UAE Claims Global AI Spotlight

Inside: $1.9B MENA yearly funding report, a game-changing startup program that could transform your venture (with $3M+ in perks)

Author

Amine Rabehi
February 14, 2025

Reading time: 2 & 8 minutes

Welcome to this weeks technology updates & insights Tech A newsletter.

Your 2-Minute Summary

MENA Venture Investment 2024: a must read for tech startups in the region. $1.9B raised region-wide with 7% deal increase. UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt lead funding destinations, with FinTech dominating sectors.

UAE's AI Leadership: Ranks top 10 globally with 49.5 AI companies per million population. In this section, we’ll go over the why (world's first AI Minister and AED 335B GDP target by 2031 through National AI Strategy).

Founder Institute 2025: World's largest pre-seed accelerator launching new cohort. Program runs June 10 - September 3, 2025, offering $3M+ in partner perks and global mentor network access. Early deadline: April 20, 2025.

Web Summit Qatar 2025: February 23-26, 2025 at DECC, Doha. Major tech conference connecting global entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders.

Syria's Startup Revolution: A very interesting take by Wamda on how entrepreneurship can empower a nation to build quickly. The Syrian population seeing entrepreneurship as "extremely important" has jumped from 26% (2015) to 80.5% (2024). Success stories include Cashi (FinTech), Quizat (EdTech), and Tajir.Stores (E-commerce), demonstrating startup resilience in challenging conditions.

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đź“Š MENA Tech Updates

2024 MENA Venture Investment Report (Wamda)

Very concise and succinct report. You’ll get the information you need for a 5 minutes reading.

Key Highlights:

  • Total Funding: $1.9 billion was raised across the MENA region in 2024.

  • Investor Confidence: Despite a dip in funding, the number of active investors increased by 20%, signaling optimism for 2025.

  • Leading Countries: UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt remained a top destination for venture capital investment

  • Deal Flow: The number of deals increased by 7%, indicating a vibrant startup ecosystem.

  • Top Industries: FinTech led the way, capturing a significant portion of the total funding. Followed by Web 3, E-commerce, Proptech and SaaS.

  • Top investors: Flat6Labs, Sanabil 500, Oraseya Capital. For Angels: seek UAE or KSA to increase your chances for funding

Full Report: link

UAE is becoming a global hub for AI

The UAE ranks among the top 10 countries globally for AI companies per million population. According to the Global AI Competitiveness Index, the UAE has 49.5 AI companies per million people, placing it alongside innovation hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong. Why?

  • High AI Company Density: UAE ranks in the global top 10 with 49.5 AI companies per million population.

  • Strategic Vision & Support: World's first AI Minister (2017, even before the hype), National AI Strategy 2031 aims to add AED 335 billion to GDP by 2031.

  • Significant Investments: AED 10 billion Dubai Future Accelerator Fund supports AI projects (I might apply there).

  • Talent Development: Golden Visa program for AI professionals and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence help attract and grow AI talent.

  • Robust Infrastructure for AI to run: Over 90% 5G network coverage and 97.1% internet penetration.

Source: here.

đź’¶ Tech Funding & Support programs

Founder Institute startup program 2025

The Founder Institute is the world's largest pre-seed startup accelerator, providing a structured methodology and a global support network to help entrepreneurs build their startups from the ground up. The program is designed to guide participants through the process of creating a fundable startup, leveraging a proven business-building process and a vast network of startup founders and mentors.

Requirements:

  • Applicants should have a startup idea or early-stage startup.

  • Must be committed to attending all sessions and completing assignments.

Perks:

  • Access to a global network of startup mentors and founders.

  • Lifetime access to support programs and partners.

  • Opportunity to join the Equity Collective, where mentors and founders are invested in your success.

  • Fast-track to the Funding Lab program and Virtual Demo Days.

  • Special deals and support worth over $3 million from top support organizations and partners.

Important Deadlines

  • Early Deadline: April 20, 2025

  • Program Dates: June 10, 2025 - September 3, 2025

  • Onboarding: June 3, 2025

  • Accelerator Kickoff: June 10, 2025

Read more here

🗓️ Upcoming Events

Web Summit Qatar 2025

Web Summit Qatar is the Middle Eastern edition of the renowned global technology conference, bringing together thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of technology. The event features a diverse range of talks, masterclasses, and networking opportunities.

  • Dates: February 23-26, 2025

  • Location: Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), Doha, Qatar

  • Target Audience: Entrepreneurs, startups, investors, technology professionals, and industry leaders seeking to engage with the global tech community.

You can register and learn more here.

🤝 Resources & Market Insights

Using startups to power up Syria

Resilience is what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur, it also is a necessary ingredient to startup a nation. This article by Wamda discusses the crucial role of entrepreneurship in rebuilding Syria after years of conflict. Despite the challenging economic conditions, Syrian entrepreneurs have shown resilience and innovation, creating startups that address local problems and generate income opportunities. The article highlights the importance of nurturing these startups to drive economic and social recovery in Syria.

Here are some specific examples:

  • Cashi: A FinTech startup that has been operating amidst the ruins and sanctions in Syria, providing financial solutions to local problems.

  • Quizat: An EdTech startup focusing on education solutions tailored to the Syrian context.

  • Tajir.Stores: An E-commerce platform that has created jobs and generated income opportunities.

  • Sanad ScaleUp and Takween: Support organizations that have been instrumental in fostering resilience and collaboration through boot camps, mentorship programs, and hackathons.

  • Shift in Perception: Comparing two studies completed with Syrian startups, the percentage of Syrians who viewed entrepreneurship as “extremely important” surged from 26% in 2015 to 80.5% in 2024.

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