PayPal Partners With Ignyte to Support UAE Startups
May 13, 2025
PayPal has partnered with Ignyte, a global platform for startups and SMBs, to streamline cross-border payments and support digital growth. As a founding partner, PayPal will help entrepreneurs manage transactions more efficiently in today's digital economy.
The partnership aligns with PayPal's ongoing efforts to back innovation in the UAE and the broader Middle East. Ignyte, launched in October 2024 under Dubai's Digital Economy Strategy, offers startups access to mentors, investors, and over 250 business tools and perks. The initiative aims to strengthen the region's position as a global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.
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Mid East Info
03-07-2025
- Mid East Info
Cigna Healthcare Becomes First Health Partner for UAE Startup Ecosystem Ignyte - Middle East Business News and Information
Companies registered with Ignyte gain access to tailored health plans from Cigna Healthcare Coverage includes mental health support, chronic condition care, and workplace wellness tools tailored for start-up companies. Dubai, UAE:July, 2025 – Cigna Healthcare Middle East, a global health services company, has signed a MoU with Ignyte, to provide comprehensive and scalable health coverage to start-ups registered with Ignyte. Ignyte is a key initiative under the Dubai Digital Economy Strategy, designed to drive exponential growth for start-ups across industries. This announcement makes Cigna Healthcare the first and exclusive healthcare provider associated with Ignyte. The agreement was signed during the Dubai FinTech Summit 2025, at Madinat Jumeirah, by Leah Cotterill, CEO of Cigna Healthcare Middle East and Africa (outside KSA), and Mohammad Alblooshi, Chief Executive Officer of the DIFC Innovation Hub. Cigna Healthcare will offer companies registered with Ignyte, access to affordable and flexible coverage plans that encompass founder and employee wellbeing, mental health, workplace wellness, and more. The policies also cover chronic health conditions, and plans can be scaled up as the startup continues to grow. Under the partnership, customers can benefit from exclusive discounts and a simple, hassle-free digital experience powered by Cigna Envoy®, featuring easy-to-use claim submission options. As Ignyte's go-to health and wellbeing partner, Cigna Healthcare Middle East is also able to tailor specific solutions for its 1,000+ startups and more than 100 mentors and investors. Leah Cotterill stated: 'Ignyte is shaping an exciting generation of businesses, and we are proud to be their go-to health and wellbeing partner. We believe that sustainable growth begins with investing in individuals. This partnership guarantees that startups and their teams have access to appropriate health solutions from the outset, enabling them to concentrate on building, scaling, and driving innovation with assurance. Mohammad Alblooshi said: 'Ignyte's mission is to empower entrepreneurs, and this partnership with Cigna Healthcare reinforces this goal by ensuring that all startups grow from a strong foundation of wellbeing. Health is not only a form of support, but it has also become a true strategic and competitive advantage in the business world.' Ignyte members can benefit from Cigna Healthcare's Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides access to work/life resources and licensed clinicians to help individuals cope with a wide variety of concerns, from family and financial issues to emotional health and stress. About Cigna Healthcare: Cigna Healthcare is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health and vitality. With a heritage of over 250 years, Cigna Healthcare is committed to its promise of being together all the way in providing health care, clinical management, and wellness programs to employers, individuals, and governments around the world. Operating for more than 19 years in the Middle East region, Cigna Healthcare serves the GCC markets and Lebanon through its locally regulated entities. The company delivers both health and wellness services to individuals, employers, and government entities in the region. Cigna Healthcare has a deep understanding of the African continent for over 60 years, servicing over 250,000 members. Cigna Healthcare services corporates through direct partnerships with locally licensed insurers in each market, providing health insurance for local companies and multinationals. Cigna Healthcare maintains a global sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, employing over 72,000 people who service more than 164 million customer relationships.
Mid East Info
24-06-2025
- Mid East Info
ruya announces strategic partnership with Ignyte to empower the UAE's Start-up ecosystem - Middle East Business News and Information
Ajman, UAE – 24 June, 2025 : At the Dubai AI Festival this April, ruya and Ignyte have formalized their strategic partnership, bringing together ruya's digital-first Islamic banking expertise and Ignyte's government-backed, all-in-one start-up ecosystem to accelerate innovation across the UAE. The UAE's start-up scene remains the region's most active, recording 188 funding rounds in 2024—the highest in MENA and Dubai is now recognised as one of the top five cities worldwide for FinTech. Launched in early 2024 and licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE, ruya has quickly redefined banking with a fully Shari'ah-compliant digital platform and community centres that blend cutting-edge technology with a commitment to fairness, transparency and social responsibility. By eliminating hidden fees, minimum-balance requirements and lengthy onboarding, ruya ensures that entrepreneurs—from fintech start-ups and SME founders to freelancers and family businesses—can access the financial tools they need without friction. Ignyte, launched under Dubai's Digital Economy Strategy by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in October 2024, has grown into the Emirates' premier ecosystem for founders, connecting more than 2,500 start-ups with mentors, investors and over 250 exclusive perks designed to drive growth and global expansion. This partnership will see ruya championing that ecosystem through co-hosted events, mentorship programmes and a branded presence across Ignyte's channels, embedding ethical Islamic finance at the heart of Dubai's entrepreneurial journey. 'For founders navigating a fast-evolving market, the fusion of digital agility and principled banking is game-changing,' said Christoph Koster, CEO of ruya. 'Our alliance with Ignyte means that ethical financing and community support go hand-in-hand, empowering the UAE's next generation of innovators to scale with confidence'. 