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MENA startups raised $289 million in May 2025, a 25% increase from April. 
Egypt led the charge, with Nawy raising $75 million and additional startups attracting $50 million. 
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait also saw significant investment activity within the region. 
Despite AI hype, only $25 million was raised for AI startups, showing a gap in investor support. 
Fintech remained dominant, while WakeCap&#8217;s $28 million highlighted interest in construction innovation.

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Egyptian FinTech startup PALM secures a seven-figure sum in pre-seed funding. 
PALM helps users save money for specific goals using investment strategies and behavioural nudges. 
The platform invests savings across equities, fixed income, and even precious metals. 
Funds will enhance customer acquisition, launch new products, and build partnerships. 
PALM aims to make saving personal and attainable, promoting financial inclusion in Egypt.

Ovasave has raised $1,2 million to innovate women&#8217;s health in the FemTech space. 
Led by PlusVC, Annex Investments, and 25 Madison, regional investors also participated. 
Funds will help expand across the GCC, enhancing app features like AI treatment recommendations. 
Ovasave aims to advance digital healthcare from Abu Dhabi, aligning with regional healthcare reforms. 
Their mission includes expanding into Saudi Arabia and other MENA countries within three years.

Wittify.ai, a Riyadh-based startup, raised $1,5 million to focus on conversational AI for Arabic. 
They aim to create &#8220;world-class technology&#8221; for the often overlooked Arabic-speaking market. 
Key founders bring extensive experience, setting Wittify apart by building from scratch, not localising. 
Their AI supports 25 Arabic dialects and integrates easily with existing business systems. 
Wittify has joined major accelerators and secured enterprise and government clients regionally.

TVM Capital Healthcare boosts Baraya Extended Care&#8217;s funding to $124 million amid rising healthcare demands. 
Key investors include TVM Healthcare Afiyah Fund and prominent groups like Olayan Financing Company. 
Baraya plans to expand with new clinics and open a 216-bed hospital by 2026. 
Saudi Ministry of Health reports high long-term care demand, factored into investment interest. 
While challenges remain, such investments signal a transformative phase in Saudi Arabia&#8217;s healthcare sector.

ORA Technologies secures $7,5 million in Series A funding from local investors. 
The funding will boost ORA&#8217;s delivery network and digital payment solutions. 
ORA aims to become Morocco’s leading mobile payment provider. 
CEO Omar El Alami highlights growing investor trust in high-potential Moroccan startups. 
ORA focuses on improving the &#8220;last mile&#8221; in e-commerce logistics.

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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Saudia and almatar have teamed up to simplify business travel in Saudi Arabia. 
The partnership offers tailored services through ZenHR and Kayan HR systems, integrating travel policies. 
“Tech-driven” solutions aim to meet “business travellers&#8217;” needs efficiently, said Saudia&#8217;s CCO. 
This aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, enhancing travel and technology infrastructure. 
Saudia and almatar are leveraging their strengths to improve business travel experiences significantly.

Saudi startup Lucidya secured 112,5 SAR million in a Series B funding round led by Impact46. 
Lucidya uses AI to boost customer experiences across sectors, including hospitality and finance. 
The funding aims to enhance AI agent capabilities for customer support, sales, and marketing. 
They target compliance with Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Personal Data Protection Law while entering markets worth $250 billion. 
Despite fierce competition, investors are optimistic about Lucidya&#8217;s growth potential in the MENA region.

JoAcademy partners with Truecaller to enhance communication in Jordan&#8217;s digital education space. 
Truecaller&#8217;s features help students and parents verify call authenticity for safer interactions. 
Call Reason and Video Caller ID features offer clarity and brand recognition during calls. 
Truecaller serves over 2,500 businesses globally, supporting JoAcademy&#8217;s mission for improved online education. 
This partnership signifies a shift towards clearer, user-focused communication in Jordan&#8217;s e-learning.

Neo Space Group (NSG) has acquired UP42, previously owned by Airbus, to enhance Saudi Arabia’s earth observation capabilities. 
This acquisition aligns with Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Vision 2030, supporting strategic growth in critical sectors. 
UP42’s global services will continue unaffected, aiming to expand access to earth observation data. 
NSG, founded in May 2024, quickly gains prominence in the global space economy with bold moves. 
Arageek highlights the evolving MENA startup landscape and the potential impact of such acquisitions.

