Fuze, a UAE-based startup, secured $12,2 million in Series A funding. 
Investors include Galaxy and e&#038; capital, boosting Fuze&#8217;s total funding to $20 million. 
Founded in 2023, Fuze offers digital asset infrastructure to diverse financial sectors. 
Funds will expand operations, enhance compliance, and support stablecoin and payment initiatives. 
Fuze&#8217;s innovative approach positions them as a leader in the fintech landscape.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Saudi start-up Erad secured $16 million in a pre-Series A funding round. 
Investors include Y Combinator, Nuwa Capital, and Khwarizmi Ventures, showing strong interest. 
Erad offers swift alternative financing solutions for SMEs, promising quick approvals within 48 hours. 
The company plans to expand regionally with its new funding boost. 
Participation in Y Combinator’s accelerator highlights Erad&#8217;s innovative approach to SME financing.

CleanMob secures €1,3 million in funding from notable investors like Bpifrance and CDG Invest. 
Founders Khalil and Salah El Hajji focus on innovative smart fleet management technology. 
Their system uses virtual sensors, AI, and physics modelling to provide reliable data insights. 
CleanMob aids in managing multiple energy types, supporting transitions to sustainable fleets. 
Morocco&#8217;s growing reputation as a tech hub boosts interest in start-ups like CleanMob.

Zest Equity, a UAE-based fintech, secured $4,3 million in Pre-Series A funding. 
Investment leaders include Prosus Ventures and Morgan Stanley Inclusive &#038; Sustainable Ventures. 
The funds aim to expand operations in Saudi Arabia and enhance technical capabilities in the UAE. 
Zest Equity intends to attract specialised talent and launch new products. 
Founders Zuhair Shamma’ and Rawan Baddour are steering promising growth in the fintech scene.

Calo has acquired UK meal delivery brands Fresh Fitness Food and Detox Kitchen. 
The transition aims to deliver seamless meal plans on Calo&#8217;s platform by May. 
Calo&#8217;s recent Series B funding of $25 million supports international growth strategies. 
Having expanded across the Middle East, Calo plans further growth in Europe and the US. 
Calo intends to become a global household name in food technology.

iMENA Group has raised $135 million, moving closer to its goal of going public. 
The company restructured into iMENA Holding, a closed joint-stock Saudi company. 
Investment will enhance flagship businesses like OpenSooq, SellAnyCar, and Jeeny. 
iMENA aims for an IPO on the Saudi Tadawul, strengthening its Middle East presence. 
A new board of directors will guide the next growth phase amid market challenges.

Techrar, a Saudi startup, raised $1,6 million led by Wa&#8217;ed Ventures. 
Founded in 2022, Techrar provides a platform for managing billing and subscriptions seamlessly. 
Funding will enhance product development, team growth, and market expansion. 
Industry confidence in Techrar is evident with significant investment support. 
Transforming funding into growth will be crucial as Techrar scales strategically.

TDF signed a financing agreement with Dar Al Arkan and Smart Destination.
The project is a luxury mountain resort in Abha’s Al Soudah area.
It will include a hotel, serviced apartments, restaurants, and retail outlets.
The development aligns with the “Saudi Summer” and “Spirit of Saudi” campaigns.
TDF aims to attract private investment to Asir’s tourism sector.

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.

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.