Mideast’s AI startups capture record $858M in funding during 2025, doubling share The growth represents a sizable jump from recent years, when local AI companies captured just a sliver of dealmaking, and Magnitt now predicts funding for MENA’s AI startups will easily surpass $1 billion in 2026. United Arab Emirates
UAE firm’s $1.7B legal threat spotlights Gulf split on Lebanon as Qatar invests Lebanon’s bid to lure Gulf investment into its crisis-stricken economy is facing turbulence as Dubai's Al Habtoor Group threatens legal action over more than $1.7 billion in losses, while Qatar is making an investment push. Lebanon
Gulf AI ambitions get boost with US approval of advanced chip exports Washington has been cautious about sending sensitive advanced microchips to Middle East countries with close ties to China, fearing that the technology could end up in Beijing’s hands. Saudi Arabia
Trump Org, Saudi partner Dar Global launch crypto scheme for Maldives resort The deal marks a notable fusion of the Trump family’s traditional real estate business and its expanding foothold in the crypto world, and arrives a day before Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince arrives in Washington. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Gulf investors emerge as key players in US social media giants TikTok, Snap, X By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis KFC’s Turkey relaunch tests Western brands’ resilience in Gaza boycott era By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Record number of ultra-Orthodox women join Israeli workforce More and more Israeli ultra-Orthodox women turn to computer programming, accounting, entrepreneurship and other jobs instead of traditional positions in the education system. Israel
Egypt empowers disabled with entrepreneurship incubator Egypt will establish a new incubator to help entrepreneurs with disabilities turn their projects into viable businesses, as the Arab country aspires to turn this segment of society into a driving force of economic growth. Egypt
Israel freezes spyware exports Israel's Defense Ministry has taken multiple steps to control the exportation of spyware, but the Pegasus affair continues to grow in Israel and abroad. Israel
Israeli tech companies worry for their Ukrainian programmers As tensions between Russia and Ukraine intensify, Israeli high-tech companies are worried over the safety of thousands of Ukrainian programmers. Israel
Emirates advances 2021 plan to invest $10 billion in Israel With a new Israeli government that is stable and committed to the Abraham Accords, the Emiratis are moving forward on their 2021 pledge to invest $10 billion in the country. Israel
Israel, Emirates establish joint R&D, tech investment fund With the export of Israeli high tech surpassing the export of goods, the government invests in a joint fund with the Emirates for technologies and start-ups, and also supports investment funds for developing countries. Israel
Egypt aims to localize car industry with Emirati support Egypt is trying its best to deliver its plan to localize the automobile industry, as it cooperates with Abu Dhabi to produce and manufacture a specific car in Egyptian factories to meet the needs of the Egyptian local market on the one hand and export it to African countries on the other. Egypt
Despite pandemic, Israeli high-tech industry soars The Israeli high-tech sector has thrived through the end of 2021, with Israeli unicorns making more money than ever before and entering the US stock exchanges. Israel
Israel maintains eligibility for major EU science funding program The Israeli government has signed on to the European Union’s 2021-2027 Horizon program, which offers funding and cooperation on research and development in various domains. Israel
Israel joins international artificial intelligence group Israel was added today to the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, joining 19 an alliance of technologically advanced democratic countries. Israel
At OECD, Israel joins global battle against climate change Environmental Protection Minister Tamar Zandberg and Energy Minister Karin Elharar are both in Paris for the OECD ministerial summit, pledging Israel’s commitment to battle global climate change. Israel
UAE spends big to boost private sector workforce The United Arab Emirates will spend $6.5 billion in incentives for its citizens to take work in the private sector and stop waiting for public jobs. Legacy: Gulf
