MoneyHash named a UAE Future 100 winner, recognized for driving innovation in the fintech sector
Founded in 2021 by Nader Abdelrazik and Mustafa Eid, MoneyHash has rapidly become a pivotal player in the fintech landscape. The company's unified API and streamlined checkout experience address the complexities of payment infrastructure in the MEA region, empowering businesses to thrive.
"We are incredibly honored to be named a UAE Future 100 winner," said Nader Abdelrazik, CEO of MoneyHash. "This recognition is a testament to our team's dedication to transforming payments from a liability into a strategic advantage for businesses operating in emerging markets. We are proud to contribute to the UAE's vision of becoming a global hub for innovation and the new economy."
MoneyHash's selection follows its recent $5.2 million pre-Series A funding round, led by Flourish Ventures, positioning the company for accelerated growth and expanded reach across the MEA region and beyond. The platform tackles critical challenges such as high payment failure rates and fraud risks. By integrating over 300 payment service providers across 100+ markets, MoneyHash enables businesses to efficiently scale their payment operations.
The UAE Future 100 initiative highlights companies from a diverse range of new economy sectors, including fintech, sustainability, creative industries, health technology, and more. MoneyHash's focus on fintech innovation directly supports the UAE's transition towards a flexible, innovation-based economic model, aligning with the "We the UAE 2031" vision.
MoneyHash's current portfolio includes regional unicorns like Tamara and Kitopi, and the company remains dedicated to simplifying and optimizing payment processes for businesses across the MEA region, contributing to the development of the fintech ecosystem and supporting the UAE's vision for a diversified and sustainable economy.
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Hi Dubai
15-07-2025
- Hi Dubai
Protect Your Ideas: Trademark Registration in Dubai
Dubai's reputation as a global business hub comes with intense market competition. In this dynamic environment, a trademark (your brand's name, logo, or slogan) becomes a legal shield, marketing tool, and intangible asset. Trademark registration in Dubai grants exclusive rights, offering essential protection from copycats and fortifying your brand's credibility. Beyond safeguarding against misuse, it also enables involvement in international trade, brand licensing, and customs enforcement. In this article, we will discuss the 2025 trademark landscape in Dubai and the wider UAE. Drawing from official sources like the UAE Ministry of Economy, Dubai Customs, and Abu Dhabi's we will outline every stage from concept and registration to enforcement and renewal. Whether you're a startup, SME, or international enterprise, this article equips you with accurate, actionable insights to confidently protect and grow your brand. Why Trademark Registration Is Essential Legal Ownership and Enforcement A registered trademark legally belongs to the owner and grants exclusive use of that mark in commerce. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2021, this allows you to prevent unauthorised use and challenge infringements in UAE courts. Courts now have specialised IPR divisions handling cases more efficiently. Building Consumer Trust and Brand Equity A trademark signals credibility. Consistent branding increases customer recall and loyalty. Such brand equity can transform into real value, whether through licensing deals, franchising, mergers, or as collateral in financing agreements. Strategic Asset and Valuation Trademarks appear as assets on balance sheets and drive brand valuation. By registering internationally via the Madrid Protocol, UAE-based companies can expand their IP portfolio with ease. Customs-Level Protection Dubai Customs allows trademark owners to register their trademarks for customs protection (AED 210 per class). During inspections, if suspect imports arise, customs can seize them, helping protect your brand right at the border. Deterrence and Competitive Edge A registered mark appears in the UAE Trademark Journal, alerting competitors to infringement risks. This active disclosure discourages trademark violations before they occur. What Can and Cannot Be Registered Eligible Marks under UAE Law As defined by Law No. 36 of 2021, trademarks encompass: Words, names, slogans, letters, or numbers Logos, graphic designs, three-dimensional shapes Holograms, sounds (with audio submissions), and even scents (with chemical descriptions) Dubai Customs requires clear visual and/or audio-visual representations during recording. Restrictions on Registration The law prohibits marks that are: Nondistinctive: generic or purely descriptive Misleading or immoral: violating public order or decency Conflicting: infringing on personal names, flags, religious or national symbols It also prohibits marks identical/similar to existing ones or conflicting with collective certification marks. Non-Traditional Trademarks You can register unique non-traditional trademarks so long as they meet strict compliance criteria: Sound marks require musical notation or spectrogram submissions. Colour marks require precise definitions (e.g., Pantone code). Three-dimensional shapes must be shown from multiple angles. Who Can Apply Eligible Applicants Natural individuals or companies, UAE-based or foreign Local residents and national companies Foreign applicants must file via a UAE-registered agent and submit a notarised, legalised Power of Attorney (PoA) within 30 