Startups from MENA in Y Combinator’s Batch 1 of pitches:
* Lezzoo - Iraqi on-demand delivery service in Iraq
* Breadfast - Egypt based breakfast delivery platform (previously covered here http://bit.ly/2KCM8M1)
https://tcrn.ch/2KJqVi5
Nana Direct, Saudi grocery platform, raises $6.6M in Series A co-led by MEVP and Impact46, and joined by Watar Partners, Saudi Venture Capital (SVC) Company, Wamda Capital and Alzamil family - this announcement was made in late February via twitter which we covered but the tweet has since been removed http://bit.ly/2Zb10rT
* Lezzoo - Iraqi on-demand delivery service in Iraq
* Breadfast - Egypt based breakfast delivery platform (previously covered here http://bit.ly/2KCM8M1)
https://tcrn.ch/2KJqVi5
Nana Direct, Saudi grocery platform, raises $6.6M in Series A co-led by MEVP and Impact46, and joined by Watar Partners, Saudi Venture Capital (SVC) Company, Wamda Capital and Alzamil family - this announcement was made in late February via twitter which we covered but the tweet has since been removed http://bit.ly/2Zb10rT
MENAbytes
Exclusive: Cairo-based Breadfast gets accepted to Y Combinator, raises seven-figure Series A
Cairo-based fresh bread and other breakfast products startup Breadfast has been accepted for the prestigious Y Combinator (YC) accelerator program, the startup told MENAbytes today. Some of the co-founders and team members of Breadfast will relocate to Mountain…
Pushbots, Egypt, is added to Github’s Student Developer Pack program https://tcrn.ch/2ZjX7Rs
CBInsights publishes: “The Most Well-Funded Tech Startups In The UAE In One Infographic” http://bit.ly/2zfpkdv
Egyptian Ministry of Finance is looking to impose taxes on eCommerce and Social Media advertising activities http://bit.ly/2ZldSYx
Startup from MENA in Y Combinator’s Batch 2 of pitches: Trella, Cairo-based trucking marketplaces (announced previously: http://bit.ly/2H3VLzX) https://tcrn.ch/2zdLNI0
CBInsights publishes: “The Most Well-Funded Tech Startups In The UAE In One Infographic” http://bit.ly/2zfpkdv
Egyptian Ministry of Finance is looking to impose taxes on eCommerce and Social Media advertising activities http://bit.ly/2ZldSYx
Startup from MENA in Y Combinator’s Batch 2 of pitches: Trella, Cairo-based trucking marketplaces (announced previously: http://bit.ly/2H3VLzX) https://tcrn.ch/2zdLNI0
TechCrunch
GitHub adds 21 new partners to its free Student Developer Pack
For a few years now, GitHub has been running a program that gives students around the world free access to GitHub Pro and various free and discounted services from other partners as part of its GitHub Education program. In total, more than 1.5 million students…
Wafra, Sovereign Wealth Fund of Kuwait, joins $400M round of investment into Knotel, US Based WeWork competitor, along with other investors including Rocket Internet. Knotel’s valuation is estimated at $1B http://bit.ly/2P8zAPw
RuPay, Indian credit card company (competitor of Mastercard/Visa) to launch in the UAE http://bit.ly/2ZnHUyF
RuPay, Indian credit card company (competitor of Mastercard/Visa) to launch in the UAE http://bit.ly/2ZnHUyF
Pitchbook
WeWork competitor Knotel banks $400M, reaches $1B valuation | PitchBook
WeWork competitor Knotel has banked $400 million at an estimated $1 billion valuation in a round led by Wafra.
