Antler MENAP LP received $3 million from ISSF to support Jordanian startups. 
With a $60 million fund, they aim to boost early-stage investments across the region. 
Antler&#8217;s global reach and expertise promise significant growth for Jordan&#8217;s entrepreneurial scene. 
The partnership aims to transform ideas into successful, scalable businesses with robust support. 
Jordan&#8217;s startup ecosystem is buzzing with anticipation for this promising collaboration.

UGFS-VC launches New Era Fund I in Tunisia with €7 million to boost start-ups. 
Key support comes from ANAVA Fund of Funds, including €3.5 million from international backers. 
The fund targets investments in AI, biotech, and green tech within Tunisia’s innovation economy. 
UGFS-VC&#8217;s strong track record aligns well with ANAVA&#8217;s strategy to empower local venture capital. 
ANAVA aims to raise €100 million, broadening its impact across Tunisia and North Africa.

Resolv Labs secured $10 million in Seed funding to enhance its stablecoin-centred Resolv Protocol. 
Cyber,Fund, Maven11, and Coinbase Ventures were key investors among other prominent participants. 
The funds will expand crypto yield strategies and partnerships with digital asset managers. 
Resolv Protocol employs a delta-neutral strategy, offering stable returns amidst crypto market volatility. 
Despite recent asset decreases, investors remain optimistic about Resolv Labs&#8217; potential in crypto finance.

Metric, a UAE fintech company, secures a significant seven-figure seed funding round. 
This funding will boost AI-driven finance solutions and expand services across the Gulf and Asia. 
Metric&#8217;s marketplace offers financial tools like business debit cards to SMEs. 
Their AI assistant &#8220;Max&#8221; provides tailored financial guidance as a virtual advisor. 
Metric aims to grow in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan markets.

The fintech sector secured over $1 billion in funding during Q1 2025 in the MENA region.
Total startup investments reached $1,5 billion, according to a report by Wamda.
Sectors like insurtech and e-commerce attracted less funding, while interest in SaaS declined for the second consecutive month.
Investors are favoring practical tech solutions that directly impact consumers’ daily lives.
The data indicates a clear shift in investment trends, with increased competition expected in fintech and proptech sectors.

ViAct secured $7,3 million in Series A funding led by Venturewave Capital. 
Funding will enhance AI models for predicting risks in high-safety sectors like construction. 
Expansion plans include entering Saudi Arabia&#8217;s growing tech-savvy construction market. 
Additional recruitment in AI, engineering, and sustainability will support this growth. 
The investment will upgrade technology for better workplace safety and sustainability initiatives.

Moroccan startup VOVE ID gains fresh funding from the Baobab Network to aid expansion. 
The investment supports growth plans in the Middle East and Africa, enhancing its team and technology. 
VOVE ID offers AI-powered identity verification tools for streamlined and compliant client onboarding. 
Their &#8220;pay-as-you-go&#8221; model makes high-quality KYC services accessible to startups and SMEs. 
This innovation aids both VOVE ID&#8217;s growth and empowers small businesses with advanced security.

Qatar will invest $7,5 billion in Egypt, highlighting stronger bilateral economic ties. 
Leaders emphasised enhancing cooperation and integration to achieve mutual economic goals. 
They jointly expressed support for Palestine and called for a ceasefire in Gaza. 
Support for peaceful resolutions in regional conflicts was reaffirmed by both countries. 
Qatar backed Egypt&#8217;s culture by endorsing Dr Khaled El Enany for UNESCO.

BKN301 secured $23,8 million to accelerate global expansion, especially into the UAE and Saudi Arabia. 
Investors like CDP Venture Capital SGR and Azimut Libera Impresa SGR participated in the funding. 
CEO Stefano Mucchioli sees this as investor confidence in their scalable business model. 
The fintech aims for a 36% CAGR in EBITDA by 2028, focusing on digital payment solutions. 
BKN301&#8217;s &#8220;BaaS Orchestrator&#8221; offers services like payment processing and AI-driven open banking.

AIREV secured investment from Venturewave Capital during its recent Series A funding round. 
The funds will aid the global expansion of AIREV&#8217;s AI operating system, On-Demand. 
On-Demand allows users to craft AI applications using large language models and various tools. 
AIREV collaborates with industry giants like G42, Panchea, and AIdeology. 
The startup also developed School Hack, an AI educational platform popular with students.

Sadeq, specialising in digital signatures, raised 5,5 million Saudi Riyals. 
The funding was led by Fund X by Unifonic, with strategic investment from Unifonic. 
Co-founder Salem Al-Badawi noted it will enhance their technical infrastructure and scale the platform. 
Sadeq is set to incorporate advanced technologies, ensuring it remains ahead in digital authentication. 
The investment indicates confidence in Sadeq’s vision and the attractiveness of digital solutions in Saudi Arabia.

ASB Capital and State Street Global Advisors have launched a Sharia-compliant global equity fund. 
The fund, based in Dubai, follows Islamic finance guidelines and targets ethical investors. 
SSGA&#8217;s Active Fundamental Equity team will manage investments using the Confidence Quotient Framework. 
This initiative underscores ASB Capital&#8217;s commitment to innovation and fostering international partnerships. 
Demand for ethically-aligned investments is increasing, creating diverse opportunities for global investors.

