RIYADH: Startups across the Middle East and North Africa continue to attract investor interest and pursue strategic expansion, with fresh funding rounds, acquisitions, and new market entries highlighting sustained momentum across artificial intelligence, fintech, and digital infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia-based AI startup Infobrim has secured its first strategic angel funding round at a $3.5 million valuation from unnamed investors, as it looks to scale its AI-powered business intelligence platform.
Founded in 2024 by Mohamed Obied and Sherif Sayed, the company offers an AI-native BI lakehouse architecture that connects enterprise data sources and delivers real-time analytics through dashboards, predictive signals, and AI-driven insights.
The funding will support product development and expansion of its SaaS analytics solution, positioning the company to help enterprises convert raw data into actionable intelligence while aligning with Saudi Arabia’s broader digital transformation efforts under Vision 2030.
Value Makers Studio launches Cairo accelerator
Saudi Arabia-based venture studio Value Makers Studio has launched VMS Accelerate in Cairo, a three-month program designed to support startups entering the Saudi market.
The accelerator will provide up to $28,000 per startup, alongside mentorship and access to a network of more than 150 industry experts.
VMS plans to invest in seven seed and seed+-stage startups in its first Cairo cohort, focusing on helping founders refine growth strategies and prepare for regional expansion and future funding rounds.
Kudwa raises $1.1m to scale AI finance platform
UAE-USA-based finance Software-as-a-Service startup Kudwa has raised $1.1 million in a funding round backed by 1818 Venture Capital, F6 Ventures, and Sparked VC, as well as IM Fndg, and IVP.
Founded in 2023 by Karl Nasr and Sam Arif, Kudwa develops an AI finance manager that automates financial reporting, analysis, forecasting, and insights for businesses.
The company will use the funding to advance product development, expand integrations, and scale its go-to-market strategy as it grows its AI-driven financial planning and analytics platform across multiple markets.
Utexo raises $7.5m seed round
UAE-based blockchain infrastructure startup Utexo has raised $7.5 million in a seed funding round led by Tether, with participation from Big Brain Holdings, Portal Ventures, and Franklin Templeton, as well as Maven11 Capital and Fulgur Ventures.
Founded in 2025 by Chris Hutchinson and Viktor Ihnatiuk, the company builds enterprise-grade infrastructure enabling financial institutions and digital platforms to process USDT stablecoin payments directly on the Bitcoin network.
The funding will support the expansion of Utexo’s technology, which uses layer-2 protocols such as Lightning and RGB to enable faster, more private, and lower-cost stablecoin transactions for global payment providers.
Wa’ed Ventures backs Resemble AI to expand in Middle East
Wa’ed Ventures, the $500 million venture capital arm of Saudi Aramco, has made a strategic investment in US-based Resemble AI, a company focused on AI voice generation and real-time deepfake detection.
Resemble AI previously raised a $13 million strategic round backed by investors including Google’s AI Future Fund, Sony Innovation Fund, Javelin, and Ubiquity.
The investment will support the company’s expansion into Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, enabling organizations to deploy AI verification and deepfake detection technologies aligned with regional data sovereignty and security requirements.
Qualiphi acquires Career Club to expand AI career services
Egypt-based recruiting platform Qualiphi has announced it has acquired Career Club, a virtual career platform previously owned by iCareer, in a six-figure deal completed in the second half of 2025.
Founded in 2025 by Nevien Magdy, Qualiphi provides an AI-powered Career Services Management platform connecting universities, employers, and students through a unified digital ecosystem.
The acquisition will support product development and regional expansion as the company scales across Egypt and the GCC, having already supported more than 500,000 students and partnered with universities and government entities.
Yassir acquires Kawarizmi to build adtech ecosystem
Algeria-based super app Yassir has acquired Paris-based adtech company Kawarizmi as part of its strategy to develop an integrated retail media and advertising ecosystem.
Founded in 2017 by Noureddine Tayebi and El Mahdi Yettou, Yassir operates in more than 60 cities across six countries, serving over 8 million users through mobility, delivery, and fintech services.
The acquisition enhances Yassir’s programmatic advertising capabilities, enabling it to monetize first-party data, expand brand partnerships across Europe, MENA, and Africa, and build a regional adtech infrastructure with global ambitions.
Miftah raises pre-seed funding ahead of Syria launch
Syria-based property tech startup Miftah has raised a pre-seed funding round of undisclosed value ahead of its market launch, aiming to digitize real estate transactions in Syria.
Founded in 2026, the company focuses on improving transparency and verification in the property market through identity checks and biometric validation.
Miftah offers a dual-platform with listings, CRM tools, and market analytics for consumers and brokers, with the funding set to support product rollout and platform development as it positions itself as a central hub for real estate transactions.
Starlink launches satellite internet service in UAE
Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, has launched in the UAE, offering residential plans starting at 230 Emirati dirhams per month and business plans from 248 Emirati dirhams, alongside upfront hardware costs.
The service relies on low-Earth orbit satellites rather than fibre infrastructure, enabling connectivity in remote and underserved areas.
While not positioned as a replacement for fibre in urban centers, Starlink offers a complementary solution for backup connectivity and mobile use cases, contributing to the expansion of the UAE’s digital infrastructure.
Beltone secures approval to launch Egypt’s first silver fund
Egypt-based Beltone Asset Management has received initial approval from the Financial Regulatory Authority to launch “Fadda,” the country’s first silver investment fund offering cumulative daily returns.
The fund introduces a new alternative asset class for both individual and institutional investors.
Subscription is expected to open after Eid Al-Fitr through Beltone Securities Brokerage, with the fund aimed at supporting portfolio diversification and providing a hedge against market volatility over the medium to long term.