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The MENA startup ecosystem witnessed a cautious yet promising start in January 2024, with startups securing a total of $86.5 million in funding across 33 deals. While this marked a 34% decrease year-on-year, it serves as a bellwether for the year's funding activity, offering insights into the region's entrepreneurial landscape and investment trends.

Regional Funding Breakdown

UAE: Reclaimed Position as Regional Leader

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerged as the regional leader, with its startups collectively securing an impressive $47 million in funding. Notably, the largest funding round of the month, a substantial $35 million pre-seed investment in the travel tech disruptor, Tumodo, underscored the region's confidence in the potential of the travel sector.

Egypt: Encouraging Signs of Recovery

Egypt showcased encouraging signs of recovery, raising $23 million across seven deals. This positive trend represents a significant improvement from the previous month and signals a potential return to form for the nation's entrepreneurial scene.

Saudi Arabia: Consistent Activity and Funding

Saudi Arabia maintained its consistent activity, with 15 startups securing a combined $11 million. While not leading the pack in funding, Saudi Arabia continues to demonstrate a stable and promising startup environment.

Other Countries: Diverse Funding Landscape

The funding distribution extended beyond the top three countries, highlighting the diverse landscape of the MENA region. Countries such as Qatar, Morocco, Iraq, Oman, Lebanon, and Tunisia also witnessed funding activity, showcasing the breadth and potential of the region's entrepreneurial spirit.

Sector Analysis

Fintech: Slight Slowdown in Funding

While fintech remains the region's most active sector, it experienced a slight slowdown in January, with five startups raising $12 million. Despite the dip, fintech continues to play a crucial role in the MENA startup ecosystem.

Travel Tech: Impressive Performance and Potential

Travel tech unexpectedly emerged as the top-performing sector, propelled by Tumodo's significant funding round, totaling $40.6 million. This investment highlights the sector's potential for post-pandemic recovery and investor confidence.

Healthcare: Promising Growth and Investor Interest

The healthcare sector exhibited promising growth, with two startups securing $11 million. This indicates growing investor interest in addressing critical healthcare challenges within the region.

Mobility: Attracting Investment and Opportunities

The mobility sector also saw three startups raise over $5 million, signaling opportunities and investor confidence in addressing transportation and mobility needs.

Startup Funding Distribution

Early-stage and seed-stage startups continued to attract substantial funding, garnering a combined $53 million. This highlights the region's commitment to nurturing its entrepreneurial ecosystem and fostering innovation. Additionally, B2B startups raised over $57 million across 14 deals, while B2C startups secured $28 million across 18 deals.

However, the gender disparity in investment remains a concern, with only one female-founded startup managing to secure funding. This underscores the need for continued efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within the MENA startup landscape.

MENA Startup Funding Distribution

UAE: Regional Powerhouse

The UAE established itself as the undisputed leader, securing a staggering $47 million in funding. This dominant position underscores the strength and maturity of the UAE's startup ecosystem, attracting significant investor confidence.

Egypt: Emerging Phoenix

Egypt showcased encouraging signs of revival, raising $23 million across seven deals. This positive shift marks a significant improvement and signals a potential return to form for the nation's entrepreneurial scene.

Saudi Arabia: Steady Progress

Saudi Arabia maintained its consistent activity with 15 startups securing a combined $10.7 million. While not leading the pack this time, Saudi Arabia continues to demonstrate a stable and promising startup environment.

Beyond the Big Three: Funding Distribution in Other Countries

The funding distribution extends beyond the top three, highlighting the diverse landscape of the MENA region. Qatar, Morocco, Iraq, Oman, Lebanon, and Tunisia all witnessed funding activity, showcasing the breadth and potential of the region's entrepreneurial spirit.

