Wamda ومضة

"Family offices in MENA are intriguing hybrids—often blending traditional values with modern financial practices. Such structures are formed as holding companies or foundations—depending on the family’s structure, citizenship, and residency considerations—and are popular for their flexibility and alignment with local legal and cultural norms" An article by Ekaterina Chernova, the founder of Dubai-based Family Office (Octagon UAE). #Startups #Mena #Funding #Investments

Saudi Arabia-based adtech Quantum has secured funding as part of its $7 million Pre-Series-A round from HearstLab, the investment arm of Hearst Corporation. Founded in 2020 by Omar Malaikah and Sara Bin Ladin, Quantum’s platform allows advertisers to select their preferred publishers and purchase ad space directly, while also offering robust data analytics and ROI metrics to maximise campaign impact.

Entlaq Holding, an Egypt-based entrepreneurial think tank, has partnered with Savannah, a Sudanese incubator, to support Sudanese migrants and refugees entrepreneurs in Egypt. The partnership aims to help migrant and refugee entrepreneurs transition their businesses into the formal economy. #Startups #Egypt #Funding #Investments #Sudan

سلسلة طوارف Tawaref: كنا قد ناقشنا أنواع تراخيص الأعمال المقدمة للمستثمرين الأجانب الراغبين في توسيع عملياتهم في المملكة العربية السعودية. ومع ذلك، قد يٌطلب من الشركات الحصول على تراخيص خاصة تتجاوز التصاريح التقليدية، اعتمادا على نشاط الشركة وقطاع الصناعة. تتناول هذه المقالة الأنواع المختلفة من التراخيص الخاصة في المملكة العربية السعودية. كما سنقدم وصف لكل منها وأمثلة على السيناريوهات التي ينبغي فيها الحصول على تلك التراخيص ونظرة عامة موجزة على عملية تقديم الطلب.

Saudi Arabia-based F&B SaaS provider Al Menu has closed a $10.12 funding round, led by Al Majdiah Investment and other investors. Founded in 2022 by Mamdoh Ali, Al Menu provides cloud-based solutions for restaurants and cafes in Saudi Arabia. #Startups #Funding #Investments

Singapore-based multi-business operator and long-term investor Agility Global has committed an unknown investment amount to Global Ventures’ third fund, which was established earlier this year. The new fund aims at providing capital to early-stage Middle East and Africa companies in the areas of supply chain technology, energy technology, and agri-tech. #Mena #Startups #Funding #Investments

Egypt-based fintech Bokra and the CIC - Canadian International College have jointly launched a $207,000 fund to back Egyptian students aspiring to become entrepreneurs. The partnership will launch a new initiative to provide students with the right guidance, Bokra Academy, a platform designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry. #Startups #Funding #Investments #Egypt #Mena | #الشركات_الناشئة

UAE-based podcast distribution platform Podeo | بوديو has raised a Series A of $5.4 million, led by Oraseya Capital, with participation from Ibtikar Fund, Cedar Mundi Ventures, Samarium, iSME, and returning investor Razor Capital. Founded by Stefano Fallaha, Anthony Essaye, and Mario Hayek in Lebanon in 2020, Podeo allows creators to monetise their content through their end-to-end platform.

تمكنت شركة Bazzar Gate، وهي شركة تكنولوجيا معلومات قائمة في الكويت، من تأمين تمويل بقيمة 1 مليون دولار, عبر مجموعة غير معلنة من المستثمرين. تأسست شركة Bazzar Gate في عام 2020 على يد محمد المطوع، وتوفر منصة تجارة إلكترونية متكاملة تتضمن نظام توصيل ونظامًا مصرفيًا وبوابة دفع. في حين تتيح شركة Partners، والتي تم إطلاقها في يناير 2024، للمستخدمين تأسيس أعمال دروبشيبينغ متكاملة في ثلاث دقائق فقط، دون التعقيدات التقليدية المرتبطة ببدء متجر إلكتروني.

Kuwait-based e-commerce startup Bazzar Gate has raised $1 million from undisclosed investors. Founded in 2020 by Mohammad AlMutawaa, Bazzar Gate provides a one-stop-shop drop-shipping e-commerce platform that includes a delivery system, banking system, and payment gateway. While Partners, launched in January 2024, enables users to set up dropshipping e-commerce businesses, addressing common barriers like high startup costs and complex logistics. #Startups #Kuwait #Ecommerce