MEA Tech & Startup Digest: Issue #100

Author

Mehmet Gonullu
January 05, 2025

Welcome to the 100th edition of “The CTO Show’s MEA Tech & Startup Digest”! 🎉

This week brings exciting developments in venture capital, foodtech, and sustainable investments across MENA. From major funding rounds to strategic initiatives, let's explore the latest moves shaping our region's tech landscape.

 

Whether you're one of our 2,273 subscribers or new to our community, we're excited to share these valuable insights into tech, startups, and entrepreneurship.

 Grab your coffee and let's unpack what's making headlines!

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🌟 Feature Stories: Major Moves

• Saudi VC Momentum

·       SVC commits to Global Ventures III fund for tech innovation 🔗 Read More

·       SVC announces $30M commitment to Abu Dhabi PE fund 🔗 Read More

• Sustainable Innovation

·       Saudi Venture Investment launches eco-friendly investment programs 🔗 Read More

💰 Notable Funding Rounds

• Series B & Growth

·       Saudi's Calo raises $25M, eyes IPO by 2027 🔗 Read More

• Early Stage & Seed

·       Egypt's Nowlun secures $1.7M for digital freight forwarding 🔗 Read More

·       EdVentures backs Egyptian edtechs Schoolz and Ibn Sina 🔗 Read More

🌍 Market Intelligence

• African Fintech Evolution

·       Active fintech companies surge from 450 to 1,263 since 2020

·       Nigeria leads with 28% market share

·       Digital-physical hybrid model drives growth 🔗 Read More

🎙️Episodes Recap:

 

 

In this insightful episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we sit down with Hamel Kothari , the Co-Founder and CTO of Brigit, a financial wellness app empowering millions of Americans to manage cash flow and avoid overdraft fees. Hamel shares his journey, the technology behind Brigit, and how the company leverages AI to create scalable, user-centric financial solutions.

 

 

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive into the transformative world of electric vehicles (EVs) with Ken Boyer , a seasoned researcher in supply chain management and author of The Electric Vehicle Revolution: Five Visionaries Leading the Charge. From Elon Musk’s Tesla to Vietnam’s VinFast, Ken sheds light on the visionaries driving the EV revolution, the challenges of adoption, and the impact of EVs on global economics and sustainability.

 🔗 Useful Resouces: 

-      iAccel Gulf Accelerator: iAccel Gulf Business Incubator (“iAccel GBI”) is a Global Accelerator Network (GAN) certified accelerator that aims to help early-stage tech startups turn their innovative ideas into successful businesses in MENA Region.

 Connect & Grow with Us

  • Share Your Story 🎙️: Got insights in tech, startups, or entrepreneurship? Reach out and let's feature your journey on "The CTO Show With Mehmet."

  • Support & Collaborate ❤️🤝: Love our content? Support us here and keep the insights coming.

  • Spread the Word 🌟: Know a tech & startup enthusiast? Invite them to our community for weekly doses of innovation and insight.

 

Thank You 🙏: Your engagement drives our shared journey forward. Here's to another week of innovation and growth!

 

Best, Mehmet