The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has witnessed growing momentum in venture capital activity, with a number of emerging startups making headlines across diverse sectors — from water tech and circular fashion to fintech, edtech, and logistics.
Here’s a roundup of the standout companies and funding rounds that recently captured attention:
| Company | Sector | Country/Region | Round Type | Amount Raised |
| Kumulus Water | Water Technology | Tunisia | Seed | €3.1 million |
| ShipBee | Logistics | Qatar | Pre-Seed | QAR 855,000 |
| Taawouni | EdTech | Saudi Arabia | Not specified | $1.6 million |
| Qanooni AI | LegalTech | UAE/UK | Pre-Seed | $2 million |
| Nova | Talent Recruitment | Europe / Middle East | Seed/Undisclosed | $3.6 million |
| Stitch | Fintech | Saudi Arabia | Seed | $10 million |
| Qashio | Spend Management | UAE | Mixed Round | $19.8 million |
| Snitch | Fashion | India / Middle East | Series B | $40 million |
| Meda | Construction Materials | Saudi Arabia | Founding Round | Undisclosed |
| Inovat | Tax Refunds | Europe | Likely Angel | Undisclosed |
Strategic Investments and Acquisitions
- Mrsool (Saudi Arabia): Investment firm Nomu Capital acquired a majority stake to support the company’s planned public listing on the Saudi stock market.
- Santechture (UAE): Received a strategic investment from U.S.-based CuraHealth to enhance its AI-driven healthcare solutions.
New Partnerships and Investment Vehicles
- Super Capital + Axel Peyriere: Launched a new investment club aiming to support 10 startups annually.
- PTS Holdings: Announced the $10M COREangels MEA Fund.
- Badir + Shorooq Partners: Entered a strategic partnership to support startups in tech and other vital sectors.
- Shell Egypt + Flat6Labs: Their “Entlaqah” program has trained over 1,000 entrepreneurs to date.
Analytical Takeaways:
Sector Distribution
- Fintech received the lion’s share of attention, followed by logistics and edtech.
- Niche sectors like water tech and fashion are drawing increased investor interest, reflecting a rising focus on environmental and developmental impact.
Early-Stage Dominance
- Most rounds fell into early-stage categories (Pre-Seed, Seed, or Initial Rounds), indicating both a vibrant pipeline and a growing need for follow-on capital in later stages.
Geographical Expansion
- Companies such as Kumulus, Nova, and Stitch are operating across multiple regions (Europe, the Gulf, and Africa), signaling maturity in their business models.
- Several startups have moved beyond their local markets (e.g., Qatar and Tunisia) and are eyeing broader regional or global expansion.
Role of Local and Global Investors
- Funding sources ranged from regional VCs like Shorooq Partners and Raed Ventures to international players such as CDP Venture Capital and vc.
- Angel investors played a key role in supporting very early-stage startups like ShipBee and Qanooni AI.
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