News - Oraseya
Monthly Reports
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - February 2025
Startup Ecosystem - 20 March 2025
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - February 2025
MENA startups raised $494M in February 2025, 371% MoM growth (excluding debt financing)
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - January 2025
Startup Ecosystem - 20 February 2025
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - January 2025
MENA startups raised $863M investments in January 2025, KSA in the lead with $839.5M
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - December 2024
Startup Ecosystem - 24 January 2025
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - December 2024
Oraseya Capital Ranks #1 as 2024’s Most Active Investor in the UAE and 2nd Most Active Series A Investor in MENA by number of deals
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - November 2024
Startup Ecosystem - 19 December 2024
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - November 2024
MENA startups raised $258M in November 2024, showing 92% growth month-on-month. E-commerce sector led with $104M raised.
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - October 2024
Startup Ecosystem - 21 November 2024
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - October 2024
MENA startups funding showed 51% MoM decline with $134 million in October 2024. Proptech sector attracts most funding.
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - July 2024
Startup Ecosystem - 14 August 2024
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - July 2024
MENA startups rebounded in July with total of $355 million raised, showing 206% MoM growth
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - June 2024
Startup Ecosystem - 15 July 2024
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - June 2024
MENA startups raise $116 million in June 2024, bringing H1 total to $882 million
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - May 2024
Startup Ecosystem - 04 June 2024
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - May 2024
MENA Startup fundraising show 413% surge from April with $282M raised in May
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - April 2024
Startup Ecosystem - 07 May 2024
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - April 2024
MENA startups raised $55M in April, a 78% decrease from March 2024
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - March 2024
Startup Ecosystem - 31 March 2024
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - March 2024
MENA startups raised $254M in March, up 186% MoM, and breaking the trend in the first two months of Q1
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - February 2024
Startup Ecosystem - 08 March 2024
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - February 2024
MENA startups raised $88.7M in funding in February 2024 – a modest growth of 2% MoM in deal value
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - January 2024
Startup Ecosystem - 29 February 2024
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - January 2024
MENA startups raised $86.5M in funding in January 2024 –a 34% decrease year-on-year
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - December 2023
Startup Ecosystem - 15 January 2024
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - December 2023
MENA startups raised $4B in 2023 across 583 deals, a modest growth of 1.7% YoY
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - November 2023
Startup Ecosystem - 6 December 2023
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - November 2023
Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority launches Oraseya Capital, a AED500 Million Venture Capital Fund Targeting Tech Startups.
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - October 2023
Startup Ecosystem - 15 November 2023
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - October 2023
Growth stage funding in the MENA region faces ~$20Bn gap in the next 5 years, with only $4.2Bn VC dry powder available.
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - September 2023
Startup Ecosystem - 10 October 2023
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - September 2023
MENA startups raised $36M in September 2023, a 64% drop from previous month. Total amount of funding raised so far for the year is at $1.8B.
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - August 2023
Startup Ecosystem - 12 September 2023
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - August 2023
MENA startups raised $101M in August, showing a decline of 73% year-on-year in deal value. Despite the decline, KSA leads the pack with 53.4% of deal value raised.
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - July 2023
Startup Ecosystem - 5 August 2023
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - July 2023
H1 2023 funding results are in and echoes what is seen as a global trend in terms of funding decline.
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - June 2023
Startup Ecosystem - 5 July 2023
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - June 2023
MENA startups raised $35.6M in June 2023, pushing half year funding to $1.6B, with KSA achieving highest funding value. More on this month’s news recap.
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - May 2023
Startup Ecosystem - 5 June 2023
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - May 2023
Despite mixed economic outlook, MENAP fintech sector is well positioned to keep its momentum with revenues estimated to reach $4.5B in 2025
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - April 2023
Startup Ecosystem - 10 May 2023
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - April 2023
Funding raised by MENA startups experience a dramatic 97% drop from March with a total of $7M raise.
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - March 2023
Startup Ecosystem - 13 April 2023
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - March 2023
4th consecutive month of decline seen in VC funding with KSA taking top spot in funding amount.
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - February 2023
Startup Ecosystem - 3 March 2023
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - February 2023
3 Mega rounds announced, a lineup of acquisition news and two new VC funds raised — in February’s MENA Ecosystem News.
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - January 2023
Startup Ecosystem - 2 February 2023
MENA Startup Ecosystem News - January 2023
Evolution of Venture Debt in the region and top 3 industries for venture debt funding in our first MENA startup ecosystem report for 2023.
Fund Updates
Oraseya Capital Tops The List of Most Active UAE-Based Investors in 2024
Portfolio News - 22 January 2025
Oraseya Capital Tops The List of Most Active UAE-Based Investors in 2024
Oraseya Capital completed 24 investments in total, of which 16 were made through its Sandbox program and 8 were direct investments in high-potential companies.
Oraseya Capital Invests in Seven Technology Startups through SANDBOX
The seven startups form part of Sandbox's fourth cohort
Oraseya Capital Invests in Seven Technology Startups through SANDBOX
Each startup receives AED 570,000 following their success in the programme, which attracted over 1,500 applications.
