/main-category/startups en /node/2620418/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/abdulsalam-al-thamiri-al-eqtisadiah%C2%A0">ABDULSALAM AL-THAMIRI AL-EQTISADIAH </a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Mon, 2025-10-27 13:11</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Winners of the fourth Industrial Hackathon will gain access to a special program that helps turn their ideas into reality through implementation by Saudi factories for potential investment returns, revealed a senior minister. </p> <p> In an interview with Al-Eqtisadiah, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Industrial Development Fund Bandar Alkhorayef emphasized the importance of supporting young innovators and following up on their projects. </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025/10/27/4652467-784913560.png" width="839" height="554" alt="" title="Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef. File" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/minister-industry-and-mineral-resources-bandar-alkhorayef">Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/hackathon">Hackathon</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/sidf-hackathon-2025">SIDF Hackathon 2025</a></div></div></div> Mon, 27 Oct 2025 10:17:58 +0000 owen.bennett 2620418 at /node/2620245/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/nirmal-narayanan">Nirmal Narayanan</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Sat, 2025-10-25 22:26</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Startups operating in the Middle East and North Africa witnessed multiple funding rounds in the past week, as companies across a range of industries continue to scale up operations beyond their national borders. </p> <p> The sustained momentum in funding underscores investor confidence in the emerging startup landscape in the region amid global economic headwinds. </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025/10/25/4652052-896977699.jpg" width="1200" height="716" alt="" title="Founded in 2024, TabSense replaces traditional PoS systems with autonomous AI agents that streamline operations and automate management tasks. (Supplied)" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/start-week">Start-up of the Week</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/mena">MENA</a></div></div></div> Sat, 25 Oct 2025 19:30:54 +0000 Sajjadkk 2620245 at /node/2619988/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/miguel-hadchity">Miguel Hadchity</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Thu, 2025-10-23 17:03</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Some 100 startups from 46 countries have officially qualified for the finals of the Entrepreneurship World Cup 2025, set to be held in the Saudi capital as a centerpiece of the Biban 2025 forum.</p> <p> Scheduled for Nov. 5-8 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Centre, the EWC finals are organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority under the theme “A Global Destination for Opportunity.”</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025/10/23/4651353-181202268.png" width="1654" height="1084" alt="" title="The EWC is recognized as the largest global competition for entrepreneurs. File/Monsha’at" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/entrepreneurship-world-cup-ewc">Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC)</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/monsha%E2%80%99">Monsha’at</a></div></div></div> Thu, 23 Oct 2025 14:28:56 +0000 owen.bennett 2619988 at /node/2619564/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/reem-walid">Reem Walid</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Mon, 2025-10-20 16:36</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: UAE-based corporate spend management platform Qashio has acquired Saudi fintech Sanad Cash in a strategic move to accelerate its expansion in the Kingdom and deepen its regional footprint. </p> <p> The deal combines Qashio’s technology with Sanad Cash’s local market expertise, enabling Saudi businesses to access a fully localized and compliant solution for managing corporate expenses and cards, the companies said in a joint statement. </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025/10/20/4650311-355759594.png" width="629" height="421" alt="" title="Qashio plans to leverage the acquisition to roll out locally issued corporate cards in ��������. Supplied" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/finance">Finance</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/fintech">fintech</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/sanad-cash">Sanad Cash</a></div></div></div> Mon, 20 Oct 2025 13:40:02 +0000 owen.bennett 2619564 at /node/2619387/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/nour-el-shaeri-0">Nour El-Shaeri</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Sat, 2025-10-18 22:34</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Startups across the Middle East and North Africa are accelerating growth through new funding rounds, regulatory milestones, and technology deployments, with companies in fintech, legal tech, and health tech attracting strong investor interest. </p> <p> From Morocco to the UAE, founders are scaling operations, expanding regionally, and enhancing product capabilities as demand for digital and artificial intelligence-driven services continues to rise across key sectors. </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025/10/18/4649822-1510975277.jpg" width="1200" height="675" alt="" title="By hosting its AI infrastructure locally, Tabby will accelerate the development of AI applications across millions of daily interactions. (Supplied)" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/start-week">Start-up of the Week</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/smes">SMEs</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/mena">MENA</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/artificial-intelligence">artificial intelligence</a></div></div></div> Sat, 18 Oct 2025 19:41:41 +0000 Sajjadkk 2619387 at /node/2619206/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/nour-el-shaeri-0">Nour El-Shaeri</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Fri, 2025-10-17 10:16</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Venture capital funding in the Middle East surged to a record $2.77 billion in the first nine months of 2025, defying a global downturn, according to MAGNiTT. </p> <p> Funding jumped 152 percent year on year, with the number of deals rising 10 percent to 388, highlighting the region’s growing appeal to global investors even as capital flows into Southeast Asia, Africa, and Pakistan weakened. </p> <p> The surge reflects broader trends in the Middle East venture capital ecosystem, where early-stage and non-mega funding showed robust growth despite global headwinds.