#SME

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

META startbootcamp partner to empower mena startups with AI powered LAMA design drive Image GettyImages

Meta, Startupbootcamp partner to empower MENA startups

The initiative, Llama Design Drive, aims to address the region’s specific needs by launching a series of intensive programmes

Egypt-based B2B platform Cartona raises $8.1m

Egypt-based B2B platform Cartona raises $8.1m

The company, which has witnessed substantial growth since its inception, serves over 188,000 retailers across 17 Egyptian cities

Dubai SME incentives, services hit record Dhs233.4m in 2023

Dubai SME boosts growth with over Dhs233m worth of support in 2023

The organisation facilitated the establishment of 2,937 new businesses and provided support services to 1,186 Emirati entrepreneurs

SME trailblazers shine as Century Financial celebrates excellence at Golden Frame Awards

The initiative will play a critical role in developing a culture of excellence in the regional startup space, inspire creativity and innovation and help to nurture future business leaders.

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

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

EDB launches solar energy financing programme for SMEs

EDB launches solar energy financing programme for SMEs

The initiative will allocate Dhs100m to bolster the adoption of green energy solutions with a focus on solar energy initiatives

Delektia

SME Story: Interview with Ali Wahoud, founding investor at Delektia

The company is an example of a non-tech venture gaining significant traction in the dynamic Middle Eastern startup landscape

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

FTA reports incraese in Muwafaq Package registrations

UAE’s FTA reports growth in Muwafaq Package registrations

The package offers a variety of features and incentives that can help SMEs save money and get help with tax compliance

Meydan Free Zone

Meydan Free Zone and noon.com collaborate to drive SME growth

noon.com will offer its seller onboarding services through Meydan Marketplace

SME story: Interview with Jamil Zablah & Wassim Merheby, co-founders of Verofax

SME story: Interview with Verofax founders Jamil Zablah & Wassim Merheby

Verofax is currently at the scale-up stage, providing marketing core competency solutions to six of the world’s top 100 global brands

The COFE Team Image location courtesy: Emirati Coffee Co.

COFE raises $15m in Series B funding round

Last year, COFE announced a partnership with the Saudi Coffee Company with a mandate to invest SAR1.2bn in the kingdom’s coffee sector by 2030

SME story: Interview with Ziad Toqan, founder of Leap

SME story: Interview with Ziad Toqan, founder of Leap

Leap’s on a mission to teach kids good money habits at an early age

shahzad - the co-kitchen

Dubai’s DET unveils ‘The Co-Kitchen’, the first kitchen incubator under DBIN

The Co-Kitchen provides entrepreneurs and startups with many advantages, including a low-cost platform to launch their projects without the need for huge investments

SME Story: Interview with Kate Brunette-Sireteanu, co-founder of Peace of Mind Products

While we all walk around wearing masks to protect ourselves from airborne particles, our youngsters had no added layer of resistance until we launched our VirusShield Stroller Cover

E-commerce programme

Khalifa Fund launches e-commerce acceleration programme to boost SMEs’ digital capacity

The programme will feature a five day workshop covering the essentials of e-commerce, commencing September 21

Incubayt Investments to fund The Waste Lab, a female-led startup

The Waste Lab offers off-site and on-site composting, targetting both B2C and B2B clients

stake

The SME Story: Rami Tabbara, co-founder and co-CEO of Stake

A digital fractional real estate investment platform is offering a chance for those with limited budgets to enter the property market

mobility

How SMEs can leverage opportunities within the on-demand mobility and contactless driving sectors

The e-hailing industry is expected to develop at a CAGR between 15 to 28 per cent, resulting in an increased market size of $285bn by 2030

flapkap

The SME Story: Ahmad Coucha, co-founder and CEO of FlapKap

FlapKap offers a revenue-based financing model as an alternative financing solution to accelerate the growth of the region’s e-businesses

Jafza registers 19% trade growth in 2021, generates over Dhs454.7bn

Emirates inks MoU with Jafza to support SMEs in Dubai

Emirates currently has over 20,000 SMEs enrolled in its Business Rewards programme

The SME Story: Mark Zubov, founder and CFO of Iman

Iman offers a halal book-now-pay-later solution to retailers

Expo 2020 dubai sme

Expo 2020 Dubai awarded SMEs contracts worth Dhs6.8bn

It represents over a quarter of all Expo 2020 Dubai contracts in terms of value

The SME Story: Ian Ohan, founder and CEO of Locale

Locale allows foodpreneurs to thrive and reconnect with the communities in which they operate

The SME Story: Armin Moradi, co-founder and CEO of Qashio

The enterprise-grade expense management platform offers real-time tracking of business expenses

Bunty Monani Zofeur

The SME Story: Bunty Monani, founder and CEO of Zofeur

A pay-per-minute chauffeur service aims to fill a unique gap in the market