Learn what matters in MENA tech and VC

Two emails each week. The latest in regional startups, VC, and tech + a deep dive into a key company or trend. What matters — and what it means.

Featured Posts

🔍 Deep-dives🔍 Deep-dives

Nov 13, 2024

The GCC's reinvention of restaurants

What makes the region such a fertile ground for food industry disruption, particularly in the realm of cloud kitchens?

Jamie Lane, +1

🔍 Deep-dives🔍 Deep-dives

Oct 02, 2024

MENA's streaming battle

How local platforms like Shahid and StarzPlay are fending off Netflix and other global giants in the battle for eyes on screens

Jamie Lane, +1

🔍 Deep-dives🔍 Deep-dives

Jul 31, 2024

Tackling MENA's mental health

How startups in the region are battling stigma and promoting mental wellness

Jamie Lane, +1

Past Editions

🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up

1 hour ago

Transforming job hunting in Palestine

Abu Dhabi’s ADQ offers to buy Aramex at $1.2 billion valuation, Dubai-based Sigma Capital launches $100M fund, and a round-up of this week's MENA startup, VC, and tech news.

Jamie Lane, +1

🔍 Deep-dives🔍 Deep-dives

Jan 15, 2025

The Future of FWDstart

Building in public, introducing eight new premium deep-dive formats, and sharing our vision for future coverage and analysis

Jamie Lane, +1

🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up

Jan 10, 2025

MENA's first tech IPO of 2025

Nice One surges 30% on Tadawul public market debut, Zension raises $30 million series A, an exclusive interview, and a round-up of this week's MENA startup, VC, and tech news.

Jamie Lane, +1

🎙️ Interview🎙️ Interview

Jan 09, 2025

How MilkStraw AI is redefining cloud optimisation

MilkStraw AI just raised a $600k pre-seed round. We sat down with CEO Jawad Shreim to learn more about the problem they're solving, what makes them different, their business model, and their vision for the future.

Jamie Lane

🔍 Deep-dives🔍 Deep-dives

Jan 08, 2025

MENA tech predictions for 2025

Saudi IPOs, more growth-stage funding from international investors, and AI everywhere – plus insights from four regional VCs.

Jamie Lane, +1

🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up

Jan 03, 2025

UAE and KSA lead sovereign spending in 2024

Calo raises $25 million Series B, SVC backs Global Ventures’ 150M Fund III, Mubadala beats PIF in global sovereign spend in 2024, and a round-up of this week's MENA startup, VC, and tech news.

Jamie Lane, +1

🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up

Dec 20, 2024

Oman backs Elon Musk's $50B xAI

UAE’s CredibleX secures $55M to boost SME financing, music streaming app Anghami gets $55 million injection, SVC backs MEVP and RAED Ventures, and a round-up of this week's MENA startup, VC, and tech news.

Jamie Lane, +1

🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up

Dec 13, 2024

Talabat drops in Dubai debut

A new $150m Abu Dhabi gaming fund, UAE-based BioSapien secures $5.5 million pre-Series A to deliver localised cancer treatment, and a round-up of this week's MENA startup, VC, and tech news.

Jamie Lane, +1

🔍 Deep-dives🔍 Deep-dives

Dec 11, 2024

Can Kitopi deliver on its $1 billion+ valuation?

As it approaches its sixth anniversary, the company sits in an awkward position — too large to be easily acquired, yet facing tepid public markets that are showing little appetite for new listings.

Jamie Lane

🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up

Dec 06, 2024

Building the OS for MENA’s shipping industry

Saudi’s Nice One aims for a $1 billion+ valuation at IPO, Qatar and the UK announce a £1 billion climate tech partnership, and a round-up of this week's MENA startup, VC, and tech news.

Jamie Lane, +1

🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up

Nov 29, 2024

eyewa's $100 million mega-round

Delivery Hero boosts size of Talabat's Dubai IPO to $2 billion, Qatar Investment Authority joins $5B funding round for Elon Musk's AI startup, xAI, and a round-up of this week's MENA startup, VC, and tech news.

Jamie Lane, +1

🔍 Deep-dives🔍 Deep-dives

Nov 27, 2024

The repeated reinvention of Kitopi

Kitopi’s journey has been one of relentless iteration. From its origins as a managed cloud kitchen to its transformation into a fully integrated food ecosystem, the company has continually adapted to challenges, market shifts, and consumer demands.

Jamie Lane

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