Welcome back to your go-to source for the latest in the MENA startup scene! We've got exciting funding news, tech innovations, and can't-miss opportunities shaping the region's future.

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Weekly Funding Roundup

• Abyan Capital (KSA) secures $18 million

• Playbook (KSA) announces acquisition of Queen Mode

• VentureSouq (UAE) invests in Swiss startup Wisdomise

• Mubadala (UAE) invests in Arbol

• Dubizzle (UAE) acquires Drive Arabia

• Presight (UAE) acquires a 51% stake in G42

• Investcorp (Bahrain) buys a $120 million stake in India's NSE

In The News

• Dubai launches an AI strategy as Bahrain approves new AI regulations

• PIF and BlackRock launch $5bn Saudi capital markets platform

• Sanabil's Venture Studio launches 4 new startups

• Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 projects completed by a third

• Egypt grants its first digital bank license - One Bank

• Qatar Central Bank advances fintech with BNPL company approvals

• European VC SpeedInvest to expand into MENA

• Constructor Capital expands to Abu Dhabi

Upcoming Programs & Opportunities

• Business and Start-Up Booster by Forward•Inc

• Fintech Solutions Program by Startupbootcamp MENA

• Misk Launchpad 6.0 and SPARK incubation programs by Misk

• Clyntech and Agrytech Acceleration programs by Berytech

• Women in Tech Startup Competition by UN Tourism

• SC Women in Tech incubation program by Bahrain Fintech Bay

• NBA Africa Startup Accelerator operated by ALX Ventures

Must-Attend Events

• Dubai Fintech Summit - May 6-7, Dubai

• Trademark Registration in Jordan and Internationally - May 7, Amman

• AIM Congress - May 7, Abu Dhabi

• Emerge 2050 - May 8, Dubai

• Fintech Jordan Conference 2024 - May 8, Amman

• Startups Without Borders Summit - May 10, Cairo

• MENA InsurTech Summit - May 11, Doha

• Xpand Conference - May 11, Jordan

Interesting Stuff

• Dubai will hire AI officers in all government entities

• Swvl (Egypt) reports a net profit of $3.1 million with a 13% margin

• Anghami Premium hits 1.8 million subscribers

• UAE’s $40.5 billion grocery retail ecosystem explored

• Check the “10 Years Saudi Arabia Founders” report by Magnitt

• Dive into the “MENA Early Stage Data Handbook” report by Clearworld

Techy Bytes

• DFM launches ARENA, a private offerings platform

• AstroLabs reveals an AI chatbot for Saudi expansion

• Brinc launches IGNIT3, a token advisory program

• EdfaPay (KSA) obtains a payment license in Tunisia via WePay

• EFG Hermes ONE (Egypt) gets approval for its "Know Your Customer" program

• Snapchat launches new AR/ML tools for brands and advertisers

• Airbnb adds group booking features and AI customer service

• LinkedIn introduces logic puzzles to boost engagement