This week on VC React, it’s all about second-time founders in MENA, from Karim Jouini and Jihed Othmani, the duo behind Expensya’s $120M exit, returning with ThunderCode and a $9M seed round, to Spotii’s Anusha Iqbal and Ziyaad Ahmed launching legal tech startup Qanooni.
Jun 16, 2025
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2 min read
We break down the UAE’s AI strategy following the launch of OpenAI and G42’s Stargate UAE, examine the collapse of QIA-backed unicorn Builder.ai, explore what it takes for diaspora founders to succeed in Silicon Valley, and discuss why Iraq’s emerging startup scene is gaining momentum.
Jun 2, 2025
4 min read
We unpack the factors behind Egypt’s massive startup funding surge, unpack funding for Nawy, Thndr, Sylndr, and Money Fellows, and discuss sovereignty in the context of LLMs and satellite imagery.
May 26, 2025
We unpack the flood of AI announcements coming out of Saudi, from the launch of HUMAIN and multi-billion-dollar chip deals with NVIDIA, to new AI focused venture funds from Wyld VC and STV.
May 19, 2025
3 min read
Two stories that hint at how exits are evolving in the region — from a cybersecurity acquisition that keeps the core team and tech intact, to a surprise IPO push from one of Silicon Valley’s most controversial founders, now looking east.
May 12, 2025
Four moves that speak to a maturing ecosystem — from a pre-IPO restructure and SME fintech, to infra for private markets and a rare outbound acquisition from the Gulf.
May 7, 2025
A dealmaking trifecta that cuts across edtech, crypto, and venture strategy — from the first signs of an M&A path in Arabic learning, to one of the largest token collapses MENA’s seen this year, to a global VC fund leaning into replication across emerging markets.
Apr 29, 2025
Exploring what it looks like when founders expand with intent — from cross-border B2B consolidation and fintech infrastructure built for Gulf markets, to Cairo-born chips powering AI data centres, and the next phase of online grocery competition in Saudi Arabia.
Apr 14, 2025
Exploring what it looks like when local founders tackle legacy systems head-on — from automating debt collection and rebuilding Africa’s financial rails, to creating real-time AI dubbing engines that break language barriers at scale.
Mar 31, 2025
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.
Mar 17, 2025
Big funding rounds, a major acquisition, and cake.
Mar 2, 2025
A rare surge of startup acquisitions sweeps MENA, and with Qatar attracting major VCs like Human Capital, Utopia, and Builders VC, we debated whether Doha is emerging as a deeptech hub and how its startup ecosystem strategy stacks up against Saudi and the UAE.
Feb 23, 2025
Reviewing LEAP 2025, Tabby achieves $3.3BN valuation, the rise of construction tech and capital continues to pour in for early-stage funds
Feb 18, 2025
Saudi fintech and building AI agents for MENA
Feb 10, 2025
