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MasterMinds (92)

Talabat closed 2025 strongly, with Q4 GMV up 21% to $2.5 billion. 
Full-year revenue jumped 33%, while adjusted EBITDA reached $615 million. 
Growth stayed “spot on” between expansion and profitability, with solid cash flow. 
Non-GCC markets surged 57%, and grocery and retail climbed 45%. 
Over $100 million will fund grocery scaling and talabat pro in 2026.

Ai Everything MEA Egypt 2026 drew startups, investors and policymakers to Cairo. 
Talks focused on infrastructure, regulation and turning AI hype into economics. 
More than 250 startups showcased applied AI across agriculture, healthcare and finance. 
Leaders said AI is “already reshaping governments, markets and societies”. 
Backed by national strategy, Egypt signalled serious, long-term AI ambitions.

Predictheon won the first Xcelerate contest at World Health Expo Dubai. 
Its AI “Predictive Decision Assistant” anticipates anaesthesia risks up to 10 minutes early. 
Runners-up MeNOW Health and BiPER Therapeutics also secured cash and mentorship. 
Finalists from around the globe showcased AI-driven tools across diagnostics and care. 
Dubai positions itself “at the centre” of fast-accelerating global health-tech innovation.

GWC tells WORLDEF Dubai cross-border expansion shouldn’t mean “reinventing the wheel” each time. 
With Quivo, sellers access 40+ marketplaces through one connector. 
The integrated model links warehousing, shipping and returns across GCC, Europe and US. 
GWC offers “infrastructure designed for multi-market operations” to curb messy backend growth. 
The strategy backs Qatar’s 2030 vision, positioning GWC as a digital trade platform.

Sharjah’s SPARK and AFSRC plan tighter Arab research collaboration. 
They aim to turn research into “real economic value” across borders. 
Focus areas include green innovation, startup incubation, and commercialising intellectual property. 
Proposals include a regional R&amp;D network to align priorities and funding. 
Leaders say stronger integration could move ideas “from labs” into markets.

Rubix Holding launched Rubix Studio, Qatar’s first corporate startup studio, at Web Summit. 
It builds startups in-house, plugging them into existing value chains from day one. 
Qatar Development Bank and Rasmal Ventures back a “full loop” model of creation and funding. 
Unlike accelerators, it actively co-founds ventures and shapes ideas before scaling. 
The move supports Qatar National Vision 2030 and aims for lasting economic impact.

WideBot is partnering with “Al-Daheeh” presenter Ahmad Al-Ghandour on a new AI series. 
The aim is to make artificial intelligence less intimidating and more relatable. 
Al-Ghandour brings 4.7 billion views and strong regional trust. 
The collaboration seeks to shift perceptions “from fear to familiarity”. 
It reflects a broader push for AI literacy across the Middle East.

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MasterMinds (90)

Dubai’s iBloxx Studios raised $5,4 million to finish and market StrayShot. 
The third-person shooter is in closed beta, targeting global console launch. 
Funding supports live operations, ensuring updates, events and long-term player engagement. 
StrayShot features battle royale modes and a blockchain-based in-game economy. 
The deal highlights growing confidence in MENA’s rapidly maturing gaming industry.

UAE fintech XSquare secures AngelSpark backing to accelerate its unified finance platform. 
It tackles “messy, fragmented” finance by merging payments, banking and automation tools. 
The system links RTP, cards and cross-border rails in one interface. 
Funds will boost product development and infrastructure to cut admin chaos. 
Execution and regulatory depth will decide if it becomes regional fintech backbone.

Oasis500 has launched Ventures III, targeting over $20 million for early-stage tech startups. 
The fund backs founders “at the beginning”, focusing on scalable regional growth. 
Since 2010, it has invested in 193 startups creating nearly 5,000 jobs. 
Portfolio firms raised $135 million follow-on, reaching $243 million valuation. 
The move reinforces Jordan’s ecosystem despite a tougher global funding climate.

