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WEEKLY ROUND-UP

13 SVC companies eye IPOs, M&A heats up

Nov 7, 2025

13 SVC companies eye IPOs, M&A heats up


LATEST STORIES

Nov 12, 2025

•

3 min read

DataCamp acquires UAE’s Optima in $15 million deal to embed AI-native learning into its global platform

Nov 7, 2025

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2 min read

Saudi VC firm SVC eyes $3 billion target by 2030 as over a dozen portfolio companies prepare IPOs

Nov 4, 2025

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2 min read

Ora Technologies and Azur Innovation Fund acquire Cathedis in Morocco’s first locally funded startup consolidation

Nov 4, 2025

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2 min read

Jahez and noon link up to create Saudi Arabia’s first all-in-one delivery network

News

+2

DataCamp acquires UAE’s Optima in $15 million deal to embed AI-native learning into its global platform

DataCamp acquires UAE’s Optima in $15 million deal to embed AI-native learning into its global platform

The US edtech company will integrate Optima’s adaptive AI technology and launch free data and AI courses for UAE educators, students, and government employees as part of its first regional initiative.

Jamie Lane

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How the Gulf is Fighting for AI Supremacy on the Ocean Floor

Nov 12, 2025

How the Gulf is Fighting for AI Supremacy on the Ocean Floor

Irish firm Quintas Capital invests $18 million in UAE e-commerce business Petal Group

Nov 11, 2025

Irish firm Quintas Capital invests $18 million in UAE e-commerce business Petal Group

Saudi VC firm SVC eyes $3 billion target by 2030 as over a dozen portfolio companies prepare IPOs

Nov 7, 2025

Saudi VC firm SVC eyes $3 billion target by 2030 as over a dozen portfolio companies prepare IPOs


The FWDstart Podcast is a weekly show at the intersection of venture capital, startups, and strategic industries shaping the MENA region.

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How the Gulf is Fighting for AI Supremacy on the Ocean Floor

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How the Gulf is Fighting for AI Supremacy on the Ocean Floor

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🇦🇪 UAE

Nov 12, 2025

•

3 min read

DataCamp acquires UAE’s Optima in $15 million deal to embed AI-native learning into its global platform

Nov 12, 2025

•

12 min read

How the Gulf is Fighting for AI Supremacy on the Ocean Floor

Nov 11, 2025

•

2 min read

Irish firm Quintas Capital invests $18 million in UAE e-commerce business Petal Group

🇸🇦 KSA

Nov 12, 2025

•

12 min read

How the Gulf is Fighting for AI Supremacy on the Ocean Floor

Nov 7, 2025

•

2 min read

Saudi VC firm SVC eyes $3 billion target by 2030 as over a dozen portfolio companies prepare IPOs

Nov 4, 2025

•

2 min read

Jahez and noon link up to create Saudi Arabia’s first all-in-one delivery network

🇪🇬 EGYPT

Oct 1, 2025

•

2 min read

Aydi raises $7.5M seed to launch AI agronomy assistant Orth

Sep 25, 2025

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2 min read

Cairo-born Instabug rebrands as Luciq, bets big on agentic mobile observability

Sep 1, 2025

•

3 min read

YC-backed Munify raises $3M seed to build cross-border neobank for Egyptians abroad

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