Iraq-based iQ Cars has secured significant seed funding led by Euphrates Ventures for expansion. 
Founded by Amer Saleh, iQ Cars connects buyers and sellers with an advanced digital marketplace. 
As Iraq’s first PJSC startup, it focuses on transparency and growth in the automotive sector. 
With new funds, plans include enhancing user experience and expanding to more cities. 
iQ Cars aims to revolutionise Iraq&#8217;s car market, making transactions easier and more transparent.

BNY Mellon obtained a regional headquarters licence to expand operations in Saudi Arabia. 
The new RHQ in Riyadh will centralise strategic guidance and administrative coordination. 
Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Vision 2030 aligns with BNY Mellon&#8217;s growth and regional partnership aspirations. 
International companies, including Goldman Sachs, are attracted by incentives and mandatory headquarters rules. 
Riyadh is emerging as a major financial hub, drawing significant global investment interest.

Credilab, a fintech firm, received a US$1 million investment from Dubai&#8217;s Triple Helix Capital. 
They offer same-day digital loans to micro-businesses, simplifying what is traditionally a complex process. 
Credilab&#8217;s revenues surged 116% in 2024&#8217;s first half, with a loan book of US$13,3 million. 
The investment will enhance their tech capabilities and expand lending products at a crucial phase. 
Credilab is poised to become a significant fintech player in Southeast Asia and beyond.

The ZIGChain Summit introduced DeFAI, a $25 million fund for DeFi and AI startups. 
The fund is supported by ZIGLabs, Disrupt and DWF Labs to enhance blockchain and AI innovation. 
There&#8217;s significant potential in combining blockchain with AI for decentralised finance and digital strategies. 
This follows ZIGLabs’ previous announcement of a $100-million ecosystem fund to support startups. 
Keep an eye on the DeFAI fund for future groundbreaking innovations in the tech community.

Saudi-based startup Tooba secured $8 million in pre-seed funding, led by Alwaalan Company. 
The funds will develop an AI-based healthcare platform streamlining employer-based services. 
Tooba aims to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve patient and provider experiences. 
Founded by Faiz Al Anzi, Tooba seeks to make healthcare accessible and affordable for employers. 
Tooba&#8217;s innovative approach could impact healthcare delivery across the region in future years.

MedIQ has secured $6 million in Series-A funding, attracting Gulf region interest. 
The Pakistani startup connects patients, insurers, and healthcare providers efficiently using AI technology. 
With roughly 10 million users, MedIQ aims to expand in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations. 
Healthcare platforms like MedIQ are booming, driven by rising demand for digital solutions. 
Previous seed round successes highlight investor confidence in MedIQ&#8217;s growth potential.

Nice One Beauty reported a solid 10,2% jump in net profits for Q1 2025. 
Profits surged 311% quarter-on-quarter due to stronger revenues and reduced sales expenses. 
Sales increased by around 30% thanks to effective marketing and a broader product range. 
Revenues edged up by 5,8%, bolstered by more orders and new customer acquisition. 
Operational cost rises pose challenges alongside profit growth following business expansions.

Hong Kong-based Animoca Brands is opening a new office in Dubai to expand its presence. 
Omar Elassar has been appointed as managing director for the Middle East region. 
The Dubai office aims to be a hub for local start-ups and global collaborations. 
Elassar, with significant Web3 experience, will lead strategic growth in the Middle East. 
Dubai&#8217;s vibrant business climate makes it an ideal location for Animoca&#8217;s expansion.

BitGo secures a VASP licence from Dubai&#8217;s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. 
This enables BitGo to offer secure custody and storage services for virtual assets in Dubai. 
Dubai is increasingly seen as an attractive hub for digital asset enterprises. 
Despite positive developments, the regional digital asset regulatory framework is still evolving. 
BitGo&#8217;s expansion signifies Dubai&#8217;s growing status as a centre for fintech innovation.

BloomPath, a SaaS startup, raised $1,3 million in pre-seed funding from RAED Ventures. 
The funding will enhance BloomPath’s AI-driven platform for improved team management and productivity. 
BloomPath is described as revolutionising engineering functions and tracking team priorities effectively. 
Investors praise BloomPath&#8217;s bold vision of reshaping organisational performance and employee engagement. 
Initial funding will boost product development and expand BloomPath’s presence in global markets.

Meta has launched the Meta AI app for Android and iOS in the MENA region. 
The app consolidates AI interactions, featuring a personal, intuitive and social experience. 
Users can manage devices and share AI prompts for creative interaction. 
Some features available in the US and Canada, like &#8216;full-duplex&#8217; speech, aren&#8217;t yet in MENA. 
The app offers cross-platform integration and customisation for a tailored AI experience.

True Gamers is revolutionising gaming cafés by integrating esports with coffee culture. 
They secured a $5 million seed funding to expand in the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. 
Following a $45 million raise, they plan 150 new venues in Saudi Arabia by “Vision 2030.” 
They will enhance their digital platform for gamers to access events and track leaderboards. 
With esports booming, True Gamers is set to open more cafés in the UAE, Morocco, and Europe.

Darbak Plus completes its first pre-seed investment round through the Oman Future fund. 
The platform targets companies and institutions, offering seamless online booking for various adventures. 
Their service includes designing customised journeys with bookings up to six months in advance. 
Customers praise the secure online payment system, making booking straightforward and safe. 
Darbak Plus aims to make a significant mark on Oman&#8217;s rapidly evolving tourism sector.

