Author: Mohammed Abubakr

Funding to Accelerate Regional Expansion Dubai-based fintech startup AXON has secured approximately US$1 million (SAR 4 million) in funding from Maarej Real Estate, marking an important milestone in the company’s mission to modernize cross-border financial infrastructure across the GCC. The investment follows AXON’s Investor Summit held in Riyadh, where the company presented its vision to investors, financial institutions, venture capital firms, and leaders from Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing fintech ecosystem. The fresh capital will be used to accelerate AXON’s expansion into Saudi Arabia, obtain key regulatory approvals, strengthen strategic partnerships with international financial institutions, and further develop its payment infrastructure.…

Artificial intelligence has rapidly become one of the biggest priorities for enterprises across the world. Organizations are investing billions of dollars into generative AI, autonomous agents, and intelligent automation, hoping to transform everything from customer service to healthcare and financial decision-making. Yet despite the excitement, many AI initiatives never make it beyond the pilot stage. While headlines often celebrate breakthroughs in large language models and AI capabilities, a quieter problem continues to hold enterprises back—how do you prove that an AI system is actually ready for production? For Asad Mansoor, Co-Founder and CEO of Accelerate AI, that question has defined…

San Francisco-based AI platform Tavus has raised $40 million in Series B funding, marking a major step forward for the company’s vision of making human-AI interaction feel as natural as speaking face-to-face. The round was led by CRV, with participation from Scale Venture Partners, Sequoia Capital, Y Combinator, HubSpot Ventures, and Flex Capital. The funding comes as Tavus moves beyond its earlier work in AI-generated personalized video and into a more ambitious category it calls “human computing” — a future where AI systems can see, hear, respond, remember, and interact with people in a deeply human-like way. Founded by CEO…

The convergence of artificial intelligence and Islamic finance is creating a new generation of financial platforms designed to move beyond traditional digital banking. While fintech has largely focused on improving access, speed, and convenience, a growing number of companies are now exploring how AI can make financial services more personalized, predictive, and ethically aligned. One of the latest companies pursuing this vision is IMAN Holdings, which has announced an ongoing $100 million capital raise to support the development of its AI-driven Islamic banking platform and accelerate international expansion. The company plans to use the new capital to strengthen its artificial…

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the future of e-commerce, moving beyond chatbots and customer support to becoming an active participant in the buying journey. As consumers increasingly discover products through conversational interfaces and AI-powered assistants, merchants are looking for platforms that can help them adapt to this new era of commerce. Against this backdrop, UAE-headquartered AI commerce startup Revora has raised a $2 million seed round to accelerate its growth across the GCC, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia. The funding round was co-led by i2i Ventures and Oraseya Capital, with participation from Anchorless Bangladesh, Conjunction Capital, F6 Ventures,…

As climate change, water scarcity, and rising agricultural costs continue to challenge food production across the world, technology is increasingly becoming a critical tool for farmers seeking to improve productivity while preserving natural resources. In North Africa and the Middle East, where water availability and agricultural efficiency are major concerns, startups are beginning to play a vital role in transforming how farms operate. One such company is RoboCare, a Tunisian agritech startup that has developed an artificial intelligence-powered precision agriculture platform designed to help farmers make smarter decisions. The company has now secured a six-figure investment from venture capital firm…

Morocco’s proptech ecosystem continues to attract investor attention as startups leverage technology, data, and artificial intelligence to modernize one of the country’s largest traditional industries. The latest company to secure significant backing is Agenz, a fast-growing real estate technology platform that aims to bring greater transparency and efficiency to Morocco’s property market. Agenz has announced the successful closure of a $5 million oversubscribed seed funding round co-led by Breega, Attijariwafa Ventures, and Saviu Ventures. The new capital will support product development, team expansion, and continued investment in artificial intelligence as the company scales its platform and expands its role within…

As Syria’s startup ecosystem continues to gain momentum, a new generation of entrepreneurs is building technology solutions designed to modernize critical sectors of the economy. One of the latest examples comes from the healthcare industry, where digital innovation is helping clinics and medical centers improve efficiency while making healthcare services more accessible to patients. Syrian healthtech startup Moadna has secured a $50,000 early-stage investment, marking a significant milestone in its growth journey. The investment was completed in collaboration with Ebla Ventures, Qiwam Platform, and Digital Syria, reflecting growing confidence in the country’s emerging technology ecosystem. The funding will support product…

As businesses across the Gulf accelerate their digital transformation efforts, many small and medium-sized enterprises face a common challenge: accessing specialized talent without taking on the cost and commitment of full-time hires. Whether it’s designing a new brand identity, managing social media campaigns, producing video content, or creating digital marketing strategies, SMEs often need expertise on demand rather than permanent additions to their payroll. In Oman, one startup is addressing that gap by connecting businesses with the country’s growing pool of independent professionals. Zameeli, one of the Sultanate’s first homegrown freelance marketplaces, has secured Shariah-compliant financing from Sharakah, Oman’s SME…

For many entrepreneurs, the inspiration for a startup comes from identifying a market gap. For Heera Rehman, Founder and CEO of WorldTone AI, the inspiration came from something far more personal: years of feeling unseen in the workplace. After spending more than a decade working in internal communications across global organizations, Rehman experienced firsthand the challenges many employees from underrepresented backgrounds face. Despite consistently delivering results, taking on global responsibilities, and operating at a senior level, she often found herself overlooked for promotions and opportunities. As a Muslim woman working in multinational environments, she became increasingly aware of how workplace…