Tabby, the Middle East and North Africa’s leading financial services and shopping app, has secured $160m in a series E funding round, pushing its valuation to $3.3bn and making it the most valuable fintech company in the region.

The round was led by global investor Blue Pool Capital and Saudi Arabia’s Hassana Investment Company, with additional participation from existing backers STV and Wellington Management.

Since its last funding round in October 2023, Tabby has nearly doubled its annualised transaction volume to over $10bn while maintaining profitability.

Tabby expands product portfolio

The company has also expanded its product portfolio with the acquisition of Saudi-based digital wallet Tweeq and the introduction of new financial tools, including the Tabby Card for flexible payments beyond checkout and Tabby Plus, a subscription service. Other offerings include longer-term payment plans, Tabby Shop for deal discovery, and Tabby Care, a buyer protection programme.

The new capital will be used to accelerate the expansion of Tabby’s financial services, including digital spending accounts, payments, cards, and money management tools.

Strengthens position with upcoming IPO

The company aims to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by supporting the kingdom’s transition to a cashless economy. The financing round also strengthens Tabby’s position as it prepares for an upcoming IPO.

“This investment allows us to accelerate our rollout of products that make managing money simpler and more rewarding for our customers,” said Hosam Arab, the company’s CEO and co-founder. “We’re focused on creating tangible impact — helping people take control of their finances with tools that are accessible, effortless, and built for their everyday lives.”

Christopher Wu, chief investment officer at Blue Pool Capital, praised the company’s growth and efficiency: “Tabby’s ability to innovate and deliver exceptional products is truly impressive. Their strong revenue growth and operational efficiency set them apart from other fintech companies globally. We are incredibly excited to support the team on their mission.”

Ahmed Al Qahtani, chief investment officer for Regional Markets at Hassana Investment Company, added: “We’ve been consistently impressed with Tabby’s ability to execute and achieve such strong momentum in a short period. Their dedication to delivering innovative products and solutions to their customers reinforces our conviction in its future, and we’re thrilled to continue our partnership as they redefine financial services in the region.”

The app has more than 15 million registered users and more than 40,000 sellers, driving an annualised sales volume exceeding $10bn.

Read: Tabby’s Hosam Arab on payment trends, IPO plans and 24 Fintech

In other news, Dubai Government, represented by Digital Dubai and the Department of Finance, has integrated Tabby into DubaiPay — the unified hub for service providers and government entities. This integration enables round-the-clock deferred payment services, offering citizens, residents, and visitors in the UAE a seamless and secure way to make payments.

By introducing flexible installment options, the initiative enhances customer convenience and empowers users to manage their financial commitments more effectively.

The Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS) is set for its monumental 31st edition.

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This premier maritime event will take place at Dubai Harbour for the fourth consecutive year.

What to expect at the event

Organized by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and running from February 19-23, the event will showcase over 200 yachts and watercraft from world-renowned boat builders and artisans.

New features of the show

This year’s spectacular will feature several new additions, including:

• Innovation Zone for startups
• Real estate companies and developers presenting their prestigious waterfront developments
• Brokerage Division, featuring industry leaders like Burgess, Behnemar, and Royal Yachts

This 31st edition of DIBS will offer a glamorous display of the maritime sector’s offerings and aim to inspire future industry development.

Important: Marine transport services restart in Business Bay, Water Canal areas

The show will highlight innovative products from industry heavyweights such as Azimut, Ferretti, Gulf Craft, Sunseeker, and Yachts One.

Event highlights

• DIVE MENA, the only dedicated show for the UAE and GCC diving community, will return to DIBS this year
• Some of the rarest and most high-performance cars will also be showcased at the event
• Trade expos for equipment supplies, services, and marine luxury & lifestyle
• A variety of food and beverage options, along with family activities

The UAE has seen a 12.28 per cent rise in the number of yachts and an 11.69 per cent increase in superyacht visits during the 2023/2024 season.

Read on: RTA unveils 2 marine transport lines to service Dubai Creek Harbour

The country aims to accelerate yacht tourism and reinforce Dubai’s position as a leading global destination for maritime activities.

