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Sheraa’s Sara Al Nuaimi on powering the UAE’s next wave of women-led innovation

From funding and mentorship to purpose-driven leadership, the Sheraa CEO explains how empowering women founders is key to building a more inclusive and future-ready economy

Expand North Star 2025 opens; draws 2,000 startups, 1,200 investors

Expand North Star 2025 opens; draws 2,000 startups, 1,200 investors

On the opening day, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) signed new partnerships with Presight, 28 Digital, ApexBrasil, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia

National Bank of Fujairah's Rehan Ali on how banks can empower SMEs

National Bank of Fujairah’s Rehan Ali on how banks can empower SMEs

Rehan Ali, head of Business Banking at NBF, discusses what it will take to finance and sustain SME growth

Dubai Chamber unveils new features for Expand North Star 2025

Dubai Chamber unveils new features for Expand North Star 2025

The event will launch ScaleX, the Consumer Tech Zone, North Star Green Impact, the Deeptech MEA Summit and the Digital Assets Forum

Dubai South launches DSBH, a digital-first free zone for entrepreneurs

Dubai South launches digital-first free zone for entrepreneurs

Founders can apply for licenses, visas, and renewals online, upload and manage documents through a secure portal, and tap one-click services for compliance

HUB71 17th cohort -image-hub71

Hub71 welcomes record AI startups in latest cohort, boosting Abu Dhabi’s tech push

Six startups were selected for Hub71’s Cohort 17, which have raised over $223m (Dhs818m) – the highest to date

The Final Pitch's John Aguilar on why ‘where’ matters as much as ‘what’ for startups

The Final Pitch’s John Aguilar on why ‘where’ matters as much as ‘what’ for startups

Behind every bold idea lies a web of invisible forces – cultural cues, access to capital, proximity to mentors and openness to risk – all of which shape the founder’s path

Hub71's Ahmad Ali Alwan on steering Abu Dhabi's tech ecosystem into a global scale-up phase

Hub71’s Ahmad Ali Alwan on steering Abu Dhabi’s tech ecosystem into a global scale-up phase

The CEO’s vision is clear: transitioning Hub71 from a launchpad for early-stage companies into a vibrant, globally connected ecosystem that nurtures scaleups and tech innovators targetting the MENA region and beyond

DP World Trade Finance hits $1bn mark, targeting gaps in emerging markets

DP World Trade Finance crosses $1bn mark, targeting gaps in emerging markets

DP World Trade Finance was launched to address persistent challenges faced by SMEs, many of whom are unable to secure loans from traditional institutions

IHC rebrands eFunder as Zelo following acquisition

IHC rebrands eFunder as Zelo following acquisition

Fully licensed and regulated by ADGM’s FSRA, Zelo has been operating since August 2020, delivering receivables-based funding to address the region’s SME working capital gap

Sukna Capital's Fares Bardeesi on launching Saudi first open-ended direct lending fund for SMEs, startups

Sukna Capital’s Fares Bardeesi on launching Saudi’s first open-ended direct lending fund for SMEs, startups

The CEO of Sukna Capital outlines their investment strategy, timing, and how this fund aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions

Rentiify co-founders Neel & Rashed

Rentify co-founders Rajneel Kumar and Rashed Hareb on AI, flexibility and redefining rentals

Fresh off a $500,000 funding round, the co-founders of Rentify share their vision for scaling operations, bridging gaps in the traditional rental process, and positioning Rentify as the region’s go-to rental ecosystem

Maxim Kaplevich , Sparklo founder and CEO

How Sparklo is enabling recycling in the UAE and beyond

Over the next five to 10 years, Sparklo aims to collect more than 50 per cent of all plastic bottles consumed in at least five of its operating countries

UAE SMEs optinistic despite economic pressures show RAKBANK index image for illustrative purposes Getty Images

UAE SMEs remain optimistic amid economic pressures, reveals RAKBANK index

The findings of RAKBANK’s index are based on responses from over 1,200 SMEs across the UAE, surveyed between October and December 2024

the final pitch investor-judges from left to right: Jigar Sagar, Sami Khoreibi, Bijan Alizadeh and Dr Mohanad Alwadiya

