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Welcome to another edition of 🔍 Startup Researcher - Middle East, your essential digest delivering the latest news and premium insights on startups and venture capital across the region 🌏️
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📰 Important News
- Animoca Brands secured a VASP license from Dubai's VARA, enabling it to offer broker-dealer and asset management services to institutional clients.
- Al Fardan Exchange and Sheraa partnered to provide tailored financial services to more than 500 startups and SMEs.
- Wellows launched its AI search visibility platform, an autonomous marketing tool that helps startups monitor and control their brand presence.
- Ruya Bank partnered with 4most to establish a robust IFRS 9 Expected Credit Loss (ECL) framework.
- UAE-basedfintech Rentify launched Rentify Pay, an AI-native rent infrastructure layer to digitize payments and automate landlord tasks.
💸 Top Funding Rounds
- Origen obtained $50 million in strategic funding from BlueFive Capital to accelerate its AI solutions for governments.
- Stake raised $31 million in a Series B round led by Emirates NBD to accelerate its expansion into Saudi Arabia and the United States.
- MADFU secured $25.5 million in a pre-Series A round led by Afaq Capital to scale its Sharia-compliant BNPL platform.
- CASHIN landed $16 million in a Series A round led byImpact46 to scale its AI-enabled platform for the energy sector.
- Solidrange closed a $2.4 million seed round led by Sharaka Capital to scale its AI-driven GRC automation and cybersecurity awareness platforms.
💰️ IPO and M&A Watch
- Kuwait-based Baims acquired Iraq’s MedMasters, marking its second major acquisition and its formal entry into the Iraqi education market.
- Swiss firm CV VC merged with Abu Dhabi-based Elixir to strengthen the UAE’s frontier tech ecosystem, specifically targeting blockchain and AI startups.
🏦 About Investors
- Saudi AI firm HUMAIN invested $3 billion in Elon Musk’s xAI, marking its transformation from a strategic partner to a global shareholder.
- Jordan’s Oasis500 launched its fourth fund, Oasis Ventures III, with commitments exceeding $20 million to support early-stage tech startups.
- Abu Dhabi’s Early Childhood Authority and Hub71 initiated the Anjal Z 2026 cohort to support global startups tackling early childhood challenges.
- Exel by Merak awarded a collective $5.1 million to 17 startups during its second Demo Day, concluding a 13-week accelerator program in Riyadh.
🚀 Startup of the Week
Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆
Origen
Founded in Abu Dhabi in 2025 by a cadre of veteran technology executives, Origen is building production-ready AI systems that slot into mission-critical workflows, helping governments and enterprises run smarter services, connected-home ecosystems, and advanced manufacturing operations. This week the company notched a major milestone, closing a $50 million strategic investment from BlueFive Capital to speed its product roadmap and scale deployments. Origen is also expanding its specialized technical and operational teams as it deepens co-development with public- and private-sector partners. With leadership drawn from seasoned operators, Origen’s goal is clear: turn frontier AI research into reliable, real-world impact across Abu Dhabi’s fast-growing innovation hub.
💼 Investor of the Week
Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆
Oasis500
Founded in Jordan in 2010 to help realize King Abdullah II’s vision for entrepreneurship, Oasis500 has grown into the country’s pioneering seed investor and accelerator, turning raw ideas into scalable tech companies. This month it launched its fourth fund with commitments exceeding $20 million to back early-stage tech and tech-enabled startups built for regional and global expansion. Chairwoman Suhair Al-Ali, leading a new board after longtime chairman Marwan Juma’s 15-year tenure, is doubling down on Oasis500’s signature mix of capital, mentorship, and network access. With 193 startups financed, $135 million in follow-on raised, and portfolio companies active in more than 22 countries, Oasis500 remains a cornerstone for building globally competitive Jordanian founders.
🤑 Opportunities Expiring Soon
gBETA Electrify Nevada Spring 2026
- 📢 Organizer: gener8tor
- 🗂️ Category: Accelerator, Training & Learning
- 🪜 Target Stages: Ideation, Pre-seed, Seed
- 🏭 Focus Sectors: Energy & Environment, DeepTech
- 📅 Application Deadline: February 22, 2026
AI Ventures Accelerator for Young Women
- 📢 Organizer: Technovation
- 🗂️ Category: Accelerator, Funding, Training & Learning
- 🪜 Target Stages: Ideation, Pre-seed
- 🏭 Focus Sectors: Sector Agnostic
- 📅 Application Deadline: February 23, 2026
Amazon Devices Climate Tech Accelerator 2026
- 📢 Organizer: Amazon Devices & Services
- 🗂️ Category: Accelerator
- 🪜 Target Stages: Stage Agnostic
- 🏭 Focus Sectors: Energy & Environment, AI & Data, Manufacturing & Materials, Retail & Consumer
- 📅 Application Deadline: February 24, 2026
FAO International Innovation Award 2026
- 📢 Organizer: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- 🗂️ Category: Award/Prize
- 🪜 Target Stages: Stage Agnostic
- 🏭 Focus Sectors: Agriculture & Food, Social & Governance, Mobility & Logistics
- 📅 Application Deadline: February 28, 2026
Multiple Autism Tech Accelerator
- 📢 Organizer: Multiple
- 🗂️ Category: Accelerator
- 🪜 Target Stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Revenue-generating
- 🏭 Focus Sectors: Education & Workforce, Social & Governance, Health & Life Sciences, AI & Data
- 📅 Application Deadline: February 28, 2026
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