FWDStart

Past Editions

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

🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up

Nov 22, 2024

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, +1

🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up

Nov 15, 2024

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, +1

🔍 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

🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up

Nov 08, 2024

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, +1

🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up

Nov 01, 2024

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, +1

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