Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Hub71 has launched its Startup Immersion Programme in Hong Kong, signing MoUs with HSITPL, Cyberport, and MTR Lab. The two-week programme will give Hong Kong startups direct access to Abu Dhabi’s investors, regulators, and partners, reinforcing the UAE capital’s role as a global launchpad for innovation.
Algeria’s National Investment Fund (FNI) has teamed up with Djezzy, IT-DEV, Inet, and Smart Test Spa to build a national technology hub. Focused on digital finance and public sector transformation, the hub will support Algeria’s 2030 strategy to modernize services, boost innovation, and strengthen competitiveness in the regional digital economy.
Egypt’s ITIDA has announced 33 startups joining the third cohort of the Creativa Incubation Program. Spanning edtech, renewable energy, e-commerce, and smart cities, the startups will receive funding, mentorship, workspaces, and investor access—underscoring Egypt’s commitment to scaling tech-driven entrepreneurship nationwide.
Sanabil Accelerator by Orbit backed 11 startups across MENA, South Asia, and Hong Kong with $100,000 each, focusing on innovation in logistics, fintech, mobility, and more. The program supports Saudi Vision 2030, scaling solutions that address regional challenges while connecting founders to global markets and investment networks.
Algerian innovators dominated competitions at IATF-2025, with start-up Qareeb winning best technological innovation for its smart farming solution, while young entrepreneurs earned recognition in healthcare and women’s health projects. The results highlight Algeria’s growing role in Africa’s digital and entrepreneurial transformation.
MENA startups are attracting strong investor interest, with Intella ($12.5m Series A), WheelsOn ($12.5m), Munify ($3m), Seraya ($1.8m), Sheba Joy ($293k), Justyol ($1m), and Addvocate.AI securing new funding. Basata announced a $7m expansion plan, while QIA joined Anthropic’s $13bn Series F.
AyaHQ graduated eight startups at its Accra Demo Day after selecting from over 300 applicants across Africa. With grants, mentorship, and innovation hubs, AyaHQ supports blockchain entrepreneurs in building sustainable ventures while fostering indigenous wealth creation and reducing reliance on foreign aid.
Zain Group has expanded its flagship Zain Great Idea (ZGI 2025) accelerator to six regional markets for the first time. Powered by Zain Ventures and ZainTECH, the program offers mentorship, investment opportunities, and a Silicon Valley intensive to help startups in fintech, AI, and digital services scale globally.
StartUp Bahrain hosted its latest Pitch series with Tamkeen and partners, awarding Wajba first place and Jaras second. The event showcased innovative Bahraini startups across e-commerce, education, food tech, and fitness, supporting Tamkeen’s 2025 priorities of enterprise growth, digitization, and private sector competitiveness.
The 47th round of Egypt’s Start IT programme has selected eight startups across health-tech, education, logistics, fintech, and e-commerce. Each will receive EGP480,000 support, while the newly launched Start IT Perks platform provides discounted digital tools and services to enhance efficiency and scaling potential.