Cisco acquired US-based Voicea (Egyptian founders); Voicea had previously acquired Dubai-based Wrappup & their team, which are now a part of the second acquisition. Wrappup has raised investment from BECO Capital, 500 Startups, Arzan VC, Womena, Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, Dubai Angel Investors, and Hala Fadel http://bit.ly/2Zsnj8g
Jordan introduces new taxes for social media, influencers and eCommerce http://bit.ly/2MJniLB
Snapchat commissioned a study of Saudi Nationals usage of the platform:
* Saudi’s watch more online video than traditional TV
* 80% view premium short-from videos
more here: http://bit.ly/2L6MwA7
India’s Paytm, plans expansion of Paytm Mall & eBay into the Middle East http://bit.ly/2ZskzrA
Viu, Asian content streaming platform with operation in MENA, announces collaboration with Wattpad “social storytelling platform” to produce more original content http://bit.ly/2Hpci1s
BLOMbank, Lebanon, upgrades existing NFC-enabled BLOMPay, mobile payment service, with Mastercard integration http://bit.ly/2Znb10S
Drop, Canadian retail offers startup, raises $44M led by HOF Capital (a fund led by some of Egypt’s wealthiest family groups) https://tcrn.ch/2NvGrQI
Jordan introduces new taxes for social media, influencers and eCommerce http://bit.ly/2MJniLB
Snapchat commissioned a study of Saudi Nationals usage of the platform:
* Saudi’s watch more online video than traditional TV
* 80% view premium short-from videos
more here: http://bit.ly/2L6MwA7
India’s Paytm, plans expansion of Paytm Mall & eBay into the Middle East http://bit.ly/2ZskzrA
Viu, Asian content streaming platform with operation in MENA, announces collaboration with Wattpad “social storytelling platform” to produce more original content http://bit.ly/2Hpci1s
BLOMbank, Lebanon, upgrades existing NFC-enabled BLOMPay, mobile payment service, with Mastercard integration http://bit.ly/2Znb10S
Drop, Canadian retail offers startup, raises $44M led by HOF Capital (a fund led by some of Egypt’s wealthiest family groups) https://tcrn.ch/2NvGrQI
MENAbytes
Multiple MENA VCs score a win with Cisco's acquisition of Voicea
Cisco, the American technology conglomerate with a market cap of over $220 billion earlier this month announced that it is acquiring California-based Voicea (previously known as Voicera), the startup behind EVA, an Enterprise Voice Assistant that joins video…
Abu Dhabi Reglab adds 4 more startups: DAPI (UAE), PointCheckout (UAE), Jibrel Network (Switzerland) & Ekofolio (Luxemburg) http://bit.ly/2PdzBle
Central Bank of Bahrain issues final rules on “insurance aggregators” http://bit.ly/33WftY4
Eventtus, Egypt HQ event platform, expands to Saudi http://bit.ly/2zq4VlO
Long read: Pew Research Center conducts study “In Emerging Economies, Smartphone and Social Media Users Have Broader Social Networks” on users in 11 countries including: Lebanon, Jordan & Tunisia: *Users reported using smartphone for getting regular news: 55% Jordan (highest), 51% Lebanon, only 31% Tunisia
*Look up health related information: 70% Jordan (highest), 61% Lebanon, 54% Tunisia
https://pewrsr.ch/2MBuIAc
Central Bank of Bahrain issues final rules on “insurance aggregators” http://bit.ly/33WftY4
Eventtus, Egypt HQ event platform, expands to Saudi http://bit.ly/2zq4VlO
Long read: Pew Research Center conducts study “In Emerging Economies, Smartphone and Social Media Users Have Broader Social Networks” on users in 11 countries including: Lebanon, Jordan & Tunisia: *Users reported using smartphone for getting regular news: 55% Jordan (highest), 51% Lebanon, only 31% Tunisia
*Look up health related information: 70% Jordan (highest), 61% Lebanon, 54% Tunisia
https://pewrsr.ch/2MBuIAc
Fintechnews Middle East
4 new Fintech Startups Selected for Abu Dhabi Regulatory Lab - Fintechnews Middle East
Abu Dhabi Global Market welcomes four new FinTech start-ups in its fourth Regulatory Laboratory (RegLab) cohort. These four local and international firms, DAPI (United Arab Emirates), PointCheckout (United Arab Emirates),
Trolley, egypt-based grocery delivery, raises $200k in funding from a Kuwaiti angel investor It’s unclear if that funding is inclusive of the amount raised from Y Combinator or not http://bit.ly/2PdqLUu
Mecal, ecommerce platform focused on men’s accessories, raises investment from Ibtikar Fund and Innovative Startups and SME’s Fund (ISSF) - amount undisclosed http://bit.ly/345jdq8
Aster DM Healthcare to setup an “Aster Innovation and Research Centre” between GCC and India http://bit.ly/2Hsr1ZI
