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Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global Unveils Latest Startup Cohort

Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global Unveils Latest Startup Cohort

CairoScene10 hours ago

Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global Unveils Latest Startup Cohort
500 Global and Sanabil Investments announce the ninth cohort of the Sanabil Accelerator, spotlighting nine high-growth startups in AI, Fintech, SaaS, and more, ahead of a Demo Day in Riyadh.
500 Global, the multi-stage venture capital firm, and Sanabil Investments, a financial investment company owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), have announced the ninth edition of the Sanabil Accelerator. The new cohort features nine startups selected from over 850 applicants, all chosen for their potential to address market gaps and scale innovation across key sectors including AI, Fintech, Edtech, SaaS, Climate Tech, and Proptech.
Demo Day for the ninth batch will take place on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025, at Sanabil Hub in Riyadh, where founders will pitch their ventures to a curated group from the regional venture capital community. The accelerator has so far supported 98 startups, and the current edition introduces a more personalised 12-week experience, designed to help participating companies scale more efficiently.
The selected startups include CarbonSifr, an AI sustainability platform; Endl, a stablecoin-powered cross-border payment system; and Feesable Technologies, which helps SMEs access upfront cash for unpaid invoices. Also part of the cohort are LIVSHO, a real-time live shopping marketplace; Raff, a distribution and inventory management platform for sellers and retailers; and ReMatch, which allows real estate agents to collaborate on listings to close otherwise lost deals. Other participants include Schedex, a workforce optimisation platform for F&B businesses; TwentyToo, a demand forecasting and pricing strategy tool for retailers; and Vennre, a wealth platform offering high earners access to private market investments.
'Since the inception of the accelerator program we have focused on investing and supporting founders that are aiming to disrupt the norms in the sectors and markets they operate in," said Amal Dokhan, Managing Partner at 500 Global MENA. "As we progress in our batches, we see a better understanding from founders of the challenges regional and global markets face, as well as a deeper focus on developing the solutions they create to be more user-centered."
With Batch 9 concluding in July, applications are now open for the tenth cohort. Startups across the MENA region are invited to apply and join a growing community of founders shaping the future of innovation in the region.

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Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global Unveils Latest Startup Cohort
Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global Unveils Latest Startup Cohort

CairoScene

time10 hours ago

  • CairoScene

Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global Unveils Latest Startup Cohort

Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global Unveils Latest Startup Cohort 500 Global and Sanabil Investments announce the ninth cohort of the Sanabil Accelerator, spotlighting nine high-growth startups in AI, Fintech, SaaS, and more, ahead of a Demo Day in Riyadh. 500 Global, the multi-stage venture capital firm, and Sanabil Investments, a financial investment company owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), have announced the ninth edition of the Sanabil Accelerator. The new cohort features nine startups selected from over 850 applicants, all chosen for their potential to address market gaps and scale innovation across key sectors including AI, Fintech, Edtech, SaaS, Climate Tech, and Proptech. Demo Day for the ninth batch will take place on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025, at Sanabil Hub in Riyadh, where founders will pitch their ventures to a curated group from the regional venture capital community. The accelerator has so far supported 98 startups, and the current edition introduces a more personalised 12-week experience, designed to help participating companies scale more efficiently. The selected startups include CarbonSifr, an AI sustainability platform; Endl, a stablecoin-powered cross-border payment system; and Feesable Technologies, which helps SMEs access upfront cash for unpaid invoices. Also part of the cohort are LIVSHO, a real-time live shopping marketplace; Raff, a distribution and inventory management platform for sellers and retailers; and ReMatch, which allows real estate agents to collaborate on listings to close otherwise lost deals. Other participants include Schedex, a workforce optimisation platform for F&B businesses; TwentyToo, a demand forecasting and pricing strategy tool for retailers; and Vennre, a wealth platform offering high earners access to private market investments. 'Since the inception of the accelerator program we have focused on investing and supporting founders that are aiming to disrupt the norms in the sectors and markets they operate in," said Amal Dokhan, Managing Partner at 500 Global MENA. "As we progress in our batches, we see a better understanding from founders of the challenges regional and global markets face, as well as a deeper focus on developing the solutions they create to be more user-centered." With Batch 9 concluding in July, applications are now open for the tenth cohort. Startups across the MENA region are invited to apply and join a growing community of founders shaping the future of innovation in the region.