BoxCommerce, a global e-commerce firm, launches in the UAE to support local SMEs. 
The company offers user-friendly platforms for online shopping to cater specifically to local businesses. 
CEO Craig Mcleod expects UAE e-commerce to expand to AED 48 billion by 2028. 
BoxCommerce&#8217;s localisation strategy includes integrating UAE-specific digital payments and delivery methods. 
Previously successful in markets like Kenya, BoxCommerce partners with MasterCard for greater credibility.

Salesforce showcased its Agentforce platform at GITEX Africa 2025 in Casablanca. 
Agentforce, rapidly growing since 2024, revolutionises business tasks with intelligent AI agents. 
The new Agentforce 2dx anticipates business needs and integrates smoothly into processes. 
African businesses using Agentforce achieve ROI five times faster, cutting costs significantly. 
Local partners highlight innovative AI projects and the platform&#8217;s transformative potential.

Meran and Welnes merge to create a unique health and sports app for Saudis. 
Meran will bring AI-driven meal plans, while Welnes contributes community-focused fitness connections. 
The partnership aligns with Vision 2030 and aims to address diverse health needs in Saudi Arabia. 
Key Saudi investor from Droob Ventures facilitated the merger, with headquarters in Riyadh. 
The combined firm aims to improve Saudi quality of life through accessible, interactive health solutions.

Dataiku introduces AI Agents with Dataiku for streamlined creation and management of AI agents. 
Roughly 20% of customers use their platform to integrate Generative AI into workflows. 
The platform addresses challenges of chaotic AI setups, emphasising control and governance. 
It offers both no-code and full-code options, plus tools for ongoing monitoring and optimisation. 
The platform ensures seamless integration with existing data environments to enhance ROI.

Dreame Technology unveils advanced smart home products like the X50 UC and H15 Pro. 
The first flagship store opens at Dubai Hills Mall, boosting regional presence. 
Products offer features like autonomous floor cleaning, appealing to tech enthusiasts. 
Initial technical glitches marred the launch, but troubleshooting tips are available. 
Dreame&#8217;s investment in Dubai could significantly influence technological adoption in homes region-wide.

Prop-AI Earns Dubai AI Seal, Revolutionizing Real Estate Investment with Cutting-Edge Technology

Prop-AI is the first PropTech company to receive the Dubai AI Seal.
The company uses AI to offer smarter, data-driven real estate investment solutions.
Its platform integrates over 3 billion data points, including Dubai Land Department records.
The tool helps investors make quicker, more informed decisions with real-time insights.
Prop-AI is part of Dubai’s REES initiative and has received backing from top investors.

UAE’s Hushday Secures $550K to Bring Exclusive Premium Sales to the GCC

Hushday raised $550K (approximately AED 2 million) in a pre-seed funding round.
The platform offers luxury brands a controlled way to manage excess inventory.
It plans to launch first in the UAE, then expand into Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait.
Operates on a private, invitation-only model offering flash sales with AI-powered recommendations.
Targets the booming $16 billion GCC premium off-price retail market.

Ruya Bank introduces Shari’ah-compliant crypto investments, a first in Islamic banking.
Partnership with Fuze ensures secure, ethical access to digital assets.
Services integrated into Ruya’s mobile app for user convenience.
UAE&#8217;s virtual asset market saw a 42% growth, totaling over $30 billion by June 2024.
Focus on long-term wealth building aligns with Islamic financial principles.​

The US stock market remains highly attractive but challenging to access for global investors. 
Fintech startup Alpaca raised $52 million to expand its US trading platform globally. 
Alpaca seeks more regulatory licenses and plans to introduce European and Asian equities. 
CEO Yoshi Yokokawa highlighted the need for modern solutions to compete with older rivals. 
With significant growth, Alpaca aims to become a truly global trading hub.

Rapid delivery services like q-commerce are gaining traction beyond a mere novelty. 
Egyptian startup, Rabbit, secures investment to expand its 20-minute delivery service into Saudi Arabia. 
The funding will support Rabbit’s entry into Riyadh and Jeddah with strategic micro-fulfilment centres. 
CEO Yousry highlights Saudi Arabia&#8217;s appetite for quick, reliable delivery as driving their expansion. 
This move aligns with a regional trend of Egyptian startups pursuing growth throughout MENA.

Investors are eyeing Saudi stocks in 2025, requiring savvy and research for wise choices. 
Aramco offers reliable dividends, but its share price might dip slightly by end of 2024. 
Al Rajhi Bank shows strong growth prospects, with shares expected to rally by 2028. 
Saudi National Bank promises steady dividends despite predicted earnings growth of 1,9%. 
iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF offers a diversified alternative for those avoiding individual stock picks.

Uniqus Consultech has raised USD 20 million in Series C funding led by Nexus Venture Partners. 
The funds will accelerate the company&#8217;s growth and expansion into the Middle East, introducing new services. 
Uniqus plans to develop AI-driven consulting solutions, leveraging GenAI models to enhance client outcomes. 
The investment highlights the Middle East&#8217;s growing focus on technological innovation and digital transformation. 
Technology and AI are crucial for firms in the region to remain competitive in a dynamic business environment.

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