Discover MENA Startups

Saudi government‑operated e‑commerce registration and trust platform hosting online stores to bolster consumer confidence.

Amazon's UAE marketplace (successor to Souq.com), a leading regional e‑commerce platform focused on fast, mobile‑optimized shopping experiences.

Chip-design company against which SoftBank has taken loans secured; part of SoftBank's asset base mentioned in financing context.

SoftBank's robotics and physical-AI unit expected to play a central role in the proposed fund and potential IPO target.

Japanese conglomerate pursuing a new AI-focused buy-and-improve fund and seeking up to $100bn from Gulf investors; major investor in late-stage AI including a large OpenAI exposure.

Regional streaming and sports distribution platform in MENA that is distributing JioHotstar content and offering bundled entertainment-plus-sports plans.

Indian streaming platform offering originals, television programming, films and reality franchises in multiple languages.

Developer of aviation safety and aircraft data platforms (STAR-ISMS and STAR-A.D.S.) seeking to establish a Riyadh regional hub for manufacturing, assembly, engineering, R&D and training.

Logistics partner of DHL eCommerce focused on parcel and e-commerce logistics in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing talent development, inclusion and graduate programmes.

A Dubai-run global competition for early-stage AI agents across four categories (societal, personal, business, youth) offering grants and training support.

A smart medication-adherence app that uses behavioural science and predictive analytics; winner of Longevity App of the Year and Dubai's App of the Year in the previous Create Apps Championship.

A digital-first mobile operator in Oman offering cloud-native 5G, prepaid/postpaid and enterprise solutions, plus a widely used My Vodafone app and extensive retail/sales footprint.

Climate tech company developing accelerated carbon mineralisation to permanently store CO2 in rock formations; running pilots and industrial demonstrations linking capture, transport and permanent storage.

Bank entity that signed an MoU with stc Bahrain to expand digital cash management, reconciliation and trade finance solutions.

Compliance/AML firm named as the first referral partner for Beyon Connect's AML Referral Programme.

Regional fintech/technology platform entering an agreement to combine with Beyon Money to scale fintech platform capabilities.

Bahraini fintech group combining operations with barq Group, launching AML referral programmes and signing MoUs to explore digital identity, payments, credit and data analytics.

Portfolio company of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company working on ledger pilots in collaboration with BBK.

Commercial bank piloting a Google Cloud Universal Ledger with ARRAY Innovation to explore digital ledger use in core banking, tokenised payments and programmable settlement.

AI-powered business analysis workspace/dataset analysis platform

Leading Bahraini retail and corporate bank engaged in digital transformation and sector-wide fintech collaboration, including enterprise AI initiatives (AI@NBB).

Subsidiary of BFB that runs AI-first innovation programmes and startup accelerators for companies outside financial services, partnering with government, corporations, and academia.

Ecosystem organisation expanding to develop AI products and services for banks and financial institutions, and to broaden access to cloud infrastructure and training.

Industry cluster focused on building a future-ready food ecosystem and providing industry access and networks to entrepreneurs.

Innovation and entrepreneurship organisation partnering on youth entrepreneurship and programme design for NextGen Founders.

Local arm of Nestlé supporting talent, innovation and enterprise in the UAE; employer with manufacturing facilities and partner in the NextGen Founders programme.

Jordanian government ministry leading national industry, trade and supply policy and regional industrial integration initiatives.

Industrial holding company with activities in metals/steel and related sectors in the Gulf region.

Develops AI-powered solutions for banks and financial institutions to improve customer engagement, collections, fraud prevention, and process automation.

AI startup focused on localizing large language models and AI systems for Arabic dialects, regulatory requirements, and regional enterprise workflows.

Cloud security company where Ismail Elmas previously held roles.

Software and cybersecurity company where Ismail Elmas previously held roles.

AI competitor cited in Africa.

A coding-automation company acquired by SpaceX.

Abu Dhabi government department leading digital and AI enablement initiatives, owner of the AiNative curriculum and driver of the programme rollout.

Dubai regulator for virtual assets and a named host partner for the cohort.

Financial hub and host partner providing placement opportunities for associates.

Major international airline and one of the host partners for DBA placements.

Consultancy/management firm (Simon Corkill quoted as CEO) involved in commentary on the DBA programme.

A fully funded nine-month talent development and placement programme that trains and places associates across Dubai's public and private sectors.

Licensed or in‑principle-approved providers of dirham-pegged stablecoins under the 2024 Payment Token Services Regulation (five providers referenced collectively).

Major UAE bank participating in open-finance transactions and collaborations with fintechs.

Fintech partner working with Mashreq to provide embedded lending solutions in the retail mix.

Corporate sponsor (Gold Sponsor) supporting the event; provides environmental and agricultural solutions.

Event Impact Partner collaborating on the MENA Regenerative Agriculture Summit.

Event organiser and commercial partner behind Growtech Middle East.

Regional edition of the Growtech exhibition brand, showcasing agricultural technologies, controlled-environment agriculture, irrigation, machinery and more.

UAE government body focused on supporting Emirati farmers, raising farming standards and implementing initiatives like UAE G.A.P. and Integrated Farmer Centres.

Logistics and supply chain solutions arm of Redington providing warehousing, fulfilment, distribution and value-added logistics with technology-enabled operations.

Named partner and crypto-related service provider.