The Arabian Mirror’s Post

Abu Dhabi-based Smpl Holdings has launched a $10 million venture capital fund named Smpl Fund I. According to a press release, the new fund aims to invest in technology and artificial intelligence companies in the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond. Mohammad Abu Sheikh, founding partner at Smpl, said: "The UAE has emerged as a global hub for startups and innovation. The country's progressive policies, tax-free environment, developed tech and civil infrastructure, and strategic location make it an attractive destination for startups and top talent." "Moreover, the UAE's workplace ethics, prioritizing respect, integrity, and social responsibility, attract global AI and Tech companies. These ethics and the country's commitment to a tech-friendly ecosystem position the UAE as a global leader in AI adoption," Abu Sheikh added. In 2023, the UAE attracted more than $2 billion in venture funding for startups, marking significant growth compared to previous periods.

Fluidra Makes a Splash in Innovation: Launches €20 Million Venture Capital Fund Exciting news from Fluidra! We're thrilled to announce the launch of Fluidra Ventures, a €20 million corporate venture capital fund dedicated to fostering innovation in the pool and wellness sector. Investing in the Future: Fluidra Ventures will focus on tech-driven startups with the potential to revolutionize the industry. We're looking for companies that: Enhance efficiency, connectivity, sustainability, and safety in the pool & wellness space. Leverage cutting-edge technologies like IoT, computer vision, and robotics. Offer innovative business models that add value to the pool & wellness experience. More Than Just Capital: We believe in going beyond just financial investment. Fluidra Ventures will provide startups with: Access to Fluidra's industry expertise and experience. Opportunities to scale successful business models. Potential sales channels through our established network.

Saudi Arabia’s #LEAP24 technology conference highlights a growing startup and venture capital scene in the region with seven new #funds totaling $848 million. Major announcements include InvestCorp's $500 million fund, Takamol Holding's $53 million venture capital arm, and Oasis Capital's $100 million venture fund. Other initiatives aim to boost the gaming industry, support AI development, and enhance logistics with investments from organizations like Plug and Play and IBM. With major investments and initiatives underway, we're about to see rapid advancements in technology that will change the game in many industries! https://lnkd.in/gR7dXqwy

🎯 Breaking Ground: Wa'ed Ventures Commits $100M to AI Innovation in Saudi Arabia! Proud to share that Aramco's venture capital arm, Wa'ed Ventures, is investing $100 million in early-stage AI startups. This strategic move, part of their $500 million fund, aims to establish Saudi Arabia as a global AI innovation hub. They've assembled an exceptional advisory board featuring leaders from Meta, Amazon, MIT, and Oxford to guide this initiative. Their recent investments in Rebellions (Korea) and AiXplain (US) showcase their commitment to advancing AI infrastructure globally. The impact? PwC projects Saudi Arabia's AI-driven gains to reach $135B by 2030 - contributing 12% to the Kingdom's GDP! As Anas Algahtani, their Acting CEO, says: "We're not just funding startups; we're building a foundation for Saudi Arabia's AI leadership while attracting global talent and fostering local innovation." Wa'ed Ventures Anas Algahtani #SaudiArabia #ArtificialIntelligence #VentureCapital #Innovation #Technology #DigitalTransformation #Aramco #WaedVentures What are your thoughts on Saudi Arabia's emerging role in the global AI landscape? 🤔 https://lnkd.in/dmyZYvVC

SBVA, a leading venture capital firm, has announced the launch of the Alpha Intelligence Fund, a $130 million (approximately ₩180 billion) fund dedicated to early-stage investments in AI, robotics, and deep tech startups. The fund aims to identify and support groundbreaking companies with global growth potential. Anchored by a strategic investment from SoftBank Group, the fund has garnered significant interest from other prominent investors including SK Networks, Hanwha Life, LG Electronics, and CP Group. SBVA plans to further increase the fund size through a second closing targeting major Asian corporations. Beyond capital investment, SBVA will actively support its portfolio companies by leveraging its global network and industry expertise. This includes facilitating market entry strategies, fostering strategic partnerships, and providing operational guidance. A particular focus will be on bridging the gap between the Asian and US markets through joint venture formations and strategic investments. "We believe that AI and deep tech will revolutionize industries and address critical global challenges," said Lee Jun-pyo, CEO of SBVA. "The Alpha Intelligence Fund is a testament to our commitment to backing innovative entrepreneurs and driving technological advancements." This is the third fund launched by SBVA this year, following the ₩200 billion 2023 Alpha Korea Fund and the ₩30 billion AI Healthcare Fund. With a total of ₩400 billion in assets under management, SBVA is positioned as a major player in the global venture capital landscape. Source: Wow Tale #VentureCapital #TechInvesting #EarlyStageInvesting #Robotics #ArtificialIntelligence #DeepTechInvestments #TechStartup #TechNews #KoreaTech #GlobalTech #Fundraising #TechFunding #TechFuture

Exciting to see Saudi Arabia's ambitious strides in the AI sector! The $40 billion investment fund and potential partnership with a16z are promising steps towards leading the AI space regionally and globally. Innovation and collaboration are key drivers for transformative change. #AIInvestments #TechInnovations 🚀

Global venture capital funding in October reached $32 billion, the highest month for startup investment so far in 2024. The surge was driven by large funds leading supergiant rounds in capital-intensive businesses in areas such as artificial intelligence, data centers and energy. OpenAI raised the largest round with a massive a $6.6 billion deal, but it wasn't the only billion-dollar deal in October, as data center provider GDS International also raised $1 billion. This highlights an interesting trend: supergiant rounds have fluctuated greatly over the past few years, ranging from 28% on the lower end of funding and 61% on the upper end. #VentureCapital #Startups #AI #DataCenters

Chances are, if you found a startup in Oman, you'd be doing something that no one has ever done before. From introducing data analytics to the oil and gas sector, to launching a crowdfunding platform, or launching a unique online IoT application, you will likely be the first mover in your market. This means that Omani startups face niche regulatory challenges, and legal questions that are not common in legacy industries. It follows that Omani startups and venture capital funds should be well attuned to these challenges, and Omani founders should be able to receive support to be able to operate within the local regulatory framework. #Omani_startups #VC_Oman

Exciting news from Beta Lab Saudi Arabia: a $300 million investment fund has been launched to accelerate startups across MENA and Southeast Asia. Announced at the Future Investment Initiative, this fund brings together the Saudi Ministry of Investment, MDI Ventures, and others to drive innovation at the intersection of deep tech and traditional sectors. Led by Abdulrahman Alolayan, this initiative is more than capital, it’s a gateway to resources, expertise, and global scalability. It’s a pivotal moment for startups in these regions to redefine industries and lead on the global stage. What do you think about the impact of such funds on innovation?

Interesting news. QIA is launching a groundbreaking $1 billion venture capital fund of funds aimed at boosting the startup ecosystem in Qatar and the wider GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region. With a focus on fintech, edtech, and healthcare sectors, this initiative seeks to attract international and regional VC funds to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. This initiative underscores QIA's commitment to driving economic diversification and supporting innovation in Qatar and the broader GCC region. GCC region is becoming a hot spot for establishing innovative companies #VentureCapital #StartupEcosystem #Innovation #QatarInvestmentAuthority #PrivateEquity #fintech #insuretech #ai