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Justyol raised $1 million to expand its e-commerce presence across North Africa. 
The investment includes $400,000 equity from an angel investor and $600,000 from Danis Group. 
Funds will boost logistics, sales, and marketing, targeting deeper market penetration. 
Justyol connects North African shoppers with Turkish fashion, eyeing expansion into new product categories. 
Building partnerships with international suppliers is key to a sustainable growth strategy.

WheelsOn, a UAE-based digital car rental platform, has secured $12,5 million in new funding. 
With this funding, WheelsOn plans to expand its fleet and develop AI-driven pricing tools. 
The company controls its fleet completely, allowing fast responses to maintenance needs. 
Founded in 2023, WheelsOn offers a digital platform with zero paperwork and upfront deposits. 
WheelsOn&#8217;s innovative approach may set them apart in the evolving MENA mobility market.

Khaleeji Bank and eTijwaal offer an instant eSIM solution for travellers in Bahrain. 
Customers can activate eSIMs in over 190 countries, avoiding physical SIM swaps and roaming charges. 
The eTijwaal app allows simple activation and offers cashback rewards for Khaleeji Bank users. 
The initiative supports Khaleeji Bank&#8217;s digital transformation, focusing on customer convenience. 
Travelers from Bahrain can enjoy simplified and cost-effective mobile connectivity abroad.

Lahint Business Services accelerated its AI-driven automation program completion to early 2026. 
The company achieved ISO certifications for quality, security, and cloud data protection. 
Saudi Data &amp; AI Authority recognised Lahint as an accredited AI Service Provider. 
Lahint will automate government paperwork, benefiting businesses with new features from early 2026. 
Their innovation supports Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Vision 2030 for the digital economy.

Intella secures $12,5 million Series A funding led by Prosus for Arabic AI innovation. 
The Cairo-based startup excels in speech technology, supporting over 25 Arabic dialects. 
Funds will boost research, product development, and regional expansion, particularly in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. 
Partnerships like Jumia highlight Intella&#8217;s strength in conversational AI and customer engagement tools. 
Intella&#8217;s revenue is rising, aiming for a sevenfold increase by 2025 with new industry entries.

The Founders’ Voice is where you’ll hear raw, honest conversations with the entrepreneurs and dreamers changing the game in the MENA region.

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Al Baraka Islamic Bank partners with Dhaman to bolster trade finance and international ties. 
The partnership enhances Al Baraka&#8217;s access to risk management and Dhaman’s A+ credit rating. 
Dr Adel Salem sees it as a step towards sustainable economic growth for Bahrain. 
Dhaman&#8217;s experience insures global investments and exports, providing a competitive edge for clients. 
The collaboration aims to make regional trade less risky and more efficient.

Linde has acquired Airtec, increasing its stake to over 90% in the Gulf region. 
This move strengthens Linde&#8217;s presence in Kuwait, Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. 
Airtec provides industrial gases crucial for energy, healthcare, and heavy industry sectors. 
Linde aims for enhanced supply chains and synergies, improving efficiency and customer service. 
The growing demand for industrial gases shows the Gulf region&#8217;s rapidly maturing industrial sector.

Policybazaar for Business is expanding reinsurance operations in Sri Lanka, Qatar, Oman, and UAE. 
They aim to deliver tech-powered solutions for more efficient risk management in these fast-growing markets. 
Co-founder Tarun Mathur emphasizes updating outdated reinsurance processes with transparency and speed. 
The expansion reflects their commitment to a significant presence in Asian and Middle Eastern markets. 
Improved tools can benefit startups and entrepreneurs by enabling data-led decisions and better coverage.

BENEFIT launched a business account feature on the BenefitPay app for local merchants. 
Merchants can use the app to manage payments via Fawri+ with just a mobile number. 
The app allows real-time transaction tracking and costs nothing extra for users. 
This update aims to simplify financial operations for small businesses in Bahrain. 
BENEFIT is committed to improving digital payment solutions in Bahrain&#8217;s economy.

Egypt’s first $10 million fund targets research-based innovation and patent-driven enterprises. 
The fund focuses on research and patents rather than existing products, supporting universities and inventors. 
It uses a royalty-based model to pay inventors from sales, boosting ecosystem reinvestment. 
Progressio and Falak Startups bring expertise, aiming to create a new investment asset class. 
An additional $2,7 million in debt financing is set aside to further support SMEs.

Rain Technology ME Ltd and Stella Technology have merged to form Rain Stella Technologies (RST). 
The merger combines Stella&#8217;s digital infrastructure with Rain&#8217;s AI and automation expertise. 
Experienced leadership, including Lalo Valdez and Khalid Adine, are steering RST&#8217;s ambitions. 
RST aims to transform healthcare across the Middle East with AI-driven solutions. 
The AI healthcare market in MENA could reach $1,8 billion by 2029, driving demand.

Omantel and Serb partner to boost drone accessibility in Oman, focusing on safety and legality. 
Youth can acquire drones and licenses through affordable plans, fostering tech engagement. 
The collaboration aims to spark innovation and global thinking among young Omanis. 
Oman is positioning itself as a leader in drone technology with practical initiatives. 
This approach empowers people to participate in the digital economy and create future tech startups.

Al Ghurair Mobility partners with Chery Group to launch RELY pickup trucks in the UAE. 
John Iossifidis sees this as a step towards UAE becoming a global transport innovation hub. 
RELY aims at delivering advanced, durable, and intelligent commercial vehicles for modern fleet operators. 
Chery&#8217;s vision for RELY includes balancing new energy options with practical, tech-driven solutions. 
The launch may present challenges, but it energises local entrepreneurship with innovation potential.

Ooredoo and Qatar Airways partner to advance AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity in Qatar. 
The national AI hub will provide cutting-edge infrastructure and secure tech systems. 
Focus on upskilling local talent, reducing reliance on international expertise. 
Investment in NVIDIA GPU technology boosts AI capabilities for local businesses. 
The collaboration aims to establish Qatar as a leader in digital innovation.

TransBnk secures $25 million Series B funding, led by Bessemer Venture Partners. 
The funds will support expansion in the Middle East and East Asia regions. 
TransBnk provides flexible banking infrastructure via easy-to-integrate APIs for banks and fintechs. 
Over 40 banks and 220 clients engage with TransBnk&#8217;s modular system monthly. 
The funding suggests increased competition among fintechs to innovate in cross-border services.

GlobalCorp Financial Services secured two major deals worth a total of EGP 4,91 billion. 
They completed a seventh leasing securitization and launched a first-ever mortgage finance securitization. 
Their offerings were oversubscribed, involving 13 banks, highlighting strong market confidence. 
These moves align with Egypt’s Vision 2030, promoting wider financial inclusion. 
GlobalCorp&#8217;s strategies reflect innovation and appeal to conservative investors seeking lower risk.

Seraya, a Dubai startup, raised $1,8 million, totalling $2,15 million in funding. 
Leading investors include a Saudi family office and German firm DLL, alongside strategic angels. 
Operating with a vertically integrated model, Seraya achieves a 92%+ occupancy rate. 
They focus on control, delivering luxury fits and wellness features in guest-ready flats. 
Seraya targets expansion in key Dubai locations amid the booming short-term rental market.

Munify, a Cairo startup backed by Y Combinator, aims to revolutionise remittances for Egyptians abroad. 
Founder Khalid Ashmawy envisions near-instant, low-cost transfers and digital banking with minimal paperwork. 
The innovative cross-border banking infrastructure targets $30 billion in annual remittances sent to Egypt. 
With thousands of users, Munify projects it could handle $50 million monthly in transactions. 
Their dual focus on consumers and businesses provides resilience in fluctuating market conditions.

Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Public Investment Fund will launch the ALLaM 34B AI language model. 
HUMAIN is developing ALLaM 34B, focusing on Arabic language and cultural sensitivity. 
Their chat tools, HUMAIN Chat, respect cultural nuances and keep data local. 
Groq and HUMAIN ensure quick, responsive service with access to OpenAI&#8217;s models locally. 
Local entrepreneurship thrives, as Saudi AI initiatives aim to innovate and not just imitate.

Coraly ai, a UAE-based PropTech platform, raised $2 million in a pre-seed funding round. 
The funds aim to enhance AI capabilities, develop new products, and expand globally. 
Strategic partnerships in France and the US are crucial to entering new markets. 
Originally known as Coralytics, the firm rebranded to reflect its global AI ambitions. 
Investors see potential in Coraly ai blending AI with PropTech to transform real estate.

Breadfast, an Egyptian grocery delivery firm, secured $10 million from EBRD and Novastar Ventures. 
With this investment, the company’s valuation has rocketed to between $382 and $400 million. 
They plan to expand delivery in Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, and Mansoura, reaching new markets. 
Breadfast handles over 1 million orders monthly for 300,000 users, with $150 million revenue. 
They&#8217;re exploring fintech with Breadfast Pay, setting themselves apart in Egypt&#8217;s quick-commerce scene.

Dubai has launched &#8220;The Future of AI in Government Services&#8221; accelerator programme. 
AI startups from around the globe can collaborate with Dubai’s government to improve public services. 
Participants will work with decision-makers, with travel and accommodation costs covered. 
Startups retain intellectual property and gain opportunities to expand locally and internationally. 
The initiative highlights Dubai’s commitment to being at the forefront of AI innovation.

Impact46 invests over $6,7 million in five MENA gaming studios, boosting the regional gaming scene. 
The aim is to support &#8220;builders&#8221; crafting the next era of content and gaming infrastructure. 
MENA studios offer diverse experiences, from culturally rich mobile games to intricate console narratives. 
Saudi Arabia&#8217;s ambition aligns with Vision 2030, driving local innovation in gaming and esports. 
These investments highlight potential for shaping the next generation of games with bold funding.

Fawry partners with FORSA to offer Buy Now, Pay Later services across Egypt&#8217;s POS network. 
This collaboration aligns with Egypt&#8217;s Vision 2030 for a digital and inclusive economy. 
Merchants gain easy access to FORSA&#8217;s BNPL without complications, enhancing customer experience. 
Fawry aims to expand operations, offering secure and varied digital solutions through partnerships. 
FORSA aims to reach more merchants, simplifying purchase experiences for consumers.

Saudi startup Shahbandr partners with Tamara to enhance payment flexibility for over 18,000 online stores. 
Shahbandr, founded by Shady Abdelshaheed and Tamer Sharkas, simplifies e-commerce with AI and analytics tools. 
Tamara’s BNPL integration will enhance customer options, increasing conversion rates and easing financial processes. 
Shahbandr can collect service fees directly, streamlining payments and supporting small business growth. 
The collaboration supports a vision for an intelligent e-commerce ecosystem, improving merchant and customer experiences.

Tamkeen and Salica Investments launch the third round of the Riyada Business Accelerator Program. 
The six-month program supports early-stage tech startups in Bahrain with mentorship and investor connections. 
Previous participants&#8217; success underscores Bahrain&#8217;s competitive and innovative startup scene. 
Eligible teams must have a Bahraini founder and a promising tech-driven idea. 
Startups will present their achievements at a Demo Day to attract potential investors.

NetApp appoints Saeed Al-Zahrani to lead its Saudi operations, aiming for digital transformation. 
Al-Zahrani, an experienced industry veteran, will focus on Saudi’s digital infrastructure demands. 
NetApp prioritises smarter data and hybrid cloud solutions to impact energy, healthcare, and smart cities. 
The company plans to nurture local skills and strengthen ties with the public sector and universities. 
Their commitment could significantly boost Saudi startups and enterprises under Vision 2030 ambitions.

F6 Group and Flat6Labs launch F6 Ventures to fund early-stage startups. 
F6 Ventures addresses funding shortages and provides strategic support across the Middle East and Africa. 
Managing over $90 million, they focus on fintech, digital health, education, and logistics. 
Plans include expanding funds beyond the Gulf, aiming for $200 million under management. 
Regulatory challenges exist, but collaboration promises potential breakout successes.