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025/10/17/4649338-2128068640.jpg" width="1000" height="667" alt="" title="�������� recorded 173 transactions, a 38 percent yearly increase, in the first nine months of 2025. Shutterstock" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/venture-capital">VENTURE CAPITAL</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/startups">startups</a></div></div></div> Fri, 17 Oct 2025 08:02:18 +0000 owen.bennett 2619206 at /node/2619081/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/nirmal-narayanan">Nirmal Narayanan</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Thu, 2025-10-16 12:05</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: ��������’s Small and Medium Enterprises Financing Guarantee Program, known as Kafalah, extended 5,447 assurances, boosting small-business funding by 8 percent year on year in the third quarter to SR14 billion ($3.73 billion). </p> <p> The value of guarantees reached SR10.6 billion, up 4 percent from the same period in 2024, while 4,384 small and medium enterprises benefited from the program’s services, the Saudi Press Agency reported.  </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025/10/16/4649019-1309146838.jpg" width="724" height="483" alt="" title="Established in 2006 as a non-profit government initiative, Kafalah helps SMEs secure financing to develop and expand their operations. Getty" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/small-and-medium-sized-enterprises-smes">small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/kafalah">Kafalah</a></div></div></div> Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:21:27 +0000 owen.bennett 2619081 at /node/2618852/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/mohammad-al-kinani">Mohammad Al-Kinani</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Tue, 2025-10-14 15:44</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> JEDDAH: ��������’s business landscape is expanding at a record pace, with commercial registrations surpassing 1.7 million by the end of the third quarter of 2025, data from the Ministry of Commerce showed. </p> <p> The ministry’s Business Sector Bulletin showed that over 128,000 new commercial records were issued in the three-month period.  </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025/10/14/4648465-953224266.jpg" width="1000" height="588" alt="" title="The surge highlights ��������’s drive to improve ease of doing business and diversify its economy under Vision 2030. Shutterstock" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/ministry-commerce">Ministry of commerce</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/business-registrations">business registrations</a></div></div></div> Tue, 14 Oct 2025 12:54:02 +0000 owen.bennett 2618852 at /node/2618563/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/nour-el-shaeri-0">Nour El-Shaeri</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Sat, 2025-10-11 22:07</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Startup investment in the Middle East and North Africa surged to $4.5 billion in the third quarter of 2025, marking a 523 percent quarter-on-quarter increase, according to data from Wamda and Digital Digest. </p> <p> The quarter’s strong finish was powered by a record-breaking September, which alone accounted for $3.5 billion across 74 deals— up 914 percent month on month and 1,105 percent year on year. </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025/10/11/4647750-261196477.jpg" width="1200" height="716" alt="" title="Turkish fashion platform Touche Prive has secured $5 million in Shariah-compliant growth funding from Amplify Growth Partnership. (Supplied)" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/start-week">Start-up of the Week</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/mena">MENA</a></div></div></div> Sat, 11 Oct 2025 19:12:10 +0000 Sajjadkk 2618563 at /node/2617782/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/nour-el-shaeri-0">Nour El-Shaeri</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Sat, 2025-10-04 22:13</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Startups and investors across the Middle East and North Africa announced a wave of new deals this week, spanning artificial intelligence, fintech, property tech, agricultural tech and venture funding, underscoring growing capital flows and innovation momentum. </p> <p> ��������-based Sukna Capital has partnered with Partners for Growth to launch a $50 million specialty lending initiative for high-growth tech companies and SMEs across �������� and the wider MENA region. </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025/10/04/4645756-462327994.jpg" width="1200" height="716" alt="" title="Founded by Anas Qudah, Abdullah Al-Ghadouni and Mahmoud Abdel-Fattah, UPFRONT is building a financial operating system for SMBs. (Supplied)" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/start-week">Start-up of the Week</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/smes">SMEs</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/fintech">fintech</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/mena">MENA</a></div></div></div> Sat, 04 Oct 2025 19:26:20 +0000 Sajjadkk 2617782 at /node/2616991/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/nour-el-shaeri-0">Nour