Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Pakistan is considering a proposed $50 million Techxila Fund II with Gobi Partners to support startups in fintech, logistics, e-commerce, and health technology, as part of efforts to strengthen the venture capital ecosystem and promote technology-driven economic growth.
KAUST spinouts have raised over $1bn, marking Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a serious deep-tech hub. The university is now courting global VCs, corporates, and accelerators to expand its funding base, accelerate clean-tech and critical-minerals innovation, and de-risk early-stage research under Vision 2030’s diversification drive.
Red Sea Global and Bunat VC have launched Saudi Arabia’s first dedicated AI investment fund to back AI-native startups from early to growth stages. The initiative combines capital with real-world testing environments across Red Sea destinations, supporting the Kingdom’s digital transformation and innovation ecosystem.
A three-year partnership between ITIDA and 500 Global has helped Egyptian startups scale through accelerator training, funding access, and ecosystem development, supporting nearly 200 startups, creating over 1,300 jobs, and enabling regional and global expansion across AI, fintech, and digital services.
GLO Ventures and Riyadah Solutions have completed a strategic investment round to support smart mobility in Saudi Arabia. The initiative focuses on building an integrated fleet management and vehicle rental platform, enabling automation and IoT-based services, and aligning with Vision 2030’s goals for digital transformation and innovation.
Jordan-based VC firm Propeller has launched a $50 million Fund III dedicated to horizontal AI infrastructure and AI-native applications. Operating across MENA and the US, the fund aims to connect regional talent with Silicon Valley while supporting US startups entering Middle Eastern markets. Propeller has already made five US-focused investments this year and has backed 30+ startups across its earlier funds, solidifying its position as a cross-border AI investor.