Dubai ports chief Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem resigns after being named in Epstein files
U.S. Justice Department disclosures linking the DP World leader to Jeffrey Epstein trigger leadership change at the Dubai government-owned global ports operator.
MENA
Startup funding, acquisitions, government-backed initiatives, and cross-border business developments from across the Middle East and North Africa.
InvestSky raises $4M seed funding, expands into Saudi Arabia
MENA-based social trading platform enters Saudi market after securing Capital Market Authority approval, announces strategic partnership with anb Capital, and confirms $4 million seed round bringing total funding to $7.4 million.
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.
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.
Vennre raises $9.6M Pre-Series A to expand private market access in MENA
MENA-focused wealth platform Vennre secures hybrid equity-debt funding round co-led by Vision Ventures and anb seed Fund, with participation from regional and global investors.
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.
StarzPlay CEO Maaz Sheikh outlines strategy to grow viewership
StarzPlay CEO Maaz Sheikh outlines how exclusive sports rights, Arabic originals and AI-driven personalisation are shaping the streaming platform’s growth across the MENA region.
Algeria’s Traveltech Startup VOLZ Raises $5 Million in Landmark Funding Round
The funding round was backed by a consortium of private investors led by Tell Group, with participation from Groupe GIBA - Babahoum Industrial Group, marking the first exit for the Algerian Startup Fund.
Bollywood’s Dhurandhar Banned in Gulf Countries, Casting Shadow on Overseas Run
Dhurandhar's international momentum has stalled in the Middle East. The ban raises questions about political narratives and overseas censorship.
The Voice of Hind Rajab: Kaouther Ben Hania’s Film Earns Golden Globe Nomination
Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab earns a Golden Globe nomination, expanding global attention on the film’s emotional retelling of a five-year-old Palestinian girl’s final moments and its acclaimed festival journey.
Trump Criticises Paramount’s $108 Billion Hostile Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery as Jared Kushner Emerges Among Backers
Donald Trump has criticised Paramount’s $108 billion hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery as Jared Kushner and Gulf sovereign funds emerge as key backers of Paramount, adding new political friction to an already heated takeover battle with Netflix.