El-Shaeri</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Sat, 2025-09-27 21:30</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Startup funding activity across the Middle East and North Africa region continues to show resilience, with fintech and artificial intelligence-focused ventures drawing significant investor interest. </p> <p> From early-stage rounds to global expansion plays, startups across ��������, the UAE, Jordan, and Tunisia have secured new backing to accelerate growth, scale technologies, and strengthen digital infrastructure. </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025/09/27/4643764-816275046.jpg" width="1200" height="716" alt="" title="Founded in 2022 by Salem Abu-Hammour, Faris Yaghmour, Abdulmalik Al-Meheini, and Youssef Said, erad offers Shariah-compliant, data-driven financing solutions. (Supplied)" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/start-week">Start-up of the Week</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/fintech">fintech</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/artificial-intelligence">artificial intelligence</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/mena">MENA</a></div></div></div> Sat, 27 Sep 2025 18:44:29 +0000 Sajjadkk 2616991 at /node/2616091/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/nirmal-narayanan">Nirmal Narayanan</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Sat, 2025-09-20 21:43</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Startups across the Middle East and North Africa region witnessed multiple funding rounds in the past week, as companies across a wide range of industries continue to expand their operations. </p> <p> The sustained momentum in early stage funding reflects continued investor interest in the region amid global economic headwinds. </p> <p> A report released by Wamda revealed that startup funding in the MENA region witnessed a 74 percent year-on-year increase in August, with $337.5 million secured across 47 deals. </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025/09/20/4641520-291798164.jpg" width="1200" height="716" alt="" title="Riyadh-based Spare, an open banking infrastructure provider, raised $5 million in a pre-Series A funding round, led by anb Seed Fund. (Supplied)" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/start-week">Start-up of the Week</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/mena">MENA</a></div></div></div> Sat, 20 Sep 2025 18:50:40 +0000 Sajjadkk 2616091 at /node/2615390/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/miguel-hadchity">Miguel Hadchity</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Mon, 2025-09-15 16:28</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: ��������’s buy-now-pay-later platform Tamara has announced a new asset-backed financing facility of up to $2.4 billion in a landmark deal.</p> <p> The transaction, unveiled at the Money20/20 conference in ��������, upsizes a previous $500 million facility arranged by Goldman Sachs, underscoring strong investor confidence in Tamara’s growth and the regional fintech market.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025/09/15/4639781-1990336045.png" width="1388" height="798" alt="" title="The transaction was unveiled at the Money 20/20 conference in ��������. Supplied" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/tamara">Tamara</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/fintech">fintech</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/money2020">Money20/20</a></div></div></div> Mon, 15 Sep 2025 13:33:11 +0000 owen.bennett 2615390 at /node/2615189/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/nour-el-shaeri-0">Nour El-Shaeri</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Sat, 2025-09-13 21:18</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Startup funding across the Middle East and North Africa posted a 74 percent year-on-year increase in August, with $337.5 million secured across 47 deals.</p> <p> The figure reflects continued investor interest amid market recalibration, although the monthly total is a 57 percent drop from July’s record $783 million. </p> <p> �������� led the region for the second consecutive month, attracting $166 million across 19 deals, while the UAE followed with $154 million raised by 11 startups. </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025/09/13/4639245-1362284329.jpg" width="1200" height="716" alt="" title="UAE-based venture capital firm VentureSouq has closed its second fintech-focused fund, FinTech Fund II. (Supplied)" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/start-week">Start-up of the Week</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/mena">MENA</a></div></div></div> Sat, 13 Sep 2025 18:27:08 +0000 Sajjadkk 2615189 at /node/2614367/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/nour-el-shaeri-0">Nour El-Shaeri</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Sat, 2025-09-06 19:18</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Startups across the Middle East and North Africa are raising fresh funding to scale operations, enter new markets, and develop innovative products, signaling strong investor interest in sectors including fintech, AI, gaming, e-commerce, and proptech.<br /> Intella, a Saudi-headquartered AI startup originally founded in Egypt, has raised $12.5 million in a Series A round led by Prosus, with participation from 500 Global, Wa’ed Ventures, Hala Ventures, Idrisi Ventures, and HearstLab.<br /> The latest round brings Intella’s total funding to $16.9 million.<br /></p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025/09/06/4637261-2082656532.jpg" width="1000" height="591" alt="" title="Startups across the Middle East and North Africa are raising fresh funding to scale operations, enter new markets, and develop innovative products. Shutterstock" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/start-week">Start-up of the Week</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/investment">Investment</a></div></div></div> Sat, 06 Sep 2025 16:28:45 +0000 bassam.zaazaa 2614367 at