Author: Editorial Board

Moroccan–Senegalese mobility startup Weego has secured $1.1 million in a new funding round led by Azur Innovation Fund, as the company accelerates the development of its mobility-as-a-service platform and expands operations across African markets. Founded in 2020 by Saad Jittou and Mor Niane, Weego operates a mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) platform that brings multiple transportation options into a single digital interface. Through the app, users can access and book public transport, ride-hailing services, and other mobility options, simplifying urban travel while improving coordination across fragmented transportation networks. Beyond consumer mobility, the startup is also targeting the enterprise segment through its WeegoLines solution.…

Techbio startup Antiverse has raised $9.3 million in a Series A funding round to accelerate the development of its AI-powered antibody discovery platform and expand its therapeutic pipeline. The round saw participation from DOMiNO Ventures, Soulmates Ventures, Innovation Investment Capital, DBW, Kadmos Capital, i&i Biotech Fund, InnoSpark, and TotiPotent. Antiverse is building an AI-native platform designed to transform how therapeutic antibodies are discovered. Traditionally, antibody development relies on lengthy laboratory experimentation and manual processes. Antiverse’s technology aims to replace this approach with a more autonomous and scalable AI-driven system capable of designing, optimizing, and validating antibodies faster and with greater…

Dubai-based cross-border crowdshipping startup Paquik has secured $85,000 in pre-seed funding from angel investors, closing the round in November 2025. The capital will support the operational rollout and scaling of its asset-light logistics model. Paquik is building a peer-to-peer cross-border delivery marketplace that connects individuals looking to send items internationally with verified travellers already flying to the same destination. By monetising unused luggage space, the platform enables cost-efficient, flexible global shipping — without owning fleets or warehouses. The mobile app integrates KYC-based identity verification, secure escrow payments, ratings, and dispute resolution systems to build trust between senders and travellers. The…

Abu Dhabi-based Skipr has secured $2 million in seed funding at a $10 million valuation to advance what it calls a foundational trust layer for the AI era. The round will support the company’s expansion from Hub71 as it scales sovereign AI infrastructure for national and enterprise deployments. As AI systems increasingly operate autonomously across organisations, cloud environments, and borders, a critical question is emerging: how can these systems securely collaborate with one another? Skipr is tackling this challenge by enabling trusted AI-to-AI communication, coordination, and value exchange—while ensuring governments and enterprises retain full sovereign control over data and decision-making.…

UAE-based proptech startup Rewa has officially launched its digital rent payment and rewards platform across the Emirates, aiming to modernize how tenants pay rent — and reward them for doing so. The launch follows the close of a strategic seed round backed by Qatar Development Bank, Plug and Play, Neocity Invest, Startup Wise Guys, Second Century Ventures (REACH MENA), and senior executives from leading GCC real estate groups. Financial terms were not disclosed. Turning Rent Into a Rewarding Experience In a market where renting remains the norm for most residents, rent payments are still largely processed via post-dated cheques and…

Transforming the office from a physical space into a hub of collaboration and shared production, Kolektif House continues to position itself as a leading address for flexible work and collective success. Marking Baku as the first stop of its global expansion journey, the company is moving forward with a sustainable growth strategy both domestically and internationally. Since its inception, Kolektif House has been designing flexible and inspiring workspaces, and is now turning over a decade of experience into a cross-border ecosystem. Having strengthened its footprint in Türkiye, the brand is now extending its reach abroad with its Baku location, aiming…

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has announced a landmark $110 billion investment round, valuing the artificial intelligence powerhouse at an estimated $730 billion. The round includes $30 billion from SoftBank, $30 billion from Nvidia, and $50 billion from Amazon, marking one of the largest capital infusions in the history of the AI sector. In a statement released on Friday, OpenAI said demand for AI continues to accelerate rapidly across consumers, developers, and enterprises. Meeting this growing demand, the company noted, requires significant computing infrastructure, global distribution capabilities, and long-term capital commitment. As part of the announcement, OpenAI confirmed a new…

MoneyHash, the emerging markets payment orchestration platform, has announced its expansion into Iraq through a strategic partnership with local payments infrastructure provider Wayl. The move marks another step in MoneyHash’s strategy to deepen its footprint across complex, high-growth markets by working with trusted local operators. Through the alliance, global and regional merchants entering Iraq will gain streamlined access to localized payment infrastructure, regulatory alignment, and checkout optimisation tailored to the Iraqi market. Unlocking Iraq’s Payment Ecosystem Iraq represents a high-potential but operationally nuanced market. Businesses entering the country must navigate distinct payment behaviors, regulatory considerations, and infrastructure gaps. By integrating…

Brookfield Asset Management has acquired cloud-computing startup Ori Industries, doubling down on its push into AI-driven infrastructure as global demand for advanced chips and computing capacity surges. The acquisition folds Ori into Radiant, a newly established AI infrastructure platform created by Brookfield to provide on-demand access to high-performance GPUs. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Betting Big on “GPU-as-a-Service” While many infrastructure investors have hesitated to take large positions in GPU-as-a-service models — citing concerns around chip depreciation and rapid technological obsolescence — Brookfield is leaning in. The firm is structuring long-term, lease-style contracts designed to lock in…

Takeem, the UAE-based proptech platform redefining rental risk management, has secured strategic investment from REACH Middle East, the regional accelerator backed by Second Century Ventures — the investment arm of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The investment comes through REACH Middle East, part of Second Century Ventures’ globally recognized REACH scale-up programme, which supports high-growth technology companies building next-generation infrastructure across the real estate ecosystem. Rapid Portfolio Growth Signals Market Confidence In less than a year, Takeem has onboarded more than 55,000 residential units, representing over AED 5 billion in annual rental value. The traction reflects strong institutional adoption…