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WEEKLY ROUND-UP

Abu Dhabi eyes $25B AI fund, Saudi hosts OpenAI models

Aug 8, 2025

Abu Dhabi eyes $25B AI fund, Saudi hosts OpenAI models


LATEST STORIES

Aug 8, 2025

•

3 min read

Groq, HUMAIN bring OpenAI’s first open-weight models in five years to Saudi on Day Zero

Aug 7, 2025

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4 min read

Abu Dhabi’s MGX ramps up global AI bets with eyes on $25B fund

Aug 7, 2025

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3 min read

Egypt-born founder's Clay jumps to $3.1B valuation with $100M from CapitalG

Aug 7, 2025

•

3 min read

Anghami reverses stock as profit fails to lift Nasdaq share price

News

+3

Abu Dhabi’s MGX ramps up global AI bets with eyes on $25B fund

Abu Dhabi’s MGX ramps up global AI bets with eyes on $25B fund

The Abu Dhabi AI investment vehicle backed by Mubadala and G42 is also negotiating a $1 billion stake in French startup Mistral and looks set to join a planned $3–5 billion round for Anthropic at a $170 billion valuation.

Jamie Lane

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How AI is changing software testing

Aug 6, 2025

How AI is changing software testing

Groq, HUMAIN bring OpenAI’s first open-weight models in five years to Saudi on Day Zero

Aug 8, 2025

Groq, HUMAIN bring OpenAI’s first open-weight models in five years to Saudi on Day Zero

Egypt-born founder's Clay jumps to $3.1B valuation with $100M from CapitalG

Aug 7, 2025

Egypt-born founder's Clay jumps to $3.1B valuation with $100M from CapitalG

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MENA startups and VC

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Deep-dives

How AI is changing software testing

How AI is changing software testing

Two Tunisian founders behind one of Africa’s biggest startup exits are back, and targeting the slowest part of modern software delivery. Fresh off the back of a $9M Seed round, Karim Jouini shares how Thunder Code's AI‐driven “personas” test like domain experts, why early dilution can be a superpower, and the surprising policy shift that could reverse Tunisia’s brain drain.

The rise and rise of venture debt across the Gulf

The rise and rise of venture debt across the Gulf

What's behind the increase in new venture debt funds launching across the Gulf, promising “founder-first,” non-dilutive capital? Who are the players rewriting the playbook? And what does all of this mean for founders, investors, and LPs?

Tabby's tightrope: inside the numbers

Tabby's tightrope: inside the numbers

Unpacking Tabby’s Q1 2025 numbers in Saudi Arabia – profit surge, credit‐loss drag, break‐neck revenue growth, and the leverage‐heavy funding stack behind the Middle East’s most valuable VC‐backed fintech company.


Weekly Round-ups


VC React is a weekly podcast where leading MENA VCs join us to discuss the latest startup, VC, and tech news.

Latest episodes


News


Interviews

🇦🇪 UAE

Aug 7, 2025

•

4 min read

Abu Dhabi’s MGX ramps up global AI bets with eyes on $25B fund

Aug 7, 2025

•

3 min read

Anghami reverses stock as profit fails to lift Nasdaq share price

Aug 5, 2025

•

3 min read

Dubai-based Alaan raises $48M Series A to scale AI finance agents in MENA

🇸🇦 KSA

Aug 8, 2025

•

3 min read

Groq, HUMAIN bring OpenAI’s first open-weight models in five years to Saudi on Day Zero

Aug 6, 2025

•

2 min read

BOUK raises $400K pre‐seed to expand Saudi coffee subscription platform

Aug 4, 2025

•

2 min read

Afaq Capital acquires full VC portfolio in region’s first secondary entry‐exit deal

🇪🇬 EGYPT

Aug 7, 2025

•

3 min read

Egypt-born founder's Clay jumps to $3.1B valuation with $100M from CapitalG

Aug 4, 2025

•

2 min read

Suplyd raises $2M pre‐Series A to expand Egypt’s restaurant supply chain platform

Aug 3, 2025

•

2 min read

Wuilt raises $2M after pivot to free ecommerce platform in Egypt

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