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  • Startup Wrap – Middle East SME funding activity flourishes with significant sums 


Startup Wrap – Middle East SME funding activity flourishes with significant sums 

Rami Tabbara, Manar Mahmassani, and Ricardo Brizido from UAE-based proptech firm Stake, which raised $14 million in a series A funding round. Supplied
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Updated 01 October 2024
Nour El-Shaeri 
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Startup Wrap – Middle East SME funding activity flourishes with significant sums 

Updated 01 October 2024
Nour El-Shaeri 

CAIRO: The Middle East region has been witnessing a significant boost in startup activity, with numerous entrepreneurs securing funding across key sectors.  

Additionally, multiple investment pools were established, with Qatari and Emirati venture capitals aiming to further amplify the ecosystem. 

Regional startups are particularly eyeing the burgeoning Saudi market, with UAE-based proptech firm Stake raising $14 million in a series A funding round to enter the Kingdom.

The round was led by Middle East Venture Partners, with participation from Aramco’s Wa’ed Ventures, Mubadala, and Republic. 

Founded in 2021 by Rami Tabbara, Manar Mahmassani, and Ricardo Brizido, Stake is a digital real estate investment platform that offers options for income-generating properties in Dubai. 

The newly raised funds will be used to expand Stake’s services into Saudi Arabia this year. 

In 2022, Stake closed its pre-series A round at $8 million, backed by MEVP and BY Ventures, with participation from returning investors Vivium Holding and Combined Growth Real Estate. 

Saudi edtech Tahdir raises $270k in pre-seed round  

Saudi-based edtech Tahdir has closed a pre-seed funding round of $270,000 from a group of angel investors.  

Founded by Mohammed Al-Doukhi and Khalil Al-Haid, Tahdir’s platform automates daily school and educational management processes, and the company claims to be serving 92 schools with over 30,000 users. 

The investment will help the company enhance its capabilities and expand its operations within the Kingdom. 

Egypt-based medtech i‘SUPPLY secures pre-series A round  




i‘SUPPLY was founded in 2022 by Ibrahim Emam, Malek Sultan and Moustafa Zaki. Supplied

Egypt-based medical tech startup i‘SUPPLY has secured a pre-series A round, bringing its total funding to $2.5 million since its inception in 2022.  

This round saw participation from several investment funds, including Disruptech Ventures, OneStop Capital, Axian Investment CVC, and Egypt Ventures. 

Founded by Ibrahim Emam, Malek Sultan, and Moustafa Zaki, i‘SUPPLY aims to digitize the pharmaceutical business by offering a one-stop-shop solution to quickly predict and overcome supply chain disruptions.  

The new funding will bolster i’SUPPLY’s expansion plans, enhance its capabilities in financing small and medium-sized pharmacies, and further develop its fintech offerings and technological services. 

Egyptian fintech Sahl raises $6m in series A round 

Cairo-based fintech Sahl has raised $6 million in an investment that acts as a series A and seed funding round led by Ayady for Investment and Development. Existing investors Egypt Pay, Delta Electronic Systems, and E-Finance also participated in the round.  

Founded in 2020 by Ahmed Othman, Ibrahim Assal, and Abullah Assal, Sahl is a bill payment platform that allows users to recharge prepaid cards.  

The company is one of the few Egyptian firms integrating directly with several government entities.  

The new funds will help refine and develop Sahl’s offerings and extend its services to Saudi Arabia after its regional launch in the UAE.  

UAE’s Qstay raises $4.6m in pre-series A round 




Jumeirah beach residence. Supplied.

UAE-based hospitality platform Qstay has raised $4.6 million in a pre-series A funding round through a combination of conventional and convertible debt.  

Founded in 2020 by Artur Khayrullin, Ekaterina Rogozhina, Alec Fesenko, and Natalya Fesenko, Qstay operates as a virtual hotel brand with 200 units.  

Qstay provides digital app-based access to nearby pools, beaches, gyms, and spas for guests staying in beachfront properties.  

To date, the company has raised $11.1 million. In July 2022, Qstay closed a debt and equity Seed round of $6.5 million. 

UAE-based Polynome Group announces $100m fund for AI startups 

UAE-based event management company Polynome Group has announced a $100 million fund to invest in artificial intelligence startups.  

The fund will target startups in technology, AI software applications, and robotics, aligning with goals to expand the adoption of digital technologies beginning in the first quarter of 2025. 

The fund will adopt the “founders for founders” concept, investing in seed, series A, and growth stage startups with initial investments ranging from $500,000 to $5 million per company. 

