Latest
Analysis
+2
Aug 20, 2025
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9 min read
The battle to own Arabic AI voice
Why voice is arguably the most important AI communication interface; how Arabic dialectical diversity complicates matters; the regional use cases and verticals; the competitive landscape; and what might come next.
Startups
+3
Aug 20, 2025
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2 min read
Saudi short-term rental platform Gathern raises $72M Series B led by Sanabil Investments
The raise values the Riyadh-based company at more than SAR 1 billion ($266 million), and paves the way for a potential IPO on the Saudi stock exchange.
Gaming
+4
Aug 19, 2025
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3 min read
Saudi Arabia’s Fahy Studios raises $1.75M from Impact46 and Merak Capital to fuel hybrid-casual mobile game development
Founded in 2023 by Hani Hashem, Owis Alsaour, and Fahad Alshibl, Fahy has quickly emerged from NEOM’s LevelUp accelerator program and inked a publishing partnership with UK-based Kwalee.
Startups
+3
Aug 19, 2025
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3 min read
Dubai’s VARA fines Fuze over AML failures, cites unlicensed activity
As part of the enforcement action, Fuze was handed a financial penalty and placed under ongoing supervision, with remedial actions to be overseen by an independent expert.
Fintech
+3
Aug 19, 2025
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2 min read
Robinhood applies for DFSA license, hires Mario Camara to lead Dubai expansion
The Dubai launch is part of Robinhood’s wider international expansion push, following recent moves into the UK and EU, and plans to establish a regional base in Singapore for Asia.
Results
+1
Aug 14, 2025
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2 min read
Breaking down H1 earnings for Talabat, Valu, Jahez and Presight
valu and Presight lead on growth, Yalla delivers the strongest margins, Talabat shows the largest scale with healthy unit economics, Jahez stays profitable while navigating Q2 margin softness.
Results
+4
Aug 14, 2025
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3 min read
Talabat H1 revenue up 35% to $982m as GMV climbs 32% to $2.4bn
Performance was driven by demand across both Food and Grocery & Retail, reflecting accelerated customer acquisition and higher order frequency.
Results
+3
Aug 14, 2025
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3 min read
Valu H1 revenue up 94% to EGP 2.6bn; net profit rises 64% to EGP 341m
The Egyptian fintech's Prepaid Card showed “more than 2x” growth in top-ups and spend, and a 3.3x jump in spending transactions versus Q2 2024, as the card evolves into an everyday payment tool.
Results
+3
Aug 14, 2025
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2 min read
Presight H1 revenue up 80% to AED 1.09bn as international mix rises; backlog reaches AED 3.7bn
Domestic momentum included new contracts with the UAE National Media Office and UAE Media Council, plus a cooperation agreement with Abu Dhabi Department of Energy to develop AD.WE, an AI-powered energy and water management platform.
Results
+3
Aug 14, 2025
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2 min read
Yalla Q2 revenue up 4.1% to $84.6M, adjusted net income hits $39.4M as MAUs climb 8.8%
On valuation, the stock is trading around 10x next-twelve-month earnings, up from roughly 9x last quarter.
Fintech
+3
Aug 13, 2025
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3 min read
Pakistan’s Abhi launches earned wage access in Saudi Arabia after $200m Alraedah partnership
Abhi’s app lets employees access already earned wages in about 30 seconds, removing the monthly salary cycle. Workers can withdraw portions of accrued pay any day of the month, with funds sent to bank accounts or digital wallets.
Startups
+4
Aug 13, 2025
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3 min read
Coraly.ai raises $2M pre-seed to take AI real estate platform from GCC to Europe and North America
Founded by Fouad Bekkar, Coraly.ai is positioning itself as a unified AI growth layer for agents and brokerages across MENA, Europe, and North America.
