Mey Jahani

Stride Ventures Invests $1M in Maalexi: Boosting Agri Tech Innovations Stride Ventures has invested $1 million in Maalexi, an agri-tech startup that is revolutionizing the agricultural sector with innovative solutions. This significant investment aims to support Maalexi's growth and enhance its technological capabilities, driving sustainable agriculture practices. Key industry leaders, including Ishpreet Singh Gandhi, Founder and Managing Partner of Stride Ventures and Maalexi’s CEO, Ahmed Abbas, emphasiz, emphasize the transformative potential of this collaboration. Maalexi’s platform leverages advanced technology to optimize supply chains, improve crop yields, and promote sustainability in agr Discover how this investment will accelerate Maalexi's mission to innovate the agri-tech space and contribute to a more sustainable future. Read the full article to learn more about this strategic partnership. How do you think investments like this will impact the future of agriculture technology? Ishpreet Singh Gandhi #AgriTech #Investment #SustainableAgriculture #Innovation #Startups Read this article in other languages: https://lnkd.in/dSNNp4Fy https://lnkd.in/dwuZzQQS German  https://lnkd.in/daJ3zG4m French  https://lnkd.in/dQt_cADC Russian  https://lnkd.in/d5TPnNDv Chinese Post is written by: Shokhrukh Tursunbaev #uae #mena #fintech #Crunchbase #in5 #dic #DubaiInternetCity #technology #b2b #startups #software #Entrepreneurship #development #funding #project #environment #investment #opportunities #analytics #stockmarket #Networking #glocal #mentorship #ceo #socialentrepreneurs #Blockchain #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #TechInnovation #DubaiTech #SmartCity #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #FutureTech #TechRevolution #BlockchainRevolution #AIRevolution #TechLeaders #Industry4_0 #TechTrends #TechFuture #DisruptiveTech #TechGrowth #EmergingTech #TechPartnerships #DigitalEconomy #SmartEconomy #TechDevelopments #NextGenTech #TechAdvancements #TechPioneers #DigitalInnovation #TechProgress #TechInfluencers #InnovativeSolutions Aleksei Dolgikh, Olga Nayda, Olga O. Medvedeva, Vitalii Minka

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https://lnkd.in/d3b_KeZe "“Globally and regionally, the banking sector has an unfavourable relationship with early-stage startups,” said Racha Ghamlouch, co-founder of Digital Digest, a UAE-based digital economy news and market intelligence aggregator. “But we are seeing more debt-funds and venture debt funds investing in growth stage deals, which is filling that gap for later stage companies.” Where banks may be falling short, entrepreneurs are turning to the private credit market to meet their funding needs. Omar Al Yawer, senior executive at Abu Dhabi-based Ruya Partners, who was speaking on the sidelines of the Alternative Investment Management Summit in Dubai this week, said: “The reality is the Middle East has such a big funding gap that exists because the banks are only lending to the big family groups and government backed projects. “So the middle market’s been really left to grow at a turtle-like pace,” he said."

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A new wonderful episode of the VC React Podcast, with our amazing guests: Hasan Haider and Jessica Al-Hussaini, who provided great insights on: • Extending funding rounds and how it shows maturity in founders • Why payment gateways might want to stay focused on one big market • A deep dive into revenue based financing & how it's different than venture debt.  • How Revolut's expansion to MENA could shake things up in the regional Fintech scene, and force existing players to enhance their products and services, and would this move by Revolut influence local VC's investment theses?  • A comparison of two fintech startups that started in the same year, a global one that became a decacorn, and a local one that is still at series B.  • Selling founder shares at secondary rounds • How MENA startups could strategize their expansion to the US market if they plan to. A big thank you to our guests, and as always, thank you Jamie Lane and FWDstart. --- VC React Podcast Available on: • 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗯𝗲: https://lnkd.in/gswEc6DJ • 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆: https://lnkd.in/gERdVmEc • 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲: https://lnkd.in/gFT3FsCB • 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗼𝗻: https://lnkd.in/gkfNgF5K ---

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UAE-based fintech Ziina زينة has raised $22 million in a Series A funding round, led by US-based Altos Ventures along with other investors including FinTech Collective, Avenir, Activant Capital, Y Combinator, FJ Labs, Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), and Jabbar Internet Group. Founded in 2020 by Faisal Toukan and Sarah Toukan, Ziina helps individuals send and receive payments through its app with just a phone number, no IBAN or Swift Code required. It launched its digital wallet in February 2022. The new round will fuel Ziina’s expansion beyond a #payments solution to providing end-to-end #financial services for businesses and consumers, starting with the soon-to-launch ZiiCard. In June 2021, Ziina, fresh from completing YC’s first cohort that year and securing a $7.5 million seed, launched its #fintech app to 20,000 #retail customers, allowing them to send and receive #money. Three years later, the Dubai-based startup, which now counts 50,000 retail and business customers after expanding its offerings to meet the needs of micro, small, and medium-sized #MSME businesses in the #UAE Full TechCrunch article in comments