Nurturing the Future

Early-stage startups, encompassing both Pre-Seed and Seed funding rounds, received the highest share, attracting a combined $52 million. This signifies a strong emphasis on fostering and supporting the next generation of innovative ventures within the region. Following closely behind were Pre-Series A and Series A funding rounds, collectively securing $20 million, demonstrating continued support for established startups poised for further growth. Finally, the "Other" category, encompassing various funding stages and types, received $17.8 million, further emphasizing the diverse nature of the investment landscape.

Sector Spotlight

Travel & Tourism unexpectedly emerged as the top sector, grabbing a surprising $40.6 million, largely driven by the massive pre-seed round secured by Tumodo. This significant investment highlights the potential and investor confidence in the sector's post-pandemic recovery. Fintech, the region's traditionally dominant sector, maintained its relevance with $12 million distributed across five deals, solidifying its continued importance within the MENA startup ecosystem. Meanwhile, the healthcare and mobility sectors also displayed promising growth, attracting $11 million and $5 million respectively, indicating growing investor interest in these critical areas.

The comprehensive analysis of the MENA startup funding landscape reveals a dynamic and multifaceted ecosystem. The region boasts a prominent leader in the UAE, an emerging force in Egypt, and consistent activity across numerous other countries. The funding distribution across stages and sectors unveils a strategic focus on nurturing early-stage ventures, supporting established startups, and exploring new avenues of innovation. As the region continues to evolve, this diverse and promising ecosystem holds immense potential for future growth and groundbreaking advancements.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is pleased to announce the opening of the call for applications for the 2024 WIPO Global Awards. The application period will be open from January 15 to 31 March, 2024.

This year, the competition welcomes startups, in addition to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from all over the world, operating in all sectors of the economy – whether in technology, agriculture, creative industries or others. Applications are welcome from those using all forms of intellectual property (IP), from copyright and trademarks to patents and geographical indications.

The application form is available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Japanese.

An independent jury will select up to seven winners. Each winner will be invited to attend an awards ceremony during the WIPO General Assembly in July in Geneva.

Each winner will also receive a personalized mentoring program aimed at promoting the use of IP, pursuing new business goals, accessing financial resources, and making a greater impact.

For more information, please visit the WIPO Global Awards website: https://www.wipo.int/global-awards/en/how-to-apply.html

 

About WIPO:

WIPO is an intergovernmental organization that aims to promote the protection of intellectual property (IP) around the world. It was established in 1970, following the convening of important conferences such as the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (1883) and the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (1886).

 

Additional Information:

  • Official website: https://www.wipo.int/
  • Date of establishment of WIPO: 1970
  • Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
  • Number of member states: 193

بيان صادر عن المنظمة العالمية لحماية حقوق الملكية الفكرية:

يسعدنا أن نعلن عن الدعوة للمشاركة في جوائز الويبو العالمية لعام 2024، التي تفتتح من 15 كانون الثاني / يناير ولغاية 31 اذار/ مارس 2024.

وترحّب المسابقة هذا العام بالشركات الناشئة إلى جانب الشركات الصغيرة والمتوسطة من جميع أنحاء العالم، والتي تنشط في جميع قطاعات الاقتصاد - سواء في التكنولوجيا أو الزراعة أو الصناعات الإبداعية أو غيرها. ونرحب بالطلبات التي تستخدم جميع أشكال الملكية الفكرية، من حق المؤلف والعلامات التجارية والبراءات والمؤشرات الجغرافية.

ونموذج الطلب متاح باللغات الإنكليزية والفرنسية والإسبانية والعربية والصينية والروسية واليابانية.

وستختار لجنة تحكيم مستقلة مجموعة تصل إلى سبعة فائزين. وسيتلقى كل منهم دعوة لحضور حفل توزيع الجوائز خلال الجمعية العامة للويبو في شهر يوليو في جنيف.

وسيحصل كل فائز وفائزة أيضاً على برنامج توجيهي خاص وموجّه نحو تعزيز استخدام الملكية الفكرية، والسعي وراء أهداف تجارية جديدة، والنفاذ إلى الموارد المالية، وإحداث تأثير أكبر.

