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UAE 🇦🇪

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Revolut gains in-principle approval from UAE Central Bank for key payment licences. 
The UAE is seen as a growth hotspot due to its dynamic economy and digital uptake. 
Ambareen Musa highlights the brand’s commitment to providing smarter financial tools in the region. 
Revolut adopts a remote-first hiring strategy to attract regional talent. 
Revolut aims to become a top-three player in every market it enters.

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Knight Frank partners with Henry Wiltshire International to strengthen its presence in Abu Dhabi. 
The collaboration aligns with a surge in demand for luxury properties in the region. 
Henry Wiltshire offers local expertise, while Knight Frank brings global reach. 
This strategic alliance aims to attract international investors to Abu Dhabi. 
The partnership reflects a long-term commitment to boosting the local property market.

Arab Financial Services (AFS) is certified to support the UAE Central Bank&#8217;s Jaywan card scheme. 
This certification allows AFS to issue Jaywan Prepaid and Debit Cards nationwide. 
AFS aims to help banks remain competitive in the evolving digital payments landscape. 
Their Card Management System links local payment schemes with global networks. 
AFS&#8217;s expansion reflects a strategic focus on innovation and local payment solutions.

Luxury For You launches in Dubai, offering access to over 1,200 designer brands. 
Free memberships include perks like insider pricing and appointment-only visits at their downtown centre. 
GCC luxury market is thriving, yet online luxury shopping lags behind global levels. 
The platform&#8217;s model avoids inventory risk by partnering with global supply chains and logistics. 
WhatsApp concierge service and a sustainability push distinguish this innovative luxury platform.

Metric, an Abu Dhabi fintech startup, gains investment from A-typical Ventures for its AI platform. 
&#8220;Max,&#8221; a Chief Financial AI tool, analyzes $4,2 billion in data to aid business growth. 
Founded in 2022, Metric supports over 130,000 businesses in 190 countries, in English and Arabic. 
Investors like 500 Global and Hub71 back Metric&#8217;s plans to enhance and expand &#8220;Max.&#8221; 
Metric turns complex data into actionable insights, empowering entrepreneurs beyond UAE borders.

myAster has expanded its 24&#215;7 express delivery service throughout the UAE. 
The platform offers urgent medicines, skincare, and personal essentials with 60-minute delivery. 
CEO Nalla Karunanithy aims to create a patient-focused health and wellness ecosystem. 
With over 2,8 million app downloads, myAster leads in digital health across the region. 
Their integration of wellness and beauty products highlights convenience in one digital platform.

PRYPCO raised Pre-Series A funds, led by General Catalyst, marking a Middle Eastern first. 
Since 2022, they’ve secured nearly AED 10 billion in mortgages and issued 3,000 Golden Visas. 
Their “tokenised” property concept enhances real estate transparency on the blockchain. 
PRYPCO aids 60,000 agents by offering project access and income from referrals. 
Despite rapid changes, General Catalyst trusts PRYPCO to shape MENA&#8217;s real estate future.

DIP Market launched in Abu Dhabi as a new platform for alternative investments. 
It leverages an ICC structure, akin to modular Lego blocks, for separate investment cells. 
This setup simplifies access to private market opportunities for financial institutions. 
The concept ensures flexibility and safety, streamlining compliance and reporting centrally. 
The structure minimises cross-risk, benefiting investors seeking distinct venture exposure.

Saudi fintech Orbii secures USD 3,6 million to expand its AI-driven SME lending solutions. 
The goal is to enable USD 1 billion in loans for small businesses by 2026. 
Orbii uses AI to streamline lending, integrating with SME systems like cash tills and ERPs. 
The startup aims to simplify credit access, improving decision speed and reducing bureaucracy. 
Orbii targets Saudi Arabia and UAE expansion, enhancing machine learning for credit evaluation.

Creators HQ and 500 Global announce the second &#8220;Influencer Accelerator&#8221; at the Billion Followers Summit. This edition offers up to 50 million dirhams in funding for content creators and startups. The 10-week programme combines 500 Global&#8217;s expertise with Creators HQ&#8217;s creator economy insights. Twenty participants will be selected, with the final winner receiving significant investment.

Mastercard partners with Qlub to enhance digital payments in the GCC dining scene. 
The collaboration combines Mastercard&#8217;s payment expertise with Qlub&#8217;s instant QR code payment technology. 
Qlub&#8217;s payment solution now operates in over 3,000 restaurants across ten countries. 
Recently raising $30 million in funding, Qlub attracts investors like Shorooq and Legend Capital. 
The partnership aims to improve dining experiences while supporting cashless economies in the region.

