Weekly round-up
Nov 14, 2025
•
15 min read
DataCamp acquires UAE’s Optima in a more than $15 million deal, Kamco Invest and TechInvest plan a $150 million JEDI Opportunity Fund, Lean eyes new bets ahead of a potential IPO, plus this week’s MENA startup, VC, and tech news round-up.
Food Delivery
+2
2 min read
Talabat’s core delivery engine continues to expand at pace, though Instashop’s recovery remains uneven following its USD 32 million acquisition earlier this year.
Fintech
+3
3 min read
Saudi fintech wants to push beyond open banking as it preps for a future listing, with CEO Hisham Al-Falih signalling a wider product roadmap.
Tamara doubled revenue and delivered its first sustained profit in Q3 2025, supported by the arrival of one of the Middle East’s largest BNPL financing facilities.
The new vehicle will double down on winners from the firms’ first JEDI Fund as the partners expand their startup investing footprint beyond Silicon Valley.
News
Nov 12, 2025
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.
Saudi Arabia
+4
12 min read
As hyperscalers like Google and Meta rewire the internet with private subsea cables, Gulf states are building their own routes to control the arteries of AI. The new battle for digital sovereignty is being waged on the ocean floor.
Startups
Nov 11, 2025
The deal marks Quintas Capital’s first managed equity investment as it eyes cross-border growth across the Irish–Middle Eastern corridor.
Nov 7, 2025
17 min read
$4M Seed to automate recurring payments for MENA businesses, Dubai based VC closes 2nd fund, Zid makes acquisition to enter Egypt, plus this week’s MENA startup, VC, and tech news round-up.
SVC Chief Executive Nabeel Koshak revealed that more than 13 of the companies in its portfolio have begun preparations for an initial public offering on the sidelines of the Private Capital Forum in Riyadh.
Op-ed
Nov 5, 2025
4 min read
In this opinion piece, Xavier Kris, founder and CEO of IMX Funds, argues that the United Arab Emirates now meets those conditions, and that it can evolve from a regional startup incubator into a true command centre for scaling Series A and B technology ventures.
Deep-dives
FWDstart has grown from a few friends reading out of kindness to nearly 5,000 readers following MENA’s startup and venture story. A short reflection on where we began, what’s changed, and what’s next.
Nov 4, 2025
Founded in 2023 by Omar Alami, ORA offers an integrated app combining peer-to-peer payments, e-commerce, on-demand services, and a forthcoming digital wallet.
Both companies say the move is about speed, choice, and convenience. In reality, it’s also about domestic survival.
Founded in 2019 by Saud Binsaeed, Bonat helps merchants turn walk-ins into loyal customers using AI-driven analytics, behaviour-based marketing, and digital wallet integrations.
Founded in 2024 by Ibrahim Aldlaigan, Stream provides a platform that helps businesses manage the entire billing and payment lifecycle, from issuing invoices and scheduling recurring payments to reconciliation and cash flow tracking, without relying on third-party apps.
Oct 31, 2025
BRKZ secures $30M growth debt from Stride Ventures, new $250M Saudi biotech growth fund, first casualty in Saudi food-delivery price wars, plus this week’s MENA startup, VC, and tech news round-up.
The collaboration marks SAB Invest’s move into startup-focused investments and SME financing.