Tunisian Post launches a QR payment solution "Masterpass QR" in a bid to encourage mobile payments http://bit.ly/2Ht7qs1
Mecal, ecommerce platform focused on men’s accessories, raises investment from Ibtikar Fund and Innovative Startups and SME’s Fund (ISSF) - amount undisclosed http://bit.ly/345jdq8
Aster DM Healthcare to setup an “Aster Innovation and Research Centre” between GCC and India http://bit.ly/2Hsr1ZI
Tunisian Post launches a QR payment solution "Masterpass QR" in a bid to encourage mobile payments http://bit.ly/2Ht7qs1
MENAbytes
Egypt's Trolley raises $200,000 seed for its grocery delivery platform
Cairo-based grocery delivery platform Trolley has raised $200,000 as seed funding, the startup told MENAbytes today, adding that the investment came from a Kuwaiti individual investor. Founded late last year by Mohamed Abbas, who comes with over ten years…
SINC, Bahrain-based workforce management startup, raised $250k led by Dubai Angel Investors and other regional investors for expansion http://bit.ly/340gnmB
Platform 9, US-based fully managed hybrid cloud platform, raises $25M in series D led by NGP Capital, joined by Mubadala Ventures and others https://tcrn.ch/2NDqgAE
Platform 9, US-based fully managed hybrid cloud platform, raises $25M in series D led by NGP Capital, joined by Mubadala Ventures and others https://tcrn.ch/2NDqgAE
Startup MGZN
Startup MGZN – Bahraini-based workforce management startup SINC raises funds from MENA investors, and aims to target customers…
SINC, a Bahrain based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) mobile platform that simplifies the management of a mobile workforce by operating timesheets, location tracking, staff scheduling, and job tracking…
NowPay, Egypt-based payday advance startup, raises $600k in Seed funding from Endure Capital and 500 Startups http://bit.ly/2Zxq0pf
Falcon Network, dubai-based angel investment network, invests $450k in 6 startups: Aion Sigma, Caravan, Saaya Health, Teacherly, Virtual i Technologies and Workaround http://bit.ly/2ZueDT3
Lulu Group, UAE based retail conglomerate, announces plan to invest $500m in Egypt as part of its expansion into the country http://bit.ly/2Ufq3oQ
Falcon Network, dubai-based angel investment network, invests $450k in 6 startups: Aion Sigma, Caravan, Saaya Health, Teacherly, Virtual i Technologies and Workaround http://bit.ly/2ZueDT3
Lulu Group, UAE based retail conglomerate, announces plan to invest $500m in Egypt as part of its expansion into the country http://bit.ly/2Ufq3oQ
MENAbytes
Egypt's NowPay raises $600,000 seed to offer salary advances to corporate employees
NowPay, a Cairo-based fintech startup has raised $600,000 in seed funding from Endure Capital and 500 Startups, the startup announced in a statement to MENAbytes. The investment was raised earlier this year but has been announced today. Founded last year…
August’s most-read articles:
Incorta, Egyptian founders - SF based, raises $30M in Series C led by Sorenson Capital, GV (Google Ventures), Kleiner Perkins, M12 (Microsoft Ventures), and Telstra Ventures, and expands offices to Chicago, Dubai and Bangalore (already has office in Egypt) http://bit.ly/2HclN41
CBInsights publishes: “The Most Well-Funded Tech Startups In The UAE In One Infographic” http://bit.ly/2zfpkdv
New Venture Capital fund to launch in Dubai: Vuja De Capital http://bit.ly/2YXCqdH
Cisco acquired US-based Voicea (Egyptian founders); Voicea had previously acquired Dubai-based Wrappup & their team, which are now a part of the second acquisition. Wrappup has raised investment from BECO Capital, 500 Startups, Arzan VC, Womena, Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, Dubai Angel Investors, and Hala Fadel http://bit.ly/2Zsnj8g
Pew Research Center conducts study “In Emerging Economies, Smartphone and Social Media Users Have Broader Social Networks” on users in 11 countries including: Lebanon, Jordan & Tunisia https://pewrsr.ch/2MBuIAc
MBC Group announced the launch of Creative Communities Collaboration (CCC), a public-private association of global media & entertainment executives “to strengthen ties and partnerships between the MENA region and the Hollywood entertainment industry” http://bit.ly/2Kfw4y5
MoneyFellows, Egypt’s fintech startup that provides peer-ro-peer loan facilities, raises a Pre-Series A round of $1M from existing investors 500 Startups and Dubai Angel Investors http://bit.ly/2Yo1qvb
Wafra, Sovereign Wealth Fund of Kuwait, joins $400M round of investment into Knotel, US Based WeWork competitor, along with other investors including Rocket Internet. Knotel’s valuation is estimated at $1B http://bit.ly/2P8zAPw
