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Welcome to another edition of 🔍 Startup Researcher - Asia, your essential digest delivering the latest news and premium insights on startups and venture capital across the region 🌏️
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📰 Important News
- Faraday Future and RAK DAO signed an MoU to collaborate on AI, Web3, and embodied intelligence, and set up UAE research centers.
- Regeny EV Charging opened a fast-charging hub near Dubai Airport with four 160 kW DC chargers, boosting UAE EV adoption and infrastructure.
- PayTabs Kuwait partnered with BEDE Kuwait to launch BEDE Shop, offering digital storefronts, link payments, and QR-based commerce for SMEs.
- Qashio established its European HQ in Dublin, creating 100+ jobs as part of rapid global expansion and using the new hub to scale product development.
- Tally Solutions launched TallyPrime 7.0 for Middle East SMEs with automation, bilingual workflows, VAT-corporate tax compliance, and cloud continuity.
💸 Top Funding Rounds
- Lucid Capital closed a $2.5 million seed round to expand its AI trading platform, and secured $200 million from institutions and accredited investors to scale operations across U.S. equities and digital asset markets.
- Saudi company Oumla extended its seed funding with new investors like Wa'ed Ventures and Sanabil 500 to accelerate building secure digital asset infrastructure within the Kingdom and expand blockchain applications in finance and real estate.
💰️ IPO and M&A Watch
- International Holding Company (IHC) acquired a 70% stake in UAE-based payment technology firm Peko Holdings to bolster its digital services portfolio and expand into high-growth sectors.
- EDT&Partners acquired eFlow, an AI-powered conversational learning platform, to strengthen AI-powered learning transformation for the knowledge economy, enhancing engagement and delivery across diverse educational and professional contexts.
🏦 About Investors
- LAB7, Aramco’s venture builder, joined Finnish Halide Energy’s firstinvestment round, alongside lead investor BSV Ventures, to accelerate product development and operational growth.
🚀Startup of the Week
Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆
Lucid Capital
Lucid Capital is emerging as a standout in the AI-driven trading landscape. Founded in 2022 in the United States and now headquartered in the UAE by co-founders Hamad Aldighrir, Ye Gu, and San X, the fintech develops advanced quantitative strategies powered by proprietary AI and autonomous trading agents. The company recently secured $2.5 million seed funding led by Tharawat Holding with participation from Singular Link, alongside an additional $200 million in capital commitments from institutions and accredited investors to fuel global expansion across US equities and digital asset markets. With strong leadership including CTO Yiyi Guo, an MIT graduate and former Microsoft lead, Lucid Capital is pushing toward a future where AI optimizes trading efficiency at global scale.
💼 Investor of the Week
Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆
LAB7
LAB7, the venture builder arm of Aramco, is based in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia and is rapidly positioning itself as a key force in deeptech commercialization. Rather than operating like a traditional VC, LAB7 partners closely with founders to scale industrial and energy-focused technologies, offering infrastructure, technical support, and market access. Its recent participation in Halide Energy’s investment round highlights a growing push toward breakthrough storage and renewable solutions. The platform is led by Fahad F. Al Furaih, who oversees venture building, strategy, product development, and operations. With a mission to turn innovative ideas into impactful companies, LAB7 is emerging as a launchpad for high-potential technologies in the energy ecosystem.
🤑 Opportunity Radar
Call for Applications: Hub71+ Life Sciences Health Innovation Program
Hub71+ Life Sciences in Abu Dhabi is now accepting applications for Cohort 19 with a deadline of February 1, 2026. Startups receive $70,000 cash via SAFE plus $70,000 in in-kind support, alongside mentorship, capital access, and corporate partnerships. Targeted at biotech, MedTech, and digital health founders, onboarding begins June 2026 with the program kicking off in September 2026. Apply now to scale with a global health innovation ecosystem behind you.
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