masterminds-2026-02-28t143325-693

MasterMinds - 2026-02-28T143325.693

Skipr secures USD 2 million seed funding at USD 10 million valuation. 
Funds will scale its &#8216;sovereign AI infrastructure&#8217; for secure system coordination. 
Platform enables AI-to-AI communication under national control and strict compliance rules. 
Uses cryptographic identity, policy-driven routing and auditable interoperability for traceability. 
Backed by Hub71, it targets Gulf demand for digital sovereignty.

Truecaller partners AnyMind to boost ad sales across MENA and Southeast Asia. 
AnyMind becomes exclusive intermediary in markets including Egypt, UAE, Nigeria and Singapore. 
Truecaller touts “high-intent” users, 450 million actives and 5 billion daily impressions. 
The move strengthens local sales as advertising remains its main revenue stream. 
It signals rising confidence in emerging markets beyond global walled gardens.

Abu Dhabi signs MoU with Keeta to share delivery data. 
Aim is &#8220;evidence-based policymaking&#8221; with less guesswork, more facts. 
Partners will exchange operational data on logistics, volumes and traffic patterns. 
Workshops and training aim to build analytical capabilities and trust. 
Officials say it supports a &#8220;sustainable, diversified economy&#8221; and SME growth.

Saudi firm EDAFA will invest $10 million in Egyptian startups in 2026. 
The sum is “more than a quarter above” last year’s deployment. 
Over 18 months, it backed 20 startups, favouring “governance and long-term growth”. 
Funding is milestone-based, releasing tranches once performance targets are met. 
Egypt remains a “cornerstone” market, despite pressures and fierce competition.

DDS partners with Thrifty and Dollar to digitise direct debit collections nationwide. 
Paper-based mandates and “wet signatures” replaced with remote UAE PASS authorisation. 
API integration enables automated lease payments, toll and fine recovery at scale. 
The shift removes in-branch paperwork and boosts visibility across fleet operations. 
It signals established sectors fixing “paper-heavy” processes as UAE fintech accelerates.

Dubai startup Paquik raised $85,000 pre-seed to launch its cross-border delivery platform. 
It matches senders with travellers’ spare luggage space in a peer-to-peer model. 
KYC checks, escrow payments and ratings aim to make “stranger-to-stranger” exchanges safer. 
The UAE–Egypt corridor drew 17,000 users and over $10,000 early revenue. 
Asset-light expansion across the GCC is planned for 2026, execution key.

Tafweela has launched an NFC “sticker” to digitise toll payments across Egypt. 
The service covers 300+ gates, replacing cash with instant, secure transactions. 
Tolls make up 10–15% of costs; a real-time dashboard tracks spending. 
More than 1.3 million vehicles, including solo drivers, can recharge via Instapay. 
The 2024 startup aims to modernise fleet payments and cut “financial leakage”.

Alef Education expands into UAE private schools, reaching 33,000 students across 28 campuses. 
Five school groups will adopt its AI-driven platforms, including Alef Platform and Pathways. 
The tools offer ‘real-time’ tracking, adaptive learning, and support for Arabic literacy. 
Public school results showed a 12,1% exam improvement, boosting private sector interest. 
Expansion signals confidence, though scaling across varied private schools may test the model.

Syria’s MOCT signed a cooperation deal with Visa in San Francisco. 
The agreement targets digital infrastructure, financial inclusion and fintech innovation. 
Plans include a regulatory sandbox, cybersecurity support and capacity-building programmes. 
Startups gain exposure through a fintech competition and Visa’s global platforms. 
Execution remains the “real test”, despite ambitions for a future-ready payments ecosystem.

Khedmah launches Khedmah Rewards to add value to everyday digital transactions. 
Users earn points automatically, redeemable with partners or within the platform. 
Three tiers — Bronze, Silver and Gold — unlock lifestyle and luxury perks. 
Points can also cover essentials like utility bills, telecoms and fines. 
The move aims to build loyalty and create a stickier digital ecosystem.

BENEFIT has launched a fully digital Direct Debit via BenefitPay and Fawateer. 
Users can activate mandates instantly, cutting paperwork, delays and fraud risk. 
The move backs Central Bank plans to strengthen Bahrain’s FinTech standing. 
Businesses gain smoother collections, improved cash flow and lower administrative costs. 
The system may spur wider Open Banking and embedded finance innovation.