Ajman Bank partners with Franklin Templeton to offer Shariah-compliant investment funds in the UAE. 
Franklin Templeton manages $1.62 trillion globally and has extensive experience with Shariah assets. 
Ajman Bank aims to provide diversified, ethical investment options aligned with customer values. 
Cross-border partnerships support regional market development and sophisticated wealth management. 
Demand grows for ethical investment strategies integrating traditional values with modern methods.

Khazna Data Centres secured a $2,62 billion credit facility to expand data centre operations. 
They&#8217;re planning significant growth across the MENA region, anticipating data capacity to double soon. 
New facilities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ajman will enhance local infrastructure, aided by AI technology. 
Internationally, Khazna aims for 1 gigawatt capacity with projects in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. 
A partnership with NVIDIA aims to advance AI-ready data centres in the Middle East and Africa.

RIQ partners with ADNOC to inject $500 million into reinsurance over the next decade. 
Based in Abu Dhabi Global Market, RIQ uses AI to tackle complex risk scenarios. 
The joint venture aims for $1 billion in premiums, leveraging technology and capital. 
RIQ navigates regulatory approval to achieve $10 billion in coverage annually. 
Abu Dhabi emerges as a formidable player in global finance through strategic partnerships.

The Gulf’s construction sector aims to accelerate digital transformation through a strategic partnership. 
Nemetschek Group teams up with Concerted Solutions to enhance AEC/O digital adoption. 
The alliance aligns with GCC&#8217;s major digitalisation plans, focusing on smarter project delivery. 
Nemetschek&#8217;s powerful brands will support sustainable, connected solutions for regional projects. 
The collaboration could be pivotal in setting a new digitalisation benchmark for MENA&#8217;s construction.

Creative Zone partners with Bayzat to streamline UAE SME business setup with integrated HR solutions. 
Entrepreneurs can manage payroll, staff leave, and insurance directly from their mobiles. 
Over 60% of UAE’s GDP comes from small companies, making swift setups crucial for growth. 
Bayzat’s tools, previously for larger firms, are now accessible to startups for greater efficiency. 
This collaboration simplifies operations, benefiting the economy and empowering new businesses.

WheelsOn, a UAE-based digital car rental platform, has secured $12,5 million in new funding. 
With this funding, WheelsOn plans to expand its fleet and develop AI-driven pricing tools. 
The company controls its fleet completely, allowing fast responses to maintenance needs. 
Founded in 2023, WheelsOn offers a digital platform with zero paperwork and upfront deposits. 
WheelsOn&#8217;s innovative approach may set them apart in the evolving MENA mobility market.

Linde has acquired Airtec, increasing its stake to over 90% in the Gulf region. 
This move strengthens Linde&#8217;s presence in Kuwait, Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. 
Airtec provides industrial gases crucial for energy, healthcare, and heavy industry sectors. 
Linde aims for enhanced supply chains and synergies, improving efficiency and customer service. 
The growing demand for industrial gases shows the Gulf region&#8217;s rapidly maturing industrial sector.

Policybazaar for Business is expanding reinsurance operations in Sri Lanka, Qatar, Oman, and UAE. 
They aim to deliver tech-powered solutions for more efficient risk management in these fast-growing markets. 
Co-founder Tarun Mathur emphasizes updating outdated reinsurance processes with transparency and speed. 
The expansion reflects their commitment to a significant presence in Asian and Middle Eastern markets. 
Improved tools can benefit startups and entrepreneurs by enabling data-led decisions and better coverage.

Dubai&#8217;s EHRDC and CDA signed an MoU to boost employment opportunities for Emiratis. 
The agreement focuses on personalized career guidance and training programs to energize Emiratisation. 
Local employment days will connect job seekers with employers directly in their communities. 
The collaboration aligns with Dubai&#8217;s long-term &#8220;Dubai Social Agenda 33&#8221; and &#8220;Dubai Economic Agenda D33&#8221;. 
Efforts include data-sharing and local events to ensure Emiratis are engaged and empowered.

Peaq and Pulsar Group are establishing the first-ever Machine Economy Free Zone in UAE. 
This initiative involves machines creating and distributing value within a controlled environment. 
Key concepts include Machine Tokenisation and Universal Basic Ownership driving financial inclusivity. 
The collaboration seeks to position UAE as a hub for blockchain and smart-city innovations. 
Events have showcased emerging technologies, attracting attention from regional leaders and global experts.

GEMS Education launched the Global Education AI Hub in Dubai for AI innovation in learning. 
The hub aims to create practical AI tools for personalised education and improved school management. 
It offers researchers and startups access to vast educational data for real-world AI testing. 
Ethical governance ensures AI developments prioritise student wellbeing and data privacy. 
The initiative invites global experts to reshape education with innovative AI solutions.