Author: Mohammed Abubakr

Saudi Arabia’s on-demand economy is expanding at an extraordinary pace. Consumers have grown accustomed to ordering meals, groceries, and products with just a few taps on their smartphones and receiving them within hours, sometimes even minutes. Behind this seamless experience, however, lies a highly fragmented ecosystem of restaurants, logistics companies, e-commerce platforms, and delivery operators that often function independently using disconnected systems. For Waleed Ghoneim, a veteran of Saudi Arabia’s delivery sector, this fragmentation represented a far bigger opportunity than launching yet another delivery application. Saudi-based Pickappo has announced the successful closing of a SAR 2 million pre-seed investment round,…

The artificial intelligence boom has moved beyond experimentation. Enterprises and governments around the world are no longer asking whether they should adopt AI. Instead, they are grappling with a more complex question: How can they deploy AI securely while maintaining complete control over their most valuable asset, their data? For Mohammad Abu Sheikh, the answer lies in sovereignty. This week, UAE-based CNTXT AI announced that it has raised $60 million in a Series A funding round co-led by AI71 and BlueFive Capital, marking one of the largest Series A rounds in the region’s rapidly evolving artificial intelligence sector. The funding…

For more than a decade, Joud Khattab has worked at the intersection of data, innovation, and human development. But despite witnessing extraordinary talent across the region, he repeatedly encountered the same challenge: brilliant ideas existed everywhere, yet the systems needed to support them often did not. That realization ultimately led him to launch Bidayah, a Syria-based venture builder designed to help founders transform ideas into scalable businesses while supporting the country’s emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem. At a time when Syria is entering a new phase of recovery and economic reopening, Bidayah represents more than another startup support organization. It reflects a…

For Usama Nini, the problem with hiring has never been a shortage of talent. Throughout his career, he repeatedly encountered a striking paradox: companies struggled to find qualified candidates, while talented individuals struggled to access meaningful opportunities. The disconnect was particularly visible across emerging markets, where outdated recruitment systems often determined careers more than merit. It became increasingly clear to him that the issue was not the absence of capable people, but the inability of existing systems to efficiently connect talent with opportunity. That realization led him to co-found Qureos, an AI-powered hiring platform designed to bridge this gap. Today,…

In 2019, Ahmad Wehbi watched Lebanon’s banking system collapse. Bank deposits that millions of people believed were secure suddenly became inaccessible. Withdrawal limits were imposed. Savings accumulated over years of hard work were effectively trapped. Meanwhile, the Lebanese pound lost more than 98 percent of its value, devastating the purchasing power of ordinary citizens. For Wehbi, it was more than an economic crisis. It was a deeply personal lesson about the fragility of financial systems and the dangers of placing blind trust in intermediaries. That experience would eventually inspire Sovra, a MENA-focused fintech startup that is reimagining how people save,…

In an era where artificial intelligence is transforming industries at breakneck speed, many people assume that the future belongs exclusively to elite engineers with prestigious degrees and years of experience. But in Malaysia, two entrepreneurs are challenging that narrative. Through KrackedDevs, co-founders Fadli Khalid and Danial Alias are proving that some of the most talented builders aren’t found in Silicon Valley boardrooms or top universities. They are hidden in technical support departments, recruitment agencies, classrooms, and ordinary workplaces across the country. All they need is a community that believes in them. In just six months, KrackedDevs has grown into one…

Egypt’s largest fintech success story is entering a new chapter. MNT-Halan has reached a valuation of $1.4 billion following the first closing of a new investment round led by Al Ahly Capital, the investment arm of the National Bank of Egypt. A second closing is expected as part of the ongoing round, further strengthening the company’s balance sheet as it accelerates expansion across Egypt and regional markets. The transaction marks another milestone not only for MNT-Halan, but also for Egypt’s rapidly evolving fintech sector. It highlights a growing trend across emerging markets where established financial institutions are increasingly partnering with…

For years, conversations about Middle Eastern startups have largely centered around the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. But a new generation of Iraqi founders is quietly building technology companies designed to solve local challenges, attract private capital, and reshape key sectors of the country’s economy. That momentum was underscored this week as two Iraqi startups, Mabiati and Al Jabal Agriculture, announced separate six-figure investments from Iraqi investors and strategic partners. Both companies are backed by Orange Corners Baghdad and the Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) Iraq, signaling growing confidence in Iraq’s emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem. The investments represent more than just…

Artificial intelligence has quickly become the defining technology trend of this decade. Yet for many businesses across the Gulf, turning AI ambition into operational reality remains elusive. Large enterprises have the budgets and technical teams to build sophisticated AI systems. Small businesses can experiment with off-the-shelf tools. But between these two extremes sits an underserved segment that forms the backbone of the region’s economy: mid-market companies. Algebra AI believes it has found the answer. The UAE-based AI transformation company has officially emerged from stealth after securing $7 million in financing from Infinity Constellation, BECO Capital, Silicon Badia, and Waseel Investments.…

Egypt’s consumer finance market is growing rapidly, but access to formal credit remains out of reach for millions of people. Blnk believes it can change that. The Egyptian fintech startup has raised $37.1 million in fresh funding, comprising $12.5 million in Series A equity financing and $24.6 million in local debt facilities, as it seeks to expand access to point-of-sale financing and bring millions of underserved consumers into the formal credit ecosystem. The Series A round was led by Algebra Ventures, with participation from SANAD Fund for MSME, Endeavor Catalyst, and Emirates International Investment Company (EIIC). Debt financing was secured…