Revamped SANDBOX Welcomes Applications For Its Fourth Cohort
Sandbox is backed by Oraseya Capital
Revamped SANDBOX Welcomes Applications For Its Fourth Cohort
With SANDBOX now being a part of Oraseya Capital, the program is more investment-focused while remaining founder-centric
iSchool raises $4.5 million to accelerate global expansion
iSchool is an alumni of startup programs Sandbox
iSchool raises $4.5 million to accelerate global expansion
The round is led by VentureWave Capital, with participation from OneStop Capital UK, Webit Investment Network, and Oraseya Capital
DIEZ Launches AED500 Million VC Fund Targeting Tech Startups
The new fund is launched under Oraseya Capital
DIEZ Launches AED500 Million VC Fund Targeting Tech Startups
The VC fund will support tech startups ranging from the pre-seed investment stage to the Series B phase
Portfolio News
Working AI: May Habib's Writer sells a new way of doing things
Portfolio News - 21 May 2025
Working AI: May Habib's Writer sells a new way of doing things
Businesses have poured millions into AI hoping for big returns in the future. This startup is saving them millions in labour costs today
VUZ secures $12 million from IFC to fuel global immersive media expansion
Portfolio News - 19 May 2025
VUZ secures $12 million from IFC to fuel global immersive media expansion
VUZ has secured $12 million in a pre-Series C funding round, with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), joining as a strategic investor, bringing VUZ’s total capital raised to over $35 million.
NymCard launches Open Finance services under CBUAE Open Finance Regulation
Portfolio News- 12 May 2025
NymCard launches Open Finance services under CBUAE Open Finance Regulation
One of the first entities in the UAE to embed regulated payment functionality within a broader financial infrastructure
"We Got Funded!" KSA-Headquartered erad's US$16 Million Pre-Series A Round Backed by YCombinator and VentureSouq
Portfolio News - 01 May 2025
"We Got Funded!" KSA-Headquartered erad's US$16 Million Pre-Series A Round Backed by YCombinator and VentureSouq
The round was backed by a plethora of well-known global and regional venture capital (VC) funds and investment firms, including US-headquartered YCombinator, UAE-based VentureSouq, Nuwa Capital and Oraseya Capital, Saudi-based Khwarizmi Ventures and Aljazira Capital, and Joa Capital.
Prop-AI awarded Dubai AI Seal by the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence in presence of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed
Portfolio News - 24 April 2025
Prop-AI awarded Dubai AI Seal by the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence in presence of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed
First PropTech awareded with the AI Seal by Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence, certifying trusted AI companies that contribute to innovation and the economy
Valeo Health Secures USD 12M to Scale AI-Driven Personalized Care
Portfolio News - 27 March 2025
Valeo Health Secures USD 12M to Scale AI-Driven Personalized Care
Valeo Health raised USD 12M in Series B funding led by Flintera, with participation from Nuwa Capital, FJ Labs, and Oryx.
LFP Media Partners with Camb.ai in a landmark multi-year deal
Portfolio News - 20 March 2025
LFP Media Partners with Camb.ai in a landmark multi-year deal
A landmark multi-year deal to connect global fans through advance language AI solutions as Camb.ai is chosen to be LFP Media Partners' Official Global Language Solution Partner
Nymcard closes $33 million Series B led by QED Investors
Portfolio News - 20 March 2025
Nymcard closes $33 million Series B led by QED Investors
UAE-based fintech Nymcard has raised $33 miilion in series B funding round, led by QED Investors, and joined by Lunate, Dubai Future District Fund (DFDF), Mashreq Bank, Knollwood, Reciprocal, FJ Labs, Endeavor, Shorooq Partners, and Oraseya Capital.
Writer's May Habib: "Generative AI challenges the concept of done"
Portfolio News - 20 March 2025
Writer's May Habib: "Generative AI challenges the concept of done"
CEO May Habib thinks using synthetic data and a collaborative process will spur enterprise AI adoption.
Teammates.ai wins FAB x Mastercard AI Startup Challenge, hosted in partnership with UAE’s Artificial Intelligence Office
Portfolio News - 13 March 2025
Teammates.ai wins FAB x Mastercard AI Startup Challenge, hosted in partnership with UAE’s Artificial Intelligence Office
The challenge invited seed and Series A startups to propose innovative AI-driven solutions in the fields of cybersecurity, generative AI in banking and finance, customer lifecycle management, productivity enhancement, emerging fintech and ESG.
iSchool Makes History: First Egyptian EdTech & youngest MENA Entrepreneurs to Join Endeavor’s Global Network
Portfolio News - 21 February 2025
iSchool Makes History: First Egyptian EdTech & youngest MENA Entrepreneurs to Join Endeavor’s Global Network
Founders Muhammad Gawish & Mustafa Abdelmoneim Recognized as Global Endeavor Entrepreneurs.
