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- The CTO Show Brief: Issue 121
The CTO Show Brief: Issue 121
Mehmet Gonullu
June 01, 2025
Welcome to the 121st edition of The CTO Show Brief!
This week’s edition captures the pulse of MEA’s fast-evolving tech scene—where fintech upstarts like Gainz and Qashio are reshaping financial access, and AI-focused mega-funds signal a bold new chapter in regional innovation. From retail tech rising in Iraq and Saudi Arabia to edtech gains and global VC mega-deals, the momentum is unmistakable. Whether you’re tracking startup signals or macro shifts, we’ve distilled the most critical moves shaping MEA and global tech corridors—so you don’t miss the trends that matter.
Whether you’re one of our 2,622 subscribers or a first-time reader—grab your coffee, and let’s dive into what’s shaping tech and venture this week!
MEA Tech Momentum
Fintech Solutions 💵
Gainz Closes Pre-Seed Round: UAE-based fintech Gainz secured pre-seed funding to expand its SME lending platform, enhancing financial access for small businesses. Read More
Qatar PayLater’s Strategic Investment: Qatar’s buy-now-pay-later platform PayLater received investment from LuLu AI to advance its flexible payment solutions. Read More
Qashio Raises $19.8M: UAE fintech Qashio secured $19.8 million to expand its B2B loyalty program into Saudi Arabia and beyond. Read More
Stitch Secures Seed Funding: Saudi fintech infrastructure platform Stitch raised seed funding to strengthen its financial technology services. Read More
Carrot Raises $4.2M: Nigerian fintech Carrot secured $4.2 million to provide loans, boosting financial inclusion across Africa. Read More
Valu Prepares for EGX Debut: Egyptian fintech Valu, holding a 25% market share in consumer finance, is set to list on the Egyptian Exchange. Read More
Retail & Consumer Tech 🛍️
BirdEye Raises $586K: Saudi retail-tech startup BirdEye secured $586,000 in pre-seed funding to scale its digital platform for SMB operations. Read More
Toolmart Secures Seed Funding: Iraq-based B2B procurement tech company Toolmart raised an undisclosed seed round to streamline industrial supply chains. Read More
Bloomspoon Attracts $218K: Egyptian startup Bloomspoon raised $218,000 via Shark Tank to grow its consumer-focused platform. Read More
Edtech & Community Impact 📚
Classera Raises $40M: Edtech platform Classera secured $40 million to expand its e-learning solutions across Africa, enhancing digital education access. Read More
LIFE Mobilizes Lebanese Startups: LIFE’s international pitch nights connect Lebanese startups with diaspora investors to foster growth and resilience. Read More
Venture Capital & AI 🌟
CoreAngels Launches $10M Fund: CoreAngels introduced a $10 million fund to support early-stage MEA tech startups, driving regional innovation. Read More
Matouk Bassiouny Counsels Beco Capital: Matouk Bassiouny advised Beco Capital on a multimillion-dollar funding round to back MEA tech ventures. Read More
Saudi Arabia’s $10B AI Fund: Saudi Arabia launched a $10 billion VC fund to lead the Middle East’s AI innovation race. Read More
Humain Plans $10B VC Fund: Humain is planning a $10 billion VC fund to invest in startups, with a focus on AI, including potential MEA involvement. Read More
Corporate Expansions 🌍
Tech Universal Ventures’ Dual Acquisitions: Tech Universal Ventures expanded its tech portfolio with strategic acquisitions in the UAE and Sweden. Read More
🌍 Global Tech & VC Pulse
💸 Notable Global Funding Rounds This Week
Jane Software ($500M) – Health-Tech SaaS | North America
ClickHouse ($350M) – Database Technology | Global
Radiant Industries ($165M) – Nuclear Energy | Global
Horizon3.ai ($100M) – Cybersecurity | Global
Exo Imaging ($100M) – Medical Software | North America
Monarch ($75M) – Consumer Fintech | North America
Empathy ($72M) – End-of-Life Logistics | Global
Salvia BioElectronics ($60M) – Medical Devices | Europe
Veesion ($43M) – AI Retail Security | Europe
Optimal Dynamics ($40M) – AI for Logistics | North America
Snabbit ($19M) – On-Demand Home Services | Asia
🤝 Major Mergers & Acquisitions This Week
• Salesforce → Informatica
💰 $8 Billion | AI, Data Management
➤ To build a complete, AI-ready data platform by merging Salesforce’s strengths with Informatica’s data integration and governance—aiming to compete in the $150B+ enterprise data market.