Snapchat commissioned a study of Saudi Nationals usage of the platform http://bit.ly/2L6MwA7
Incorta, Egyptian founders - SF based, raises $30M in Series C led by Sorenson Capital, GV (Google Ventures), Kleiner Perkins, M12 (Microsoft Ventures), and Telstra Ventures, and expands offices to Chicago, Dubai and Bangalore (already has office in Egypt) http://bit.ly/2HclN41
CBInsights publishes: “The Most Well-Funded Tech Startups In The UAE In One Infographic” http://bit.ly/2zfpkdv
New Venture Capital fund to launch in Dubai: Vuja De Capital http://bit.ly/2YXCqdH
Cisco acquired US-based Voicea (Egyptian founders); Voicea had previously acquired Dubai-based Wrappup & their team, which are now a part of the second acquisition. Wrappup has raised investment from BECO Capital, 500 Startups, Arzan VC, Womena, Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, Dubai Angel Investors, and Hala Fadel http://bit.ly/2Zsnj8g
Pew Research Center conducts study “In Emerging Economies, Smartphone and Social Media Users Have Broader Social Networks” on users in 11 countries including: Lebanon, Jordan & Tunisia https://pewrsr.ch/2MBuIAc
MBC Group announced the launch of Creative Communities Collaboration (CCC), a public-private association of global media & entertainment executives “to strengthen ties and partnerships between the MENA region and the Hollywood entertainment industry” http://bit.ly/2Kfw4y5
MoneyFellows, Egypt’s fintech startup that provides peer-ro-peer loan facilities, raises a Pre-Series A round of $1M from existing investors 500 Startups and Dubai Angel Investors http://bit.ly/2Yo1qvb
Wafra, Sovereign Wealth Fund of Kuwait, joins $400M round of investment into Knotel, US Based WeWork competitor, along with other investors including Rocket Internet. Knotel’s valuation is estimated at $1B http://bit.ly/2P8zAPw
Snapchat commissioned a study of Saudi Nationals usage of the platform http://bit.ly/2L6MwA7
Well Principled, US based AI startup, raised $1.6M in seed funding from Venture Souq (Dubai), Soma Capital and Global Founders Capital http://bit.ly/32k4V3q
Careem Go and Uber X categories have been suspended in Dubai http://bit.ly/2ltabl6
Careem Go and Uber X categories have been suspended in Dubai http://bit.ly/2ltabl6
Wamda
Dubai halts Uber X and Careem's Go ride options
Source: The National
Ride-hailing giant Uber and its UAE-based partner Careem have halted their cheapest ride options in Dubai,...
Ride-hailing giant Uber and its UAE-based partner Careem have halted their cheapest ride options in Dubai,...
Doctoorum, a marketplace for Medical Tourism, announces investment from Numu Capital. Amount undisclosed. Doctoorum is a graduate from AUC Venture Lab Accelerator http://bit.ly/2m0Z9nv
Telp.me, Bahrain based tutoring marketplace, raises angel investment from Yaser Al Ghamdi. via twitter http://bit.ly/2lDOVJk
Emaar, leading dubai real-estate developer, launches a short-term rental platform called Ease by Emaar. The properties will also be available on airbnb, booking.com and others. http://bit.ly/2lZXyhJ
Mubadala expected to invest in Vision Fund 2 in Q4 https://reut.rs/2lAwKEu
Vodafone Group to enter Omani market as a new telecom operator. Oman currently has 2 main operators: Omantel and Ooredoo http://bit.ly/2kkbDWZ
Telp.me, Bahrain based tutoring marketplace, raises angel investment from Yaser Al Ghamdi. via twitter http://bit.ly/2lDOVJk
Emaar, leading dubai real-estate developer, launches a short-term rental platform called Ease by Emaar. The properties will also be available on airbnb, booking.com and others. http://bit.ly/2lZXyhJ
Mubadala expected to invest in Vision Fund 2 in Q4 https://reut.rs/2lAwKEu
Vodafone Group to enter Omani market as a new telecom operator. Oman currently has 2 main operators: Omantel and Ooredoo http://bit.ly/2kkbDWZ
Wired Magazine launches Middle East edition http://bit.ly/2LlmVVh
Arrow Labs, Dubai-based wearable workforce management, expands to the USA. They had raised a single funding round from Global Ventures (Dubai) in May, 2018 (amount undisclosed) http://bit.ly/2LoJUPz
Arrow Labs, Dubai-based wearable workforce management, expands to the USA. They had raised a single funding round from Global Ventures (Dubai) in May, 2018 (amount undisclosed) http://bit.ly/2LoJUPz
WIRED Middle East
The future is WIRED: why we're launching in the Middle East
“Tell us something we've never heard before, in a way we've never seen before. If it challenges our assumptions, so much the better.”