Writer Raises $200M Series C at $1.9B Valuation to Fuel Leadership in Agentic Enterprise AI
Portfolioi News - 12 November 2024
Writer Raises $200M Series C at $1.9B Valuation to Fuel Leadership in Agentic Enterprise AI
Premji Invest, Radical Ventures, and ICONIQ Growth co-lead round with participation from Salesforce Ventures, Adobe Ventures, Citi Ventures, and others, as Fortune 500 companies embrace Writer’s full-stack generative AI solution
Silkhaus to fuel KSA expansion with seven-figure growth round
Portfolio News - 30 January 2025
Silkhaus to fuel KSA expansion with seven-figure growth round
The funding round, co-led by Nuwa Capital and Oraseya Capital, will fuel Silkhaus’s expansion in Saudi Arabia.
Oraseya Capital Tops The List of Most Active UAE-Based Investors in 2024
Portfolio News - 22 January 2025
Oraseya Capital Tops The List of Most Active UAE-Based Investors in 2024
Oraseya Capital completed 24 investments in total, of which 16 were made through its Sandbox program and 8 were direct investments in high-potential companies.
UAE’s Teammates.ai launches next-generation AI Workforce, closes New Round of Funding
Portfolio News - 14 January 2025
UAE’s Teammates.ai launches next-generation AI Workforce, closes New Round of Funding
Previously known as Uktob.ai, the rebranded platform builds on its experience in artificial intelligence (AI) agents, enabling businesses to use AI to take on entire job functions through Autonomous AI Teammates.
Opteam Secures Pre-Seed Funding to Revolutionize Construction Management
Portfolio News - 16 January 2025
Opteam Secures Pre-Seed Funding to Revolutionize Construction Management
The undisclosed amount was led by Plus VC, with participation from Dar Ventures, SIAC Ventures, and Oraseya Capital.
Ogram Secures $3 Million Non-Dilutive Investment from Tenami Capital
Portfolio News - 21 January 2025
Ogram Secures $3 Million Non-Dilutive Investment from Tenami Capital
The partnership will fuel the company’s expansion into Saudi Arabia, with a primary focus on retail and hospitality sectors, marking a pivotal step in their mission to revolutionize workforce management.
Inside Kazakhstan’s Top-Funded Startups of 2024
Portfolio News - 31 December 2024
Inside Kazakhstan’s Top-Funded Startups of 2024
According to the Digital Business Rating published on Dec.17, Oraseya-backed JobEscape ranks among Kazahkstan's top startups that attracted the most significant investments.
4 things May Habib has learned as a founder, raising $100M, and building a board
Portfolio News - 28 May 2024
4 things May Habib has learned as a founder, raising $100M, and building a board
May discusses the opportunities generative AI poses for founders, narrowing the right use cases for your company, and lessons learned since founding Writer in 2020.
Growdash closes Seed round at $1.8 million
Portfolio News - 01 June 2024
Growdash closes Seed round at $1.8 million
Growdash enables restaurant marketing and operational teams to build, execute and manage profitable growth strategies across digital sales channels.
Cybersecurity in the era of remote work
Portfolio News - 16 May 2024
Cybersecurity in the era of remote work
The ongoing shift to remote work necessitates organisations to rethink their approach to data security, where digital awareness and resilience are at the forefront.
ZIWO raises funds, unveils AI innovations for Middle East
Portfolio News - 15 May 2024
ZIWO raises funds, unveils AI innovations for Middle East
By seamlessly integrating connectors and automations, ZIWO Workflows streamlines the end-to-end customer experience journey, empowering businesses to enhance productivity and drive sales like never before
Lawhive raises $12M to expand its legal tech AI platform for small firms
Portfolio News - 15 April 2024
Lawhive raises $12M to expand its legal tech AI platform for small firms
The seed round was led by GV, the venture capital investment arm of U.S.-based Alphabet
RemotePass, which helps companies onboard, manage, pay and retain remote workers, raises $5.5M
Portfolio News - 05 March 2024
RemotePass, which helps companies onboard, manage, pay and retain remote workers, raises $5.5M
Funds will be used to intensify its product’s enterprise readiness and onboard more businesses in Saudi Arabia
Egypt’s iSchool $4.5 million to accelerate global expansion
Portfolio News - 20 December 2023
Egypt’s iSchool $4.5 million to accelerate global expansion
The funding round led by VentureWave Capital, OneStop Capital UK, Webit Investment Network, and Oraseya Capital
360VUZ and LALIGA sign a 3-year exclusive partnership
Portfolio News - 17 December 2023
360VUZ and LALIGA sign a 3-year exclusive partnership
The partnership is set to engage football fans with an endless immersive content on VUZ platform to experience LALIGA in an entirely new dimension.
Writer Announces $100 Million Series B
Portfolio News - 18 September 2023
Writer Announces $100 Million Series B
Writer, the leading Full-Stack Generative AI Platform for enterprises, announced its Series B funding round of $100 million today.
Oraseya Team
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Dummy Oraseya Team News- 11 October 2023
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