Welcome to the 116th  edition of The CTO Show’s MEA Tech & Startup Digest!

We’re gearing up for a special live session on AI-powered entrepreneurship — don’t miss it if you’re building or scaling a startup. 🚀 Plus, the funding momentum across MENA and Africa shows no signs of slowing, with fresh rounds fueling fintech, Web3 gaming, renewables, and more. Meanwhile, in our Eye on Tech section, AI PCs hit the market, VC funding sharpens its focus, and quantum research unlocks new frontiers. Dive in and stay ahead!

Whether you’re one of our 2,541 subscribers or a first-time reader — grab your coffee and let’s dive into what’s shaping tech and venture this week!

Upcoming Live Session: AI-Powered Entrepreneurship

Excited to invite you to a special session where we explore how modern founders are blending clarity, automation, and strategic execution to build scalable, fundable ventures.

 📅 Date: May 8, 2025

🕖 Time: 8:00 AM PST / 11:00 AM EST / 5:00 PM CEST / 7:00 PM GST

📍 Live on StreamYard, LinkedIn, and YouTube

🎥 Replay Available

🔵 Featuring:

Bart 🙏🏻 Jenezon – Co-Creator of #1nspiring & CastomAI

Mehmet Gonullu – Founder of Yassi Ventures & Host of The CTO Show Podcast

👉 Reserve your spot here

 Funding & Investments 💰

·       ViAct Raises $7.3M for Middle East Expansion Hong Kong-based AI startup ViAct secured $7.3 million in Series A funding to expand its AI-driven safety and efficiency solutions for high-risk industries like construction into the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia. The round was led by Venturewave Capital, with plans to meet rising regional demand for innovative infrastructure technologies. Read More

·       Rise of Fearless Launches $700K Round for Web3 Gaming UAE-based mobile gaming platform Rise of Fearless raised $700,000 to advance its Web3 battle royale game infused with African storytelling. The investment will support development and market expansion across Africa, aiming to redefine mobile gaming with immersive narratives. Read More

·       Resolv Labs Secures $10M Seed Funding Resolv Labs, a MENA-based startup, raised $10 million in a seed round led by CyberFund to develop innovative tech solutions. The funding will accelerate product development and regional expansion, positioning Resolv Labs as a key player in the region’s tech landscape. Read More

·       Cape Town’s Stitch Raises R1 Billion South African fintech Stitch secured R1 billion (approximately $55 million) to expand its payment and financial infrastructure solutions across Africa. The funding will enhance its platform, enabling businesses to integrate seamless payment systems and drive financial inclusion. Read More

 ·       Visa Invests in Tunisia’s Konnect and Morocco’s Paytic Visa provided funding to Tunisian fintech Konnect and Moroccan fintech Paytic following their participation in its third accelerator program. The investment will support their growth in digital payment solutions, strengthening financial ecosystems in North Africa. Read More

·       Arnergy Secures $18M for Renewable Energy Expansion Nigerian renewable energy startup Arnergy raised $18 million to scale its solar power solutions across Africa. The funding will support the deployment of clean energy systems, addressing energy access challenges in underserved regions. Read More

·       Paytic Raises $4M for African and Middle East Expansion Moroccan fintech Paytic secured $4 million to expand its card management and payment automation solutions across Africa and the Middle East. The funding will enhance its platform and support partnerships with financial institutions to streamline payment processes. Read More

·       New DPI Venture Capital Fund Targets Early-Stage Tech Startups A new venture capital fund by DPI aims to invest in early-stage tech startups across Africa, focusing on digital transformation and innovation. The fund will provide critical capital and mentorship to drive growth in the continent’s tech ecosystem. Read More

·       Jaree Launches in Saudi Arabia to Democratize VC Access Jaree, a new Saudi Arabian platform, launched to make venture capital investment more accessible to retail investors. By lowering barriers, Jaree aims to boost startup funding and foster innovation in the Kingdom’s tech sector. Read More

·       Sixt Turkey Partners with Trio Mobil for Smart Fleet Management Sixt Turkey entered a strategic partnership with Trio Mobil to implement IoT-based smart fleet management solutions, enhancing operational efficiency and customer experience. The collaboration aims to set new standards in Turkey’s car rental industry through advanced technology integration. Read More

·       Abu Dhabi’s Maseera Acquires Egyptian Fintech Adva Abu Dhabi-based Maseera acquired Egyptian fintech startup Adva to expand its digital payment and financial services offerings in the MENA region. The acquisition strengthens Maseera’s position in the fintech market and enhances Adva’s growth potential. Read More

·       ArabicAI Launches MENA B2B Agentic AI Platform ArabicAI introduced a B2B agentic AI platform tailored for the MENA region, offering businesses advanced automation and decision-making tools. The platform aims to drive digital transformation by leveraging AI to address regional market needs. Read More

·       Homzmart Acquires Lifters to Expand Logistics Egypt-based e-commerce platform Homzmart acquired logistics startup Lifters to enhance its delivery and supply chain capabilities in the MENA region. The move strengthens Homzmart’s position in the online furniture and home goods market. Read More

·       Fuze Secures UAE Card Payments License UAE-based fintech Fuze obtained a card payments license, enabling it to offer advanced payment solutions to businesses in the region. This milestone supports Fuze’s mission to streamline digital transactions and foster financial innovation. Read More