Qatar blocks Uber’s acquisition of Careem within the country http://bit.ly/318Vx2y
Foloosi, UAE-based fintech startup, closes a angel funding round of $500k (inclusive of the committed funding in June) http://bit.ly/2A5bxGA
Accion Venture Lab & Fund, $33M, launches to invest in MENAP based startups focused on financial inclusion http://bit.ly/2A0bImT
Foloosi, UAE-based fintech startup, closes a angel funding round of $500k (inclusive of the committed funding in June) http://bit.ly/2A5bxGA
Accion Venture Lab & Fund, $33M, launches to invest in MENAP based startups focused on financial inclusion http://bit.ly/2A0bImT
MENAbytes
Exclusive: Qatar blocks Uber's acquisition of Careem in the country
Qatar's competition authority has blocked Uber's proposed $3.1 billion acquisition of Careem in the country, Uber's recent SEC filing (10-Q has revealed. The filing does not share a lot of details about Qatar's decision but notes that 'the Qatar competition…
Youtube launches subscription based premium music streaming service in MENA http://bit.ly/2k6ehiG
Saudi’s Ministry of Labor launches a new platform to facilitate freelance work licenses in the kingdom (AR) http://bit.ly/2kaPzhc
Egypt’s ICT Minister says they plan to launch 7 technological parks in 7 universities across Egypt, with EGP 1B (~$60M) budget from the government, and aims to increase ICT contribution to GDP to 4% by end of year http://bit.ly/2kFEFjE
Egypt begins digitization of its energy grid http://bit.ly/2ka3qEr
The World Economic Forum publishes the 2019 Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report. The UAE leads MENA enablement, infrastructure, ICT, labor and at a globally competitive level, however it’s not faring well on nature, openness and price. Full report here: http://bit.ly/2kqLhCF
Saudi’s Ministry of Labor launches a new platform to facilitate freelance work licenses in the kingdom (AR) http://bit.ly/2kaPzhc
Egypt’s ICT Minister says they plan to launch 7 technological parks in 7 universities across Egypt, with EGP 1B (~$60M) budget from the government, and aims to increase ICT contribution to GDP to 4% by end of year http://bit.ly/2kFEFjE
Egypt begins digitization of its energy grid http://bit.ly/2ka3qEr
The World Economic Forum publishes the 2019 Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report. The UAE leads MENA enablement, infrastructure, ICT, labor and at a globally competitive level, however it’s not faring well on nature, openness and price. Full report here: http://bit.ly/2kqLhCF
The National
Google's YouTube launches music streaming service in MENA region
Available on both Android and iOS, YouTube Music subscriptions start at Dh19.99 per month
Shelvz, Lebanon-based Saas-workforce management platform, raises funding from iM Capital http://bit.ly/2kfmMIv
Misk Growth Accelerator kicks off cycle with 11 startups, each of which will receive up to $100k in funding from Seedstars & Vision Ventures by end of cycle http://bit.ly/2kFN7zz
CareemPay launches mobile top-up capability in Egypt and Pakistan http://bit.ly/2lQpeFw
Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) grants the first full digital banking license to Anglo-Gulf Trade Bank, which will allow it to provide corporate banking services to Abu Dhabi based companies starting with ones based in ADGM http://bit.ly/2ZTVkmf
Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) is considering to expand the scope of digital currencies to banks & other countries http://bit.ly/30dybHr
Central Bank of Egypt to launch over $50M fintech fund http://bit.ly/2kc7KDc
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Masdar (owned by Mubadala) and the UK government have invested £70M ($86.5M) in a new green technology fund to be managed by London-based Zouk Capital http://bit.ly/2lIVsmk
Misk Growth Accelerator kicks off cycle with 11 startups, each of which will receive up to $100k in funding from Seedstars & Vision Ventures by end of cycle http://bit.ly/2kFN7zz
CareemPay launches mobile top-up capability in Egypt and Pakistan http://bit.ly/2lQpeFw
Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) grants the first full digital banking license to Anglo-Gulf Trade Bank, which will allow it to provide corporate banking services to Abu Dhabi based companies starting with ones based in ADGM http://bit.ly/2ZTVkmf
Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) is considering to expand the scope of digital currencies to banks & other countries http://bit.ly/30dybHr