'By partnering with ruya, we are ensuring that our founders achieve success with integrity and community support. This collaboration equips entrepreneurs with the resources to innovate while promoting a culture of sustainable growth. Together, we aim to establish a strong foundation for the UAE's rapidly growing start-up scene, driving both local and global success.' said Mohammad Alblooshi Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Innovation Hub. Looking ahead, this strategic collaboration will not only enhance access to capital and expertise but also reinforce the UAE's vision to double its digital economy to AED 280 billion by 2031. By weaving together, the strengths of ruya's community-focused Islamic banking model and Ignyte's dynamic startup platform, the partnership exemplifies how public-private synergy can fuel sustainable growth and position the Emirates as a global leader in fintech and entrepreneurship. For more information on how to start investing in virtual assets through ruya , please visit . About ruya (رويا): Headquartered in Ajman and launched in 2024, ruya (Ruya Islamic Community Bank LLC) is a fusion of innovative technology and the enduring principles of Islamic banking, designed for individuals and businesses alike. Licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE as a Specialised Bank, ruya delivers a seamless digital banking experience built on robust security and intuitive design. Guided by the pillars of fairness, transparency, and social responsibility, ruya is deeply rooted in the community supporting families, entrepreneurs and small businesses while fostering financial literacy and inclusion through open-door branches that serve as hubs of education and support. For media inquiries: pr@ Website: Twitter/X: myruyabank Instagram: myruyabank LinkedIn: ruya Facebook: myruyabank TikTok: @myruyabank YouTube: @myruyabank Snapchat: myruyabank About Ignyte: Ignyte is part of the Dubai Digital Economy Strategy under the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It is a leading global start-up ecosystem that empowers founders. As a digital hub for innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship, it provides access to world-class mentors, investors, and over 250 exclusive perks and resources from leading corporates and industry partners. Ignyte aims to transform the start-up landscape and position the region as a global centre for innovation and business acceleration. It bridges the gap between entrepreneurs and opportunities by fostering collaborations, offering tailored programmes, and facilitating access to capital. Ignyte's mission is to empower 100,000 start-ups, connect over 5,000 investors, and unite 5,000 industry-leading mentors. Key initiatives include streamlining business setup, supporting future founders, and accelerating corporate innovation. For more details, visit For media inquiries: jean@ Website: Twitter/X: Ignyte_AE Instagram: @ LinkedIn: Facebook: @ YouTube: @Ignyte-ae
Mid East Info
01-06-2025
- Mid East Info
Zoftware's Aayushman Dalmia wins Innovation Excellence award at Ignyte SME Challenge - Middle East Business News and Information
Aayushman Dalmia, founder of Dubai-based startup Zoftware, has won the Innovation Excellence Award at the Digital Enablement of SMEs Challenge. The event, hosted by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence of UAE and Ignyte, positions Dalmia for further growth as he continues his mission to simplify software discovery for small and medium businesses across the region. Dalmia's platform, Zoftware, has been steadily gaining traction in the MENA startup ecosystem for offering a streamlined approach to finding, comparing and selecting enterprise software solutions – a process that remains a hurdle for many growing businesses. 'This award is a testament to the need for simplifying tech access for SMEs,' said Dalmia, who has been named among Forbes Middle East's 30 Under 30 entrepreneurs in the past. 'Our goal has always been to bridge the digital divide by helping businesses make faster, more informed software decisions.' The challenge is part of a wider push to accelerate SME digitisation across the region — an agenda that aligns closely with both government and private-sector priorities in the UAE. Aimed at recognising impactful solutions that accelerate SME digital transformation, the challenge, held recently in Dubai, drew hundreds of high-potential founders from across the MENA region. Dalmia impressed the jury with his platform's clear value proposition and scalable vision—matching SMEs with the right digital tools through a curated marketplace backed by intelligent filters, user reviews, and guided discovery. 'This award validates everything we've been building at Zoftware for the past couple of years or so,' said Dalmia, speaking after the ceremony. 'Technology shouldn't be a hurdle—it should be a launchpad. We're making it easier for SMEs to make smart digital decisions without needing an IT degree.' With this latest recognition, Zoftware joins a growing list of Dubai-born startups gaining international visibility, reinforcing the city's position as a launchpad for regional innovation. A Track Record of Disruptive Innovation- Zoftware has been making headlines since its launch for its ambitious aim: to become the region's go-to platform for B2B software discovery. In 2024, the company was recognised by TechRadar MENA as one of the 'Top 10 Startups to Watch' in the SaaS enablement space. Under Dalmia's leadership, Zoftware has grown rapidly, onboarding hundreds of software vendors and serving SMEs in sectors ranging from logistics and retail to health and education. Beyond the Prize: A Strategic Boost- 'We're at a tipping point now,' Dalmia added. 'This support will help us go deeper in key markets and integrate more AI-driven features to guide SME software choices. Our roadmap includes multi-language access, fintech tools, and region-specific integrations.' Digital Enablement: A Regional Imperative- As the UAE and wider Gulf continue to prioritise SME growth as a cornerstone of economic diversification, platforms like Zoftware are stepping in to close the tech literacy and access gap. According to a recent report by the World Bank, nearly 75% of SMEs in the MENA region still lack structured digital infrastructure – a gap Zoftware aims to close. 'We're not selling software – we're selling clarity, confidence, and capacity,' Dalmia said. 'If we get this right, we unlock not just productivity, but resilience and long-term competitiveness for thousands of businesses.' With the Innovation Excellence Award now under its belt, Zoftware is poised to scale further and cement its role as a key enabler of SME digital transformation in the region.