days. Roles Defined Owner : Holds exclusive rights to the trademark. : Holds exclusive rights to the trademark. Agent : UAE-based entity authorised to file on the owner's behalf. : UAE-based entity authorised to file on the owner's behalf. Legal Attorney: Authorised to enforce rights or initiate litigation Pre-Application Preparation Trademark Ideation Consider: Brand meaning: relevance to values and customer appeal? Distinctiveness: Does it set you apart in your industry? Ease of global expansion: multilingual compatibility in Arabic/English. Abu Dhabi IP Unit ( recommends combining ideation with strategic considerations like territorial and linguistic coverage. Comprehensive Trademark Search Before filing, perform: A search of the UAE Ministry of Economy's trademark database International databases (e.g., TMview) Check for phonetic and visual similarities. This reduces the risk of rejection or opposition. Classification of Goods/Services Identify correct classes per the Nice Classification—misclassification could lead to application refusal or require costly re-filing. Finalising the Design Ensure you have: High-resolution images or Pantone colour specs For 3D marks: depictions from multiple views For sounds: submission of musical notation or spectrogram The Trademark Registration Process Filing (Months 0–1) File online via the Ministry of Economy e-Services (UAE PASS login). Submit: Trademark representation Business license or personal ID Power of Attorney (if applicable) List of goods/services + Nice Classification Applicable fees (AED 750 for filing + AED 750 for publication). Examination (Months 1–2) Formal : Check if all documents and payments are correct. : Check if all documents and payments are correct. Substantive: The Ministry examines distinctiveness and compliance. Completed within 90 days. If approved, it proceeds to publication. Publication for Opposition (By Month 3–4) The mark is published in the Trademark Journal and optionally in local newspapers. Third parties have 30 days to file an opposition. Opposition procedures are strict; they must be in Arabic, with fee payment, and hearing usually scheduled promptly. Addressing Opposition (if any) Upon opposition, both parties must submit pleadings in Arabic within 30 days. A hearing may be convened. After resolution, the Ministry issues a decision. Decisions may be appealed to the Federal Court and then to the Court of Appeal. Final Registration (By Month 5–6) If no opposition, pay the AED 5,000 registration fee within 30 days. Failing to do so incurs fines of AED 1,000/month up to AED 10,000. The certificate is issued electronically, valid for 10 years from the filing date. Customs Recording (Within 1 month post-registration) File with Dubai Customs: AED 210 per class, plus forms and trademark visuals. This enables customs to seize counterfeit products. Timeline Summary Filing → Publication: ~3 months Opposition resolution: + 30–90 days Fee payment & certificate issuance: + 1 month Total: 4–6 months (longer if opposition arises) Cost Breakdown Stage Fee (AED) Filing in one class 750 (official) Publication in Journal 750 (official) Registration issuance 5,000 (official) + late fees Customs recording (per class) 210 International filing (Madrid) Optional, via MOE portal Transfer of ownership 1,250 Newspaper publishing ~1,000 (optional) Agent/legal fees Varies (AED 2,000–5,000) Translation, notarization Varies for foreign applicants Typical government cost per class: ≈ AED 6,710, excluding agent costs. Multi-class adds AED 210 per extra class, plus additional agent fees. International filings (Madrid) require a separate breakdown. Common Mistakes and Cautions Skipping clearance searches — Rises risk of rejection or being challenged. Misclassification — Forces reapplication and extra fees. Design errors — Non-compliant logos or unclear three-dimensional marks lead to refusal. Missing deadlines — Penalties include monthly fines and potential abandonment. Inadequate PoA — Foreign applicants must legalise within 30 days to avoid rejection. Non-use — Unused marks for five years may be vulnerable to cancellation. Failing customs registration — Limits the ability to enforce against counterfeits. Poor opposition handling — Opponents must file in Arabic and follow procedural rules; respondents must respond timely to maintain rights. Post-Registration Renewal : Application via the MOE online platform, before expiry or within a 3-month grace period. Delay cost is AED 1,000/month up to AED 10,000. : Application via the MOE online platform, before expiry or within a 3-month grace period. Delay cost is AED 1,000/month up to AED 10,000. Transfer of rights : Owner changes require AED 1,250 via MOE. : Owner changes require AED 1,250 via MOE. Licensing : UAE recognises licensing agreements—must be notarised and filed. : UAE recognises licensing agreements—must be notarised and filed. Enforcement : Use courts or customs for infringement. Optionally, register complaints with Dubai Customs (AED 2,010 + AED 5,010 deposit; AED 510 for urgent cases, AED 1,010 for holiday filings). : Use courts or customs for infringement. Optionally, register complaints with Dubai Customs (AED 2,010 + AED 5,010 deposit; AED 510 for urgent cases, AED 1,010 for holiday filings). Monitoring: Regularly search for possible infringers, monitor trade publications, and uphold use to defend rights. Trademark registration in Dubai is an essential, strategic measure for safeguarding your business identity. By providing exclusive legal rights, fostering consumer trust, enhancing brand equity, and enabling robust protection against