• OpenAI → io Products
💰 $6.5 Billion | AI Hardware
➤ To launch next-gen AI hardware, leveraging Jony Ive’s design team for intuitive human-AI interaction—marking OpenAI’s expansion into devices.
• Zscaler → Red Canary
💰 Undisclosed | Cybersecurity
➤ To create a unified, AI-powered Security Operations Center (SOC), combining agentic workflows with expert human input for faster cloud threat response.
Technology Innovations
AI's Commercial Acceleration
Anthropic's financial growth highlights enterprise demand for sophisticated AI models.
Nvidia's Ecosystem Play
Beyond chips, Nvidia is building a comprehensive platform spanning data centers, automotive, and robotics. Collaborations with Toyota and Continental, alongside the expansion of its Omniverse platform, aim to create an entrenched hardware and software ecosystem.
Breakthroughs in Material Science
Self-Healing Robotics: New actuator "muscles" can detect and repair damage.
Denser Memory: Discovery of subatomic ferroelectric phenomena in minerals.
Semiconducting Silicone: A newly found variant challenges material assumptions.
2D Adhesives: A new material with unique adhesive properties.
Regulatory Radar
Global Financial Regulation Updates
Regulators worldwide are adapting rules for digital assets, non-bank finance, and systemic risk.
The European Banking Authority is updating its reporting framework to include guidance for identifying crypto-asset service providers under MiCA. It is also preparing its first-ever stress test on non-bank institutions like asset managers, citing concerns about systemic risk.
Starting in 2026, the UK will bring the BNPL sector under the oversight of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This will mandate affordability checks and provide consumers with more protection and recourse.
The EU plans to delay implementation of the Fundamental Review of the Trading Book (FRTB) until 2027. This decision reflects concerns that European banks would be at a competitive disadvantage if the U.S. and U.K. proceed on different timelines.
🎙️Episodes Recap:
In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Anya Cheng , the founder and CEO of Taelor , a fashion-tech startup revolutionizing how busy men dress—without shopping or doing laundry. With past leadership roles at Meta, eBay, and McDonald’s, Anya brings a unique product mindset and startup resilience that shines through her journey from MVP to raising millions..
In this episode, Mehmet is joined by Josh Dorfman , CEO of Supercool and host of the Supercool podcast. Josh is a serial sustainability entrepreneur, former investor, and media trailblazer with two decades of experience scaling climate-focused ventures. From founding The Lazy Environmentalist to helping build a company that landed a 10M panel deal with D.R. Horton, Josh shares why storytelling—not tech specs—is what drives results in climate tech today.
In this thought-provoking episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , we welcome Sam Sammane , physicist, serial entrepreneur, and author of The Singularity of Hope . With a background in nanotechnology, life sciences, and AI, Sam offers a rare mix of technical depth and philosophical insight.
Let’s Stay Connected
🎙️ Have a unique POV on tech or venture? I’m always looking to feature sharp minds on The CTO Show — founders, operators, investors, or ecosystem builders.
🤝 Exploring new markets or strategies? I’m open to conversations around go-to-market, venture insights, and cross-border growth — especially between MEA and global hubs.
📩 Enjoyed this brief? Forward it to someone thinking deeply about where innovation, capital, and technology intersect.
Thanks for reading — and for being part of this growing, global-minded network.
— Mehmet