Author: Editorial Board

UAE-based hospitality platform Mezza has officially launched, introducing a model designed to help restaurants access upfront, debt-free capital while also driving customer footfall and repeat visits. Built for independent restaurants and hospitality groups, Mezza aims to solve two persistent challenges in the sector: securing growth capital without dilution, and attracting diners consistently in a competitive market. The platform provides restaurants with upfront funding in exchange for future food and beverage credit. Instead of taking on loans, paying interest, or giving up equity, partner venues receive immediate cash flow while Mezza distributes the credit gradually to its app members over time.…

Turkey-based eSIM startup Pocket eSIM has secured $1.5 million in seed funding as it accelerates its global growth ambitions. The round saw participation from Ziraat Portföy, Bacacı Yatırım Holding, Milenium VC, and Negmar Venture. Existing backers including Fonangels, UP Venture Capital, and Iz Yatırım Holding also took part, with Ziraat Portföy doubling down after joining the company’s pre-seed round. Founded in Bilişim Vadisi by Eymen Özkan and Akif Enes Kütük, Pocket eSIM develops eSIM-based mobile connectivity solutions that allow users to access affordable mobile data in more than 200 countries—without the need for physical SIM cards. The platform is particularly…

Saudi-based edtech startup GAGA has secured $2.5 million in a pre-Series A round led by Phoenix Venture Partners, with backing from family offices and individual investors. Founded by Abdullah Alkharsani and Eyad Alshabaan, GAGA offers live interactive online education for students aged 4 to 18, positioning itself as a more engaging alternative to both traditional tutoring and passive recorded-content platforms. The company says its platform now features more than 1,000 live programmes across 200 subjects, covering both academic and skill-based learning. Its model focuses on real-time teacher-student interaction, combined with gamified learning experiences designed to improve engagement and learning outcomes.…

AI startup zypl.ai has secured $5.5 million in a bridge round at an $80 million valuation, as the company accelerates its global expansion in financial services. The round was led by Carbide Ventures, with participation from prominent business leaders including Shukhrat Ibragimov. The funding marks a key milestone for the company as it scales its synthetic data-driven AI platform across international markets. zypl.ai is focused on helping financial institutions improve decision-making through advanced AI models trained on synthetic datasets. At the core of its technology is zGAN, a proprietary generative AI model designed to simulate outlier scenarios and enhance predictive…

Moroccan electric mobility startup GoSwap has secured its first seed investment from Azur Innovation Fund, giving the Casablanca-based company fresh momentum as it expands its battery-swapping infrastructure for electric scooters. Founded in Casablanca, GoSwap is building a battery-as-a-service model designed to tackle some of the biggest barriers to electric vehicle adoption, including high upfront costs, charging delays, and range anxiety. The startup is also preparing for a larger fundraising round of more than $2 million (over MAD 20 million) to support its next phase of growth. GoSwap’s model separates the battery from the scooter itself, allowing users to buy electric…

Central Eurasian Venture Forum Tashkent is an investment platform bringing together venture funds, private investors, institutional capital, corporations, and technology startups. The forum will take place on April 3, 2026, for the first time in Uzbekistan at the JW Marriott Hotel Tashkent in partnership with IT Park Uzbekistan. This is the place where participants find co-investors, originate and structure deals, form funds and syndicates, and launch educational and investment initiatives. The 2026 focus is Smart Capital — a sustainable, structured, and professional approach to investing in AI, fintech, and deep tech in the context of a new global reality. As…

The UAE today announced the launch of Phase 1 of its Research and Development (R&D) Tax Incentives Programme, marking an important step in strengthening the country’s innovation ecosystem and supporting sustainable, long-term economic growth. Under the first phase of the programme, businesses will be able to benefit from a non-refundable R&D tax credit of up to 50% on qualifying expenditure of up to AED 5 million. The measure is designed to encourage private-sector investment in research and innovation, while supporting the UAE’s ambition to become a global hub for advanced industries and emerging technologies. The initial design of the incentive…

Algeria-based super app Yassir has acquired Paris-headquartered adtech company Kawarizmi, marking a strategic expansion beyond mobility, delivery, and fintech into the fast-growing world of digital advertising. Founded in 2017 by Noureddine Tayebi and El Mahdi Yettou, Yassir has built one of North Africa’s leading super apps, offering ride-hailing, grocery delivery, and financial services across more than 60 cities in six countries, with a user base exceeding eight million. With this acquisition, Yassir is positioning itself to develop a fully integrated retail media and advertising ecosystem. The move enables brands, merchants, and platform partners to tap into high-growth markets through advanced,…

Egypt’s investment landscape is set to expand with the introduction of a new asset class, as Beltone Asset Management receives initial approval from the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) to launch “Fadda” — the Beltone Evolve Silver Investment Fund with Cumulative Daily Return. Positioned as the country’s first silver-focused investment vehicle, the fund marks a significant step toward diversifying Egypt’s capital markets beyond traditional equities and fixed-income instruments. By providing structured exposure to silver, “Fadda” aims to offer both retail and institutional investors access to a globally recognized store of value through a professionally managed framework. The fund is designed to…

Space-based internet is no longer a distant concept in the Gulf. SpaceX’s satellite internet service, Starlink, has officially launched in the United Arab Emirates, introducing a new layer of connectivity in a market traditionally dominated by fibre and mobile networks. The rollout marks a strategic expansion for Starlink in the region, bringing its low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite infrastructure to one of the Middle East’s most advanced digital economies. While telecom giants like Etisalat and du continue to lead urban connectivity through fibre, Starlink positions itself differently—focusing on flexibility, mobility, and hard-to-reach environments. A New Connectivity Option—From Cities to Deserts Starlink’s…