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🇹🇷 Bek Ventures Closes $250 Million Fund to Fuel Eastern European Startups Bek Ventures, previously known as Earlybird Digital East, has launched a $250 million fund to back early-stage companies across Turkey 🇹🇷 and Eastern Europe, a bold move in an otherwise slowing #venture #capital market. According to Yazhou Sun at Bloomberg, Bek Ventures achieved remarkable returns, including a 20.4 times multiple on its first fund, driven by strategic early investments in companies like UiPath, which went public in New York, and Peak Games, which sold to Zynga for $1.8 billion. While European venture funding remains concentrated in the West, Bek Ventures aims to bridge the gap in central and eastern Europe, which attracted less than 5% of the continent’s total capital this year. With its new fund, Bek Ventures plans to remain focused on smaller, high-growth exits that deliver strong returns, avoiding the shift to larger, multi-stage investments that could dilute performance. As reported, they have already started deploying capital in artificial intelligence, with investments in 🇵🇱 Polish #AI developer Proofs and Zeta Labs, an #AI startup by former Meta engineers. “We’re keeping our fund size disciplined to avoid relying solely on public markets,” said partner Mehmet Selcuk Atici, signaling their commitment to a balanced growth strategy in often-overlooked markets. 🚀

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September 21 2024 – 5 Notable Articles To Read Article: OpenAI in Talks with UAE Investment Fund for $7B Fundraising Takeaway: MGX was launched this year by Mubadala Investment Co., a state-owned entity, and G42, a tech conglomerate partnered with OpenAI, which supplies AI services to businesses in the region. Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest supporter, also holds a seat on G42's board. Source: The Information Link: https://lnkd.in/dTc5r3cc Article: Danish Freight Firm DSV - Global Transport and Logistics Buys German Rival for €14.3B Takeaway: The deal makes the Danish company the world’s largest freight forwarder, with DSV surpassing private equity firm CVC in the race to acquire DB Schenker. Source: Bloomberg Link: https://lnkd.in/dFh_QCRb Article: Blackstone Said to Weigh Sale of $7B Consular Tech Firm Takeaway: Blackstone Inc. is exploring options, including the sale of its majority stake in VFS Global, a visa outsourcing and technology services company, following interest from potential investors, according to sources familiar with the matter. Source: Bloomberg News Link: https://lnkd.in/dkwebFta Article: Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala takes stake in Revolut Takeaway: Taking part in a share sale last month that valued the London-based fintech at $45B and earned at least $200M for its founder and CEO, Nik Storonsky. Source: Financial Times Link: https://lnkd.in/dcz4XJ9K Article: An ESG Backlash Erupts in Europe on World's Strictest Rules Takeaway: As valuations and competitiveness decline, companies are protesting, claiming that the U.S. is handling the climate issue more effectively. Source: Bloomberg Link: https://lnkd.in/d7GXi3jQ #news #business #research #ai

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Join us at the Dubai 2024 Venture Capital World Summit, the premier event for investors and entrepreneurs in the UAE! Don't miss out on this opportunity to network and learn from industry leaders. Link in bio for more details and to get tickets. #Dubai2024 #VentureCapital #InvestmentConference #UAE #Networking

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Opportunity for AI Businesses in the UAE The United Arab Emirates is actively seeking to attract leading artificial intelligence (AI) companies and startups to establish a presence in the country. We are offering a compelling package of incentives, resources, and support to help your AI business thrive in the UAE. ## Key Incentives and Benefits ### Financial Incentives - 0% corporate tax and 0% personal income tax - Access to co-lending financial solutions worth up to AED 1 billion (USD 272 million) to support SMEs - Guaranteed offtake contracts worth AED 23 billion (USD 6.3 billion) from government entities - Procurement opportunities worth AED 20 billion (USD 5.4 billion) from ADNOC and Pure Health ### Real Estate and Infrastructure - Subsidized or free commercial and residential leases in designated technology hubs like Masdar City and Dubai Silicon Oasis - Access to world-class technology infrastructure, including high-speed internet, reliable power, and advanced data centers ### Regulatory Support - Fast-tracked business licensing and visa issuance for skilled AI professionals - Dedicated support from government entities like the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology ### Ecosystem Advantages - Collaborative partnerships with leading universities, research centers, and AI-focused accelerators - Proximity to a diverse talent pool and access to global markets - Centralized location between Europe, Asia, and Africa ## Why the UAE for AI Businesses? The UAE has emerged as a global hub for artificial intelligence, driven by the government's ambitious strategy to make the country a world leader in this transformative technology. With substantial investments, supportive policies, and a thriving innovation ecosystem, the UAE offers unparalleled opportunities for AI companies to scale and succeed. We invite you to explore the possibilities of establishing your AI business in the UAE. Our team is ready to provide personalized guidance and support to help you navigate the process and unlock the full potential of the Emirati market. Contact us today at [email] to learn more about how the UAE can accelerate the growth of your AI venture. Wise investment and finance Ajlan Alqubaisi Ceo Email:[email protected] WhatsApp:+971545476036

