Latest news with #techstartups
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Middle East startups gain global ground with original tech solutions
Middle East tech startups are attracting global attention, showing the region is capable of setting trends instead of just following them, with the UAE proving to be a key launchpad for success. With homegrown innovations addressing real-world challenges, founders are scaling rapidly and attracting serious investment, and Dubai-based entrepreneur and tech investor, Abdumalik Mirakhmedov believes there is much more to come. Mirakhmedov has seen startups like Seez, InstaDeep, and Dake Rechsand redefine what 'Made in Mena' means, with original, scalable solutions that now compete on the world stage, and he says many more success stories will follow. 'The most exciting new tech is no longer exclusive to Silicon Valley,' says Mirakhmedov, Director and co-founder of Scalo Technologies, the UAE tech venture company. 'Startups in this region are attracting investors and global partners with smart, scalable solutions to urgent problems. 'Made in Mena' no longer means just copying something else. It now stands for original products built to meet real needs in tough markets, with plans to grow beyond from the start.' Mirakhmedov says the UAE is now one of the safest and most welcoming places for startups, thanks to government efforts that created a strong, business-friendly environment for founders who have reaped the benefits. Among the standout performers has been Dubai-based autotech startup Seez. It began with an app that could identify any car from a single photo, gaining nearly three million users quickly, before shifting its focus to address broader industry challenges. Seez now offers software solutions to car dealerships and manufacturers to enhance customer experience and boost sales. The company has expanded into 16 markets, from Mexico to Australia, providing a full AI- and machine learning-powered SaaS platform built on its own technology. Earlier this year, UK-based Pinewood Technologies acquired Seez for $46.2 million. 'This shows that homegrown tech from the region can effectively reach underserved markets and do so faster than many international competitors,' says Mirakhmedov. 'This is happening more often now. Startups across Mena are focused on solving persistent problems and creating products built from the ground up, many of which can succeed beyond the region.' Another strong example is Dubai-based Dake Rechsand, which helps grow crops in deserts and save water. The company made a sand-based material that helps desert soil hold water, so rain can be saved and dry land turned into farmland. The company has expanded from the UAE into the USA, India, China, and South Africa.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
ITIDA welcomes new cohort of tech startups and launches digital perks platform under its flagship Start IT program
Cairo, Egypt – The Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC), of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), has welcomed a new cohort of tech startups under the 47th round of its flagship incubation program, Start IT. The program is part of ITIDA's broader mission to empower youth, promote innovation, and accelerate the growth of early-stage technology ventures across Egypt. Start IT targets aspiring entrepreneurs with ICT-driven ideas, solutions, or prototypes and helps them build scalable, investment-ready startups. The latest cohort intake reflects ITIDA's continued commitment to nurturing a vibrant and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem. Alumni Networking and Community Building The kickoff event featured a networking session bringing together the new cohort and alumni from previous Start IT rounds. The gathering aimed to foster peer learning, knowledge exchange, and cross-collaboration opportunities, reinforcing the program's growing community of tech entrepreneurs under a unified platform. Highlighted Startups: Solving Real-World Challenges Eight newly incubated startups showcased their innovative solutions spanning healthcare, education, sports, logistics, and e-commerce: Cluster is developing a health-tech platform that streamlines pharmaceutical supply chain operations. Mystery Bag offers a digital solution to reduce food waste and unsold inventory through smart redistribution. Converse2Note leverages AI to convert doctor-patient consultations into structured and coded medical reports. Coccarohome connects women artisans directly with consumers, promoting authentic, handmade home décor. Sportyano is building a digital platform for sports talent discovery, academy management, and contract facilitation. LRNOVA enables the creation of high-quality educational content using AI-powered tools. TANKER provides a digital system to monitor and manage fuel consumption in logistics and transportation fleets. eDariba simplifies digital tax compliance for SMEs, freelancers, and accounting offices, aligning with Egypt's digital transformation in tax services. Launch of Start IT Perks Platform In a key announcement during the event, ITIDA launched Start IT Perks, an exclusive benefits platform for incubated startups. The platform provides discounted access to premium digital tools and services through partnerships with leading local enablers including Talents Arena, Sprints, The WhiteGuard, Qayedeny, Camion, Techie Matter, DevisionX, and Zurqa. The goal is to enhance startup efficiency, reduce operational costs, and support accelerated scaling. Expanded Support and Cloud Credit Boost As part of the program's continuous enhancement, ITIDA recently announced an expanded incubation package that increases total support per startup to EGP 480,000, up from EGP 180,000. The increase covers both financial grants and in-kind services to strengthen the startups' ability to progress through key development milestones. In addition, support from Amazon Web Services (AWS) has been raised to $10,000 in cloud credits per startup, doubling the previous amount. This upgrade reflects TIEC's strategic focus on equipping startups with cutting-edge cloud infrastructure and services. Talent, AI, and Technical Enablement To support human capital development within startups, the program also includes dedicated hiring support via partnerships with Talents Arena, Sprints, and Techie Matter, making it easier for founders to access top-tier tech talent and form capable teams. Another new component is specialized AI enablement, which offers targeted training programs and expert-led advisory sessions to empower startups working on advanced digital and AI solutions. About Start IT Launched in 2013 by ITIDA through TIEC, Start IT is one of Egypt's longest-standing and most comprehensive tech incubation programs. It targets early-stage entrepreneurs and startups with ICT-based ideas or prototypes and provides a one-year full incubation journey. The program includes financial and in-kind support& services, access to co-working spaces, technical and business mentorship, software and hardware tools, and go-to-market support.
Fox News
4 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
Tech startups offering embryo testing raise ethical concerns
Fox News senior correspondent Claudia Cowan reports on tech startups offering embryo testing to screen for health and intelligence traits and the growing ethical debate surrounding the practice.
Bloomberg
6 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
The AI Industry Is Becoming Like Professional Sports
Listen to Odd Lots on Apple Podcasts Listen to Odd Lots on Spotify Subscribe to the newsletter When it comes to tech startups, you often hear about VCs making a ton of money, or founders experiencing life-changing exits. But something is changing in the world of AI. Now it's the engineers themselves getting pay packages that can be in the 9-figure range. Why is this? Why is it happening? How is it changing the culture of Silicon Valley and business more generally? On this episode, we speak with John Coogan and Jordi Hays, the co-hosts of TBPN, a daily show about technology, which covers the industry in a sports-like manner. We talk about the economics of these transactions, why they make sense, and who are the industry's top superstars.
Bloomberg
6 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Odd Lots: The AI Industry Is Becoming Like Professional Sports
Odd Lots: The AI Industry Is Becoming Like Professional Sports Odd Lots The AI Industry Is Becoming Like Professional Sports Arrow Right 52:04 When it comes to tech startups, you often hear about VCs making a ton of money, or founders experiencing life-changing exits. But something is changing in the world of AI. Now it's the engineers themselves getting pay packages that can be in the 9-figure range. Why is this? Why is it happening? How is it changing the culture of Silicon Valley and business more generally? On this episode, we speak with John Coogan and Jordi Hays, the co-hosts of TBPN, a daily show about technology, which covers the industry in a sports-like manner. We talk about the economics of these transactions, why they make sense, and who are the industry's top superstars.