UAE-based contech Tenderd secures $30m in series A funding 

Construction technology firm Tenderd has closed a $30 million series A funding round, led by A.P. Moller Holding, with new investors Quadri Ventures and Saurya Prakash joining existing investors Wa’ed Ventures, Nakhla Ventures, SOMA Capital, and Liquid 2 Ventures. 

Founded in 2018 by Arjun Mohan, Tenderd provides customers with AI-generated insights to increase asset utilization and reduce emissions, focusing on heavy industries such as construction and logistics.  

The capital will fuel technological innovations and support the UAE-based firm’s global expansion efforts. 

Qatar-based Rasmal Ventures launches first home-grown fund 

Qatar-based VC firm Rasmal Ventures LLC has launched its first home-grown fund, aiming to drive innovation and investment in Qatar and the Middle East and North Africa region.  

The Rasmal Innovation Fund I LLC targets high-performance startups in climate tech, fintech, business to business Software-as-a-Service, and AI sectors. 

For the initial closing, the fund has raised $30 million from institutional investors and family offices, with the goal of reaching $100 million in investment commitments. 

Kuwait-based travel tech Waves secures investment round 

Kuwait-based travel tech startup Waves has closed an investment round for an undisclosed amount, co-led by BNK Capital and Aujan Enterprises.  

Founded in 2021 by Abdulrahman Al-Sadoun and Sulaiman Al-Tunaib, Waves is an online marketplace for booking sea trips, marine activities, and chalets with operations in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. 

The investment will be used to enhance Waves’ services in Saudi Arabia. 

E-commerce platform Orisdi raises six-figure bridge round 

Iraq-based e-commerce platform Orisdi has raised a six-figure bridge round of investment, backed by existing investors including Al Sharqiya TV Group, Iraq Venture Partners, and various angel investors.  

Founded in 2019 by Ahmed Al-Kiremli and Hala Usama, Orisdi offers a range of products across verticals such as perfumes, cosmetics, appliances, stationery, and electronics. 

This funding round, which closed in April 2024, will support Orisdi’s business development efforts and highlight the potential of the e-commerce sector in Iraq.

Topics: startups e-commerce medical tech Edtech SMEs

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Oil Update — crude gains as China opens door for trade talks with US

Updated 02 May 2025
Reuters
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Oil Update — crude gains as China opens door for trade talks with US

Updated 02 May 2025
Reuters

NEW DELHI: Oil prices climbed on Friday after China said it was open for talks with the US on tariffs, raising hopes of a de-escalation in a bitter trade war between the world’s two largest economies.

Brent crude futures rose 49 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $62.62 a barrel by 7:46 a.m. Saudi time, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures added 50 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $59.74 a barrel.

China’s Commerce Ministry said on Friday that Beijing is “evaluating” a proposal from Washington to hold talks aimed at addressing US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, signalling a possible easing of the trade tensions that have rattled global markets.

Concerns that the broader trade war could push the global economy into a recession and crimp oil demand, just as the OPEC+ group is preparing to raise output, have weighed heavily on oil prices in recent weeks.

“If Washington runs with it, as I expect it to, this could be a game-changer in the gloom-and-doom mood that has enveloped markets for weeks,” said Vandana Hari, founder of oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights.

“No one expects a smooth sailing for sure, but it’s an encouraging breakthrough in the impasse that has been weighing on markets,” Hari said.

Oil prices were also underpinned by a threat from Trump to impose secondary sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil.

Trump’s comments followed a postponement of US talks with Iran over its nuclear program. He had previously restored a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, which included efforts to drive the country’s oil exports to zero, to help prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Oil prices had gained late in Thursday’s session to settle nearly 2 percent higher on Trump’s remarks, erasing some of the losses recorded earlier in the week on expectations of more OPEC+ supply coming to the market.

Eight OPEC+ countries will meet on May 5 to decide a June output plan.

“With non-OPEC+ supply rising robustly and global demand growth facing structural decline, we see no natural re-entry point for these barrels and, ultimately, the group will likely have to endure some price pain no matter when it unwinds its cuts,” Fitch’s BMI research unit said in a note. 

Topics: oil updates oil prices

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Riyadh Air signs 11 deals to boost global reach and promote Saudi culture and hospitality

Updated 57 min 49 sec ago
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI
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Riyadh Air signs 11 deals to boost global reach and promote Saudi culture and hospitality

  • The airline, which is preparing to begin operations, plans to connect with more than 100 cities by 2030 and contribute $20bn to the Kingdom’s economy between now and then
  • Senior VP Osamah Al-Nuaiser said the deals will help deliver exceptional travel experiences across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and New Zealand
Updated 57 min 49 sec ago
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI

JEDDAH: New Saudi airline Riyadh Air signed 11 strategic agreements this week it said will expand its global footprint, elevate the travel experience, and help promote the Kingdom’s culture and hospitality.

