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
The GCC's reinvention of restaurants

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
Zoe O Dwyer
Jamie Lane, +1
🔍 Deep-dives🔍 Deep-dives
MENA's streaming battle

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
Zoe O Dwyer
Jamie Lane, +1
🔍 Deep-dives🔍 Deep-dives
Tackling MENA's mental health

Tackling MENA's mental health

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

Jamie Lane
Zoe O Dwyer
Jamie Lane, +1

Past Editions

🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up
eyewa's $100 million mega-round

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
Zoe O Dwyer
Jamie Lane, +1
🔍 Deep-dives🔍 Deep-dives
The repeated reinvention of Kitopi

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
Zoe O Dwyer
Jamie Lane, +1
🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up
Talabat's $1.5 billion IPO sells out in minutes

Talabat's $1.5 billion IPO sells out in minutes

Saudi fintech Edfapay secures $5 Million pre-Series A, YC-backed Egypt-based insurtech secures $2.3 million, Saudi’s Merak Capital launches $80M fund to back MENA gaming startups, and a round-up of this week's MENA startup, VC, and tech news.

Jamie Lane
Zoe O Dwyer
Jamie Lane, +1
🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up
Top Valley VC makes first Saudi investment

Top Valley VC makes first Saudi investment

Lean Technologies raises $67.5M Series B, Talabat confirms IPO date and details, diaspora founders raise $200M for gen-AI startup, and a round-up of this week's MENA startup, VC, and tech news.

Jamie Lane
Zoe O Dwyer
Jamie Lane, +1
🔍 Deep-dives🔍 Deep-dives
The GCC's reinvention of restaurants

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
Zoe O Dwyer
Jamie Lane, +1
🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up
Saudi plans $100 billion AI powerhouse

Saudi plans $100 billion AI powerhouse

SVC invests $20 Million in BECO Capital‘s Booster Fund IV, Shorooq leads Corgea's $2.6 million Seed round, Arzan VC partners with Ahmad Takatkah to launch RBF firm, and a round-up of this week's MENA startup, VC, and tech news.

Jamie Lane
Zoe O Dwyer
Jamie Lane, +1
🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up
Global investors descend on Riyadh

Global investors descend on Riyadh

Wa’ed Ventures earmarks $100 million to invest in AI startups, $300 million fund to back Saudi deeptech, Wasoko-MaxAB valued at $526 million post-merger, and a round-up of this week's MENA startup, VC, and tech news.

Jamie Lane
Zoe O Dwyer
Jamie Lane, +1
🔍 Deep-dives🔍 Deep-dives
FWDstart turns 1

FWDstart turns 1

The highs and lows of the past year, our triumphs and failures, and the lessons learned covering MENA's startup, VC and tech landscape over 82 editions.

Zoe O Dwyer
Jamie Lane
Zoe O Dwyer, +1
🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up
The rise and rise of pay later across MENA

The rise and rise of pay later across MENA

Sawari Ventures announces a new $200 million fund to back Egyptian startups, Dubai proptech Prypco raises $10 million in Seed funding, Saudi’s Mala secures $7 million pre-seed for its procure-now-pay-later platform, and a round-up of this week's MENA startup, VC, and tech news.

Jamie Lane
Zoe O Dwyer
Jamie Lane, +1
🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up
Saudi's new $90 million early stage fund

Saudi's new $90 million early stage fund

Ride-hailing unicorn Bolt enters UAE market, MENAP fintech Abhi secures $15 million debt financing, Egypt's DisrupTech exploring a new $70 million fund, and a round-up of this week's MENA startup, VC, and tech news.

Jamie Lane
Zoe O Dwyer
Jamie Lane, +1
🔍 Deep-dives🔍 Deep-dives
MENA events season begins

MENA events season begins

The tech world descends on Dubai for Expand North Star, GITEX and SuperReturn ME, and an update on our deep-dive on cloud kitchens.

Jamie Lane
Zoe O Dwyer
Jamie Lane, +1
MENA Q3 funding up 400% on last year

MENA Q3 funding up 400% on last year

Saudi rent now, pay later platform closes $14.65 million round, UAE exempts crypto from VAT, and a round-up of this week's MENA startup, VC, and tech news.

Jamie Lane
Zoe O Dwyer
Jamie Lane, +1
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