Author: Mohammed Abubakr

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…