Hello, MENA founders and entrepreneurs! The new year has arrived, and we’re excited to share fresh funding news, emerging trends, and top stories from across the region

Let’s jump into what’s happening now in the MENA startup scene

Fundraising Roulette

Calo (KSA/Foodtech) raised a $25M Series B round to further expand healthy meal options throughout the Kingdom

Vreal (KSA/AR-VR) secured an undisclosed Pre-Seed round, supporting their work in augmented and virtual reality for e-commerce

ReNile (Egypt/Agritech) raised $450k, boosting innovation within Egypt’s agricultural technology sector

Main Headlines

SVC invested in Global Ventures III Fund to strengthen regional investment channels

Abu Dhabi formed a global technology investment company, aiming to foster large-scale innovation

ADGM (UAE) announced a 50% reduction in commercial licence fees, encouraging more business activity in the Emirates

Iraq introduced its National Development Plan 2024–2028 to encourage economic growth and modernization

Ankaa Space will establish Oman’s first center for drone and robot development

Oman will launch a Net Zero Centre, focusing on green hydrogen and decarbonization

Algeria will launch more than 500 digital projects by 2026 to accelerate nationwide transformation

Ecosystem Updates

Ma’an partnered with Hub71 to support social technology entrepreneurship in the UAE

Edfa VC launched the Startup Sync app to assist entrepreneurs in Egypt

SEF announced a Startup Showcase Competition to highlight promising new ventures

Gaza Sky Geeks is looking for Palestinian Digital Illustrators

Startup Highlights

Nawy (Egypt) acquired ROA and launched Nawy Unlocked to stimulate real estate investment

Klivvr (Egypt) received regulatory approval, paving the way for consumer finance expansion

Flend (Egypt) obtained a license from the FRA, becoming the first digital NBFI committed to supporting SMEs

11 startups were shortlisted for the Access Sharjah Challenge 2024, demonstrating the region’s drive for innovation

Winners of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Foundation competition have been revealed, celebrating exceptional talent

Open For Application

Investment Readiness Bootcamp | Jordan

Designed for entrepreneurs in Jordan’s fashion and up/down-cycling sector to scale up and attract investors

Touchdown v2.0 | Jordan

Growth-stage Jordanian startups can expand to the US market with structured capacity building, matchmaking, and a $10k grant

XLR8 Program | Qatar

Helps innovators test commercial viability, gain market traction, and enhance investor awareness

Youth Impact Studio | Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, KSA, UAE, Egypt

Cultivate a new wave of sustainability leaders in MENA through an immersive, impactful experience

SG Global Pitch Battle | Global

Apply now to compete in local Chapter Pitch Battles between January 13–16, 2025

Cool Events

• Project Management for Success | 06.01 Virtual
  Learn strategies to organize and deliver projects on time, no matter the size

• 24six9 Riyadh Chapter Meetup | 07.01 Riyadh
  Connect with local entrepreneurs, share insights, and forge new collaborations

• Meet the Corporates at DSO | 08.01 Dubai
  Discover how major companies and startups can partner for innovation and growth

• Femme Francophone Entrepreneurs Competition | 09.01 Beirut
  Showcase women-led ventures, network, and access new opportunities in the region

• 1 Billion Followers Summit | 11.01 Dubai
  Meet top influencers and learn how to scale your online presence

• Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) | 12-18.01 Abu Dhabi
  Dive into renewable energy and sustainability breakthroughs shaping the future

• Entering the UK Market for MENA Startups & Founders | 28.01 Virtual

  ​This exclusive workshop is designed to help you make an informed decision about entering the UK market in 2025

Techy Bytes

Dubai launched an AI Charter and appointed 22 Chief AI Officers

Abu Dhabi formed an AI and Advanced Technology Council to strengthen next-generation innovation

Jordan introduced a blockchain policy to modernize public services and promote economic growth

Qatar launched its first AI-based personal assistant for physical tasks

Oman initiated a project to measure how the digital economy contributes to GDP

Morocco introduced the DigiSchool Initiative with Huawei to enhance digital education

Algeria plans to launch a mobile payment system in January 2025, further driving digital transformation