500 Global and Sanabil Investments Announce Batch 9 of the Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global - Middle East Business News and Information
500 Global and Sanabil Investments Announce Batch 9 of the Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global - Middle East Business News and Information

Mid East Info

time11 hours ago

  • Mid East Info

500 Global and Sanabil Investments Announce Batch 9 of the Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global - Middle East Business News and Information

Nine companies will present live at Demo Day on July 2, 2025, at Sanabil Hub in Riyadh RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: 500 Global, a multi-stage venture capital firm, and Sanabil Investments, a financial investment company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), announce the ninth batch of the Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global. This new cohort aims to foster innovation and drive growth across various sectors, including AI, Fintech, Edtech, Climate Tech, SaaS, and Proptech. Out of 850+ applications received, nine promising companies have been selected for their potential to drive innovation and address critical market needs. Demo Day will take place on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Sanabil Hub in Riyadh, with a curated group from the venture capitalist community in attendance. Building on the success of past batches and the acceleration of 98 startups, the program continues to evolve. This year's program included new elements designed to provide a more personalized and focused experience throughout the 12-week journey, helping startups leapfrog and scale. 'Since the inception of the accelerator program we have focused on investing and supporting founders that are aiming to disrupt the norms in the sectors and markets they operate in. As we progress in our batches, we see a better understanding from founders of the challenges regional and global markets face, as well as a deeper focus on developing the solutions they create to be more user-centered. We believe that this evolution of market expertise, paired with improved access to technical expertise and resources, has poised these founders with the unique potential to help build startups ready to scale. We are very honored to have every founder in this batch and can't wait to see them thrive and grow,' said Amal Dokhan, Managing Partner at 500 Global MENA. 'Our leadership within the venture capital community is reinforced as more entrepreneurs apply to Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global than ever before, seeking support to develop their ideas and achieve success in Saudi Arabia and abroad. We are attracting and enabling the brightest minds and best technologies that are improving people's lives worldwide, fortifying the economy, and making the world a better place for all. We can't wait to show the region and the world this next wave of innovators, thinkers, and builders,' said a spokesperson at Sanabil Investments. The following is the list of Batch 9 companies that have made it through to the final round: CarbonSifr – AI sustainability platform enabling businesses to easily measure and reduce their emissions. – AI sustainability platform enabling businesses to easily measure and reduce their emissions. Endl – A stablecoin powered cross border payment platform with instant settlement and minimal fees. – A stablecoin powered cross border payment platform with instant settlement and minimal fees. Feesable Technologies – Gives SMEs upfront cash for unpaid invoices with same-day credit decisions. – Gives SMEs upfront cash for unpaid invoices with same-day credit decisions. LIVSHO – A live-shopping marketplace where sellers auction products in real-time livestreams, turning viewers into instant buyers. – A live-shopping marketplace where sellers auction products in real-time livestreams, turning viewers into instant buyers. Raff – Bridges the gap between sellers and retailers, offering a single platform that simplifies offline/online distribution and inventory management – Bridges the gap between sellers and retailers, offering a single platform that simplifies offline/online distribution and inventory management ReMatch – Enables real estate agents to share their buyers and listings with each other to turn lost deals into closed ones. – Enables real estate agents to share their buyers and listings with each other to turn lost deals into closed ones. Schedex – A workforce management tool that cuts labor costs for F&B businesses by up to 15%. – A workforce management tool that cuts labor costs for F&B businesses by up to 15%. TwentyToo – Enables retailers to anticipate market demand and optimize pricing strategies by analyzing real -time performance data across millions of SKUs. – Enables retailers to anticipate market demand and optimize pricing strategies by analyzing real -time performance data across millions of SKUs. Vennre – A wealth creation platform that gives high-earners access to private market investments, previously reserved for institutional investors. With the ninth program group concluding in July, applications for the tenth cohort are open. Startups from across the MENA region are invited to join a growing community of ambitious founders shaping the future of innovation in the region.

Will ‘massive' Gulf deals cement the US lead in the race for global AI dominance?
Will ‘massive' Gulf deals cement the US lead in the race for global AI dominance?

Egypt Independent

time27-05-2025

  • Egypt Independent

Will ‘massive' Gulf deals cement the US lead in the race for global AI dominance?

