#startup

Podeo raises $5.4m in series A round

MENA podcast platform Podeo raises $5.4m in series A round

Podeo started as a podcast app but quickly evolved into an all-in-one platform that streamlines content creation, distribution, and monetisation

UAE's Myco raises $10m plans expansion Image supplied

UAE’s Myco raises $10m; plans expansion, blockchain migration

Following expansions into North America and Egypt, Myco is exploring growth territories and aims to conclude a second closing of its Series A funding by early 2025

Travel, tourism visa applications

We’re making visa applications as easy as booking a flight: Atlys CEO

With offices across three continents, Atlys has processed over 1.2 million visas for over a 100 countries

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

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

CEPSA - BIOMETHANE

Mubadala-backed Cepsa signs biofuels agreement with Lidl’s owner

The first biomethane plant will have a capacity of up to 100 GWh and will feed Cepsa’s planned green hydrogen and biofuels facilities

shark tank uae-dr shimmari

‘If you don’t integrate AI, you’re out’: Shark Tank contestant talks future of startups

Dr Abdullah Al Shimmari, an entrepreneur and participant in TV shows like Bebaan and Shark Tank, shares insights into securing funding and the future of AI in business

zepto india's unicorn for 2023

Zepto is first Indian unicorn for 2023, valued at $1.4bn

The platform which promises to deliver groceries in under 10-minutes was founded in 2021 by two 19-year-olds

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

Top startups

GCC: Top startups to watch in 2023

We shine the spotlight on some of the region’s most prominent startups

UAE Ministry of Economy, Huawei Cloud launch startup programme

The programme will provide up to $150,000 in vouchers and access to Huawei Cloud ecosystem resources for eligible businesses

Vivium Holding

Vivium Holding, MEVP partner to fuel tech startup growth

The partnership comes as MEVP launches its fourth flagship MENA VC fund with a target size of $150m

Tabby

Dubai buy now, pay later firm Tabby raises debt to $350m

The financing round for Tabby was led by US-based Partners for Growth, Atalaya Capital Management and CoVenture

Lumina’s role is to support UK companies

Flat6Labs Ignite programme spurs growth, backs 38 startups with $10.2m

The programme hosts an intake cycle every six months and has thus far completed four cohorts with the fifth cohort to be announced shortly

startup

The untold truth about startup failures: What most entrepreneurs don’t know

Some of the most obvious hurdles are cash flow issues, a lack of research and ineffective marketing

Purvi Munot Sav CEO

Homegrown startup Sav raises $750,000 in pre-seed round

The savings platform is part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund’s (MBRIF) Innovation Accelerator programme

Burger Index

Food tech startup Burger Index raises $1.3m seed funding to expand into GCC

The funding round was led by Flat6Labs, MENA region’s seed and early-stage venture capital firm

Hub71

Abu Dhabi launches ‘Hub71+ Digital Assets’ to accelerate growth of Web3 startups

The new ecosystem will benefit from the regulated environment of Abu Dhabi Global Market

Alibaba

Alibaba, PIF-backed fund to raise $1bn for tech deals

The fund has already invested in 16 companies and plans to list three of them on the Saudi stock exchange and two in the US next year

Sharjah

Sharjah Media City unveils new company to launch media, technology startups

The company will serve as an integrated platform that brings together media talents, entrepreneurs and experts to establish media projects supported by advanced technology

Etisalat

Etisalat by e& partners with ADGM to digitally enable startups and businesses

The proposition is an all-in-one solution designed to ensure complete business mobility by equipping each employee to work remotely or in a hybrid work environment

Hub71

Hub71, Yahsat partner to advance UAE’s mobile satellite capabilities

Hub71 startup, Mental VR, secures first contract resulting from new partnership to support Yahsat with remote learning

Latin America’s biggest startup Kavak expands footprint into Middle East

The Mexico City-based company is branching into the UAE and Oman

UAE based start-up Nadeera receives $100,000 grant from PepsiCo to scale circular economy solution

UAE startup Nadeera receives $100,000 grant from PepsiCo to scale circular economy solution

Nadeera, the winner of PepsiCo’s MENA Greenhouse Accelerator Program, was selected from a pool of 10 regional startups shortlisted earlier this year

Unicorn

Procurement: The key to unlocking unicorn status

Procurement allows startups to understand the challenges and steps needed to scale up a business to become the next unicorn

Lovely Human NFTs

Hub71 startup GLEAC introduces utility NFT ‘Lovely Humans’

Starting October 15, users can bid on a Lovely Human NFT for a chance to be a part of a community of leaders and game changers

in5

Business incubator in5 to showcase seven Dubai-based startups at Gitex Global

The startups include businesses advancing cloud-based workflow automation, consumer electronic subscriptions, media streaming and targeting services

The cloud's George Karam and Kamil Rogalinski

Cloud kitchen platform The Cloud raises $10m in latest funding round

The funding round was led by Middle East Venture Partners and Olayan Financing Company with participation from Rua Growth Fund

Hub71 startups

Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 accepts second cohort of tech startups

The second cohort includes 16 startups that have collectively raised more than $67m in funding

World of Farming

UAE venture builder hatch & boost launches agritech startup World of Farming

World of Farming is introducing a first-of-its-kind hydroponic fodder farming methodology for the meat and dairy industry to the Middle East market