infringement, trademarks become critical assets to any business aiming to thrive in Dubai's competitive market. Careful planning, diligent adherence to procedures, and timely renewals and enforcement activities will ensure that your brand remains protected. Taking proactive measures such as registering with Dubai Customs and exploring international protection via the Madrid Protocol further strengthens your brand's global position, solidifying its presence both locally and internationally. FAQs about Trademark Registration in Dubai Q1: How long does it take to register a trademark in Dubai? A: Typically, the trademark registration process in Dubai takes between 4 to 6 months if there are no objections or oppositions. Q2: Do I need to be based in Dubai to register a trademark there? A: No. Foreign entities can register a trademark in Dubai, but they must appoint a local authorised agent to handle the registration process. Q3: Can I register multiple classes under one trademark application? A: Yes, you can register for multiple classes, but additional fees apply per class. Accurate classification according to the Nice Classification is essential. Q4: How long is a registered trademark valid in Dubai? A: A trademark registration in Dubai is valid for 10 years and is renewable for subsequent 10-year periods. Q5: What if someone opposes my trademark registration? A: Oppositions must be formally addressed through the Ministry of Economy. Both parties will have to submit arguments, and a decision will be made after careful examination. Q6: Is trademark registration in Dubai valid internationally? A: No, trademarks registered in Dubai are valid within the UAE only. For international protection, you should apply through the Madrid Protocol using your UAE trademark application as the basis. Article Sources: UAE Ministry of Economy – Trademark Registration Dubai Customs – Trademark Recording System Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) – Trademark Registration Handbook UAE Government Portal – Intellectual Property Information International Comparative Legal Guides (ICLG) – UAE Trademark Laws and Regulations Trademark Search – TMview UAE Trademark Fees Guide Trademark Country Index – UAE Profile Also Read: Copyright vs. Trademark vs. Patent: Breaking Down Intellectual Property Rights Let's break down the three big ones: copyright, trademark and patent, and figure out which one you need for what. UAE: New trademark laws a key pillar to establish safe IP environment The new laws allow greater flexibility to accommodate unconventional trademark patterns and provide them with legal protection, in light of the advanced technologies used in building companies' trademarks. UAE: You Can Now Register Sound, Scent, Holograms as Trademarks According to the minister, if you walk into a hotel and smell a perfume, the chain can register that smell for its brand.
Web Release
07-07-2025
- Web Release
Teammates.ai Launches Sara, the AI Interviewer , Hire in a Few Days and Cut Screening Costs by 85%
Launches Sara, the AI Interviewer , Hire in a Few Days and Cut Screening Costs by 85% the company building an AI workforce of Autonomous AI Teammates, today introduced Sara, its latest AI Teammate and the first AI Interviewer fluent in 50+ languages, including Arabic in 20+ dialects. Companies can activate Sara in under 10 minutes and immediately interview thousands of candidates per hour—removing endless technical configuration, prompt engineering, coding, or lengthy onboarding requirements. Sara joins growing AI workforce, following Raya for Customer Service and Rashed for Sales. 'Sara brings fully autonomous screening to talent acquisition in any role or skill, from engineering to sales. Just upload a job description, and Sara handles the rest—interviewing candidates in their native language and scoring them objectively using 100+ technical and behavioral signals. Seamless ATS integrations and shareable reports make hiring faster, fairer, and data-driven,' said Kareem Ayyad, Founder and CEO 'Sara is our next leap toward giving every business an AI Teammate, not just an automation layer, fundamentally reshaping how companies approach growth and productivity. Recruiters used to lose weeks on first-round screens. Now, they can screen every applicant, hire in days, cut costs tremendously while surfacing more high-performers, while candidates enjoy a fair, bias-free experience in their own language,' Ayyad added. With 92% rating the experience at 10/10, early results of Sara enterprise pilots across the GCC report an 85% reduction in screening spend, 10X faster time-to-hire, and a 5X lift in high-performer identification. 'Each new Teammate expands our AI workforce,' added Emad Ayyad, Co-Founder and CTO. 'With Sara live and additional Teammates on the roadmap, companies can assemble a 24/7 AI team that speaks the world's languages and executes workflows end-to-end and interacting with software, alongside humans, exactly as we do.' The launch follows recent rebrand from and previously announced investment from Hustle Fund, Access Bridge Ventures, Oraseya Capital, Beyond Capital, and notable angels (amount undisclosed). The company has also previously partnered with leading enterprises, five government entities, delivered the world's largest Prompt Engineering Championship with Dubai Future Foundation, received awards from the UAE's Minister of AI, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Mastercard, and was named a UAE Future100 company by the Ministry of Economy. Visit to start your free trial and experience Sara's interviewing capabilities firsthand.