The increase in superyacht visits underscores a rise in the number of high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) flocking to the city. These individuals remain key visitors to the show year after year.

This visit surge aligns with Dubai’s objective to increase HNWI visits by 60 per cent by 2026.

The Dubai International Boat Show serves as a significant draw for these visitors from around the world.

The tickets for the show can be booked from here.

LODD, an Abu Dhabi-based AI-powered drone technology and autonomous aerial logistics provider, in partnership with Skyports Infrastructure, has shortlisted three locations in Abu Dhabi — Al Bateen, Yas Island, and Khalifa Port — for the development of vertiports.

This initiative aims to enhance passenger and cargo movements, thereby improving logistical efficiency in the UAE capital.

The selection follows comprehensive airspace evaluations, regulatory analyses, and feasibility studies.

14 sites were assessed for vertiports in Abu Dhabi

In total, 14 potential sites were assessed with the involvement of more than 34 stakeholders, culminating in a detailed feasibility study submitted to the Abu Dhabi government, according to a statement by the companies.

The proposed vertiports are designed to support the operation of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and autonomous aerial logistics within the emirate.

The designs were unveiled at the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025 in the emirate.

In Dubai, Skyports has commenced construction on the world’s first permanent commercial vertiport near Dubai International Airport (DXB).

This facility is the first of an initial four planned across Dubai, paving the way for the launch of air taxi services with aircraft partner Joby Aviation in the first quarter of 2026.

Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, has welcomed 27 startups as part of its latest Cohort 16, further enhancing the emirate’s position as a regional technology hub. The new cohort spans Hub71’s three programs: Access, Hub71+ ClimateTech, and Hub71+ Digital Assets, bringing the total number of ventures supported by the ecosystem to 357.

Startups in Cohort 16 have collectively raised over $145m (Dhs532m) in funding, averaging $4.9m (Dhs18m) per startup. Notably, 63 per cent of the selected startups are headquartered outside the UAE, reinforcing Hub71’s success in attracting high-growth international ventures from key technology markets, including the US, UK and Germany.

“Cohort 16 reinforces the global confidence in Hub71 as a launchpad for transformative ideas from Abu Dhabi,” said Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71. “The selection process is highly competitive, reflecting the exceptional calibre of startups in our ecosystem. These companies are advancing innovation across key tech sectors while strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a global tech hub.”

Diverse global startups join Hub71

Among the selected startups is Vivan Therapeutics, a UK-based precision medicine company leveraging AI and fruit fly models for personalized cancer treatments, which has secured $10m (Dhs36m) in funding.

From Germany, Theion is developing sustainable sulfur-based batteries, capable of storing up to three times more energy than traditional batteries, and has joined the Hub71+ ClimateTech programme.

Meanwhile, Redbrick, a South Korean cloud-based 3D creation engine utilising AI and blockchain, has raised $16.3m (Dhs59.8m) and is now part of the Hub71+ Digital Assets programme.

UAE-based startups

One in three startups in Cohort 16 is based in the UAE, demonstrating the country’s emergence as a global entrepreneurship hub. Notable among them are:

Qashio, an award-winning spend management platform, which has raised $10m (Dhs36m).

Switch Foods, a food tech company producing affordable plant-based meats, has raised $12.5m (Dhs45.9m) and launched Abu Dhabi’s first plant-based meat production facility.

Selected startups in Cohort 16

More than 50 per cent of the startups in Cohort 16 are Seed and Series A ventures, operating across nine industries, including fintech, climatetech, healthtech, edtech, and mobility and logistics.

By joining Hub71, these companies gain access to a network of investors, partners, and mentors, as well as market opportunities and capital resources to scale their businesses.