لمزيد من المعلومات، يرجى زيارة موقع جوائز الويبو العالمية: https://www.wipo.int/global-awards/ar/how-to-apply.html

-انتهى-

عن الويبو:

الويبو هي منظمة دولية تابعة للأمم المتحدة تهدف إلى تنظيم حقوق الملكية الفكرية على مستوى العالم. تأسست عام 1970، بعد انعقاد مؤتمرات مهمة مثل مؤتمر باريس للملكية الصناعية (1883) ومؤتمر حماية المصنفات الأدبية والفنية (1886).

 

معلومات إضافية:

  • الموقع الرسمي  : https://www.wipo.int/portal/ar/index.html
  • تاريخ تأسيس الويبو: 1970
  • المقر الرئيسي: جنيف، سويسرا
  • عدد الدول الأعضاء: 193 دولة

The Middle East and North Africa region saw sizable startup activity from its top three regional ecosystems of Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt as January came to end.

The Kingdom led this weeks’ movement with two startups raising significant funding sums. Saudi Arabia’s peer-to-peer car rental platform Ejaro secured SR12.3 million ($3.27 million) in a pre-series A funding round spearheaded by the Riyadh-based insurance company Tawuniya and several angel investors.

This fresh influx of capital is earmarked for bolstering Ejaro’s development and expansion strategies.

Founded in 2019 by Mohammed Khashoggi, the company provides car-sharing services to enable individuals to generate additional sources of income.

“Completing this funding round alongside our strategic partnerships reflects our commitment to innovation and meeting the needs of our customers. We are not only working to change the concept of car sharing in the Kingdom but also striving to be leaders in the insurance sector through cooperation with Tawuniya, Najm, and Absher, a pivotal step towards supporting economic growth and innovation in line with Saudi Vision 2030,” Khashoggi said.

Fahad bin Maamar, CEO of Investments at Tawuniya, underscored their confidence in Ejaro’s innovative approach to car-sharing, viewing it as a crucial partner in transforming the mobility landscape across the Gulf Cooperation Council region.

The platform claims to have facilitated over 25,000 days of trips, indicating a growing demand for its services. Moreover, it has enabled more than 100 hosts to collectively earn over SR2.5 million in less than two years, showcasing the tangible benefits and impact of its innovative car-sharing and rental solutions.

Saudi edtech startup iStoria secures $1.3m in funding

Saudi Arabia’s educational technology sector continues to garner investor interest as iStoria secured SR5 million in a seed funding round.

This investment in the app, which specializes in English language learning, involved multiple regional players, including Saudi Arabia’s venture capital firms Nama Ventures and BIM Ventures, US-based edtech Classera, Egypt-based Flat6Labs, and various angel investors.

The investment will enable the enhancement of the app’s features and aid in expanding its global footprint.

Founded by Abdullah Al-Jaberi in 2022, iStoria has quickly gained a substantial user base, surpassing 1 million learners globally.

The company’s approach to English language education focuses on vocabulary building through reading stories at various levels, with comprehension questions and vocabulary tests.

This method prepares learners for global language tests and offers a continually updated and enriching learning experience. The company also achieved a satisfaction rate of 4.6 out of five in the app store. Its recent growth has been bolstered by expanding its services to organizations, including contracts with numerous private and public schools, where it has been integrated into educational curriculums, allowing for direct supervision.

“We are pleased with the conclusion of this investment round. Through this funding, we will continue to pursue our goal of enabling individuals to communicate effectively and confidently in English,” Al-Jaberi said.

He added: “We are optimistic and look forward to the next phase of the application’s growth and the impact we can create, primarily through offering services to organizations and expanding worldwide.”

The company also raised an undisclosed pre-seed funding round from Nama Ventures in 2022 to bolster its operations.