Zawya
06-07-2025
- Zawya
UAE and Cuba hold first session of their Joint Economic Committee
5.6 per cent growth in non-oil foreign trade was recorded between two countries during first quarter of 2025 UAE-Cuba relations continue to advance across multiple sectors. The Committee marks a key step in deepening economic cooperation and enhancing connectivity between the two nations' business communities Both sides agreed to promote and facilitate increased trade flows, while actively exploring joint investment opportunities in biotechnology, healthcare, renewable energy, tourism, and agriculture The session underscored the importance of building new partnerships in the entrepreneurship and start-up ecosystem, with the goal of accelerating SME growth in both countries and enabling their expansion into global markets A shared commitment was expressed from both sides to strengthen collaboration in food security and agriculture, while supporting efforts for sustainable farming, food processing, and the adoption of advanced agri-tech solutions Abu Dhabi – The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment of the Republic of Cuba convened the first session of the Joint Economic Committee in Dubai. The meeting aimed to deepen bilateral economic cooperation across a wide range of sectors of mutual interest, including trade, investment, energy, renewable energy, agriculture, food security, infrastructure, transport, logistics, creative and cultural industries, healthcare, tourism, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. The session also underscored the importance of fostering robust public-private sector trade partnerships to drive sustainable growth for both nations. The Committee was co-chaired by H.E. Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, and H.E. Carlos Luis Jorge Méndez, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment of Cuba. The Committee is a key outcome of the trade, economic, and technical cooperation agreement signed between the two countries. The session was attended by H.E. Hazza Ahmed Al Kaabi, UAE Ambassador to Cuba; H.E. Norberto Escalona Carrillo, Cuban Ambassador to the UAE; along with senior government representatives from both nations. H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh highlighted that UAE-Cuban bilateral relations continue to progress steadily, particularly in the economic and commercial domains, in line with the leadership's forward-looking vision to promote mutual prosperity, growth and long-term strategic partnership. H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh, said: 'The convening of the first session of the Joint Economic Committee between the two nations marks a pivotal step in advancing economic and investment relations between the UAE and Cuba. It paves the way for broader cooperation across priority sectors, deeper engagement between the two countries' business communities, and unlocking promising opportunities in both markets, all supporting the UAE's strategic goals under the 'We the UAE 2031' vision.' During the meeting, both sides agreed to establish a joint working framework to oversee the implementation of committee outcomes that guide future cooperation between the two nations in the coming period, propelling it towards further growth and prosperity. They also committed to organising joint business forums and economic events, facilitating trade delegation exchanges, and identifying new avenues to expand bilateral commercial relation. Promoting investment opportunities in both markets The UAE and Cuba reaffirmed their shared commitment to increasing trade flows and investment exchanges between Emirati and Cuban business communities. This also includes exploring opportunities in advanced economic sectors biotechnology, healthcare services, renewable energy, tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing. Both parties proposed hosting joint meetings, seminars, and workshops involving investors, investment promotion agencies, and investment firms to facilitate investment in priority sectors and leverage the incentives offered by both countries. Entrepreneurship and Start-ups Both nations emphasised the importance of advancing economic cooperation through the development of partnerships in the entrepreneurship and start-up ecosystem. This aims to accelerate the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), increase their investments, support their international expansion, and increase their contribution to national GDPs. Food Security and Agriculture Food security and agricultural cooperation were identified as key priorities. The two sides agreed to enhance trade in food commodities and agricultural products, and collaborate on sustainable farming practices, food processing, and agricultural technology in the coming period. Tourism The UAE and Cuba underscored the potential of tourism as a pillar of bilateral relations. They highlighted organising joint tourism exhibitions, events, and conferences in the coming period to showcase the two countries' major tourist attractions and historical landmarks. The cooperation will also involve sharing expertise on tourism development, compilation of tourism statistics, and digital innovations and technologies to enhance sector competitiveness. UAE-Cuba Trade and Investment Exchanges Non-oil trade between the UAE and Cuba continues to gain momentum, surpassing USD 39.1 million in 2024, indicating an increase of over 2 per cent from 2023 and 46.4 per cent growth compared to 2022. In Q1 2025 alone, bilateral non-oil trade grew by 5.6 per cent compared to Q1 2024 and over 25 per cent from Q4 2024. Currently, more than 825 Cuban brands are actively operating within UAE markets. For further information, please contact: Orient Planet Group (OPG) Email: media@ Website:
