The recent Qatar Web Summit witnessed the unveiling of initiatives set to revolutionise Qatar's startup ecosystem, heralding potential advancements in innovation and entrepreneurship within the region. These developments, which have attracted both domestic and foreign attention, aim to reshape the startup landscape under the leadership of organisations like the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Invest Qatar.
The Fund of Funds
A notable initiative spearheaded by the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) is the introduction of Qatar's first Venture Capital (VC) Fund of Funds. This strategic investment programme, backed by a substantial commitment exceeding $1 billion, seeks to foster innovation domestically while yielding competitive commercial returns. In line with Qatar's National Development Strategy (NDS3), which prioritises startup growth and enhanced VC funding accessibility, the initiative reflects Qatar's ambition to nurture a robust entrepreneurial environment.
The programme's objectives encompass attracting leading international VC funds and entrepreneurs to Qatar and the broader GCC region while addressing existing funding gaps for local and regional startups. HE Mansoor Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud, CEO of QIA, emphasised the pivotal role of this initiative in diversifying Qatar's economic landscape, citing the establishment of a well-connected startup ecosystem network as fundamental to long-term economic diversification.
Startup Qatar Initiative: A centralised resource platform
Complementing QIA's efforts, Invest Qatar unveiled the "Startup Qatar" platform, an online hub catering to the multifaceted needs of startups. Providing an array of support services, funding avenues, and incubation programs, this initiative serves as a primary resource for startups seeking information, assistance, and growth opportunities within Qatar.
Qualified startups stand to benefit from various incentives, including tax and fee waivers, extended tax exemptions facilitated by the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), and access to shared office spaces in prominent local incubators. Additionally, the platform facilitates equity funding access through the Qatar Development Bank's Startup Qatar Investment Programme.
Exclusive Offerings
Ahead of the anticipated Web Summit Qatar, Invest Qatar outlined plans to introduce exclusive services during the event. The "Startup Qatar" Pavilion, in collaboration with key stakeholders, aims to provide immediate support for business setup, talent attraction, and immigration guidance. Positioned at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, the initiative seeks to showcase Qatar's burgeoning tech sector to a global audience of tech enthusiasts, startups, and investors.
These initiatives reflect Qatar's aspirations to foster an inclusive and dynamic startup ecosystem conducive to innovation and economic growth. As stakeholders convene at the Web Summit Qatar, opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange abound, potentially propelling Qatar's position as a significant player in the global startup arena.
In summary, the announcements made during the Qatar Web Summit underscore a pivotal juncture in Qatar's quest to cultivate a thriving startup ecosystem. While these initiatives represent significant strides towards fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, their ultimate impact remains contingent on effective implementation and sustained support from both the public and private sectors. As Qatar endeavours to position itself as a regional hub for innovation, the outcomes of these initiatives will be closely monitored by stakeholders invested in the country's economic diversification and long-term sustainability.
Source: Wamda
MENA Startups Navigate a Cautious Start, Securing $86.5 Million in January Funding
03 Mar 2024 Written by Admin AdminThe 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.
المنظمة العالمية لحماية حقوق الملكية الفكرية تفتح باب التقدم للفوز بإحدى جوائز الويبو العالمية لعام 2024
01 Mar 2024 Written by Admin Adminبيان 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
Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE led the way for regional investments
03 Feb 2024 Written by Admin AdminThe 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
نجوم العلوم يفتح باب التسجيل للاشتراك في موسمه الـ16 للمبتكرين العرب
12 Nov 2023 Written by Admin Adminأعلن برنامج "نجوم العلوم" عن فتح باب التسجيل للاشتراك في موسمه الـ16 للمبتكرين العرب!
عن برنامج "نجوم العلوم"
على مدى 15 عاماً من النجاح، عزّز "نجوم العلوم" - وهو برنامج رائد في مجال الابتكار، وإحدى مبادرات مؤسسة قطر التي تندرج في إطار تلفزيون الواقع التعليمي الترفيهي – مكانته على رأس البرامج التي تروم تمكين المبتكرين من مختلف البلدان العربية من تحويل الأفكار المبتكرة إلى حلول ملموسة، بما يرسي ثقافة الابتكار بين أوساط الشباب العربي. فعلى مدى مساره التي انطلق منذ عام 2009، أسهم البرنامج في تطوير حلول تكنولوجية لمجتمعاتهم تعود بالنفع على صحة الناس وأساليب حياتهم، وكذلك في تطوير فرص اقتصادية لأفراد مجتمعاتهم وتعزيز التنمية المستدامة.
يقوم المتسابقون على مدار إثني عشر أسبوعاً بتطوير وعرض حلولهم عبر تجارب علمية، ضمن مساحة ابتكار مشتركة، مع الأخذ بعين الاعتبار السرعة في التنفيذ والاستفادة من الإرشاد والدعم الذي يقدمه فريق من المهندسين ذوي الخبرة ومطوري المنتجات.
في كل أسبوع، تقوم لجنة من الخبراء بتقييم وانتقاء مشاريع المبتكرين الواعدين ونماذجهم الأولية من خلال جولات الاختبار، ليتم في نهاية المطاف الإبقاء على ثلاثة مرشحين من أجل التنافس على اللقب والجائزة الكبرى. تعتمد التصفيات على مداولات لجنة التحكيم وتصويت الجمهور عبر الإنترنت لتحديد الفائزين بالمركز الأول والثاني في كل موسم.