The UAE Central Bank is building the world’s first “sovereign financial cloud” with Core42. 
The secure, isolated platform keeps sensitive data under national control. 
It underpins a wider transformation to boost resilience and “technological leadership”. 
AI and advanced analytics will drive intelligent automation and data-led decisions. 
Officials call it a statement of intent for secure, future-ready digital finance.

Emirates NBD Egypt has launched Apple Pay for fast, contactless payments. 
Transactions use Face ID or Touch ID with a ‘dynamic security code’. 
Card numbers aren’t stored; a secure ‘Device Account Number’ protects data. 
Customers get 50% cashback as Egypt pushes towards digital adoption. 
The move supports Vision 2030 and growing trust in cashless payments.

EFG Hermes has launched five mutual funds on its ONE app. 
The move aims to “democratise investing” for everyday Egyptian savers. 
Funds cover varied risk appetites, from daily liquidity to long-term growth. 
Users can start small, accessing “institutional-quality” options without deep pockets. 
The shift supports financial inclusion and broader retail participation in markets.

Talabat mart UAE orders jumped 21% on Ramadan’s first day. 
Average basket size rose 3%, as shoppers stocked up. 
Top sellers included bananas, water, cucumbers and local tomatoes. 
“Structural reliance” on quick commerce reflects changing Ramadan routines. 
The company expects sustained high demand through the holy month.

YVL Capital Partners launches in Dubai as an AI-native venture fund and studio. 
It backs early-stage startups in AI infrastructure and mission-critical industries. 
The firm offers “execution, operators, and infrastructure from day one”. 
Its AI layer claims to cut burn by 40 to 50 percent. 
Headquartered in Dubai, YVL targets MENA, Europe and North America.

Mawarid Finance and Rentify launch a “rent now, pay later” solution in the UAE. 
Tenants pay monthly instalments, while landlords receive the full year upfront. 
The fully digital process aims to ease liquidity strains and “structural friction”. 
Backers say it combines Shariah-compliant finance with tech-driven property management. 
Success hinges on pricing clarity, landlord trust, and a smooth user experience.

masterminds-2026-02-25t142323-914

MasterMinds - 2026-02-25T142323.914

AmiViz has partnered with Veracode to boost software security across the Middle East and Africa. 
The platform embeds security from “first line of code” to cloud deployment. 
AI-powered tools flag risks early, cutting costly fixes and reducing “security debt”. 
Executives call application security a board-level issue in AI-driven development. 
The programme promises quick partner adoption with minimal disruption to operations.

G42 and Publicis Sapient plan a joint venture for an “AI-first services” push. 
It aims to turn AI “capability” into real operational impact. 
The venture would blend sovereign infrastructure with enterprise platforms and industry expertise. 
Focus areas include cloud modernisation, AI agents, and full-scale deployment. 
If finalised by mid-2026, it could reshape the UAE and Global South.

Sapio Solutions has launched in the UAE, offering web, branding and marketing services. 
Based in Sharjah, it targets startups, SMEs and larger firms. 
It promises “digital ecosystems” linking design, user experience and measurable performance. 
The firm takes a consultative approach focused on scalability and long-term growth. 
Success will depend on execution in the UAE’s crowded digital market.

Al-Futtaim Real Estate and Siemens partner to fast-track digital transformation and sustainability. 
They will deploy Building X, AI tools, fire safety and management systems. 
The aim is “smarter buildings, leaner operations” and steady progress towards net zero. 
Energy audits will set baselines and shape a clearer decarbonisation roadmap. 
The tie-up could reset standards for “human-centric autonomous buildings” across the Gulf.

Riyadh Valley Company is launching a startup fund and accelerator with SparkLabs. 
The scheme backs “early-stage startups”, especially ideas from King Saud University. 
Campus-based support aims to shorten the gap between research and revenue. 
SparkLabs brings global reach and could attract tech firms to university labs. 
Success will hinge on agility and turning ambition into real impact.

Mohammed Fathy

Mohammed Fathy, Author at Arageek

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