Discover MENA Startups

A wealth-management firm focusing on consultative, long-term advisory relationships and bespoke planning for high-net-worth clients, with a specialist focus on elite athletes.

Growth lender focusing on asset-backed financing and targeting underserved markets; established presence in the Middle East in 2019.

Health-focused startup co-founded by Tayeb Hassan (details of product/service not specified in article).

A Sharjah-based accelerator and membership programme that connects founders with investors, corporates, universities and procurement opportunities; runs Access Sharjah Challenge and an Entrepreneurship Resilience Fund.

Water and environmental services company noted as part of EQT's regional portfolio.

Consumer electronics and technology company included among EQT's regional portfolio support list.

Financial services / payments infrastructure company backed by EQT.

IT services and digital engineering company in EQT's portfolio.

International education provider and existing EQT portfolio company.

Women‑led technology start‑up and accelerator third prize winner.

Women‑led technology start‑up and accelerator second prize winner.

Women‑led technology start‑up and winner of the accelerator first prize.

Company advancing nickel laterite initiatives in Ethiopia and regional metals/commodities projects.

Regional industrial/strategic partner engaged in renewed strategic partnerships in the UAE.

International plastics, rubber and machinery fair and organiser connecting manufacturers, suppliers and buyers.

A global entrepreneurship and innovation platform convened by Career 180 to channel approximately $5 billion of investment into Egypt, organise a flagship summit, and run cross-sector tracks and challenges.

Influencer discovery and analytics platform that aggregates cross-platform creator data and provides rankings, filters and campaign assessment tools.

Payments acceptance service/terminal network used to accept cross-border mobile QR payments for Indian travellers in the UAE.

Regional payments infrastructure and acquiring services provider used in UAE terminals that accept PhonePe/NIPL-enabled transactions.

International arm of India's NPCI facilitating cross-border digital payments and partnerships to enable Indian payment methods abroad.

Indian digital payments firm offering a full-stack payments and financial services platform including consumer and merchant payments, lending, insurance distribution, and app platforms.

Local Saudi defence manufacturer partnered with MASNA to develop advanced defence technology and joint ventures on Saudi soil.

Saudi Arabia's first defence-focused venture capital fund, sharia-compliant and anchored by a prominent Saudi family office, targeting investments and joint ventures in defence manufacturing and autonomous systems.

Los Angeles-based digital retailer operating consumer platforms Revolve and Fwrd, expanding into beauty and partnerships and acting as distribution and platform partner for the new Donatella brand.

A forthcoming independent fashion and beauty label built around Donatella Versace's personal creative vision, launched via a joint venture with Revolve and planned to debut products and a public name in 2027.

Saudi-backed electric vehicle startup unveiling premium Exobot sedan and SUV, planning additional mainstream models and regional expansion.

Middle East-based online education platform that organised an AI training programme attended by 2,500 Lebanese participants.

Research organization focusing on ethical AI and investigating tech harms, founded by Timnit Gebru.

AI company launched by Mira Murati after her departure from OpenAI; described as a multibillion-dollar AI startup.

Industry federation supporting the summit and coordinating sector engagement.

Event organiser and regional events company that ran MEBIS 2026.

Regional bank involved in MEBIS panels and recognized for leadership in transformation.

Largest bank in the UAE, engaged in conversations on AI adoption and governance.

Regional bank represented in discussions on agentic systems and governance.

Digital banking player featured on a panel about AI assistants and agents.

Full-service Islamic bank participating in panels on AI agents and autonomous banking.

A private networking platform for professional athletes to navigate business, financial and career-development opportunities; described in event material as being valued at £4.3 billion.

A technology venture founded by Louis Saha designed to transform influence into measurable positive action.

AI transformation firm with experience building and shipping production-grade AI systems and conversational products.

R&D-driven company developing modular closed recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) for decentralised, land-based seafood production, with a focus on grouper aquaculture.

A private markets investment platform that broadens access to institutional‑grade private equity, credit, real estate, infrastructure and other alternative investments via digital infrastructure connecting regional investors to global asset managers.

U.S. fast-food chain referenced as a potential take-private target in which BlueFive has been linked to participation.

Sharia-compliant asset manager acquired by BlueFive.

High-end supercar maker in which BlueFive holds a reported 30% stake.

A $3 billion fund closed by BlueFive to back AI, biotech and advanced computing.

Investor (Abu Dhabi) that confirmed an investment in Four Pillars to support institutional digital-asset infrastructure.

Communications/PR agency handling press enquiries for Funded Trader Markets.

Event organiser for Forex Expo Dubai and other regional exhibitions.

A proprietary/simulated funding firm offering funded trading programmes, instant funding tiers and on-chain verifiable crypto payouts.

National Peking opera ensemble from China presenting traditional Peking Opera repertoire and cultural exchange performances.