Founded in 2023, Aura Finance helps SMEs in the UAE do more business and grow faster by freeing up their cash flow. The company started by lending directly to SMEs through invoice discounting and are now moving into enabling banks, funds, and platforms to lend to SMEs profitably. We spoke to Aura co-founder and CEO
Sharjah’s entrepreneurship hub Sheraa has opened applications for its latest Sharjah Startup Studio (S3) program, inviting UAE-based startups to participate. The initiative offers funding opportunities, mentorship, and access to software tools worth over $0.8m.
Startups across the MENA region raised $289m in May, which was a 25% increase from April. The UAE accounted for $86.7m of that total, spread across 14 deals, highlighting its growing role in the region’s innovation ecosystem.
UAE-based Huspy has secured $59m in a Series B funding round led by UK venture capital firm Balderton Capital.
Riyadh-based Lucidya has secured $30m in a Series B funding round, marking the largest AI-focused investment ever raised in the MENA region.
Saudi Arabia-based digital freight platform TruKKer secured $15m in private credit investment from Ruya Partners via its Ruya Private Capital I fund. The funding will support TruKKer’s expansion across regional markets and the advancement of its AI-enabled logistics platform.
UAE-based biotech startup BioSapien has extended its pre-Series A funding round to over $8m, with new investment from VC firm Globivest which joins existing investors including Global Ventures, Golden Gate Ventures, and Dara Holdings.
The decentralised finance (DeFi) platform World Liberty Financial that is linked to President Trump has secured a $100m investment from the UAE’s Aqua1 Fund. The funding marks a significant boost for the startup’s growth plans in the Web3 finance space.
The UAE continues to strengthen its position as a regional startup hub, with $86.7m raised across 14 deals in May. This figure accounted for a major share of the $289m secured across the MENA region during the month which itself was a 25% increase from April.
UAE-based stablecoin startup SaturnX has secured $3m in seed funding to fuel its expansion into Southeast Asia. The round was led by White Star Capital with backing from multiple institutional investors. Founded in 2024, SaturnX provides an API platform for B2B money transmitters and financial services, enabling seamless digital dollar transfers. The startup has already
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