The edtech sector has emerged as one of the top five most-funded sectors in Saudi Arabia. In 2023, the industry saw a total of $50 million raised by Saudi-based startups, a 6 percent growth from the year before. Furthermore, in 2022, the sector witnessed substantial growth, surging by 2,069 percent compared to the previous year.

Egypt’s Roboost raises $3m to boost expansion

Egypt’s artificial intelligence-driven logistics startup, Roboost, completed a $3 million investment round led by Silicon Badia, with contributions from RZM Investment, Flat6Labs, and Saudi Angel Investors.

Founded in 2018 by Mohamed Gessraha, Hassan Gessraha and Mohamed Sadek, Roboost provides AI-powered delivery solutions in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Morocco, and Tunisia.

The company aims to utilize its capital to further boost its regional presence with a new phase of expansion. The company currently serves leading brands such as McDonald’s Egypt and Kuwait, Buffalo Burger, El Ezaby Pharmacies, and Jumlaty.

Employing proprietary machine learning algorithms, Roboost’s innovation includes pre-delivery technology that enables precision auto-dispatching and smart routes for delivery personnel, optimizing the process for the substantial portion of orders placed offline.

The platform’s suite of tools also features real-time dynamic fleet payroll, and comprehensive customer insights through heat maps and analytics, all aimed at enhancing customer satisfaction. Additionally, Roboost’s AI fleet control offers advanced fraud detection capabilities.

The company claims to provide operational efficiency to its clients with a network of over 15,000 delivery drivers, serving nearly 10 million unique customers, and automating more than 40 million orders. The company says its solutions have doubled delivery speeds by reducing inefficiencies and achieved task automation rates of 99.8 percent.

Furthermore, Roboost has succeeded in decreasing order returns by over 80 percent and operational costs by 30 percent, while also improving average driver productivity by 40 percent and maintaining fraud levels below 5 percent.

UAE’s Plant & Equipment acquires Global Equipment Trading

UAE-based construction technology company Plant & Equipment has announced the acquisition of Global Equipment Trading for an undisclosed amount. 

Established in 2018 by Saleh Kuba and Zayd Kuba, Plant & Equipment operates as a marketplace in the construction equipment and machinery sector, facilitating connections between buyers and sellers.

This strategic acquisition is set to bolster Plant & Equipment’s expansion efforts across the region.

 The integration with Global Equipment Trading is expected to enhance the company’s service offerings and market reach, aligning with its growth objectives in the construction equipment industry.

Source: Arab News

جمعت الشركات الناشئة في الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا نحو 103 ملايين دولار فقط في شهر يناير/كانون الثاني 2023 توزعت على 22 صفقة، بانخفاض في قيمة التمويل على أساس شهري يبلغ 17% تقريباً، وبأكثر من 66% مقارنةً بعام 2022. كما انخفضت عدد الصفقات بنسبة 73% مقارنةً بالفترة نفسها. نستعرض في هذا المقال توزيع تمويل الشركات الناشئة بحسب الدول والقطاعات، كما نناقش إمكانية انخفاض تمويل الشركات الناشئة في الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا في عام 2023. 

توزيع تمويل صفقات الشركات الناشئة بحسب الدول

استحوذت الشركات الإماراتية على 92.6 مليون دولار من إجمالي التمويل، أي بنسبة تفوق الـ90% من إجمالي تمويل الشركات الناشئة في شهر يناير/كانون الثاني. توزع تمويل الشركات الناشئة الإماراتية على 12 صفقة أي أكثر من 50% من عدد صفقات الشركات الناشئة للفترة نفسها.

جاءت الشركات الناشئة المصرية في المركز الثاني بقيمة 3.4 مليون دولار، توزعت على 3 صفقات. كان أكبرها صفقة شركة Cleantech KarmSolar التي حصدت 3 ملايين دولار.

أما في المركز الثالث فجاءت الشركات الناشئة السعودية بفارق ضئيل عن الشركات الناشئة المصرية حيث جمعت نحو 3.3 مليون دولار. كانت الحصة الأكبر منها لشركة "مطابخي" وهي شركة ناشئة تنشط في مجال المطابخ السحابية حيث نجحت الأخيرة في جمع 2.3 مليون دولار.

ويشكل مجموع ما حصلت عليه الشركات الناشئة الإماراتية والمصرية والسعودية نحو 99.3% وهي قد تكون المرة الأولى التي تصل فيها نسبة تركز التمويل في الدول الثلاث لهذه النسبة الكبيرة. إذ لم يتعدى حجم التمويل الذي حصلت عليه الشركات الناشئة القطرية (التي حلت في المركز الرابع) والعراقية والمغربية والبحرينية أكثر من 3 ملايين و750 ألف دولاراً. ينطبق الأمر أيضاً على عدد الصفقات التي تركزت أيضاً في كل من الإمارات ومصر والسعودية بنسبة تتجاوز الـ77%.

توزيع تمويل الشركات الناشئة بحسب القطاعات

ما زال قطاع التكنولوجيا المالية يستحوذ على حصة الأسد في حجم تمويل صفقات الشركات الناشئة إذ بلغت قيمة التمويل الذي حصلت عليه الشركات الناشئة الناشطة في هذا القطاع نحو 68.9 مليون دولار، أي ما يعادل 67% من إجمالي تمويل الشركات الناشئة في المنطقة لشهر يناير/كانون الثاني.

الجديد في توزيع تمويل الشركات الناشئة قطاعياً، هو بروز قطاع شركات الميتافيرزس التي حصلت على تمويل بقيمة 20.9 مليون دولار أو حوالي 20% من قيمة إجمالي التمويل. أبرز القطاعات الأخرى التي حصلت على تمويل هي: تكنولوجيا الأغذية (3.8 مليون دولار) والتكنولوجيا النظيفة (3.3 مليون دولار) وتكنولوجيا الصحة (1.9 مليون دولار) هذا بالإضافة إلى قطاع اللوجستي والتنقل والإعلام والتكنولوجيا الزراعية والتجارة الإلكترونية.

هل يتجه تمويل الشركات الناشئة في الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا نحو الركود؟

اظهر شهر يناير/كانون الثاني، كما عرضنا سابقاً، انخفاض كبير نسبياً في حجم التمويل وعدد الصفقات، إلا أنه في الحقيقة لا يعكس ميلاً عاماً نحو انخفاض وركود تمويل الشركات الناشئة في المنطقة. فعلى الرغم من انخفاض التمويل في شهر يناير/كانون الثاني، إلا أن حجم التمويل في شهر فبراير/شباط، حتى تاريخ كتابة هذه السطور، يظهر ارتفاعاً كبيراً، قد يصل إلى أكثر من 5 اضعاف حجم التمويل في شهر يناير/كانون الثاني، إذ تجاوز حجم التمويل صفقات الشركات الناشئة في شهر فبراير/شباط أكثر من 400 مليون دولار، وهو رقم مرشح للزيادة حتى نهاية شهر فبراير/شباط.

إذن بصورة عامة لا يمكن القول إن حجم التمويل في شهر يناير/كانون الثاني يشي بميل عام نحو الانخفاض، فالتوقعات التي ترشح حدوث هذا التراجع، بناءً على الاتجاه العالمي الانكماشي، تتجاهل خصوصية منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا، والتي تملك محركات خاصة بها كفيلة بتجنيبها الأثار الانكماشية للاقتصاد العالمي، التي ظهرت اثاره في انخفاض تمويل الشركات الناشئة عالمياً. وقد سبق وأن بينا ذلك في مقالة سابقة، يمكن الاطلاع عليها هنا.

Saudi Arabia is expected to surpass the UAE in receiving foreign direct investment in 2023, for the first time since 2012, as both nations continue to be major beneficiaries of the inflow of funds, a recent industry report showed.

According to the Lumina Cross-Border insights report, FDI into Saudi Arabia and the UAE hit record highs with $40 billion in 2022, showing a rise of 58 percent over the previous year.  

“Key MENA projects driving FDI and UK-to-Middle East investment in 2023 will include infrastructure and engineering, tourism and hospitality, and clean/renewable energy, most notably, the megaprojects in Saudi Arabia,” stated the report.  

For instance, Saudi Arabia’s top seven infrastructure projects will cost $690 billion to construct. These schemes are NEOM, ROSHN, Diriyah Gate, Jeddah Central, Red Sea Project, AlUla, and Qiddiya.  

It added: “Regional presence for aspiring global firms to take advantage of such growth is now seen as a must rather than a nice-to-have.”

The report further predicted that the two-way investments between the Middle East and Europe will drive record FDI levels in 2023.

“As global corporates and funds increasingly set up roots in the region, with talent continuing to move in, 2023 is anticipated to be another record year for FDI in the Middle East.”

It said that deal-making is also expected to flourish due to a largely resilient regional-led global mergers and acquisitions environment last year.  

The report also predicts a significant change in existing partnerships in the region as firms in the UK will reassess joint ventures in the Middle East to determine their relevance today.

“2023 will be a tale of two halves, with H1 seeing highly active Middle East corporates and funds continuing to invest into European companies, as domestic markets continue to face varying levels of economic turbulence.

This will create a myriad of investment opportunities to diversify globally and gain access to best-in-class skills and talents,” said Andrew Nichol, partner at Lumina Capital Advisers.  

He added: “In H2 we anticipate improving sentiment across developed markets, which will drive global demand for natural resources, oil included. The region is extremely well positioned for yet another strong year ahead.”

source: Arab News

Algeria-based super app Yassir, has raised $150 million in Series B funding, led by BOND, with participation from DN Capital, Dorsal Capital, Quiet Capital, Stanford Alumni Ventures (aka Spike Ventures) and Y Combinator, among other investors.

Founded in 2017 by Noureddine Tayebi and El Mahdi Yettou, Yassir is a super app that provides its users with a suite of services, including rideshare, food and grocery delivery and financial services. It now operates in six countries and 45 cities throughout the world.

With this latest round of funding, Yassir plans to expand its reach into the region.

Press release:

Yassir, a multi-sided marketplace offering on-demand services such as ride-hailing, food and grocery delivery, banking and more, announced today that it has raised $150 million in Series B funding from prominent global investors. The investment was led by BOND, with participation from DN Capital, Dorsal Capital, Quiet Capital, Stanford Alumni Ventures (aka Spike Ventures) and Y Combinator, among other strategic investors.

Having raised $193.25 million in the five years since the company’s launch, it is now the most valuable startup in North Africa, and one of the highest-valued companies in Africa and the Middle East. With this latest round of funding, Yassir plans to expand its reach into the region.

“Yassir means ‘easy’ in Arabic, and our mission as a company is to make people’s lives easy,” says Noureddine Tayebi, Founder and CEO of Yassir. “In the markets where we operate, we are already having a considerable impact on how people manage their day-to-day lives. We look forward to expanding our presence into other geographies to become the first super app to achieve mass adoption.”

Founded in 2017, today, the company operates in six countries and 45 cities, where it is used by more than 8 million users. Popular in the Maghreb region (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) and parts of French-speaking Africa, the super app provides three core services – ride-hailing, food and grocery delivery, and financial services. An all-in-one ecosystem, the app provides its customers with a single-point solution for managing all of their day-to-day activities, from travelling to work to ordering groceries and meals. These services generate revenues for more than 100,000 partners, which include drivers, couriers, merchants, and wholesalers, among other gig workers and vendors.

Beyond providing a core suite of services, Yassir offers financial services aimed at serving the full ecosystem, touching every component of the multi-sided marketplace. A 2018 report by McKinsey & Company on growth and innovation in African retail banking, found that more than half (57%) of Africa’s population lack any form of a bank account. Among African banking customers, 40% prefer digital channels for transactions. By providing consumers in Africa with a mobile banking solution, as part of a more comprehensive suite of services, Yassir is meeting an important need in the market, one where 50% of the population already have mobile internet access.

