MENA Startups Secure Significant Funding Across Multiple Industries
Saudi Arabia leads regional funding activity as startups in the Middle East and North Africa continue to attract investments across various sectors.
Startups across the Middle East and North Africa have seen multiple funding rounds in recent weeks, as companies in a range of industries seek geographical expansion.
This growth in investment activity follows a report released by Wamda earlier this month, which revealed that startup investment in the MENA region accelerated sharply in July.
Total funding reached $783 million, representing a 1,411 percent rise compared to the same month in 2024.
Saudi Arabia was at the forefront of regional funding activity, securing $396.5 million across 16 deals in July, while the UAE followed with $359 million raised by 22 startups.
The funding trends highlight the growing momentum and interest in supporting startups within the region, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Gathern, a vacation rental platform based in Saudi Arabia, raised SR270 million ($71.94 million) in a series B funding round led by Sanabil Investments, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Kingdom's sovereign wealth fund.
The round also saw participation from STV, Pinnacle Capital, Nuwa Capital, and Endeavor Catalyst.
Gathern plans to use the funds to prepare for an initial public offering on Tadawul in the near future and expand locally and regionally.
Fahy, a game development studio based in Saudi Arabia, secured a strategic investment of $1.75 million from Impact46 and Merak Capital.
The company aims to shape the future of mobile gaming while contributing to Saudi Arabia's expanding gaming ecosystem.
With over 24 million gamers in the Kingdom, representing 67 percent of the population, investments in game development are critical for establishing Saudi Arabia as a dominant force in the industry.
Starvania Studio, another Saudi-based company, secured $1.1 million from Merak Capital and Impact46 to accelerate its growth trajectory by developing high-quality console and PC games.
The financial assistance will enhance the studio's operational infrastructure and production pipelines.
Professional.me, an Abu Dhabi-based recruitment platform powered by artificial intelligence, raised $3.1 million in a seed funding round led by Raha Beach Ventures.
The company aims to expand AI-powered hiring processes across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa using the funds.
Professional.me has processed over 300,000 professional profiles since its launch in October 2024.
Hypeo Ai, a Morocco-based influencer marketing firm, secured an undisclosed investment from Renew Capital.
The funding will help strengthen Hypeo Ai's smart infrastructure for the Middle East and Africa and expand platform features, onboard more creators and brands, and develop an AI-powered coaching companion for wellness and lifestyle users.
This growth in investment activity follows a report released by Wamda earlier this month, which revealed that startup investment in the MENA region accelerated sharply in July.
Total funding reached $783 million, representing a 1,411 percent rise compared to the same month in 2024.
Saudi Arabia was at the forefront of regional funding activity, securing $396.5 million across 16 deals in July, while the UAE followed with $359 million raised by 22 startups.
The funding trends highlight the growing momentum and interest in supporting startups within the region, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Gathern, a vacation rental platform based in Saudi Arabia, raised SR270 million ($71.94 million) in a series B funding round led by Sanabil Investments, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Kingdom's sovereign wealth fund.
The round also saw participation from STV, Pinnacle Capital, Nuwa Capital, and Endeavor Catalyst.
Gathern plans to use the funds to prepare for an initial public offering on Tadawul in the near future and expand locally and regionally.
Fahy, a game development studio based in Saudi Arabia, secured a strategic investment of $1.75 million from Impact46 and Merak Capital.
The company aims to shape the future of mobile gaming while contributing to Saudi Arabia's expanding gaming ecosystem.
With over 24 million gamers in the Kingdom, representing 67 percent of the population, investments in game development are critical for establishing Saudi Arabia as a dominant force in the industry.
Starvania Studio, another Saudi-based company, secured $1.1 million from Merak Capital and Impact46 to accelerate its growth trajectory by developing high-quality console and PC games.
The financial assistance will enhance the studio's operational infrastructure and production pipelines.
Professional.me, an Abu Dhabi-based recruitment platform powered by artificial intelligence, raised $3.1 million in a seed funding round led by Raha Beach Ventures.
The company aims to expand AI-powered hiring processes across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa using the funds.
Professional.me has processed over 300,000 professional profiles since its launch in October 2024.
Hypeo Ai, a Morocco-based influencer marketing firm, secured an undisclosed investment from Renew Capital.
The funding will help strengthen Hypeo Ai's smart infrastructure for the Middle East and Africa and expand platform features, onboard more creators and brands, and develop an AI-powered coaching companion for wellness and lifestyle users.
