Latest news with #DigitalDigest
Zawya
07-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
MENA start-up funding surged threefold to $228mln in April
Venture capital investment in start-ups across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) reached $228.4 million across 26 deals in April 2025, posting a threefold increase from a year earlier, according to Wamda and Digital Digest. The capital raised during the month represents a 105% increase from the $111.4 million secured a month ago and up from the $55 million invested 12 months earlier. April did not record any debt-financed deals, indicating a growing preference for equity-based funding among investors, a trend suggesting a sound capital environment. Saudi Arabia led the start-up funding in the region, with $158.5 million raised across eight deals. The UAE followed, with nine start-ups attracting a total of $62 million in funding. In other parts of the MENA region, Morocco posted a significant increase, with two start-ups securing $4 million, placing the country third in the region for April. (Writing by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Seban Scaria)
CairoScene
16-04-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
MENA Startups Raised $1.5 Billion in Q1 2025 Despite March Slowdown
MENA startups posted a strong first quarter in 2025, raising $1.5 billion, while March saw a steep decline in funding activity. Apr 16, 2025 Startups across the Middle East and North Africa raised a total of $1.5 billion in the first quarter of 2025, according to new reports by Wamda and Digital Digest. The figure reflects a strong start to the year, driven largely by fintech investments and UAE-based activity. However, momentum slowed sharply in March, when funding dipped to $127.5 million—down 75% from the $530 million raised in February. The United Arab Emirates continued to dominate regional fundraising, accounting for $104.4 million across 14 deals in March. Egypt followed with $11.6 million, while Saudi Arabia saw $8 million in total investment. Startups in Kuwait and Tunisia each raised just under $2 million. Fintech remained the region's top-funded sector, attracting $82.5 million across 10 transactions in March. This brings total Q1 fintech investments to more than $1 billion, underscoring sustained investor interest in financial innovation despite signs of market volatility. Healthtech startups pulled in $16 million, while AI-focused ventures secured $14 million. While Q1's total funding outpaced the second half of 2024, the March pullback signals ongoing uncertainty in the investment landscape. Analysts note that global macroeconomic pressures and shifting investor priorities are influencing deal flow, with a tilt toward capital-efficient and impact-focused ventures. Despite the monthly dip, the quarter's overall figures reflect MENA's maturing startup ecosystem and its ability to weather fluctuating investment cycles. Early-stage activity continues to gain traction, and several countries—including Saudi Arabia and Egypt—are seeing growing interest from both regional and international venture firms.
TECHx
27-03-2025
- Business
- TECHx
AWS GenAI Loft Dubai to Drive AI Innovation at DIFC
AWS GenAI Loft Dubai to Drive AI Innovation at DIFC The AWS GenAI Loft Dubai is set to accelerate AI innovation in the UAE, reinforcing the country's position as the largest hub for startup funding and tech investment in the Middle East and North Africa. Taking place from April 7-11, 2025, at Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Innovation One, this event will showcase the latest in AI-powered transformation. This five-day event will showcase cutting-edge AI technologies and their applications across industries. It kicks off with a keynote, followed by panel discussions, live AWS demonstrations, and a networking reception. Attendees will have the chance to engage with AI experts, business leaders, and developers, making this a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge and insights. The event aligns perfectly with the UAE's vision for AI leadership. By focusing on real-world AI applications, it provides a platform for startups and developers to learn, collaborate, and innovate. This effort supports the UAE's ongoing push for digital transformation and AI advancements. Startups are central to the AI revolution, and generative AI is set to transform industries. AWS, the world's most comprehensive cloud provider, has committed $230 million to help startups create generative AI applications. The company also launched the second-annual AWS Generative AI Accelerator to support innovation. In 2024, the UAE's startup ecosystem secured 44% of MENA's $2 billion in funding across 542 deals, according to Digital Digest. This growing investment reflects the region's increasing focus on AI-driven startups and innovation. The AWS GenAI Loft Dubai is part of a global tour that brings AI experiences to innovation hubs around the world. The event will feature expert-led workshops, hands-on demonstrations, and one-on-one consultations with AWS AI/ML specialists. Developers will gain insights into advanced techniques, such as building workflows and tuning AI models. Visitors will also connect with industry leaders, investors, and AI experts. They'll have the chance to attend exclusive sessions and engage in meaningful discussions about generative AI's potential. Yasser Hassan, Director of MENA and Turkey at AWS, said, 'The AWS GenAI Loft Dubai demonstrates our commitment to helping developers of all skill levels build and scale generative AI applications. By collaborating with Nvidia, Dubai AI Campus, and DIFC, we've created a one-stop destination for startups to engage with generative AI technology and stay updated on the latest trends.' The AWS GenAI Loft Dubai promises to be a game-changer, driving innovation and fostering new partnerships in the UAE's tech ecosystem.