Tarmeez Capital has secured its first institutional investment to expand Shariah-compliant sukuk offerings. 
The startup swiftly acquired over 180,000 users and facilitated SAR 2 billion in financing. 
Saudi Arabia&#8217;s corporate debt market reached SAR 140 billion, with digital platforms seeing growth. 
Tarmeez&#8217;s rapid digital issuance appeals to investors, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030&#8217;s digitisation goals. 
The fintech scene advances as National Development Fund bolsters private-sector growth with substantial credit agreements.

Yasmina secured $2 million in Seed funding to boost its digital beauty platform. 
This funding will help enhance the app, expand the team, and offer new features. 
Yasmina digitises beauty services, booking appointments and payments via an easy-to-use app. 
Their focus on tech-savvy personal care solutions could transform beauty services across the region.

WaHa, a water technology firm, secured $8 million for expansion in the Gulf region. 
Funds will support expansion, ownership restructuring, and debt repayment, tackling multiple challenges seamlessly. 
Investors include industry leaders like Berkeley Catalyst Fund and Mitsui Mining &amp; Smelting. 
WaHa partners with Khalifa University to test technology under extreme desert conditions. 
Their commercial debut is slated for Dubai&#8217;s WETEX expo in September 2025.

Investing in luxury watches requires understanding market demand, brand reputation, and exclusivity. Trends and economic shifts can heavily impact watch values, requiring diligent market monitoring. Brand reputation enhances customer trust and boosts the desirability of luxury watches. Rarity and limited editions make watches more appealing, increasing value for collectors. Thorough research, including expert opinions and reliable sources, is crucial for informed investment decisions.

Stride Ventures unveils &#8220;Abu Dhabi Global Market V&#8221; to expand in the Gulf region. 
The fund aims to surpass $500 million and support the startup ecosystem in the GCC. 
Founder Ispriteet Singh Gandhi highlights long-term commitment to Gulf founders and innovators. 
They are set to become a major provider of Sharia-compliant capital for fast-growing ventures. 
Partnerships focus on fintech, health-tech, logistics, and climate tech, signaling significant regional impact.

Valu received approval from Jordan&#8217;s Central Bank to start BNPL operations, enhancing flexibility in spending. 
Their service allows customers to purchase essentials through manageable instalments, easing financial strain. 
Both consumers and merchants stand to benefit, widening accessibility and boosting sales. 
Valu&#8217;s groundwork involves strategic local partnerships, indicating a well-researched marketplace approach. 
With recent investment and listing on the EGX, Valu aims to lead regional fintech innovation.

LemFi has expanded its cross-border money transfer services to Egypt&#8217;s booming remittance market. 
The remittances to Egypt reached $29,6 billion in 2024, over 6% of the national GDP. 
LemFi&#8217;s mobile app offers fast, low-cost transfers to Egyptians abroad in the UK, US, Canada, and Europe. 
The company serves over 2 million customers and secured $53 million in Series B funding. 
Philip Daniel highlights Egypt&#8217;s strategic importance and LemFi&#8217;s commitment to reliable services for the diaspora.

Saudi Arabia announces new programmes to support local tourism startups through the Tourism Development Fund. 
The Grow Tourism Incubator provides workspaces, legal, and marketing support for budding startups. 
Tourism Hackathons &amp; Bootcamps aim to develop prototypes for innovative concepts across key regions. 
The Grow Tourism Accelerator offers networking and guidance, linking startups to investors globally. 
These initiatives align with Saudi&#8217;s Vision 2030, advancing the region&#8217;s dynamic startup culture.

Mwasalat and Birba will provide hydrogen-powered shuttles for the 2025 Green Hydrogen Summit. 
Shell&#8217;s station will fuel these vehicles, supporting Oman&#8217;s carbon neutrality goals. 
The Summit expects over 3,000 attendees, including global investors and researchers. 
Oman aims to become a major hydrogen hub, leveraging its strategic location and infrastructure. 
Hydrogen technology remains costly, but Oman&#8217;s commitment to sustainability is inspiring.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have signed an agreement to enhance AI and IoT collaboration. 
This partnership aims to advance education, training, and ethical governance in the Gulf region. 
The agreement aligns with both countries&#8217; Vision 2030 ambitions for technological leadership. 
Officials from both countries emphasize a robust and ethical regulatory framework. 
Challenges in tech governance are acknowledged, but the cooperation holds promise for innovation.

