HomeEssentials raises ₹70 crore in pre-Series B round led by 360 ONE Asset
The D2C home and kitchen brand plans to scale omnichannel presence, expand offline stores, and target ₹500 crore revenue in the next 2–3 years.
Asiya Nayab
Senior News Editor at LAFFAZ, Asiya Nayab reports on startups, technology, and business ecosystems across India, MENA, and the United States. Her work translates complex topics in finance, digital marketing, and consulting into data-driven, actionable insights, empowering founders and early-stage entrepreneurs to make informed decisions.
The Middle East’s Startup Funding Signals from February 2026: AI, IPOs, and Institutional Capital Are Reshaping the Market
Early 2026 funding rounds in the Middle East reveal new trends in AI investment, IPO readiness, and the rise of institutional-backed capital shaping the startup ecosystem.
Moroccan fintech WafR raises $4 million seed to scale last-mile financial services network
Oversubscribed round led by LoftyInc Capital with Attijariwafa Ventures and Almada Ventures will support expansion of WafR’s nationwide merchant-based fintech distribution.
Galgotias University apologises after robodog display controversy at India AI Impact Summit 2026
The university vacated its stall at the Delhi summit after a viral video triggered questions over the origin of a robotic dog shown at its pavilion; officials warned exhibitors against misrepresentation.
The Bezos Effect: How Billionaire Ownership Transformed The Washington Post
How Jeff Bezos reshaped The Washington Post from a struggling legacy newsroom into a digital media powerhouse — and why the shift still sparks debate.
Kumulus Water and CMA CGM roll out safe drinking water project for Saudi schools
Partnership targets decentralized drinking water access for schools, with 30 atmospheric water systems to be deployed over two years.
TaskUs launches large-scale EV commute programme for employees in India
EV rollout begins in Gurugram with plans to electrify nearly half of the company’s Indian transportation fleet by end-2026
Morocco-based Justyol raises angel bridge funding ahead of planned Series A
Angel-backed bridge round will help accelerate logistics, supply chain operations, and internal systems as the company prepares for mid-2026 Series A.
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed invests in Swiss AI safety firm Umanitek, joins advisory board
Move marks one of the first major GCC investments in AI accountability infrastructure as Gulf states accelerate efforts to become global AI hubs.
Adobe partners with Airtel to offer Express Premium free for one year
Adobe and Bharti Airtel have signed a partnership that will give Airtel’s entire customer base access to Adobe Express Premium at no cost for 12 months through the Airtel Thanks app.
Quick Home Services Startup Pync Shuts Down, Founders Join Snabbit
Quick home services startup Pync ceases operations amid fierce competition, with its founders and team moving to Snabbit as consolidation emerges in the sector.
Halo AI unveils enhanced agentic AI platform at 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai
The Saudi Arabia–launched startup returns to the Summit one year after winning the 1 Billion Pitches competition, reporting higher creator payouts, faster collaboration growth, and a major product update.