Central Bank of Egypt to launch over $50M fintech fund http://bit.ly/2kc7KDc
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Masdar (owned by Mubadala) and the UK government have invested £70M ($86.5M) in a new green technology fund to be managed by London-based Zouk Capital http://bit.ly/2lIVsmk
IM Capital
SHELVZ Joined IM Portfolio Companies - IM Capital
The latest name to join IM Capital’s diverse portfolio of companies is Shelvz, the cloud-based tool that is designed to help the field force work smarter. Shelvz offers the retailers workforce a user-friendly cloud-based tool, that helps them complete their tasks…
Swvl expands into two new cities in Pakistan and launches engineering office in Karachi http://bit.ly/2kgQTiC
31 Startups Participating in the DIFC FinTech Hive’s 2019 Accelerator Program in Dubai. DIFC provides support for three month but no direct equity based investment http://bit.ly/2kJPgKA
National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) joins trade finance blockchain network Marco Polo, which has 22 members including Mastercard, BNP Paribas, ING & Standard Chartered http://bit.ly/2mfD3xF
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank launches blockchain-based trade finance http://bit.ly/2kMjywj
Egypt to start work on $2.4B telecom network for first phase of new capital city https://reut.rs/2mfDqZ5
31 Startups Participating in the DIFC FinTech Hive’s 2019 Accelerator Program in Dubai. DIFC provides support for three month but no direct equity based investment http://bit.ly/2kJPgKA
National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) joins trade finance blockchain network Marco Polo, which has 22 members including Mastercard, BNP Paribas, ING & Standard Chartered http://bit.ly/2mfD3xF
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank launches blockchain-based trade finance http://bit.ly/2kMjywj
Egypt to start work on $2.4B telecom network for first phase of new capital city https://reut.rs/2mfDqZ5
MENAbytes
Swvl expands further into Pakistan with Islamabad and Rawalpindi launch, and engineering office in Karachi
Swvl, the now Cairo-born app-based bus hailing startup that is now headquartered in Dubai, is expanding further into Pakistan, it announced in a statement today, saying that it is launching its services in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, and Rawalpindi which…
Teacherly, UAE-based edtech platform, raises funding from Shorooq Partners http://bit.ly/2kD8BNF
Emirates NBD, UAE, to launch audio banking capabilities through Amazon Alexa http://bit.ly/2lTdkuH
Emirates NBD, UAE, to launch audio banking capabilities through Amazon Alexa http://bit.ly/2lTdkuH
Magnitt
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UPayments, Kuwait-based epayment provider, raises seed funding from Angel Investors http://bit.ly/2kGzDnm
Wahed Invest (Wahed), raises a “multi-million dollar investment” from Dubai Cultiv8 Investments Limited, a subsidiary of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Fund for SME (an integrated division of the Department of Economic Development) http://bit.ly/2lX2Muy
Dubizzle, UAE-based Olx subsidiary, launches a new portal for listing off-line projects in the UAE http://bit.ly/2m0OusK
Investcorp, Bahrain, to acquire Italy-HQ ticketing platform Vivaticket which has more than “2,100 clients across 50 countries including Walt Disney World, Musee du Louvre and FC Barcelona” http://bit.ly/2m07jww
University of Bahrain (UOB) announced the launch of a new cloud computing degree program in collaboration with AWS Educate Cloud Degree initiative http://bit.ly/2lV9elW
Wahed Invest (Wahed), raises a “multi-million dollar investment” from Dubai Cultiv8 Investments Limited, a subsidiary of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Fund for SME (an integrated division of the Department of Economic Development) http://bit.ly/2lX2Muy
Dubizzle, UAE-based Olx subsidiary, launches a new portal for listing off-line projects in the UAE http://bit.ly/2m0OusK
Investcorp, Bahrain, to acquire Italy-HQ ticketing platform Vivaticket which has more than “2,100 clients across 50 countries including Walt Disney World, Musee du Louvre and FC Barcelona” http://bit.ly/2m07jww
University of Bahrain (UOB) announced the launch of a new cloud computing degree program in collaboration with AWS Educate Cloud Degree initiative http://bit.ly/2lV9elW
Wamda
UPayments raises seed funding
Kuwait based online payment solutions provider UPayments announced that it has raised seed funding for an undisclosed sum from...