Access Programme

Aurem – A central operating system for workplace saving and wealth providers

Cambio ML – AI-powered data science agent for enterprises

Desert Farms – Science-backed baby formula using camel milk proteins

Esports XO – A platform connecting gamers with tournaments and publishers

Fundbot Technologies – B2B supply chain financing solution

Hotdesk – A workspace optimisation and hybrid work management platform

Mithryl – AI-driven automation for industrial companies

Nodeshift – Decentralised, no-code AI cloud platform

Onloop – AI-powered productivity enhancement for teams

Qashio – B2B financial management and spend tracking

Raintech – AI-driven voice assistant for operating rooms

Simpleem – Behaviour-analysis AI for business insights

Skipr – AI-driven VPN enhancing privacy and security

Taxo – AI-powered medical billing and coding automation

Vivan Therapeutics – AI-driven personalised cancer treatment platform

Watermelon Ecosystem – Digital marketplace for F&B suppliers

xMap – AI-powered geospatial intelligence platform

Hub71+ ClimateTech

Airmo – Real-time methane insights for the energy sector

New Path Bio – Precision fermentation for health-promoting proteins

Orbillion Bio – B2B cultivated beef company

Switch Foods – Locally produced plant-based meat alternatives

Theion – Sustainable sulfur-based battery technology

Hub71+ Digital Assets

InvoiceMate – Blockchain and AI-powered invoicing platform

Redbrick – AI-driven game and metaverse engine

Rilla Network – Decentralised infrastructure for live streaming

Sustainable Bitcoin Protocol – Clean energy verification for Bitcoin

1Money – Stablecoin-exclusive global payment network

Taha Khalifa, GM Middle East and Africa, Intel

For Intel, LEAP 2025 has offered a strategic platform to showcase its latest technological advancements and engage with a diverse audience of industry leaders, innovators, and investors.

The event’s focus on cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and smart cities aligns with Intel’s core business areas, providing opportunities to explore collaborations and partnerships.

Ahmad Sidawi, country manager, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, Genesys

LEAP 2025 has been a great opportunity for us to present the future of customer experience and how Genesys is transforming this space through AI-powered Experience Orchestration. We’ve been showcasing how the Genesys Cloud platform is enabling businesses to deliver personalised and seamless customer service across every touchpoint. With innovations in AI, chatbots, and analytics, we help businesses improve engagement and enhance satisfaction. At LEAP, we’ve been demonstrating how companies can harness the power of intelligent automation to optimise their customer journeys, reduce operational costs, and drive growth.

Samer Diya, META VP, Forcepoint

As one of the most prominent technology shows in the region, LEAP in Saudi Arabia offers an opportunity to reiterate the importance of data security in the digital world. While AI has quickly become integral to business operations, the ongoing AI transformation has only amplified the reality that data is every organisation’s top asset — which is why protecting it everywhere is critical. Coupled with shifting global regulatory requirements, businesses must understand how to proactively bolster their data security posture.

Our objective at LEAP has been to collaborate with our partners across Saudi Arabia to highlight how our ‘Data Security Everywhere’ approach empowers organisations to securely and compliantly navigate their unique digital and AI transformation. Prioritising data security wherever it resides has proven to be essential – especially as Saudi Arabia continues to elevate into the global AI sector through initiatives like Vision 2030 and Project Transcendence. This year, we’re focused on investing in technology that delivers complete endpoint data protection, visibility and control of high-risk data, secure web usage, and secure SaaS app usage. Through our advancements in DLP, DSPM, SWG and CASB technologies, we are working with partners across the region to deliver real-time visibility and control without compromising user productivity.

LEAP has provided the ideal space to demonstrate how organisations can innovate confidently while tackling the growing demand for data security. It’s also a platform for collaboration, allowing us to exchange insights, engage with forward-thinking partners, and explore solutions to today’s most pressing cybersecurity challenges.

Meriam ElOuazzani, senior regional director META, SentinelOne

The Middle East continues to be a thriving hub for digital transformation, and events like LEAP spotlight the region’s role in shaping the future of technology. Cybersecurity remains a cornerstone of innovation, and at SentinelOne, we are proud to lead the way with autonomous, AI-driven solutions that empower organisations to stay ahead of advanced threats. As the digital economy grows exponentially, so does the complexity of cyber risks.

