Welcome to Your Weekly Dose of MENA’s Startup Ecosystem! ✨

Embark on a journey through the vibrant heart of MENA's innovation with this week’s edition of Startup 3l Mashi ستارتب على الماشي! We’re bringing you the freshest news, hottest trends, and golden opportunities from across the MENA region.

Ready to dive deep into the ecosystem that never sleeps?

Here’s What’s Sparking Interest This Week:

• Weekly Roundup

• In the News

• Trendy, Trendy, Trendy

• In Focus: UAE

• Upcoming Programs

• Cool Events

• Interesting Stuff

Fasten your seatbelts for a turbo-charged tour of this week's hottest startup headlines across MENA.

• The Digital Hotelier secures a $1M Seed round from Plug and Play and Bahrain’s Hope Ventures, plus angel investors

• Saudi PropTech Rize | رايز raises a $2.9 million Seed round from Seedra Ventures, Hala Ventures, JOA Capital, and others

• LuLu Group is preparing for a $1 Billion IPO, ready to make waves in the retail sector

• Kazyon acquires a 50% stake in KSA's Dukan, expanding its discount retail empire

• AD Ports’ Maqta Gateway acquires a 60% stake in Dubai Technologies, enhancing digital logistics solutions

• Bookr.co from Kuwait raises a bridge round from Plus VC, advancing in the service industry

• CAMB.AI raises a $4 million seed round, innovating in the dubbing platform space

• Iraqi fintech Wayl secures a $150,000 pre-seed round, marking a step forward in financial solutions

• Al Bustan Nurseries مشاتل البستان acquires a 10% stake in نباتاتي | Nabataty, growing its presence in the green sector

The scoop on who’s making waves, breaking ground, and rewriting the startup rulebook in our vibrant ecosystem

• MENA on the Rise: Startups across MENA secured a whopping $86.5 million in funding this January 2024, showcasing the region's booming potential

• Africa's Bright Sparks: Not far behind, African startups bagged $83 million in the same period, signaling a vibrant continental upswing

• Egypt's Economic Evolution: In a landmark move, the IMF and Egypt have aligned on key aspects of a comprehensive economic reform program, setting the stage for transformative growth

• Free Zone Expansion: Egypt is pushing economic frontiers with plans to establish 11 new free zones, aiming to turbocharge the economy

• Kurdistan's Startup Reform: The Kurdistan Regional Government is rolling out significant reforms to energize its startup ecosystem, promising a new era of innovation

• Saudi's VC Leap: Backed by the Saudi PIF, MSA Capital is on track to raise $1 billion for Middle East startups, marking a monumental bet on the region's entrepreneurial spirit

• Cross-Border Collaboration: Saudi Arabia and Jordan have inked a groundbreaking cooperation deal to bolster support for SMEs, highlighting a commitment to entrepreneurial growth across borders

Explore the key trends fueling innovation and growth in the MENA startup ecosystem

• IPO Wave: 2023 witnessed an unprecedented surge in IPOs across MENA, with 48 companies going public and securing a staggering $10.7 billion. The region's markets are on fire!

• Klub’s Milestone: Marking a new era, Klub launches a groundbreaking AED 1 Billion Credit Fund, fueling Middle East startups towards unprecedented growth

• The GenAI Revolution: Discover the 5 transformative ways GenAI is set to redefine our work lives in 2024. The future of work is here, and it’s AI-driven

• Takefluence by Mitgo: Introducing a game-changing platform for creators and brands in MENA, Takefluence revolutionizes how collaborations unfold, setting new standards for digital influence

• Saudi Expansion: GCC companies are making strategic moves into Saudi Arabia, tapping into vast market potential and fostering regional synergy

• Tunisia’s Trailblazer: Unpacking the lessons and impacts of Tunisia’s Startup Act, a pioneering legislation driving startup success in North Africa

• Travel and Tourism Resurgence: GCC’s travel and tourism sectors tread a steady path to recovery and growth, signaling robust industry health

• Insurance Sector Boom: With a projection to hit $44.4bn by 2028, the GCC insurance sector is soaring to new heights, underpinned by economic diversification and digital transformation

This week, we spotlight the United Arab Emirates, a dynamic center of innovation where technology, entrepreneurship, and ambition converge.