The deals, finalized during the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, which began on Monday and concluded on Thursday, involve sales and distribution service providers in more than 125 countries.

Riyadh Air, which is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, aims to connect with more than 100 international cities by 2030, and contribute more than $20 billion to the Kingdom’s economy between now and then, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The airline said it plans to enhance the travel experience by leveraging digital technologies to streamline bookings and airport procedures, thereby catering to the country’s young, tech-savvy population, as previously highlighted by CEO Tony Douglas.

Osamah Al-Nuaiser, senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications at Riyadh Air, said the agreements signed this week reflect the airline’s commitment to becoming a global leader in aviation.

They are designed to build long-term, mutually beneficial relationships that help deliver exceptional travel experiences across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, he added.

As authorities in the Kingdom continue to invest billions into massive development projects as they work to diversify the national economy and reduce its reliance on hydrocarbons, one of their goals is to gain a larger share of the global travel market, including business travel.

Riyadh Air received approval from the Kingdom’s General Authority of Civil Aviation in April to begin flight operations. It was granted its Air Operator Certificate after fulfilling all regulatory, safety, and operational requirements, marking a key milestone in the run-up to the official launch of commercial flights.

Riyadh Air said the flexibility offered by the adoption of the most modern technologies, free from the constraints of legacy systems, will enable the airline to innovate with agility and offer seamless booking, distribution and other services across its global network.

Douglas said recently that the startup is ready to purchase Boeing aircraft originally ordered by Chinese airlines, should they become available as a result of the escalating US-China trade dispute.

The fledgling airline has also placed major orders of its own with manufacturers, including a deal in October last year for 60 narrow-body A321-family jets from Airbus, and another in March 2023 for up to 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Topics: business economy Saudi Arabia Riyadh Air aviation

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PIF announces pricing of $1.25bn international sukuk offering

Updated 58 min 40 sec ago
Arab News
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PIF announces pricing of $1.25bn international sukuk offering

  • The sukuk will be listed on the London Stock Exchange’s International Securities Market
  • PIF’s Ahmed Alrobayan said: ‘The strong investor demand for this new sukuk offering underscores PIF’s robust credit profile’
Updated 58 min 40 sec ago
Arab News

RIYADH: The Public Investment Fund on Thursday announced the pricing of a $1.25 billion sukuk offering, with the proceeds of the dollar-denominated offering to be used for PIF’s general corporate purposes.
The seven-year sukuk was more than 6.5 times oversubscribed, with orders exceeding $9 billion, according to a media statement.
The sukuk will be listed on the London Stock Exchange’s International Securities Market as part of PIF’s international sukuk issuance program.
Ahmed Alrobayan, head of public markets, global capital finance, at PIF, said: “The strong investor demand for this new sukuk offering underscores PIF’s robust credit profile, along with its role as a key driver of Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation.”
The transaction represents a continuation of the established and diversified financing strategy, which draws strong support from international investors, Alrobayan said.
PIF’s long-term capital-raising strategy includes a diverse range of instruments, including sukuk and bond programs.
PIF has completed its inaugural murabaha credit facility since earlier this year, and last August renewed a revolving credit facility.
PIF is rated Aa3 by Moody’s with a stable outlook, and A+ by Fitch, also with a stable outlook.

Topics: Sukuk Public Investment Fund (PIF) London Stock Exchange

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Qassim region sees 25% growth in business sector over 7 years: Ministry of Commerce

Updated 01 May 2025
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI
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Qassim region sees 25% growth in business sector over 7 years: Ministry of Commerce

Updated 01 May 2025
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Qassim region has experienced 25 percent growth in its business sector over the past seven years, reflecting increased economic activity and contributing to the Kingdom’s goal of balanced development.

The number of commercial records in the central region rose from 68,000 in 2018 to 85,000 by the end of the first quarter of this year, the Ministry of Commerce reported in a post on its official X account.

The latest figures showed that the Qassim region saw 1,342 e-commerce registrations, contributing to the overall 6 percent year-on-year increase in the sector.

The increase comes as the Kingdom pushes ahead with its economic diversification strategy, aiming to increase the private sector’s share of the gross domestic product from 40 percent to 65 percent by 2030.

This effort is reflected in a 60 percent increase in commercial registrations in 2024 across the Kingdom, with a total of 521,969 records issued, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

Business registrations continued to rise in early 2025, with 154,638 commercial records issued in the first quarter alone, representing a 48 percent year-on-year increase.

