to four robotic arms, delivering roughly 160...
Aumet Closes $12 Million Series A Led by Emkan Capital
Aumet, a Saudi‑based health‑tech firm, closed a $12 million Series A round led by Emkan Capital, with participation from Qatar Development Bank, SABAH Fund and AAIC. The funding will accelerate AI expansion, enterprise deployments and regional growth across the GCC and beyond....
TruKKer Secures up to $300M Securitisation Facility From ADCB
TruKKer, the Middle East’s leading digital freight network, closed a $300 million trade‑receivables securitisation arranged by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. The non‑recourse, murabaha‑structured facility is backed by receivables from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, marking one of the GCC’s first...
B&Y Ventures Launches Lebanon's First Angel Investor Network
B&Y Venture Partners has unveiled the Lebanese Angel Investor Network (LAIN), a curated platform linking Lebanese and diaspora‑based founders with early‑stage investors. Backed by Lebanon’s Ministry of Technology and Artificial Intelligence, the network quickly secured commitments that exceed its original...
Egypt-Born Proptech Byit Expands Into UAE
Egypt‑born proptech startup Byit announced its entry into the United Arab Emirates, launching a new suite of AI‑powered real‑estate tools. The expansion follows a $1.1 million funding round backed by A15, Beltone Holding and angel investors. Byit’s agent‑first model lets freelance...
Stream Raises Additional $5.2M, Bringing Total Seed Funding to $9.2M
Saudi Arabia‑based fintech Stream announced a $5.2 million seed extension, bringing its total seed capital to $9.2 million. The round was led by BECO Capital and included STV, Flourish Ventures, Arab Bank, plus existing backers Outliers and BYLD. Stream’s platform consolidates billing,...