• Venture Growth: Dubai's VC arm sets an ambitious goal to back 100 startups in the next five years, signaling strong support for emerging talents

• Nurturing Innovation: A deep dive into the UAE's thriving landscape of accelerators, incubators, and venture studios, showcasing the support network propelling startups to global stages

• Green Mobility on the Rise: A 59% increase in EV charging sessions in 2023 underscores Dubai's commitment to sustainable transportation

• AI's Influence: Exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping Dubai’s businesses and daily life, from smart services to operational efficiency

• Real Estate Boom: Dubai's real estate market hit record-breaking performance in 2023, highlighting its appeal as a global investment destination

• Sports and Innovation: Emirates' new partnership with the NBA, including title sponsorship, marries sports with global branding opportunities

• Climate Tech Frontier: The UAE is positioning itself as a potential Silicon Valley for climate technology, fostering innovation for a sustainable future

• Intellectual Property Revolution: The launch of a new intellectual property system in the UAE marks a significant step towards fostering innovation and protecting creators

• FDI Insights: A look at the trends and predictions for foreign direct investment in the UAE as it continues to attract global attention

• Startup Spotlight: UAE-based Faceki introduces groundbreaking methods to combat online fraud and impersonation, enhancing digital security

Gear up for a selection of the hottest accelerators and initiatives aimed at propelling startups to new heights

Explore additional programs and opportunities here

Dive into a curated selection of must-attend events tailored for entrepreneurs, innovators, and community builders across the MENA region

• Community Building Media Bootcamp - In5, Dubai, 13 February
  A hands-on workshop designed to amplify your media and community-building skills

• Riyeda Conference - Tunisia, 13-15 February
  A premier gathering for entrepreneurs looking to network and discover new business strategies

• LiveCraft: Mastering the Art of Dynamic Content Creation for Market Growth - AstroLabs, Dubai, 16 February
  Learn the secrets to creating engaging content that drives growth

• Finance Essentials for Startup Funding - AstroLabs, Dubai, 19 February
  A workshop focusing on the financial fundamentals every startup needs to secure funding

• Navigating the MENA Region’s Startup Ecosystem: A Comprehensive Guide - AstroLabs, Dubai, 21 February
  Unlock the potential of the MENA startup ecosystem with expert insights

• STEP Conference - Dubai, 21-22 February 2024
  Join one of the largest tech festivals in MENA for a deep dive into the latest in technology and startups

• A Generative AI Exploration for Entrepreneurs Masterclass - Zoom, 25 February 2024
  Explore the possibilities of Generative AI for entrepreneurship in this insightful masterclass

• Getting Ready for Web Summit Qatar - With Casey Lau - Doha, 25 February, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
  Gear up for the Web Summit with insights from Casey Lau, Head of Asia at Web Summit

• Web Summit Qatar - Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), Doha, 26-29 February 2024
  A brand new event connecting international entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders in tech

• LEAP24 - Riyadh, 4 March 2024
  A forward-thinking conference on future technologies and innovations shaping our world

• RiseUp Summit - Egypt, 16 March 2024
  Connect with startups, investors, and mentors at this pivotal summit for the MENA startup community

For a comprehensive list of upcoming events and to secure your spot, visit our events page

Dive into this treasure trove of reads, podcasts, and resources curated to spark your curiosity and elevate your startup game

• Global Acquisition Insights: Negotiating A Global Acquisition For Your MENA Business? Here's What You Need To Know

• VC Funding Secrets: What do Mena venture capitalists look for when funding start-ups?

• Unlocking Success: The Power of MENA's Entrepreneurial Networks

• Beyond Startup Phase: Strategies to Grow Out of The Startup Stage

• AI Website Mastery: The Top 10 AI Website Builders & Generators of 2024

• Next-Gen Wearables: Entering the Era of Face-Wearable Computers

• Boosting Social Impact: 5 Innovative Ways To Amplify Your Startup’s Social Impact

• Understanding AI-Language Models: Everything You Want to Know About the Fundamentals of Large Language Models for Artificial Intelligence

As we close this edition of our newsletter, remember that the MENA startup ecosystem is vibrant, ever-evolving, and ripe with opportunities. Your journey to innovation and success is a collaborative one, and we're here to guide you every step of the way.

Thank you for joining us in this edition. Your passion and dedication to the startup ecosystem are what drive us forward. Stay curious, stay inspired, and above all, keep pushing the boundaries of innovation.

Until next time, keep soaring!

The Startup3lMashi ستارتب على الماشي Team