Our participation at LEAP 2025 highlights our commitment to delivering hyper-resilient, automated security solutions that not only protect businesses but also accelerate their growth in an increasingly connected world. At SentinelOne, we believe in equipping enterprises with the tools to confidently embrace digital transformation without compromise. We enjoyed engaging with partners, customers, and industry leaders at LEAP, showcasing how our cutting-edge EDR, XDR, and ITDR solutions are enabling smarter, faster, and more secure innovations.

Rami Beidas, country GM for Saudi Arabia at NTT DATA MEA

At LEAP 2025, NTT DATA MEA has been showcasing a diverse range of innovative solutions that demonstrate the company’s expertise in sports technology, IoT, robotics, healthcare, cybersecurity, and managed services.

NTT DATA’s senior executives took to the stage at the LEAP Conference, sharing insights on key industry topics. On February 11, Christian Koch, SVP of Cybersecurity for IoT/OT, Innovations and Business Development at NTT DATA, delivered a keynote titled ‘Cybersecurity in Smart Cities: Safeguarding the Digital Pulse of Urban Life’. Additionally, on February 10, Prashil Gareeb, VP of Managed Networking and Collaboration Services at NTT DATA MEA, joined a panel discussion on ‘The Future of Work: Intersection of Social Enterprises and Emerging Technologies’.

NTT DATA MEA is showcasing advanced sports tech solutions designed to enhance fan engagement and sports operations. These solutions highlight advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), analytics, and digital twin technologies. The company’s recent partnership with Arsenal, and other prominent sporting organisations, emphasises the relevance of its offerings to Saudi Arabia, especially as the nation gears up to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034.

NTT DATA is also showcasing its healthcare solutions that aim to transform patient care and operational workflows, alongside its robust cybersecurity offerings designed to counter evolving digital threats. The company’s comprehensive managed services portfolio will demonstrate its ability to optimize IT infrastructure and streamline operations, reinforcing its commitment to delivering end-to-end solutions.

LEAP this year has been a great opportunity for us to engage with key stakeholders, including government entities, enterprises, and tech innovators, to demonstrate how our advanced offerings — spanning AI, IoT, smart cities, cloud, and cybersecurity — can support the region’s strategic goals. We have been engaging with partners, showcasing our leadership in the technology landscape, and positioning NTT DATA as a trusted partner in delivering cutting-edge solutions to drive sustainable growth across industries in the kingdom.

Harish Chib, VP of Emerging Markets, Middle East and Africa, Sophos

At LEAP 2025, Sophos is showcasing cutting-edge innovations designed to address the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. These include our AI-powered managed detection and response (MDR) service, which combines advanced machine learning with 24/7 proactive threat hunting to detect and neutralise attacks before they cause harm. Our extended detection and response (XDR) solution further leverages AI-driven analytics, integrating data from endpoints, servers, firewalls, and email to deliver a unified and intelligent threat response.

We are also highlighting our next-generation XGS Series firewalls, which use AI to enhance performance and detect sophisticated threats in real-time, providing organisations with robust and adaptive security.

As first-time participants at LEAP, this has been a unique opportunity to reinforce Sophos’ leadership in cybersecurity innovation, connect with industry professionals, and explore partnerships in this dynamic region. LEAP offers an unparalleled platform to share our vision, demonstrate how AI powers our solutions, and show how Sophos is empowering businesses to stay ahead of modern, AI-enabled threats.

Ahmad Sidawi, country manager, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, Genesys

LEAP 2025 has been a great opportunity for us to present the future of customer experience and how Genesys is transforming this space through AI-powered Experience Orchestration. We’re excited to showcase how the Genesys Cloud platform enables businesses to deliver personalised and seamless customer service across every touchpoint.

With innovations in AI, chatbots, and analytics, we can help businesses improve engagement and enhance satisfaction. At LEAP, we’ve been demonstrating how companies can harness the power of intelligent automation to optimise their customer journeys, reduce operational costs, and drive growth.

Read: LEAP East to debut in Hong Kong in July 2026