“We believe technology will foundationally rearchitect consumers’ relationship with daily needs – transportation, food, financial services – not just in developed countries, but in every corner of the world,” says Daegwon Chae, general partner at BOND. “This investment is an extension of that belief in an underserved but dynamic, rapidly growing region. Emerging out of North Africa, the app has already become indispensable to users for critical aspects of their lives.”

Noureddine, a Stanford PhD and a native of Algeria spent more than 15 years in Silicon Valley before returning to his homeland to build Yassir. He adds, “Yassir was founded with a threefold mission. First,

we want to create a local tech startup success model which will be emulated by others and more so Yassir team members. Second, we want to empower the local talent and more importantly the technical talent which often leaves the region, mainly to Europe, to pursue further studies or find jobs. We, in fact, hire engineering talent in each country we operate in to expand that mission. And finally, we want to make the lives of our people easy while infusing social values via our products such as trust and mutual help.”

Source: Wamda

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) announced that it will hold an Entrepreneurship Summit under the title “The Arab Entrepreneurship Summit: Opportunities Across Borders” from October 30 to November 1, 2022, in the Jordanian capital, Amman.

The Summit aims to help Arab SMEs access regional and international markets, mobilize diverse financial resources, benefit from regional and international networks, and increase their ability to scale up. The Summit is a regional platform for national and international leaders from the public and private sectors to advocate inclusive policies and strategies required to support Arab SMEs.

The Summit brings together some 600 selected participants, including entrepreneurs, investors, business influencers, political leaders, economists, journalists, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and donors for 20 main sessions and 10 side events.

Source: the official website of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) on link.

أعلنت لجنة الأمم المتحدة الاقتصادية الاجتماعية لغرب آسيا (الإسكوا) عن عقد قمة لريادة الأعمال تحت عنوان "القمة العربية لريادة الأعمال: فرص عابرة للحدود" وذلك في الـ30 من تشرين الأول/أكتوبر وحتى 1 تشرين الثاني/نوفمبر 2022، في العاصمة الأردنية عمان.

بحسب إعلان الإسكوا فإن القمة سوف تضم 600 مشاركاً من رواد الأعمال، وأصحاب الاستثمارات، والمؤثرين في الأعمال التجارية، والقادة السياسيين، والخبراء الاقتصاديين، والصحفيين، وممثلي المنظمات الحكومية الدولية، والمنظمات غير الربحية، والمانحين. وتنطوي القمة على 20 جلسة رئيسية، و10 فعاليات جانبية.

تهدف القمة إلى مساعدة المشاريع الصغيرة والمتوسطة العربية على الوصول إلى الأسواق الإقليمية الدولية، والتعامل مع مصادر التمويل المتنوعة، والاستفادة من الشبكات الإقليمية والدولية، وزيادة قدرتها على التوسّع. وتتيح القمة منبراً إقليمياً يجمع بين القادة الإقليميين والدوليين من القطاعيين العام والخاص للدعوة إلى وضع سياسات واستراتيجيات شاملة تدعم المشاريع الصغيرة والمتوسطة العربية.

المصدر: الموقع الرسمي للجنة الأمم المتحدة الاقتصادية الاجتماعية لغرب آسيا (الإسكوا) على الرابط.

نجحت الشركات الناشئة في الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا في جمع تمويل في شهر أغسطس/آب قدر بنحو 378 مليون دولار بنسبة نمو شهرية بلغت أكثر من 260%. توزيع حجم التمويل على 33 صفقة بانخفاض نسبي عن شهر يوليو/تموز بمعدل 25%.

