Jamie Lane

Jamie Lane is the co-founder of FWDstart, a Gulf/MENA-focused tech and venture publication aiming to be the region’s referential source for rigorous analysis and original reporting. Based in Abu Dhabi, Jamie’s coverage spans AI, fintech, and the evolving capital stack in MENA. He also hosts the VC React podcast. Before FWDstart, he led digital strategy at a pan-European B2B publishing house, overseeing editorial, subscriptions, and commercial operations.

Tamara posts Q3 profit, Instashop struggles to keep pace

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.

Nov 14, 2025

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15 min read

Talabat posts strong Q3 while newly acquired Instashop still struggles to keep pace

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.

Nov 14, 2025

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2 min read

Lean Technologies eyes new bets ahead of potential IPO

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.

Nov 14, 2025

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3 min read

Saudi BNPL Tamara turns profitable in 9M 2025 as revenue doubles and credit costs fall

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.

Nov 14, 2025

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3 min read

Kuwait’s Kamco Invest and TechInvest plan $150 million JEDI Opportunity Fund to back high-performing startups

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.

Nov 14, 2025

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2 min read

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.

Nov 12, 2025

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3 min read

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

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.

Nov 12, 2025

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12 min read

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

The deal marks Quintas Capital’s first managed equity investment as it eyes cross-border growth across the Irish–Middle Eastern corridor.

Nov 11, 2025

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2 min read

13 SVC companies eye IPOs, M&A heats up

$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.

Nov 7, 2025

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17 min read

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

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.

Nov 7, 2025

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2 min read

FWDstart turns two years old

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 5, 2025

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4 min read

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

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.

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

Both companies say the move is about speed, choice, and convenience. In reality, it’s also about domestic survival.

Nov 4, 2025

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2 min read

Bonat raises $6M Series A to expand its AI-powered customer engagement platform across Saudi and the GCC

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.

Nov 4, 2025

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2 min read

Stream raises $4M seed round led by Outliers VC to automate recurring payments for MENA businesses

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.

Nov 4, 2025

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3 min read

Tabby hits $4.5BN, HUMAIN shows no signs of slowing

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.

Oct 31, 2025

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15 min read

SAB Invest partners with Stride Ventures to expand startup and private credit financing in Saudi Arabia

The collaboration marks SAB Invest’s move into startup-focused investments and SME financing.

Oct 31, 2025

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2 min read

The MENA Diaspora 50

Meet 50 of the world’s highest-potential tech startups led by MENA diaspora founders.

Oct 29, 2025

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29 min read

The MENA Diaspora 50 (III)

Meet 50 of the world’s highest-potential startups led by diaspora founders.

Oct 29, 2025

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21 min read

The MENA Diaspora 50 (II)

Meet 50 of the world’s highest-potential startups led by diaspora founders.

Oct 29, 2025

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29 min read

HUMAIN accelerates Saudi AI play with data-centre pact, OS launch, Aramco equity move & Qualcomm tie-up

The firm, founded earlier this year by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), announced that Saudi Aramco will acquire a significant minority stake in the company while PIF retains majority ownership.

Oct 29, 2025

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3 min read

Tabby hits $4.5B valuation in secondary share sale backed by HSG and Boyu Capital

The deal comes just months after Tabby’s $160 million Series E in February 2025, which valued the company at $3.3 billion

Oct 29, 2025

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2 min read

BRKZ secures $30M growth debt from Stride Ventures to expand financing infrastructure in Saudi construction

The new facility follows its $17 million Series A extension in February and brings total capital raised to over $52 million.

Oct 28, 2025

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2 min read

Dubizzle pulls IPO, Property Finder presses ahead

Property Finder secures $250M in debt financing; backs Stake, Cercli raises $12M Series A to build AI-native HR stack for MENA, 1001 AI raises $9M to build sovereign AI, plus this week’s MENA startup, VC, and tech news round-up.

Oct 24, 2025

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16 min read

Property Finder secures $250M in debt financing; backs fractional real estate platform Stake

Thecommitment from Ares Credit Funds will be used to accelerate regional expansion and product innovation, with spend earmarked for AI-driven solutions, marketing, branding, and strategic partnerships.

Oct 23, 2025

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1 min read