The ministry report highlighted “critical sectors” for the Kingdom include technology, tourism, and entertainment, as well as research and development.

The report added: “These sectors offer businesses significant opportunities to grow and expand partnerships.”

According to the Ministry of Commerce, a commercial registration certificate verifies a business’s official status within Saudi Arabia. These records are essential for operating in the Kingdom, as they are required to open a bank account, hire employees, sign contracts, and conduct other business activities.

The data also showed that 71 percent of the total commercial records issued were concentrated in three key regions: Riyadh, Makkah, and the Eastern Province.

This surge in registrations aligns with recent reforms to Saudi Arabia’s business registration system, including the introduction of the new Commercial Register Law and Trade Names Law.

Subsidiary registers have also been abolished, meaning that one commercial register now covers all businesses, and companies no longer need to specify the city of registration, as a single enrollment is now valid nationwide.

The bulletin also revealed that 45 percent of the total commercial records issued to institutions are owned by women.

In an interview with Arab News in April on the sidelines of the Human Capability Initiative held in the capital, Zeger Degraeve, dean of Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business & Entrepreneurship, emphasized that ensuring balanced regional development is crucial as Saudi Arabia accelerates its economic diversification efforts under Vision 2030.

The rise in business registrations in Qassim is aligning with its growing industrial sector, supported by its rich mineral resources, which are a key focus of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 diversification plan.

The region’s SR122 billion ($32.5 billion) in untapped mineral wealth, including significant deposits of gold, copper, zinc, and phosphate, contributes to the area’s industrial development, which has seen substantial growth.

Topics: Saudi ministry of commerce Qassim

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Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,543  

Updated 01 May 2025
Nadin Hassan
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,543  

Updated 01 May 2025
Nadin Hassan

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Thursday, losing 127.90 points, or 1.10 percent, to close at 11,543.67.  

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR5.09 billion ($1.35 billion), as 52 stocks advanced, while 193 retreated.  

The MSCI Tadawul Index decreased by 16.97 points, or 1.14 percent, to close at 1,471.91. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu also dipped, losing 147.4 points, or 0.52 percent, to close at 28,129.77. This came as 32 stocks rose, while 41 fell. 

The best-performing stock on the main index was Saudi Printing and Packaging Co., with its share price surging by 6.18 percent to SR13.06.  

Saudi Cement Co. saw the steepest decline on the main index in Thursday’s session, with its share price slipping 5.75 percent to SR43.40.  

In a bourse filing, Banque Saudi Fransi announced that it has completed its $650 million offering of US dollar-denominated Additional Tier 1 capital notes.  

The issuance, conducted under the bank’s Additional Tier 1 Capital Note Programme, was offered to eligible investors in Saudi Arabia and internationally, with settlement set for May 7.  

The notes were issued at a return of 6.375 percent per annum and are perpetual in nature, with a call option exercisable after six years. A total of 3,250 notes were issued, each with a par value of $200,000. 

According to the bank, the instruments may be redeemed prior to the scheduled call date under certain conditions outlined in the base offering circular.  

The notes will be listed on the International Securities Market of the London Stock Exchange and were offered in reliance on Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 

The bank’s share price traded 0.54 percent lower on the main market to reach SR18.30.

Halwani Bros. Co. also announced its interim financial results for the first three months of the year, with net profit amounting to SR11.51 million, a 4.58 percent decline compared to the previous quarter last year.  

The company attributed the decrease to higher general and administrative expenses, as well as increased selling and distribution costs. It also said that this was due to an increase in other income as a result of the reversal of provisions that are no longer needed.  

Halwani Bros. Co’s share price traded 0.52 percent lower on the main market to reach SR47.95.  

In the first quarter of 2025, Fourth Milling Co’s net profit rose 25.154 percent quarter on quarter to SR52.6 million, according to a filing on the stock exchange.  

The group attributed the increase to sales growing by 2 percent, amounting to an increase of SR3.4 million, and zakat and tax payments decreasing by SR1.4 million.  

The company’s share price traded 0.25 percent lower on the main market to reach SR3.97.  

Saudi Steel Pipe Co. also announced its interim financial results for the first three months of the year, with net profit amounting to SR69 million, an 81.57 percent surge compared to the previous quarter.  

The company attributed the increase to higher volume, improved efficiency and product mix of products sold, and administrative expenses decreased to SR14 million in the first quarter 2025 from SR19 million in the fourth 2024. 

The company’s share price traded 0.18 percent higher on the main market to reach SR56.10. 

Topics: Closing Bell Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul)

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