Masdar has fully acquired Terna Energy, confirming its complete ownership of the renewables firm. 
This follows Masdar&#8217;s initial 70 percent stake acquisition for €3,2 billion in November. 
Terna Energy, a leader in Southeastern and Central Europe&#8217;s clean energy, operates 1,224MW facilities. 
With Masdar&#8217;s backing, Terna plans to expand its projects, including a 680MW pumped hydroelectric facility. 
Masdar&#8217;s acquisition aligns with its 2030 target of a 100GW global clean energy portfolio.

PayTic, a Morocco-based fintech, secures $4 million to grow its payment automation services. 
AfricInvest led the funding, joined by Build Ventures, Axian Group, and others. 
PayTic aims to meet Africa&#8217;s rising demand for streamlined digital payments, worth $1,5 trillion by 2030. 
The firm simplifies card issuer operations via SaaS, easing payment reconciliations and refunds. 
CEO Imad Boumahdi sees this as validation of PayTic&#8217;s mission and expansion potential.

Bolsterup raised EUR 500,000 from Uni.Fund to expand into the Middle East. 
The startup connects the construction industry using AI for tailored matchmaking and recommendations. 
Investment will enhance AI, boosting data analysis, team formation, and market insights for users. 
Expansion plans target the UAE first, building smarter connections in the construction sector. 
Uni.Fund&#8217;s support amplifies Bolsterup&#8217;s ambitions to transform industry networking and partnerships.

Saudi start-up ?STUCK raised significant pre-seed funding to address Arabic linguistic and cultural gaps. 
Led by Mena Tech Fund, the round included KAUST Innovation Fund and prominent Saudi investors. 
?STUCK blends AI and human expertise to deliver culturally authentic Arabic and English content. 
The platform offers flexible AI-human modes, catering to businesses&#8217; diverse needs for accuracy and speed. 
Led by CEO Asmaa Naji, ?STUCK aims to expand innovation and enter the Chinese language market next.

Sary and ShopUp have merged to form the SILQ Group, expanding B2B trade connections. 
This merger taps into the $682 billion trade corridor between Gulf nations and South Asia. 
SILQ Group plans to offer fintech solutions via their new financial arm, SILQ Financial. 
Major investors like Sanabil Investments and Valar Ventures back this ambitious merger. 
The merger benefits SMEs with enhanced logistics, finance, and technological support.

Mantra launches a $108 million fund to support blockchain projects worldwide. 
The Mantra Ecosystem Fund focuses on real-world asset tokenisation and will invest over four years. 
Investors include Laser Digital, Brevan Howard Digital, Valor Capital, and UAE&#8217;s Damac group. 
CEO John Patrick Mullin aims to boost start-ups linking blockchain with practical, real-world solutions. 
Mantra also secured a VASP licence in Dubai for virtual asset services.

Rowad Capital Commercial plans to acquire a 60% stake in Uganda Telecommunications Corporation. 
An initial investment of US$25 million will be followed by US$200 million over three years. 
The Ugandan government will maintain a 40% share, split between two ministries. 
Early contract termination with Soliton Telmec incurred controversy, sparking unanswered questions. 
There’s optimism about revitalising Uganda’s ICT sector, despite past challenges for UTel.

FeeSolution secured $300,000 in pre-seed funding to enhance its school payment platform. 
The startup aims to simplify school payments and financial admin for schools and parents. 
Founded in Saudi Arabia, FeeSolution plans to start trading in early 2025. 
Funds will expand their team and increase their school clientele. 
The investment positions FeeSolution well within Saudi Arabia&#8217;s growing fintech landscape.

UAE-based Maseera Holding has acquired Egypt’s fintech platform ADVA, expanding into North Africa. 
ADVA will focus on Egypt’s consumer finance, easing credit access for underserved communities. 
Both firms aim to use AI and data analytics for tailored financial solutions. 
ADVA seeks Egypt&#8217;s first digital consumer financing licence, advancing financial inclusion and digital transformation. 
Maseera&#8217;s expansion supports Egypt’s fintech growth, aligning with national priorities.

NodeFoundry AI secures seed funding from angel investors and BlockchainVelocity for its innovative platform. 
The platform aims to deliver scalable, cost-effective AI computing through DePIN and blockchain technology. 
Developers will access affordable, decentralized processing power, reducing reliance on costly data centres. 
A closed beta rollout is planned, offering users early access to the new infrastructure. 
APIs will facilitate integration for Web2 and Web3 developers, easing access to decentralized services.

Tech startup Stakpak secures $500,000 in funding, led by P1 Ventures. 
Investment boosts plans for US market expansion, strengthening teams in the US and Egypt. 
Stakpak’s AI-driven IDE promises to streamline software infrastructure development. 
Clients experience up to a fivefold improvement in project delivery times. 
Stakpak rides the wave of AI innovation excitement, aiming for substantial market impact.

Fuse Finance raised $6,6 million in Seed funding, led by Northzone. 
Founded in 2023, it simplifies cross-border payments and money transfers. 
Innovative solutions include virtual IBANs for easy bank transfers. 
Expansion plans target new markets beyond UAE and Saudi Arabia. 
Investors’ confidence positions Fuse as a potential fintech leader in the Gulf.

Egyptian startup InfiniLink raised $10 million to enhance its optical connectivity chips for AI data centres. 
Contributors include MediaTek, Sukna Ventures, Egypt Ventures, and M Empire Angels. 
InfiniLink&#8217;s iOTC chips aim to improve speed without increasing power consumption in data centres. 
The technology promises faster AI-driven centres that use less energy, benefiting both users and the environment. 
Funding will advance their mixed-signal analogue and photonics tech, boosting efficiency.