Anthony Nakache, Managing Director of Google MENA, recently discussed the firm’s advancements in artificial intelligence focused on understanding the diverse Arabic dialects in the region. During an interview on the AB Majlis podcast, he revealed that Google’s Gemini AI has successfully mastered 16 out of 25 Arabic dialects, highlighting the complexity and challenge posed by...
Amana, a prominent neobroker based in the MENA region, has significantly expanded its cryptocurrency offerings, now featuring over 450 coins. This increase includes more than 300 new cryptocurrencies, making it the largest selection among local brokers. This development positions Amana as a leading platform for trading both digital and traditional assets in a single, user-friendly...
Forbes Middle East has announced its Top 40 Asset Managers for 2025, highlighting the leaders who are significantly influencing the investment landscape in the region. Collectively, these asset managers managed over $439 billion in assets under management during 2024, which includes investments in local and international equities, debt funds, discretionary portfolios, real estate, REITs, and...
Phoenix Venture Partners Ltd. has announced the successful first close of its private placement for the Phoenix Venture Partners Innovation Fund CEIC Ltd. The fund has raised its initial capital from a diverse group of professional investors, which includes family offices and high-net-worth individuals. The capital raised will be utilized to invest in promising early-stage...
Abu Dhabi, UAE: Violet Ventures, recognized as the UAE’s largest student startup community based at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), successfully hosted the third edition of NYUAD Slush’D, focusing on “The Future of AI in MENA.” This event is a regional extension of Slush, the largest founder-centric gathering globally, and it attracted over 500 attendees, including...
Start-ups in the Middle East and North Africa region secured $494 million in funding in February 2025, marking a remarkable increase of 457% compared to the same month last year. This data was reported by Wamda and Digital Digest. Entrepreneurs from Saudi Arabia and the UAE were the primary beneficiaries of this fundraising surge, accounting...
PayTabs Group, a leading payment infrastructure provider in the MENA region, has been honored as a Future 100 Company during a prestigious event at the St. Regis Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi. The accolade was presented by the UAE Ministry of Economy, in collaboration with the Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, recognizing...
SC Ventures, the innovation and fintech investment arm of Standard Chartered, has announced a partnership with Visa to enhance support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The agreement, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Visa Innovation Center in Dubai, aims to develop solutions...
Merger and acquisition activities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) saw a 7% increase in 2024, reaching a total deal value of $92.3 billion, largely fueled by the contributions of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. According to a report by professional services network EY, the region recorded 701 deals, which is a 3%...
Roblox is making significant strides in the Middle East, recognizing it as a vital region for the growth of the creator economy. This initiative is supported by favorable government policies and investments that encourage digital entrepreneurship. The platform’s recent announcement of Arabic language support for its app and website is a testament to its commitment...