Funding Flows Into Frontier Tech as Startups Race to Scale in the Middle East and Africa
Investors are doubling down on AI, fintech, proptech, and agri-tech solutions tailored to local and regional challenges across the Middle East and Africa.
Riyadh: Startups across the Middle East and Africa are attracting fresh capital as investors double down on AI, fintech, proptech, and agri-tech solutions tailored to local and regional challenges.
Saudi Arabia-based Darwinz AI, known as TheDar.AI, has raised $325,000 in seed funding to accelerate development of its AI-powered productivity platform for communication professionals.
The round was led by Flat6Labs and Glint Ventures, marking a milestone for the startup as it deepens its presence in the Kingdom.
Originally founded in Egypt in 2021 by Emad El-Azhary and Mohy Aboualam, TheDar.AI has evolved into a regional AI player with operations now headquartered in Riyadh.
The company’s flagship platform, dima, functions as an AI copilot tailored for public relations professionals, marketers, and brand managers—offering automation features that aim to improve content workflows and campaign management.
According to the company, the new capital will be used to expand the Riyadh-based team, accelerate product development cycles, and prepare for a global launch.
XFOLIO RAISES $2M TO MODERNISE TREASURY AND WEALTH MANAGEMENT French-Lebenese Fintech platform XFOLIO has raised $2 million in seed funding to enhance its enterprise-focused digital infrastructure for financial institutions and wealth managers.
The investment round was led by Middle East Venture Partners, and is aimed at expanding the startup’s product capabilities and market reach.
Founded in 2024 by Anis Rahal, XFOLIO offers a cloud-based platform that integrates portfolio management with treasury automation.
PROP-AI RAISES $1.5M TO DIGITISE REAL ESTATE DECISIONS UAE-based proptech startup Prop-AI has secured $1.5 million in pre-seed funding to expand its AI-driven real estate intelligence platform.
The round was led by Plus VC, with contributions from Joa Capital, Select Ventures, Oraseya Capital, Plug & Play, and angel investors from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
Founded in 2023 by Ranime El-Skaff and Christian Kunz, Prop-AI uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate real estate search, valuation, and investment decision-making.
DISRUPTECH BACKS WINICH FARMS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA DEBUT Cairo-based DisrupTech Ventures has made its first Sub-Saharan Africa investment by backing Winich Farms, a Nigerian agri-fintech startup, in its ongoing pre-series A round.
The move signals the fund’s broader interest in scalable fintech solutions addressing critical needs in Africa’s agriculture economy.
OCTANE RAISES $5.2M TO STREAMLINE FLEET PAYMENTS Egyptian fintech Octane has raised $5.2 million in a funding round led by Shorooq Partners, Algebra Ventures, and SC Holding.
The Cairo-based company was co-founded in 2022 by Amr Gamal and Ziad Eladawy, and offers a closed-loop wallet system that consolidates fleet-related expenses including fuel, maintenance, and petty cash.
OCTA SECURES $20M CREDIT LINE TO SUPPORT SME AUTOMATION UAE-based fintech OCTA has secured a $20 million credit facility from Sukna Fund for Direct Financing, reinforcing its mission to embed financial services into the daily operations of small and medium-sized enterprises.
The new facility follows OCTA’s $2.25 million pre-seed round closed in October 2024, co-led by Quona Capital and Sadu Capital.
SATURNX RAISES $3M TO EXPAND STABLECOIN-BASED REMITTANCES Dubai-based SaturnX has closed a $3 million seed round led by White Star Capital, with additional support from institutional backers.
Founded in 2024 by Mirnas Brescic, SaturnX provides an API-based infrastructure layer for stablecoin payments, designed specifically for business-to-business financial service providers.
Saudi Arabia-based Darwinz AI, known as TheDar.AI, has raised $325,000 in seed funding to accelerate development of its AI-powered productivity platform for communication professionals.
The round was led by Flat6Labs and Glint Ventures, marking a milestone for the startup as it deepens its presence in the Kingdom.
Originally founded in Egypt in 2021 by Emad El-Azhary and Mohy Aboualam, TheDar.AI has evolved into a regional AI player with operations now headquartered in Riyadh.
The company’s flagship platform, dima, functions as an AI copilot tailored for public relations professionals, marketers, and brand managers—offering automation features that aim to improve content workflows and campaign management.
According to the company, the new capital will be used to expand the Riyadh-based team, accelerate product development cycles, and prepare for a global launch.
XFOLIO RAISES $2M TO MODERNISE TREASURY AND WEALTH MANAGEMENT French-Lebenese Fintech platform XFOLIO has raised $2 million in seed funding to enhance its enterprise-focused digital infrastructure for financial institutions and wealth managers.
The investment round was led by Middle East Venture Partners, and is aimed at expanding the startup’s product capabilities and market reach.
Founded in 2024 by Anis Rahal, XFOLIO offers a cloud-based platform that integrates portfolio management with treasury automation.
PROP-AI RAISES $1.5M TO DIGITISE REAL ESTATE DECISIONS UAE-based proptech startup Prop-AI has secured $1.5 million in pre-seed funding to expand its AI-driven real estate intelligence platform.
The round was led by Plus VC, with contributions from Joa Capital, Select Ventures, Oraseya Capital, Plug & Play, and angel investors from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
Founded in 2023 by Ranime El-Skaff and Christian Kunz, Prop-AI uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate real estate search, valuation, and investment decision-making.
DISRUPTECH BACKS WINICH FARMS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA DEBUT Cairo-based DisrupTech Ventures has made its first Sub-Saharan Africa investment by backing Winich Farms, a Nigerian agri-fintech startup, in its ongoing pre-series A round.
The move signals the fund’s broader interest in scalable fintech solutions addressing critical needs in Africa’s agriculture economy.
OCTANE RAISES $5.2M TO STREAMLINE FLEET PAYMENTS Egyptian fintech Octane has raised $5.2 million in a funding round led by Shorooq Partners, Algebra Ventures, and SC Holding.
The Cairo-based company was co-founded in 2022 by Amr Gamal and Ziad Eladawy, and offers a closed-loop wallet system that consolidates fleet-related expenses including fuel, maintenance, and petty cash.
OCTA SECURES $20M CREDIT LINE TO SUPPORT SME AUTOMATION UAE-based fintech OCTA has secured a $20 million credit facility from Sukna Fund for Direct Financing, reinforcing its mission to embed financial services into the daily operations of small and medium-sized enterprises.
The new facility follows OCTA’s $2.25 million pre-seed round closed in October 2024, co-led by Quona Capital and Sadu Capital.
SATURNX RAISES $3M TO EXPAND STABLECOIN-BASED REMITTANCES Dubai-based SaturnX has closed a $3 million seed round led by White Star Capital, with additional support from institutional backers.
Founded in 2024 by Mirnas Brescic, SaturnX provides an API-based infrastructure layer for stablecoin payments, designed specifically for business-to-business financial service providers.
