This week on VC React, we unpack Valuās market debut in Cairo, dig into why Careem is pulling the plug on its ride-hailing business in Pakistan, break down AppliedAIās $55M Series A, and debate whether OpenAIās new productivity push spells the beginning of the end for SaaS as we know it.
Founded by Dr. Diaa Youssef and Dr. Mostafa El-Sahli, the startup offers interest-free BNPL financing, crop insurance, and AI-powered tools to over 1,500 farmers.
Valu surges 852% on EGX debut as Amazon joins the cap table, AppliedAI closes oversubscribed $55M Series A, Impact46 backs Spekter Games from $40M gaming fund, plus this weekās MENA startup, VC, and tech news round-up.
The investment into Taehoon Kimās web3-hybrid gaming startup follows Impact46ās launch of a $40M gaming fund earlier this year.
The France-based startup, founded by David GurleĢ, will use the funding to expand its decentralised cloud platform, reduce reliance on US hyperscalers, and meet rising AI-driven compute demand.
Inside Valuās EGX debut: With Amazon now on the cap table, we unpack the model behind Egyptās most disciplined fintech, covering product strategy, underwriting logic, unit economics, investor dynamics, and the operators running the machine.
The Abu Dhabi-based automation startup, founded in the UK in 2021, will use the funding to expand internationally and scale AI tools for regulated sectors across MENA.
The UAE-based company has acquired B2C player Uplines and will launch new AI and blockchain-powered products as part of its regional expansion strategy.
The deal was led through STVās newly launched $100M NICE fund, a non-dilutive capital vehicle backed by SAB Invest and NTDP to support high-growth Saudi tech startups.
The Cairo-based logistics startup will use the additional capital to accelerate AI adoption and scale its smart shipping assistant across Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
The Baghdad-based firm will support up to 40 startups annually through a hands-on model combining mentorship, product development, and investment.
The platform matches tenants with compatible flatmates and removes common pain points like large upfront costs, rigid leases, and unreliable listings, positioning itself as a tech-enabled alternative to traditional urban rentals.
Stryde71 will combine Qora71ās syndicate-led investment model with Strydeās end-to-end infrastructure for global deal access, including co-investment opportunities for both qualified and retail investors.
This week on VC React, we unpack Valuās unconventional path to the EGX, decode what OCTAās $20M credit line says about the future of startup finance, explore why āboringā startups might be the smartest bets, and break down Amjad Masadās Replit teaming up with Saudiās new AI powerhouse, HUMAIN.
Why Careemās exiting Pakistan, Endeavor Catalyst targets $300M fifth fund, Replit and HUMAIN team up to localise AI in Saudi, plus this weekās MENA startup, VC, and tech news round-up.
The collaboration will integrate HUMAINās Arabic-first large language model (LLM), ALLAM, into Replitās generative AI development platform.
The credit facility will allow OCTA to embed short-term working capital financing directly into its platform.
Launched in 2012, Endeavor Catalyst invests exclusively in Endeavor-selected founders at Series AāC stages, co-investing alongside VCs like Prosus, STV, and General Atlantic.
In 2019, Pakistan was the companyās single largest market, accounting for nearly 30% of its billion cumulative rides. Six years later, Careem's ride-hailing days in Pakistan are numbered.