·       Calo Expands to the United Kingdom Bahrain-based foodtech startup Calo, known for its personalized meal delivery services, launched operations in the UK. The expansion marks a significant step in Calo’s global growth strategy, bringing its tech-driven nutrition solutions to a new market. Read More

·       GCC Family Offices Emerge as VC Powerhouses Family offices in the GCC are increasingly investing in tech startups, driving venture capital growth in the MENA region. Their strategic investments are fostering innovation and supporting the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Read More

·       Venture Capital Booms in MENA Amid Rate Cuts Lower interest rates have sparked investor optimism, leading to a surge in venture capital activity across the MENA region. Startups in fintech, AI, and e-commerce are attracting significant funding, fueling tech innovation. Read More

·       Maza Ventures Launches to Support MENA Startups Maza Ventures, a new VC firm, launched to invest in early-stage startups across the MENA region, focusing on tech-driven solutions. The firm aims to provide capital and strategic guidance to accelerate startup growth. Read More

🔹 AI-Powered PCs Go Mainstream: HP and Asus unveiled AI-integrated laptops with dedicated Neural Processing Units (NPUs) and on-device AI features like HP AI Companion and Poly Camera Pro.

🔹 Fintech Surge: Altruist raised $152M to scale its financial advisory platform — a positive signal for fintech growth-stage investments.

🔹 Defense & Infra VC Fund: Cerberus Capital closed its first tech VC fund at ~$75M, focusing on defense and infrastructure startups.

🔹 M&A Moves:

  • Worldeye Technologies acquired DataHawk to bolster e-commerce analytics capabilities.

  • Datatonic acquired Syntio, expanding its GenAI and cloud engineering expertise in Europe.

🔹 IPO Buzz (India): Tankup Engineers closed its IPO; Ather Energy (EVs) set to open next.

🔹 AI Research Breakthroughs:

  • SCAI outperformed doctors on the USMLE using 13M+ medical facts.

  • Lp-Convolution mimics human vision for better AI recognition.

  • RHyME allows robots to learn from a single demonstration video.

🔹 Quantum Frontiers: Researchers discovered 12+ new quantum states (“Quantum Zoo”) and tested next-gen quantum particle sensors.

🔹 Cloud and Data Centers: Fiserv picked Overland Park, Kansas, for a new data center citing talent pool and cost advantages.

🔹 Blockchain & Web3: Blocksquare and Vera Capital plan to tokenize $1B worth of US real estate.

🔹 Social Media Updates:

  • Instagram launched ‘Blend’ for shared Reels feeds.

  • Snapchat debuted Sponsored AI Lenses.

  • X (formerly Twitter) reportedly working on ‘XChat’ messaging.

🔹 Regulatory Pressure Mounts:

  • Meta’s antitrust trial highlights internal competition strategies.

  • Google faces scrutiny over Chrome dominance.

  • US-China AI chip tensions intensify.

🔹 EV and Battery Innovation: International Trucks launched the eRH Series Class 8 EV truck; Sodium batteries emerge as an alternative to lithium-ion.

🔹 Consumer Tech Rebounds: China’s smartphone shipments rose 33% YoY in Q1 2025, driven by brands like Oppo and Asus.

 🧠 Emerging Themes:

➡️ AI is becoming foundational in hardware, not just software.

➡️ Strategic M&A is increasingly capability-focused.

➡️ Targeted VC funding is shaping the next wave in fintech, defense, and deep tech.

➡️ Regulatory and geopolitical challenges will continue to pressure global tech strategies.

 📚 Credit: Global Technology & Venture Capital Activity Report – April 21-27, 2025 | Sources: 91mobiles, Deccan Herald, PitchBook, Silicon Canals, Chittorgarh, ScienceDaily, Techmeme, Platformer, and more.

 🎙️Episodes Recap:

#460 Radical Reconnection: Sam Rad on Thriving in a Post-Human World

 In this deeply reflective episode, Mehmet welcomes futurist, bestselling author, and technologist Sam Rad 🔮 (Samantha Radocchia)  to explore how we navigate—and thrive—in a world reshaped by exponential tech. From AI and quantum computing to deepfakes and biotech, this conversation is less about predicting the future and more about reclaiming what it means to be human.

#461 Investing in the Future of Healthcare: Cameron Sabet on AI, Space, and the VC Edge in MedTech

 In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive into the unique intersection of venture capital, healthcare innovation, and frontier tech with Cameron J. Sabet, NREMT, MS, MBA, MA, PGDip, PGCert , a Georgetown medical student and Principal at Multifaceted Capital. Cameron shares his unconventional path from academia to venture capital, and how he evaluates startups through both a clinical and investor lens.

#462 Framed by the Algorithm: Tim O’Hearn on the Dark Psychology of Social Media

What happens when the very platforms meant to connect us instead manipulate us?

In this eye-opening conversation, Tim O'Hearn — former black-hat growth engineer, bestselling author of Framed: A Villain’s Perspective on Social Media — joins Mehmet to expose the hidden mechanisms behind social media addiction, fake engagement, and the dark psychology driving today’s online behavior.

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

Best, Mehmet