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.
MENA
Startup funding, acquisitions, government-backed initiatives, and cross-border business developments from across the Middle East and North Africa.
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.
Luma AI Raises $900 Million Led by HUMAIN to Power 2GW AI Supercluster in Saudi Arabia
Luma AI has raised $900M in Series C funding led by HUMAIN to accelerate its multimodal world models, with Saudi Arabia’s 2GW Project Halo supercluster set to power the company’s next stage of large-scale AI training.
Saudi proptech Ghanem secures $7.1 million from Al-Romaih Group
Saudi proptech startup Ghanem has raised $7.1 million from Al-Romaih Group to expand its fractional real estate investment platform, enhance its technology, and accelerate product development under REGA’s regulatory sandbox.
Indian Firms’ Membership in Abu Dhabi Chamber Soars 38.4%
Registrations of Indian companies with the Abu Dhabi Chamber have surged at a 38.4% CAGR since 2019, reaching 17,457 active members by September 2025 — underscoring Abu Dhabi’s rising appeal as a business hub.