Building the Operating System for Healthcare Procurement Saudi Arabia-based healthtech startup Aumet has raised $12 million in Series A funding as it looks to expand its AI-powered procurement infrastructure across the GCC and international markets. The round was led by Emkan Capital, with participation from Qatar Development Bank (QDB), SABAH Fund, and AAIC, alongside existing investors Shorooq Partners and Right Side Capital Management. Founded in 2016 by Yahya Aqel, Adel Haddad, and Shahed Jaber, Aumet has evolved from a healthcare marketplace into what it describes as an AI-first procurement operating system designed to modernize healthcare supply chains across emerging markets.…

Building Mobility Infrastructure Designed for Egyptian Cities Egypt-based mobility startup ARRW has secured a $4 million investment from Tasheed Egypt as it looks to expand its footprint within the country’s rapidly evolving transportation sector. Founded by Ahmed Taalab, ARRW describes itself as Egypt’s first licensed ride-hailing platform and is positioning itself as a locally built alternative within a market largely dominated by international players. The company says the new investment marks a major step in its long-term vision to create what it describes as a safer, smarter, and technology-driven transportation platform tailored specifically for Egypt’s urban realities. The funding will…

Building the Digital Marketplace for Financing in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia-based fintech startup Arib has raised $23.5 million in a funding round led by Merak Capital as the company looks to strengthen its position within the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding digital finance sector. The round also included Sharia-compliant Murabaha financing facilities, reflecting rising investor demand for Islamic fintech infrastructure and digital lending solutions tailored to regional financial preferences. Founded in 2018 by Omar Alhammad, Mohamed Dessouky, and Waleed Talat, Arib operates a digital financing marketplace that connects consumers and businesses with banks and licensed lenders through a unified platform. The company’s…

Building a Marketplace Around Food Waste and Affordability Dubai-based foodtech startup Peekabox has raised an oversubscribed $1.5 million seed round as it looks to scale its surplus food marketplace across the UAE and eventually the wider GCC. Founded in 2025 by brothers Hasan and Omair Sarwar, Peekabox enables restaurants, cafes, bakeries, hotels, and grocery retailers to sell surplus food through discounted “surprise boxes” offered directly to consumers through its platform. The startup launches into the market with more than 1,000 stores signed across over 40 major food and retail brands, positioning itself as one of the largest early-stage surplus food…

Building the Financial Operating Layer Behind Modern Businesses Saudi Arabia-based fintech startup Stream has raised a $5.2 million seed extension round led by BECO Capital as it looks to strengthen its position within the region’s rapidly evolving financial infrastructure sector. The round included participation from STV, Flourish Ventures, and Arab Bank, alongside existing investors Outliers and BYLD. The new financing brings Stream’s total seed funding to $9.2 million less than six months after closing its initial seed round. Founded in 2024 by Ibrahim Aldlaigan, Stream provides billing and payments infrastructure for businesses across the MENA region, helping companies manage payments,…

Building a Global Employment Platform From the Middle East UAE-based global employment and payroll platform RemotePass has raised $17.4 million in Series B funding as it looks to expand across Europe and the United States while deepening its AI and fintech capabilities. The round was led by EBRD Venture Capital, with participation from 500 Global and existing investors including Oraseya Capital, 212 VC, Access Bridge Ventures, and Khwarizmi Ventures. Founded in 2021 by Kamal Reggad and Karim Nadi, RemotePass has grown into a global platform that helps businesses manage international hiring, payroll, contractor payments, and workforce spending across more than…

From Aspiring Lawyer to Founder in Preventive Healthcare For Masfara Wahidah Abdul Rahman, the journey into nutrition and entrepreneurship was never part of an original master plan. Growing up in Malaysia, she initially wanted to become a lawyer. In fact, she only discovered the field of dietetics while filling out her university applications. The term sounded unfamiliar and intriguing enough for her to take a leap of curiosity. Instead of pursuing law, she replaced every university choice on her application with dietetics programs across Malaysia. That decision would eventually shape the future of Diet Ideas, a health and nutrition platform…

Bringing Real-Time AI Assistance Into Healthcare Systems Saudi Arabia-based healthtech startup Hakeem Health has raised $1.65 million in a funding round led by Merak Capital, with participation from Sanabil 500, as the company looks to scale its AI-powered clinical decision support platform across the Gulf region. Founded in 2022 by Bilal Adi and Mohammed Ayyad, Hakeem Health is building technology designed to assist clinicians at the point of care through real-time, evidence-based medical guidance. The company operates on a SaaS model and targets institutional healthcare systems including hospitals, universities, and healthcare payers across the GCC. The new funding will primarily…

From Managing NHS Teams at 18 to Building an AI Hiring Platform Ahmed Ghelle’s path into entrepreneurship began unusually early. During the pandemic, at just 18 years old, he was promoted to Team Manager at Sitel as part of the NHS Test & Trace programme in the UK. The role placed him in charge of teams ranging from 20 to 40 people, handling performance, attendance, and operational compliance during one of the most demanding periods for public health systems. That experience exposed him to something that would later shape the foundation of his startup. Hiring decisions were not abstract corporate…

From Software Developer to Healthcare Problem Solver Fatah Iskandar Akbar did not begin his journey in healthcare. His early career was rooted in technology, working as a software developer and running a software house that delivered custom solutions for a range of clients. Among those clients were hospitals in Jakarta, which required him to spend significant time onsite understanding their systems and workflows. It was during these visits that he encountered a recurring problem. Hospitals were struggling with operational inefficiencies, while patients faced long queues, delayed appointments, and limited access to timely information. These firsthand observations would later become the…