Falak Holding Acquires Majority Stake in AI Startup Kernel
Falak Holding announced the acquisition of a majority stake in AI startup Kernel, covering its operations in Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Kernel, which builds applied artificial‑intelligence solutions and runs the AI Startup Lab, will remain an independent unit within Falak’s portfolio. The deal is positioned to broaden Falak’s advanced‑technology capabilities and deepen its AI investment ecosystem. By leveraging Falak’s network, Kernel aims to accelerate product development and expand its regional impact.
Edafa Venture Acquires Egypt's Cyclex in Six-Figure Deal
Edafa Venture, a Saudi‑Egyptian investment firm, acquired Egyptian waste‑recycling startup Cyclex in a six‑figure deal completed in the second half of 2025. Cyclex transforms non‑hazardous solid waste into marketable products, positioning itself as a key player in Egypt’s emerging circular‑economy...
INVIA Raises $1.2 Million to Build AI-Powered Financial OS for SMEs in Egypt
Egyptian fintech INVIA secured $1.2 million from angel investors and strategic backers to accelerate its AI‑powered financial operating system for SMEs. Founded in 2023, the platform unifies bookkeeping, cash‑flow, inventory and manufacturing through text, voice or invoice uploads. The funding will...
Sufra AI Secures $100K From Snoonu as Startup Factory Launches
Qatar’s super‑app Snoonu launched its Startup Factory venture‑building programme, marking its first investment with a $100,000 pre‑seed round in AI‑driven restaurant tech startup Sufra AI. Founded in 2025 by Carnegie Mellon alumni, Sufra AI offers QR‑code menus that deliver personalized...
Aya Closes $7 Million Series A to Scale On-Demand Fashion Model
Saudi‑based fashion e‑commerce startup Aya closed a SAR 26 million ($7 million) Series A round, led by RAED Ventures with participation from Nuwa Capital, Sanabil Investments (PIF), Joa Capital and Khwarizmi Ventures. Founded in 2024, Aya’s demand‑driven platform tests more than 700 designs each...
Homegrown Ventures Closes $22.8 Million Fund I to Back MENA Consumer Brands
UAE‑based Homegrown Ventures announced the final close of its debut Fund I at $22.8 million, topping its $20 million target. The fund is dedicated to early‑stage, “better‑for‑you” consumer packaged goods and fast‑moving consumer goods startups across the Middle East, North Africa, South...
MENA Startup Funding Slips to $941 Million in Q1 2026 Amid Heightened Geopolitical Risk
Startup funding in the Middle East and North Africa slipped to $941 million in Q1 2026, a 21.5% quarter‑on‑quarter decline and a 37% drop year‑on‑year as geopolitical tensions escalated. The UAE dominated the market with $625.8 million across 46 deals, while Saudi Arabia...
Tamwilcom Launches $69 Million Venture-Building Programme to Support 800 Moroccan Startups
Moroccan public financing institution Tamwilcom has unveiled a $69 million (MAD 700 million) venture‑building programme aimed at nurturing 800 early‑stage startups over the next three years. The initiative blends capital, monthly founder stipends, grants and loans of up to $220,000 with hands‑on mentorship...
Saudi Fintech AVA Targets Cashless Growth with Plug and Play Backing
Saudi fintech startup AVA announced a strategic investment from Plug and Play Middle East after graduating its fintech accelerator program. Founded in 2019, AVA provides IoT-enabled payment solutions such as SoftPOS, QR payments, and smart switches for unattended retail and...
Saudi Proptech Jozo Closes $2.2 Million Seed
Saudi proptech startup Jozo closed a SAR 8.3 million ($2.21 million) seed round, with Sheikh Hamad Bin Saedan Real Estate Co. as lead strategic investor. Founded in 2024, Jozo offers technology that tokenises real‑estate assets, allowing investors to buy fractional shares with...
Egypt’s Reme-D Secures GIF Backing to Cut Diagnostic Costs by 40%
Egyptian biotech startup Reme‑D secured a $500,000 investment from the Global Innovation Fund to scale its room‑temperature PCR diagnostics. The nanotechnology‑based kits eliminate cold‑chain logistics, lowering test costs by up to 40% and speeding results by as much as 70%....
Raedbots Launches as Egypt’s First Industrial Robotics Manufacturer
Raedbots launched in Cairo as Egypt’s first locally designed and manufactured industrial robotics company. Founded in 2026 by Mohamed Ibrahim and Hamza El‑Sahiti, it builds AI‑powered robotic arms for welding, material handling and warehouse automation entirely in‑house. The startup is...
Propeller Brings Five MENA Deeptech Startups to Silicon Valley with Kernel Camp
Propeller, an AI‑focused venture capital firm, launched the inaugural Kernel Camp residency, bringing five deep‑tech startups from Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan and Egypt to Silicon Valley. The eight‑week program embeds founders in the Bay Area ecosystem, offering access to engineers, investors...
ElGoat Raises $266,000 Seed to Build Skill-Based Football Gaming Platform
Saudi‑based sportstech startup ElGoat announced a $266,000 seed round led by Trigon, valuing the company at $2.66 million. Founded in March 2026, the platform delivers a free, skill‑based football prediction experience that rewards accuracy with points and leaderboards. It covers major...
Zsystems Brings Total Funding to $2.7 Million with Latest Seed Round
ZSystems, a Morocco‑based B2B2C marketplace, closed a $1.65 million seed round led by Azur Innovation Management, with participation from MNF Ventures, Witamax and new international investor Harambeans Prosperity Fund. The raise lifts total funding to $2.7 million after a $1.05 million pre‑seed round....