Halan, Egyptian tuk-tuk startup, to expand to Ethiopia https://reut.rs/2ksDJzh
Etisalat, UAE, to acquire full ownership of cybersecurity firm Help AG’s businesses in the UAE & Saudi http://bit.ly/2mmKsLz
Ipsos shares stats on Subscription video on demand (SVoD) in Saudi Arabia for 2018 http://bit.ly/2lWFHs4
Egyptian Cabinet approves Ride-Hailing Apps Act, which will require companies and drivers to pay, registration, licensing, taxes and social insurance http://bit.ly/2kTdFNU Official Gazette (AR) http://bit.ly/2lZxDXp
UAE and Saudi central banks lower interest rates after US Fed cut http://bit.ly/2mqvdBz
South Africa’s Rand Merchant Bank’s 2020 investment report says Egypt is still the most attractive country to invest in in Africa, followed by Morocco, then South Africa http://bit.ly/2mhUsFQ (full report will be available in Jan 2020 for non-RMB clients)
Etisalat, UAE, to acquire full ownership of cybersecurity firm Help AG’s businesses in the UAE & Saudi http://bit.ly/2mmKsLz
Ipsos shares stats on Subscription video on demand (SVoD) in Saudi Arabia for 2018 http://bit.ly/2lWFHs4
Egyptian Cabinet approves Ride-Hailing Apps Act, which will require companies and drivers to pay, registration, licensing, taxes and social insurance http://bit.ly/2kTdFNU Official Gazette (AR) http://bit.ly/2lZxDXp
UAE and Saudi central banks lower interest rates after US Fed cut http://bit.ly/2mqvdBz
South Africa’s Rand Merchant Bank’s 2020 investment report says Egypt is still the most attractive country to invest in in Africa, followed by Morocco, then South Africa http://bit.ly/2mhUsFQ (full report will be available in Jan 2020 for non-RMB clients)
Reuters
Egyptian tuk-tuk start-up Halan to expand to Ethiopia
CAIRO, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Halan, an Egyptian technology start-up that uses two- and three-wheeled vehicles to transport passengers and goods, will begin operating in Ethiopia before the end of 2019, its chief executive told Reuters.
Career 180, Egypt career advising platform, has raised $100k in seed funding from EdVentures http://bit.ly/2mm1l98
Dabchy, Tunis-based peer-to-peer (P2P) fashion marketplace, raises $300k seed round led by 500 Startups, and joined by Flat6Labs, Vision Ventures, DAAL, and angel investors http://bit.ly/2m6Ayhb
Arab Bank, Switzerland, to launch suite of cryptocurrency services in Arab world, including Bitcoin & Ethereum brokerage and custody http://bit.ly/2kqNqOu
NanoRacks, leading provider of commercial access to space, is opening and staffing its first office in the UAE at Abu Dhabi's Hub71 http://bit.ly/2mw5SWV
Apple’s AppStore now available in arabic http://bit.ly/2kXWnza
Dabchy, Tunis-based peer-to-peer (P2P) fashion marketplace, raises $300k seed round led by 500 Startups, and joined by Flat6Labs, Vision Ventures, DAAL, and angel investors http://bit.ly/2m6Ayhb
Arab Bank, Switzerland, to launch suite of cryptocurrency services in Arab world, including Bitcoin & Ethereum brokerage and custody http://bit.ly/2kqNqOu
NanoRacks, leading provider of commercial access to space, is opening and staffing its first office in the UAE at Abu Dhabi's Hub71 http://bit.ly/2mw5SWV
Apple’s AppStore now available in arabic http://bit.ly/2kXWnza
Wamda
Career 180 raises $100,000 in seed funding
Egypt-based Career 180, a career advising platform, has raised $100,000 in a seed funding round from EdVentures. The startup will...