Startups across the Middle East and North Africa are drawing heightened investor interest, marked by a series of funding rounds, acquisitions, and market entries. This momentum is particularly evident in sectors such as artificial intelligence, fintech, and digital infrastructure. Notably, Saudi Arabia-based AI startup Infobrim has secured its first strategic angel funding round, achieving a valuation of $3.5 million from unnamed investors. This funding will facilitate the scaling of its AI-powered business intelligence platform.
Infobrim, established in 2024 by Mohamed Obied and Sherif Sayed, leverages AI-native BI lakehouse architecture to connect enterprise data sources, delivering real-time analytics through dashboards and predictive signals. The investment will bolster product development and enhance its SaaS analytics solution, a move that aligns with Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation agenda under Vision 2030.
Meanwhile, Value Makers Studio, a venture studio based in Saudi Arabia, has launched VMS Accelerate in Cairo. This three-month program aims to assist startups looking to enter the Saudi market, offering up to $28,000 per startup in funding, mentorship, and access to a network of over 150 industry experts. The studio plans to invest in seven seed and seed+-stage startups in its inaugural Cairo cohort, focusing on refining growth strategies and preparing for future funding rounds.
In another development, Kudwa, a finance Software-as-a-Service startup co-founded in 2023 by Karl Nasr and Sam Arif, has raised $1.1 million in a funding round backed by 1818 Venture Capital, F6 Ventures, and others. Kudwa develops an AI finance manager that automates financial reporting, analysis, and forecasting for businesses. The funding will support product development and integration expansion as it aims to grow its AI-driven financial planning and analytics platform across various markets.
Utexo, a UAE-based blockchain infrastructure startup, has raised $7.5 million in a seed funding round led by Tether, with participation from Big Brain Holdings, Portal Ventures, and Franklin Templeton. Established in 2025 by Chris Hutchinson and Viktor Ihnatiuk, Utexo specializes in enterprise-grade infrastructure for processing USDT stablecoin payments directly on the Bitcoin network. The funding will facilitate the expansion of their technology, which employs layer-2 protocols to enable faster and lower-cost stablecoin transactions.
Additionally, Wa’ed Ventures, the venture capital arm of Saudi Aramco with a fund of $500 million, has invested in Resemble AI, a U.S.-based company specializing in AI voice generation and deepfake detection. This investment, following Resemble AI’s earlier $13 million strategic round, will assist in the company’s expansion into Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, enabling organizations to implement AI verification and deepfake detection technologies consistent with regional data security requirements.
In the recruitment sector, Egypt-based platform Qualiphi has acquired Career Club in a six-figure deal, enhancing its AI-powered Career Services Management platform. Founded in 2025 by Nevien Magdy, Qualiphi connects universities, employers, and students through a unified digital ecosystem. The acquisition aims to support product development and facilitate regional growth, building on its service to over 500,000 students across Egypt and the GCC.
Algeria-based super app Yassir has announced the acquisition of Paris-based adtech company Kawarizmi, part of its strategy to develop a comprehensive retail media and advertising ecosystem. Founded in 2017 by Noureddine Tayebi and El Mahdi Yettou, Yassir operates in over 60 cities across six countries, catering to more than 8 million users. This acquisition enhances Yassir’s programmatic advertising capabilities, allowing it to leverage first-party data and expand its brand partnerships.
Emerging from Syria, Miftah has raised a pre-seed funding round ahead of its launch, focusing on digitizing real estate transactions in the country. Founded in 2026, Miftah aims to bolster transparency and verification in the property market through identity checks and biometric validation, offering a dual-platform with listings and market analytics for consumers and brokers.
In connectivity developments, Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, has commenced operations in the UAE, with residential plans starting at 230 Emirati dirhams per month. This service utilizes low-Earth orbit satellites, enabling connectivity in underserved areas. While not intended as a replacement for fiber networks in urban areas, Starlink provides a complementary solution for backup connectivity and mobile use.
Lastly, Beltone Asset Management has secured initial approval from the Financial Regulatory Authority to launch “Fadda,” Egypt’s first silver investment fund. This fund introduces an alternative asset class designed to attract both individual and institutional investors, with subscription expected to open after Eid Al-Fitr. The initiative aims to support portfolio diversification and provide a hedge against market volatility.
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