Dubai Duty Free and Crypto com inked a deal to explore cryptocurrency use in their outlets. 
This collaboration aspires to enable payments with digital assets both online and in-store. 
Innovative customer options could make airport shopping easier and more fun. 
The partnership aligns with the UAE&#8217;s aim to enhance digital innovation in retail. 
Dubai Duty Free&#8217;s recent success supports this move towards embracing modern payment methods.

Amazon Payment Services partners with Tamara to enhance BNPL options in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. 
The BNPL industry is thriving, offering an easier way to manage finances without traditional credit. 
This collaboration boosts sales, reduces cart abandonment, and improves customer satisfaction for merchants. 
The partnership builds on Amazon&#8217;s existing payment solutions, supporting flexible, fee-free instalments. 
Businesses gain new revenue channels and streamlined processes with enhanced consumer finance trends.

Al-Futtaim Technologies partners with Johnson Controls to launch the OpenBlue smart building platform in UAE. 
The showcase demonstrated cutting-edge systems merging data analytics with energy efficiency. 
OpenBlue offers real-time operational insights, predictive maintenance, and improved occupant comfort. 
This partnership aims to transition buildings into fully digitised, responsive environments. 
Al-Futtaim positions itself to lead adaptive infrastructure breakthroughs in the Gulf region.

Al Seer Marine secures AED 760 million from ADCB to boost growth and diversify its fleet. 
This funding enhances Al Seer Marine&#8217;s strategic expansion into LNG, LPG, and petrochemicals. 
Al Seer Marine strengthens ties with local and international financial institutions for future projects. 
They are innovating with unmanned vessels, 3D printing, and naval shipbuilding. 
The company is poised to shape the maritime landscape with its forward-thinking initiatives.

Egyptian startup Nawy acquires a majority stake in UAE&#8217;s SmartCrowd to enter the Gulf market. 
Nawy&#8217;s innovative services include &#8220;Nawy Shares&#8221; for fractional investment and &#8220;live now, pay later&#8221; options. 
SmartCrowd allows investors to buy small income-generating real estate shares starting at $150. 
The acquisition aids Nawy&#8217;s UAE and broader GCC expansion plans, supported by recent $52m funding. 
Observers see this as a bold step towards cross-border collaborations in the MENA startup scene.

Jahez plans to acquire a 76,56% stake in Qatar&#8217;s tech startup Snoonu for $245 million. 
The transaction involves buying existing shares and subscribing to new shares, totalling $214 million in cash. 
Post-acquisition, Snoonu&#8217;s valuation will hit around $320 million, a significant milestone in Qatar. 
Jahez will fund the acquisition through liquidity, banking facilities, and its treasury shares. 
This move underscores growing cross-border tech interest and regional entrepreneurial spirit in the Gulf.

Xpanceo, a UAE startup, raised $250 million in Series-A funding for innovative tech. 
The company aims to develop XR contact lenses with features like night vision and health monitoring. 
Faced with challenges, funds will help perfect prototypes, targeting clinical trials by 2026. 
Founded by Russian and Ukrainian partners, it&#8217;s a testament to entrepreneurship&#8217;s borderless spirit. 
The UAE continues to be a hub for ambitious tech projects and visionary innovation.

Seef Properties teams up with Bahrain&#8217;s Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) to reduce energy use. 
Their commercial hubs aim to enhance energy efficiency and comply with national sustainability standards. 
The efforts support Bahrain&#8217;s ambitious target for carbon neutrality by 2060. 
A significant solar energy project will generate cleaner electricity and cut down carbon emissions. 
Seef Properties highlights the importance of collaboration for achieving sustainable development goals.

STC Bank named &#8220;Best Digital Bank in Saudi Arabia&#8221; by Inc Arabia Magazine. 
Initially launched as a digital wallet, STC Bank quickly transitioned to a full-service bank. 
With 14 million users, STC Bank has aligned services with young Saudi digital users&#8217; needs. 
The recognition underscores STC Bank&#8217;s innovation and efficiency in the competitive financial sector. 
Inc Arabia&#8217;s honour adds prestige, reflecting STC Bank’s significant impact on Saudi fintech.

Blacklane and EVIQ partner to expand electric vehicle charging stations in Saudi Arabia. 
This collaboration supports Vision 2030&#8217;s goal of green, smart mobility in the Kingdom. 
A fleet-charging hub will open at Blacklane&#8217;s new headquarters in Riyadh. 
Future training programs will teach chauffeurs charging best practices for premium service. 
With strong backing, the partnership could significantly impact Saudi Arabia&#8217;s transport ecosystem.