CNN — US President Donald Trump's whirlwind visit last week to the Middle East saw a wave of AI dealmaking that could reshape the global technology landscape. On May 12, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund Public Investment Fund announced the establishment of AI startup Humain. US companies Nvidia, AMD, and Qualcomm also announced deals to supply chips and partner on AI infrastructure with Humain. The Trump administration also announced that it would rescind and replace the 'AI Diffusion' rule, a Biden-era regulation capping sales of the most advanced chips that was set to take effect on May 15. On the final leg of the tour, the US and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced that they will partner to build a data center complex in Abu Dhabi with 5-gigawatts of capacity – the largest data center cluster outside of the US, according to the Commerce Department. By comparison, the current global market capacity of data centers is approximately 59 gigawatts – according to Goldman Sachs. The Trump administration said that it also secured Saudi and UAE investment for data centers located in the US. In Abu Dhabi, Trump said that the countries had 'agreed to create a path for the UAE to buy some of the world's most advanced AI semiconductors from American companies.' The deals, and new partnerships, could reshape the global AI landscape in myriad ways, according to officials and experts. 'We're still waiting for the full details to emerge, but the scale of some of these announced projects is massive,' says Sam Winter-Levy, a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, whose focus is technology and international affairs. Trump attends a business meeting and roundtable at Qasr Al Watan, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Friday, May 16, 2025. Altaf Qadri/AP A 'game-changer' for the global AI race In recent years, Beijing and Washington have been vying for supremacy in AI technology that could confer the winner advantages in economic productivity, scientific breakthroughs and national security. Trump's AI czar David Sacks said in a post on X that the deals are a 'game-changer in the global AI race' that will 'help to cement American technology as the global standard – before our competitors can catch up.' Some experts agree that working with the Middle East will fill gaps in current US capabilities. AI models require vast amounts of computing power, commonly referred to simply as 'compute,' to train and run. That requires huge amounts of energy. 'We have a huge problem when it comes to fueling our own data center infrastructure in the US,' Mohammed Soliman, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute think-tank in Washington-DC, tells CNN. Men use their phones during the Saudi-US Investment Forum, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 13, 2025. Brian Snyder/Reuters Growing demand for energy to power data centers has strained parts of the US grid. Although some say the issue can be resolved domestically, others say partnering with the oil-rich Gulf is a wise strategic bet. 'There's not really an immediate [domestic] solution,' Soliman adds, 'You need to invest heavily in energy infrastructure, and that takes capital, land, a lot of resources, and time.' But some are concerned about how the flow of chips to the Gulf will be controlled. On May 19, leading Democrats warned in a letter that 'the deals – without any clear and enforceable protections to stop this sensitive technology from falling into China's hands – present an immediate national security threat.' If chips are given directly to Saudi and Emirati companies, without the right safeguards, it could present national security risks, and the nations could employ them for tasks like autonomous weapons research and development, says Winter-Levy. In another possible scenario, in which the data centers might be controlled and operated by US tech companies, he says the risks are more limited. The UAE and Saudi Arabia both have ambitious plans to build AI industries to prepare their economies for a post-oil future. US authorities say that not working with the Gulf could have increased the risks of a Gulf-China AI alliance. The chip technology of companies like Huawei is quickly advancing. 'If we reject them, we will drive them into China's arms,' said Sacks' X post. US President Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and others listen during a Saudi-US investment forum at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center on May 13, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Advancing Gulf AI ambitions While much is still unknown, one thing is clear: The Gulf's role in the global AI landscape is growing. 'This could well see the emergence of the Gulf as the third-biggest power in the AI competition,' says Winter-Levy. 'If the countries use the chips to train their own frontier models, the Gulf could move closer to competing with the US on the technology.' He adds that current talent constraints might hold the region back from competing with current AI leaders US and China. Experts say the deals mark a new era in US-Gulf relations. 'This is going to be a pivotal moment for the way the US-Gulf relationship is defined,' says Soliman. 'It's no longer about crude; it's mostly about compute.' In the Democrats' letter, they urged the administration to make sure 'American technology prioritizes the buildout of this critical industry here at home, not abroad.' But if a situation emerges in the future where a significant amount of US computing power is in the region, said Winter-Levy, it could give Gulf governments 'some significant degree of leverage, both over US tech companies but also over US foreign policy more generally.'

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