Raya Electronics has launched Raya Elite, Egypt’s first fully integrated B2E finance app. 
Employees get instant credit up to EGP 300,000, repayable over 48 months. 
The hybrid model blends in-store browsing with digital financing and exclusive deals. 
Raya aims to embed lending into workplaces and gated communities. 
The move tightens links between “shopping and financing” in Egypt’s retail market.

Lulu Financial partners with Bitpanda to embed crypto trading across its platforms. 
Rollout planned for 2026, using Bitpanda’s VARA-licensed brokerage infrastructure. 
Executives say digital assets are becoming a standard part of finance. 
Clearer UAE regulation makes long-term institutional integration more practical. 
The move signals crypto’s shift from fringe speculation to mainstream MENA finance.

Luma AI opens Riyadh office, its first concrete step into the Middle East. 
It will develop Arabic-first models with HUMAIN, reflecting regional culture and data. 
Local teams will support government and private clients with tailored AI video. 
The move aligns with Saudi’s “Halo” computing plans and AI ambitions. 
A Publicis partnership signals AI-generated content entering mainstream creative work.

Omantel launched Otech to shift from telecoms to digital technology player. 
The platform unites Oman Data Park and Tedom under one model. 
It offers data centres, &#8220;sovereign and hyperscale cloud&#8221;, cybersecurity and AI. 
Backed by Oracle and PwC, it aligns with Oman Vision 2040. 
Success depends on integrating infrastructure, partnerships and local talent.

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MasterMinds (87)

HyperPay has secured National Payment Gateway certification approved by SAMA. 
It now meets strict rules on “payment security” and system interoperability. 
Direct integration enables secure, scalable domestic and cross-border transactions. 
The move supports Vision 2030’s drive towards a unified digital payments ecosystem. 
Certification strengthens credibility in a fiercely competitive fintech market.

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MasterMinds (85)

Mindsets partners with TDK SensEI to expand industrial edge AI across EMEA. 
Mindsets becomes authorised reseller of edgeRX, offering local integration and support. 
EdgeRX turns sensor data into real-time insights, cutting downtime and failures. 
The deal aims to speed “digital transformation” with solutions tailored to regional needs. 
The partnership will debut at Riyadh’s World Advanced Manufacturing conference in February 2026.

Shahbandr has partnered with Tabby to add interest-free BNPL to 20,000 stores. 
Nearly two in three Saudi adults use Tabby, making it hard to ignore. 
The tie-up aims to boost conversions and create a more connected e-commerce ecosystem. 
Shahbandr continues expanding with “Video Commerce” and “Shahbandr AI” tools. 
The deal could give smaller merchants stronger footing in a competitive market.

e&amp; money has secured a UAE Finance Company licence to offer lending. 
It will add credit to its 2 million‑user payments app. 
The firm says access, not risk, blocks many borrowers. 
AI and transaction data will shape new credit scoring models. 
Rollout includes buy-now-pay-later, wage access and cards, boosting fintech competition.

Basatne unveils ORBT to turn refunds into digital credits, keeping value “in motion”. 
Platform targets UAE’s mobile-first shift, where instant digital rewards dominate. 
Brands issue instant refunds and incentives across 4,000 partner retailers. 
Executives say cash payouts weaken engagement; closed loops boost retention and ESG goals. 
Firm eyes $30bn regional trade-in market, planning wider rollout by 2026.

QuicKart raised $1.5m to scale its UAE farm-to-home model. 
It promises milk and vegetables delivered “within hours”, not days. 
Funds will boost cold chain, technology, and last‑mile networks across Emirates. 
Backers say cutting out intermediaries benefits farmers and customers alike. 
The startup aligns with UAE food security goals and rising dairy demand.

Fakeeh Health launches AI-enabled “Smart Clinics” across UAE malls, offices and communities. 
Patients enter medical capsules for “hospital-grade care” linked to licensed doctors. 
AI assistant AISHA supports workflows, while clinicians retain full medical responsibility. 
System integrates records, referrals and the full patient journey, from insurance to delivery. 
Success hinges on trust and adoption as Dubai pushes digital healthcare forward.

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