توزيع التمويل حسب الدول

حصلت الشركات الناشئة الإماراتية على حصد الأسد من إجمالي التمويل، إذ بلغ حجم التمويل الذي حصدته ما يقرب من 232 مليون دولار، أي بنسبة أكثر من 60% من إجمالي التمويل لشهر أغسطس/آب. جاءت الشركات السعودية في المرتبة الثانية بنحو 102 مليون دولار، تليها الشركات المصرية بحوالي 38 مليون دولار. تشير الأرقام السابقة بأنه لا يوجد تغير يذكر على خارطة توزيع تمويل الشركات الناشئة جغرافية، إذ صلت الحصة الأكبر من التمويل من نصيب الشركات الناشئة في كل من الإمارات والسعودية ومصر، التي حصلت مجتمعه على ما نسبته 98% من إجمالي التمويل.

على صعيد التوزيع العددي للصفقات جاءت الشركات الناشئة المصرية بواقع 12 صفقة وهو الرقم ذاته الذي حصلت عليه الشركات الناشئة الإماراتية. أما الشركات الناشئة السعودية فقد اقتصر عدد الصفقات التي حصلت عليه على 6 صفقات، فيما توزعت الصفقات الثلاثة المتبقية على كل من البحرين والكويت وقطر.

توزيع تمويل الشركات الناشئة حسب القطاعات

استمر قطاع التكنولوجيا المالية بالسيطرة على الحصة الأكبر من حجم التمويل إذ بلغ مجموع ما حصلت عليه الشركات الناشئة الناشطة في هذا القطاع نحو 256 مليون دولار، اي ما يقرب من 68% من إجمالي تمويل الشركات الناشئة في شهر أغسطس/آب. علماً أن حجم التمويل الذي حصل عليه هذا القطاع قد تأثر بصورة مباشرة بصفقتي Tabby وTamara حيث حصلت الشركتين على 150 مليون دولار و100 مليون دولار على التوالي. بل يمكن القول إن حصيلة تمويل الشركات الناشئة في شهر أغسطس/آب تأثرت بصورة كلية بهاتين الصفقتين.

جاءت الشركات التجارة الإلكترونية في المرتبة الثانية حيث حصلت على نحو 32 مليون دولار من خمسة صفقات، فيما حل قطاع الإعلام في المرتبة الثالثة بمجمع تمويل بلغ 30 مليون دولار هو حصيلة ما جمعته شركة ArabyAds لتكنولوجيا الإعلانات.

وبعيداً عن القطاعات التي بات حصول الشركات التي تنشط بها أمراً اعتيادياً، فإن شهر أغسطس/آب حمل صفقة فريدة من نوعها، هي صفقة تمويل شركة إيفيردوم "Everdome" الإماراتية التي تنشط في مجال الميتافيرس.

توزيع التمويل وفقاً لمراحل نمو الشركات الناشئة

تركت صفقات التمويل بحسب توزيعها على مراحل نمو الشركات الناشئة، على المراحل المبكرة، حيث ذهبت نحو 15 صفقة إلى شركات ناشئة في مرحلتي ما قبل البذرة، والبذرة. لكن مبالغ التمويل في هاتين المرحلتين كان صغيراً نسبياً، إذ لم يتجاوز 14.5 مليون دولار. أما من ناحية التركز النسبي لحجم التمويل وفقاً لمراحل الشركات الناشئة، فقد جاء من عملية الاقتراض (تمويل بالدين)، وتحديداً من صفقة شركة Tabby التي حصلت بموجبها على نحو 150 مليون دولار كما أشرنا سابقاً.

توزيع التمويل حسب النوع الاجتماعي

لا جديد في توزيع التمويل حسب النوع الاجتماعي فقد استمرت الشركات الناشئة التي يديرها ذكور تستحوذ على معظم تمويل الشركات الناشئة، حيث بلغت نسبة ما جمعته من إجمالي التمويل نحو 99%، بينما ذهبت نسبة 1% فقط إلى الشركات الناشئة التي أسستها أو شاركت في تأسيسها سيدات.

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