They defy odds and champion change. #StartupScene is the story of the Middle East's fiercest entrepreneurs. A part of @MO4Network.

Cairo, Egypt
Joined November 2016
Dubai-based creative technology startup Popcorn Studio AI has raised $1 million in pre-seed funding to develop its AI filmmaking platform and support expansion across regional and international markets. scenenow.com/Business/Popcor…
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Riyadh-based fintech Vrtx has raised $3.6 million in pre-seed funding from investors including SC Ventures by Standard Chartered, Sadu Capital, BYLD, Suhail Ventures, F6 Ventures, TAZ Investment and Palm Ventures. thestartupscene.me/INVESTMEN…
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UAE-based AI startup Ayan has raised Dh2.2 million in pre-seed funding from strategic global angel investors, with the company planning to expand beyond the Middle East and North Africa. scenenow.com/Business/UAE-AI…
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Egyptian proptech platform Aqar Exit has secured a 10% investment from entrepreneur Ayman Mamdouh Abbas, Executive Chairman of Intro Holding Group, valuing the company at $2 million, or around LE 100 million. scenenow.com/Business/Ayman-…
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The Saudi Space Agency has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) covering space activities and the peaceful use of outer space. scenenow.com/Business/Saudi-…
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TAMM Global has launched in Abu Dhabi as a private technology company that will make the emirate’s AI-native government services platform available for international licensing and deployment. scenenow.com/Business/TAMM-G…
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Gulf Business Machines has launched the UAE’s first AI Lab built on the Cisco Secure AI Factory with NVIDIA, giving organisations across the GCC access to secure full-stack infrastructure for testing and deploying artificial intelligence systems. thestartupscene.me/MenaEcosy…
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Dubai-based advertising technology startup JustAd has raised $5 million from angel investor Emad Juma to support international expansion and further develop its AI-powered marketing operating system. thestartupscene.me/INVESTMEN…
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Saudi fintech group Barq, formally Etihad Technology Holding, plans to acquire Bahrain-based digital financial services platform Beyon Money in an undisclosed transaction, expanding its presence across the Gulf Cooperation Council. scenenow.com/Business/Saudi-…
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Egypt’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Financial Regulatory Authority have signed a memorandum of understanding to support youth entrepreneurship in fintech and non-banking financial service. scenenow.com/Business/Youth-…
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Saudi AI company HUMAIN and New York's Napster have entered a strategic partnership to develop Arabic-native AI experiences for public and private sector organisations across the Middle East and North Africa. scenenow.com/Business/HUMAIN…
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UAE-based Phoenix Venture Partners has closed its debut venture capital fund at $23 million, with plans to invest in technology startups across the Middle East and North Africa. scenenow.com/Business/UAE-s-…
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Dubai-based mobility company Swvl reported revenue of $16.22 million for the first half of 2026, up 59% from $10.19 million a year earlier, as growth across Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait reshaped the company’s revenue mix. thestartupscene.me/MenaEcosy…
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Saudi B2B automotive technology startup Autobia has raised $12 million in a Series A round led by Artal Capital, with participation from Aljazira Capital and Wa’ed Ventures. thestartupscene.me/INVESTMEN…
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Endeavor Catalyst, the US-based venture capital fund of Endeavor, has closed its fifth investment vehicle at $320 million, with Jordan’s Innovative Startups and SMEs Fund among the lead limited partners. thestartupscene.me/INVESTMEN…
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MNT-Halan, Egypt's first fintech unicorn, is preparing to sell a 20% stake in its local business through an initial public offering on the Egyptian Exchange, with the transaction targeted for October subject to regulatory approval and market conditions. thestartupscene.me/MenaEcosy…
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AI Everything Abu Dhabi 2026 will take place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi on October 6th and 7th, bringing together government officials, investors, researchers and technology companies including Microsoft, VDURA and IFS. thestartupscene.me/OPPORTUNI…
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Abu Dhabi DMT has launched the Government Assets Investment Opportunities Portal through TAMM, creating a single digital entry point for investors assessing government-owned land and built assets across the emirate. thestartupscene.me/OPPORTUNI…
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PIF-backed AI company HUMAIN has engaged EY to develop Saudi Arabia’s first AI-native business process outsourcing service, using HUMAIN’s full-stack AI ecosystem to redesign how enterprise operations are delivered and managed. thestartupscene.me/MenaEcosy…
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