Past Editions

🎧 Podcast🎧 Podcast
VC React Podcast (Episode #28)

VC React Podcast (Episode #28)

Breaking down Talabat’s unusual acquisition of InstaShop, a rumoured billion-dollar funding round for Saudi q-commerce outfit Ninja, and the evolution of BNPL in Saudi Arabia.

Jamie Lane
Jamie Lane
🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up
A 10x return for Saudi VC

A 10x return for Saudi VC

Lean banks Series B extension funding, Aramco Ventures doubles down on direct air capture, travel-tech Lokalee acquired for $12.8 million plus this week’s MENA startup, VC, and tech news round-up.

Jamie Lane
Zoe O Dwyer
Jamie Lane, +1
📰 News📰 News
Aramco Ventures doubles down on direct air capture with investments in Spiritus and Ucaneo

Aramco Ventures doubles down on direct air capture with investments in Spiritus and Ucaneo

Established in 2012 and headquartered in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Aramco Ventures manages multiple VC programmes with a total allocation of $7 billion. ​

Jamie Lane
Jamie Lane
📰 News📰 News
Saudi VC Impact46 announces 10x exit from Tadawul-listed Rasan

Saudi VC Impact46 announces 10x exit from Tadawul-listed Rasan

The offering included 17.16% of Rasan’s issued share capital, priced at $18.40 per share, with a total size of $245 million, covered multiple times.

Jamie Lane
Jamie Lane
🎙️ Interview🎙️ Interview
+1+1
Tapping into the potential of Palestinian youth

Tapping into the potential of Palestinian youth

TAP’s transformation from manual job placement to AI-driven talent acceleration, how it's sustaining financial viability without compromising impact, and the realities of scaling a company in the face of relentless adversity.

Jamie Lane
Zoe O Dwyer
Jamie Lane, +1
🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up
MENA quick commerce is heating up

MENA quick commerce is heating up

Talabat acquires InstaShop, Ninja targets $1BN+ pre-IPO valuation, and Saudi BNPL Tamara receives SAMA license for consumer finance, plus this week’s MENA startup, VC, and tech news round-up.

Jamie Lane
Zoe O Dwyer
Jamie Lane, +1
📰 News📰 News
BNPL Tamara receives SAMA license for consumer finance

BNPL Tamara receives SAMA license for consumer finance

This approval makes Tamara one of 65 licensed finance companies in Saudi Arabia, enabling it to serve a broader customer base and diversify its financial products.

Jamie Lane
Jamie Lane
📰 News📰 News
Saudi-Based Ninja Eyes $1B+ Valuation in New Funding Round

Saudi-Based Ninja Eyes $1B+ Valuation in New Funding Round

The quick commerce platform, which operates in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait, is aiming for an IPO by 2027.

Jamie Lane
Jamie Lane
📰 News📰 News
🛒 UAE’s Talabat acquires instashop from Delivery Hero for $32 million

🛒 UAE’s Talabat acquires instashop from Delivery Hero for $32 million

Effective February 25, 2025, InstaShop will be consolidated into talabat’s financial accounts while continuing as an independent brand within talabat’s grocery and retail vertical.

Jamie Lane
Jamie Lane
🎙️ Interview🎙️ Interview
+1+1
Building the iTunes for spare parts

Building the iTunes for spare parts

Why the next industrial revolution will be local, breaking ‘pilot purgatory’ in deeptech sales, and the biggest misconceptions about additive manufacturing.

Jamie Lane
Zoe O Dwyer
Jamie Lane, +1
🎧 Podcast🎧 Podcast
VC React Podcast (Episode #27)

VC React Podcast (Episode #27)

Big funding rounds, a major acquisition, and cake.

Jamie Lane
Jamie Lane
🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up
5 VCs to set up MENA hubs in Doha

5 VCs to set up MENA hubs in Doha

Dubai-based Flow48 secures $69M, Seez acquired for $46.2 million, Disrupt.com to invest $100m to fuel AI-first startups, plus this week’s MENA startup, VC, and tech news round-up.

Jamie Lane
Zoe O Dwyer
Jamie Lane, +1
FirstBack
12345678
Next Last