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MENA Q1 2024 Startup Funding Overview Startups in the MENA secured a total of $429 million in funding across 129 deals. SaaS, fintech, and e-commerce continue to lead the way in terms of sectors attracting investment. The top 3 countries by funding volume: Saudi Arabia: Following LEAP 24, Saudi startups raised $198 million across 25 deals. This highlights the importance of attending conferences, speaking at events, and building your network. UAE: 12 startups raised $39 million. Egypt: 8 startups raised around $7 million. The largest funding round was a $35 million pre-seed round for Tumodo, a Dubai-based business travel platform.

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Jeel and audax a fintech venture by SC Ventures by Standard Chartered join forces to revolutionize banking in Saudi Arabia. Their partnership aims to modernize legacy systems, enabling digital banks and super apps. This collaboration could reshape the financial landscape of a $1.1 trillion economy. #DigitalBanking #FinTech #SaudiArabia #BankingInnovation #TechTransformation What innovative banking solutions do you think will emerge from this partnership?

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🚀 Highlight of Token 2049: Meeting Stefan Kimmel from M2 🚀 I had the pleasure of meeting Stefan Kimmel, CEO of M2 Exchange, at TOKEN2049 last month. I also had the opportunity to interview him on my podcast, where we discussed the convergence of TradFi and DeFi in the #MiddleEast. In this enlightening episode of the Web3 with Sam Kamani podcast, Stefan shares his journey from traditional finance to leading a major crypto exchange. 𝐖𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨: ✅ The pivotal role of trust and regulation in crypto mass adoption in the Middle East ✅ The unique challenges and opportunities for crypto in the Middle East region ✅ The differences between decentralized and centralized exchanges ✅ The impact of institutional investment and ETFs on the crypto industry ✅ How real-world assets and stablecoins are shaping digital investments Stefan also discusses M2's mission to bridge the gap between digital and traditional finance in the Middle East, offering a regulated, secure, and user-friendly platform for both retail and institutional investors. 🎧 Tune in for an insightful conversation on the evolving landscape of crypto in the Middle East and the future of digital asset investment. 🔗 Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gUQyKqzj

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Abu Dhabi technology investment firm MGX is reportedly in talks with OpenAI as part of a multibillion-dollar fundraising round for the startup behind ChatGPT. Sources familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal that MGX, which the UAE created earlier this year to invest in artificial intelligence (AI) projects, hasn’t determined the size of a potential investment in OpenAI. OpenAI is in talks to raise $6.5bn from investors at a valuation of $150bn, and the new valuation will cement the ChatGPT creator’s position as one of the most valuable startups in the world. Venture-capital firm Thrive Capital has committed $1bn and will lead the round, while Microsoft, Apple and Nvidia are in talks to also invest, according to a Bloomberg report. The potential investment would bring the Gulf state closer to one of the world’s leading AI companies and one of the most valuable private startups in the US. OpenAI | ChatGPT | #ChatGPT | #UAE | #AI

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🎬 The price of entertainment subscription services: A promising investment opportunity in the MENA region 🌍 In today's digital world, entertainment subscription services have become an integral part of our daily lives. But, have you ever wondered how much these services cost and how they can be an investment opportunity? 🤔 In our new article, we take an in-depth analysis of the monthly subscription prices of different entertainment platforms such as Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, and others. We'll talk about the challenges these platforms face in retaining customers and generating profits. 💡 We also highlight the promising opportunities in the MENA region, where the market is showing huge potential for growth thanks to a young population and increasing internet penetration. 🌐 If you are an investor or interested in the entertainment industry, don't miss this analytical article that provides deep insights into the sector and how to capitalize on the opportunities available. 📈

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UAE Startup Tokinvest Raises $500K Pre-Seed for Asset Tokenization Platform Exciting news in the fintech space! UAE-based Tokinvest has secured $500,000 in pre-seed funding to revolutionize real-world asset tokenization. Founded in 2024 by Scott Thiel and Matthew Blom, Tokinvest is simplifying investment processes by creating virtual tokens representing rights to various assets. The funding, backed by strategic investors including Michael Ourabah (CEO of BSO), will enhance Tokinvest's tech infrastructure and accelerate market penetration. The startup has also received initial approval for licensing from Dubai's VARA, positioning itself as a regulated entity in the virtual assets space. This development signals growing confidence in blockchain-based financial solutions. As Tokinvest prepares to launch its marketplace later this year, how do you think asset tokenization will impact traditional investment models? Read the full story here: 👇 https://lnkd.in/gsKBx4-c #FinTech #Funding #BlockchainInnovation #AssetTokenization #UAEStartups #InvestmentTech #VirtualAssets #FinancialInclusion #MiddleEastBusiness #MiddleEast #BusinessNews #Rasmal #RasmalNews #MENABusiness