From funding to scale: Straight-talk from The Final Pitch’s investor-judges

Here’s what these decision-makers say were their biggest red flags — and green lights — when it comes to how they evaluate startup founders

How Junior Couture aims to elevate luxury kidswear in the region

SME story: How Junior Couture aims to elevate luxury kidswear in the Gulf

Annelouise and Dominic Speakman share how they’re scaling their business, staying competitive, and driving sustainability in one of the fastest-growing fashion segments in the region

SelfDrive’s Soham Shah on raising the bar for premium mobility services

The founder and CEO of SelfDrive Mobility shares the inspiration behind OTO, its unique market positioning, growth strategy, and the trends shaping the future of mobility

Emirates Development Bank launches Dhs1bn growth fund to boost UAE SMEs

Emirates Development Bank launches Dhs1bn growth fund to boost UAE SMEs

By supporting high-potential SMEs in line with the UAE’s diversification agenda, EGF aims to enhance industrial capacity, stimulate job creation, and contribute to the country’s economy

From idea to impact: How MENA startups can stand out in a global arena

From idea to impact: How MENA startups can stand out in a global arena

Today’s investors are more cautious, prioritising startups with proven track records, scalable business models, and clear paths to profitability

Hubpay launches new solution, expands into UAE’s $1.2bn payroll market

Hubpay expands into UAE’s $1.2bn payroll market with new solution

The new offering complements Hubpay’s existing business solutions, including a digital business account that reduces standard account processing times to under 24 hours

Saudi's salary system: Updates that private sector employers should know

New Abu Dhabi schemes offer Emiratis 80% startup funding

The entity has been continually accepting applications for medium and long-term loans to meet the needs of innovative business ventures.

How E1H is driving sports, entertainment innovation in Abu Dhabi

How Abu Dhabi’s E1H is driving innovation in sports and entertainment

Guillaume Dufond of Ethara, and Jamie Cunningham of OneToWatch, discuss how E1H aims to shape the future of sports and entertainment in the UAE and beyond

Virtuzone has been acquired by Singapore-based Ascentium

Virtuzone has been acquired by Singapore-based Ascentium

Through the acquisition, Virtuzone’s clients will gain access to global markets, including the Far East and Latin America, while leveraging Ascentium’s international network to streamline compliance with global business laws

UAE’s Revibe secures $7m in Series A funding round

UAE’s Revibe secures $7m in Series A funding round

Revibe, founded less than two years ago, has already sold over 80,000 refurbished devices, delivering cumulative savings of $14m for customers

Hub71 launches Angel Investor Support Package at ADFW 2024 Image HUb71 for illustrative purposes

Hub71 launches Dhs150,000 angel investor support package

Through the Angel Investor Support Package, Hub71 is positioning Abu Dhabi as a global leader in technology and innovation

Khalifa Fund unveils new strategy, MZN Hub to support entrepreneurs

Khalifa Fund unveils new strategy, MZN Hub to support entrepreneurs

The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (Khalifa Fund) has unveiled a new strategy, including the…

Abu-Dhabi expands golden Vendor List -GettyImages-1239915485

Abu Dhabi unveils expanded Golden Vendor list, covers 145 industries

By prioritising local content, the expanded list is poised to drive job creation, stimulate innovation, and accelerate Abu Dhabi’s transition to a diversified, non-oil economy

google arabia launches Ai accelerator programme GettyImages-1253689390

Google launches AI accelerator programme for MENAT startups

Google’s accelerator initiative aims to bolster innovation and entrepreneurship in the region, providing startups with essential resources for development

Proptech firm PRYPCO raises $10m in seed funding

Proptech firm PRYPCO raises $10m in seed funding round

The investment round led by Shorooq Partners with participation from Apparel Group and other investors

Dubai startup guide 2024 launched by Dubai Chamber of Digital Chamber

Want to set up a business in Dubai? This new startup guide will help

From accessing online resources to leveraging tailored support, the guide aims to simplify the process of setting up and growing a startup in Dubai