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Tony Hallside, CEO of STP Partners

SME story: How STP Partners leverages tech in its financial solutions

Tony Hallside, CEO of STP Partners, a full-service DIFC-based prime broker, discusses the firm’s innovative prime brokerage services, strategic successes, and future plans in the dynamic financial landscape

WO-RK, the new co-working space at Burjamn Metro opens Launch Image Co-Spaces

Great reasons to go to WO-RK@Burjuman Metro

The newly-opened co-working space, situated within the bustling Burjuman metro station, offers accessible, affordable workspaces to entrepreneurs

AI startup funding more than doubles in Q2, shows Crunchbase data

AI startup funding more than doubles in Q2, shows Crunchbase data

Five out of six billion-dollar funding rounds went to AI companies, Crunchbase data showed

Unlock Her Future: Empowering the region's female entrepreneurs

Unlock Her Future: Empowering the region’s female entrepreneurs

The Bicester Collection’s inaugural ‘Unlock Her Future Prize’ MENA Edition celebrates women entrepreneurs. Bicester Collection’s Chantal Khoueiry and the winners share how they are driving positive change

Jochen Knecht - CEO at IFZA on how the free zone is supporting startups and smes

IFZA CEO Jochen Knecht on how the free zone supports startups, SMEs

Jochen Knecht, CEO at IFZA, shares how the free zone is committed to empowering startups with the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving business landscape

Qstay, a hospitality and rental investment property management platform Secures $4.6m in Pre-Series A funding Image Supplied

Dubai-based Qstay secures $4.6m in pre-Series A round

Qstay currently operates over 300 properties across nine markets in four countries, with plans for further expansion into additional markets between 2024 and 2026

QATAR VC firm Rasmal ventures launches debut fund GettyImages-520283407-e1714712344221

Qatar’s Rasmal Ventures launches $100m debut VC fund

While sector-agnostic, the fund will have a strategic focus on climate and energy tech, fintech, supply chain logistics, B2B SaaS and AI

HUB71 WELCOMES 25 STARTUPS FROM 11 COUNTRIES AS PART OF ITS 14TH COHORT image hub71

Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 selects startups from 11 countries for 14th cohort

Eighty-one per cent of the startups in the latest cohort are headquartered outside the UAE

Qatar investment authority launches $1bn VC fund image courtesy- Qatar news agency

Qatar Investment Authority’s new $1bn VC fund to boost startup ecosystem

The fund aims to close the current funding gap that exists for local and regional entrepreneurs

Dubai unlocks Dhs500m to fuel SME growth, here's how firms can apply Image-credit-WAM

Dubai unlocks Dhs500m to fuel SME growth, here’s how firms can apply

A dedicated specialist will conduct a comprehensive review of the applicants’ business followed by the joint steering committee’s review for inclusion in the initiative

Microsoft and DET sign deal to drive innovation in Dubai GettyImages

Dubai, Microsoft partner to power emirate’s digital economy

The joint effort will focus on logistics, technology enablement and adoption within the SME and education sectors

Saudi's Aramco allocates $4bn to expands global VC programme Image: Getty Images

Energy giant Aramco allocates $4bn to expand global VC programme

Aramco’s venture capital programme supports the development of disruptive new technologies and creates diversification opportunities for Aramco while paving the way for collaborations with innovative startups

ADIB launches b2b digital marketplace for smes Image Supplied

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank launches b2b marketplace for SMEs

The all-in-one digital platform aims to significantly reduce the cost of doing business for SMES by providing them with a wide range of exclusive offers and discounts

Eugene Willemsen, CEO Africa, Middle East & South Asia, PepsiCo_Dr. Bob Maughon, Chief Sustainability & Technology Officer, SABIC_Roland Daher, CEO, Astrolabs launch Mega Green Accelerator

Mega Green MENA Accelerator unveiled by PepsiCo, SABIC, AstroLabs

The new initiative aims to nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs in the region to develop solutions to regional and global sustainability challenges

Abhinav Patwa, Head of Zed

SME Story: ZED, the e-hailing ride service, is focused on personalisation

We speak to Abhinav Patwa, the head of the e-hailing ride service, about its unique offerings and future plans

Virtuzone allots over Dhs50m to get businesses tax-ready

Virtuzone allocates over Dhs50m to get businesses tax-ready

The company will provide SMEs with free corporate tax registration, free accounting services, and compliance guarantee

Jisr closes $30m investment round led by Merak Capital

Saudi Jisr successfully closes $30m investment round by Merak Capital

Jisr, founded in 2016, caters to 16 sectors and operates from its offices in Riyadh and Hadhramaut

Support for SMEs - Adnan Amin, CEO, COP28 and Ahmed Khalifa Al Qubaisi, CEO, Abu Dhabi Chamber

COP28 unveils programme to help MENA SMEs action net-zero strategies

COP28 and SME Climate Hub for MENA will provide free access to tools and resources to implement emission reduction strategies

Mohamed Amine Belarbi of Cypherleak Image Supplied

Hub71-based Cypherleak raises $750,000 in seed round

Cypherleak allows companies to track their leaked passwords and information on both the public web and dark web

Hub71 RemotePass partner to help SMEs Image Hub71

Abu Dhabi: Hub71, RemotePass partner to support startups with HR needs

A Hub71 startup since 2020, Remotepass has successfully scaled its business to become a key partner of the ecosystem

Growdash

SME story: Interview with Sean Trevaskis, Enver Sorkun, founders of Growdash

Understanding the specific needs of restaurant owners and operators was crucial to developing a solution that could make a meaningful impact

MAF fosters entrepreneurship with Launchpad X

Here’s how MAF is connecting MENA startups with global markets

The Launchpad X concept store is home to a diverse range of local brands that have displayed outstanding innovation and growth potential

DCAI Accelerator Programmes attract 615 global startups Image Dubai Media Office

Dubai Centre for AI: Accelerator Programmes attract hundreds of global startups

Successful applicants will be invited to Dubai to work closely with government agencies to develop their projects and prepare for their implementation

8 great books to inspire ceos of a startup Getty Images

Startup reading list: 8 inspiring books for entrepreneurs

Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business leader, these reads will equip you with the tools and wisdom to navigate the exciting world of startups

DIFC innovation Hub launches FinTech Accelerator Programme 2023 Image Dubai Media Office DIFC

DIFC Innovation Hub kicks off FinTech Accelerator Programme 2023

A total of 20 startups will be onboarded during the ninth edition of the programmen

Agthia Ventures launched Image Agthia Group

Abu Dhabi-based Agthia Group launches $54m CVC fund

The fund is stage-agnostic and will invest primarily in companies with clear product-market fit that are demonstrating revenue growth

Dubai SME members awarded Dhs1.12bn in contracts in 2022 Image credit GettyImages-1214946297-e1682524082437

Dubai SME members receive Dhs1.12bn in contracts in 2022

The contribution of Dubai government bodies was worth Dhs552.51m, while federal government entities granted contracts worth Dhs88.2m

Twig

SME story: Interview with Chafic Idriss, Rayan Antonios, Karam El Dik, founders of Twig

We facilitate effective goal planning and provide a user-friendly experience to help individuals achieve their financial objectives

FOO

SME story: Interview with Ghady Rayess, managing director of FOO

Financial services embedded into existing business models are no longer optional, but necessary

School Hack

SME story: Interview with Youseff Youseff, COO and Muhammed Khalid, CEO of School Hack

The platform utilises AI to relieve students of extra mental labour, personalise learning materials based on individual learning styles, and provide valuable insights to educators