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👀 Excited to unveil the latest insights from our MAGNiTT H1 VC report on Emerging Markets! Join me for a deep dive into the trends shaping 2024: 🌍 Is there light at the end of the tunnel for Emerging Market VC? 📈 How do MENA investments compare to Global Venture trends? 💰 What's driving changes in market valuations today? 👥 Who are the key players investing right now? Don’t miss our webinar on Jul 17 at 3PM UAE! Secure your spot now 👉 Register Here: https://lnkd.in/dxJDhsAe Have burning questions about the future of startup funding? Share them below and join the discussion! 👇 #Webinar #H1 #VentureCapital #StartupFunding #EmergingMarkets #CEOInsights

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🇦🇪 From #FinTech to F&B - Abu Dhabi’s top fundraisers are quite diverse! The city has recently been making waves as one of the fastest-growing startup ecosystems in #MENA according to 3rd party reports. The MAGNiTT team decided to take a closer look at the most funded Abu Dhabi-based startups from each month over the past year, from June 2023 to May 2024. Leading the charge with $48M was the blockchain-powered tech platform Andalusia Labs. Not far behind, Alma Health and Fuze also scored impressive funding rounds, with $10M and $14M respectively. Turning to the most recent news, RemotePass secured $5.5M in Series A funding from investors like 212 VC, Khwarizmi Ventures and Endeavor Catalyst, OCTA secured $1M from Sukna Ventures, and The Cloud - Food Ecosystem secured $6M in equity financing from MENA Moonshots. What’s even more exciting is the diversity among these eight startups. They represent a wide range of sectors including Media & Entertainment, Healthcare, Travel & Tourism, FinTech, F&B, and Enterprise Software. And the Abu Dhabi Ecosystem continues to develop with key developments Hub71 with new cohorts, ADQ new fund announcements, Lunate and Mubadala Capital investments in MENA startups. Government entities continue to push on initiatives including ADGM, Abu Dhabi Investment Office and Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. Want to stay up to date with all MENA funding news? Make sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter 👉 https://lnkd.in/daDKeJXH #venturecapital #funding #UAE #VC #startups

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Today marks an exciting milestone as we become a truly global firm. Our iconic logo, the Golden Gate Bridge, was selected to represent our mission of bridging Silicon Valley with the rest of the world. We chose Qatar as the HQ for our new MENA fund because, like Singapore, Qatar has been building its economic prowess and on an international scale. With supportive government programs, a strong push for economic diversification, a pro-business environment, and substantial investment in the startup space, Qatar closely mirrors the environment we saw when we first started in Singapore over a decade ago. This fund, MENA Fund 1, is the first step in our twenty-year vision for the Gulf region. Establishing our MENA headquarters in Doha is more than just a business move; it is a statement of our belief in Qatar as a regional innovation hub. I am confident this announcement will pave the way for many international VCs to follow our lead, just as they did in Singapore. A huge thanks to my partner Michael Lints for his efforts to make this happen. Golden Gate Ventures is very supportive of his exiting move to Doha! And a very big thanks to the support from Hussain Abdulla and Yousuf Al-Jaida 🙇 Alongside our announcement, we have published an extensive report on why we believe Qatar is set to be a regional hub. *Download* a copy of the report “Qatar Rising: Where Ambition and Capital Converge”: https://lnkd.in/eZnrCXCc #venturecapital #mena #goldengatevc #goldengateventures #qatar #gcc #innovation #startups #founders #entrepreneurs #funding #vc https://lnkd.in/e4y9WX_W

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Saudi 🇸🇦 BNPL player Tabby is to acquire digital wallet Tweeq, the acquisition will enable Tabby to expand its financial product suite with Tweeq’s digital #wallet to offer its customers #digital #spending accounts, #cards and money management tools. Founded in 2019 in the UAE by Hosam Arab, Tabby is a buy now pay later (#BNPL) #fintech with over $6 billion in annualised transaction volume. Meanwhile, Tweeq, founded in 2020 by Saeed Albuhairi and Abdulaziz AlMalki, offers a spending account that allows customers to spend, send, and manage their #money. 🚀 The proposed acquisition by Tabby follows a financing round in December which saw the firm secure $700 million in debt financing from JPMorgan and extend its series D round to $250 million. Read more: https://lnkd.in/euPhusZQ

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