إذا كنت من الراغبين بالدخول في المنافسة في الموسم السادس عشر من برنامج "نجوم العلوم" والحصول على فرصة الفوز بلقب أفضل مبتكر عربي، فيمكنك التسجيل مباشرة على الرابط الآتي: https://www.starsofscience.info/ar مع العلم أن الموعد النهائي للتسجيل في الموسم الجديد هو 1 كانون الأول/ديسمبر 2023.
نبذة عن مؤسسة قطر – إطلاق قدرات الإنسان:
مؤسسة قطر للتربية والعلوم وتنمية المجتمع هي منظمة غير ربحية تدعم دولة قطر في مسيرتها نحو بناء اقتصاد متنوع ومستدام. وتسعى المؤسسة لتلبية احتياجات الشعب القطري والعالم، من خلال توفير برامج متخصصة، ترتكز على بيئة ابتكارية تجمع ما بين التعليم، والبحوث والعلوم، والتنمية المجتمعية.
تأسست مؤسسة قطر في عام 1995 بناء على رؤية حكيمة تشاركها صاحب السمو الأمير الوالد الشيخ حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني وصاحبة السمو الشيخة موزا بنت ناصر تقوم على توفير تعليم نوعي لأبناء قطر. واليوم، يوفر نظام مؤسسة قطر التعليمي الراقي فرص التعلّم مدى الحياة لأفراد المجتمع، بدءاً من سن الستة أشهر وحتى الدكتوراه، لتمكينهم من المنافسة في بيئة عالمية، والمساهمة في تنمية وطنهم.
كما أنشأت مؤسسة قطر صرحًا متعدد التخصصات للابتكار في قطر، يعمل فيه الباحثون المحليون على مجابهة التحديات الوطنية والعالمية الملحة. وعبر نشر ثقافة التعلّم مدى الحياة، وتحفيز المشاركة المجتمعية في برامج تدعم الثقافة القطرية، تُمكّن مؤسسة قطر المجتمع المحلي، وتساهم في بناء عالم أفضل.
للاطلاع على مبادرات مؤسسة قطر ومشاريعها، يُرجى زيارة الموقع الإلكتروني http://www.qf.org.qa
Doha’s rise has also been primarily driven by the return of movement to pre-pandemic levels of freedom of international travel, attracting large volumes of migrant talent and tourism, with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 welcoming over 1.4mln visitors.
Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s capital, Doha, has recorded a significant rise in Kearney’s 2023 Global Cities Index powered by Doha’s substantial improvements in the Human Capital dimension, moving up the global rankings by 13 places.
Doha’s rise has also been primarily driven by the return of movement to pre-pandemic levels of freedom of international travel, attracting large volumes of migrant talent and tourism, with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 welcoming over 1.4 million visitors.
The city also saw a six-point jump in its Business Activity ranking, continuing to reap the benefits of open economic policies introduced in recent years, ushering it into the top 50.
The renowned index by Kearney, a leading global management consulting firm, highlights the beginning of a shake-up in the traditional hierarchy of global cities, with emerging hubs — including Doha — experiencing incredible gains, contributing to a new distributed geography of opportunity. Doha’s meteoric rise globally as a sports, tourism and events hub has seen it climb into the top 50 for the first time and rank second regionally.
The Global Cities Index (GCI) seeks to quantify the extent to which a city can attract, retain, and generate global flows of capital, people, and ideas. Cities are measured against five key dimensions: human capital, information exchange, cultural experience, political engagement, and business activity.
The latest milestone complements Qatar’s growing global stature. Recently, Qatar was ranked the most peaceful country in the Middle East and North Africa, according to the 17th edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2023.
The ranking also placed Qatar 21st in the world, recording a jump of two spots this year.
“Qatar’s commitment to realising its Vision 2030 has led its capital city to begin closing in on more established global city leaders. An increased focus on improving the investment environment, building upon the country’s decades-long undertaking to develop a world-class educational system and relative ease of access to global talent, has helped Doha to prove its resilience amid challenging global conditions,” commented Rudolph Lohmeyer, Kearney Partner, National Transformation Institute.
In April, Doha also made the top 10 safest global tourist destinations in a UK security training outfit ‘Get Licensed’ survey.
While the GCI captures the current state of global city leadership; the Global Cities Outlook (GCO) aims to identify cities most likely to achieve global prominence. Here, the emergence of a distributed geography of opportunity was also present.
European cities maintained a strong presence in the top 30 rankings, while Asia’s global hubs, including Seoul, Osaka, and Chennai, made significant strides.
In the US, second-tier metropolitan areas performed particularly well, having successfully attracted talent and capital over the turbulent past few years.
Source: Zaway
في شهرها الأول من عام 2023 الشركات الناشئة في الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا تجمع 100 مليون دولار، فهل هي بداية الركود؟
12 Feb 2023 Written by Admin Adminجمعت 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
"Stars of Science" program opens the door for participation in its 15th season
06 Nov 2022 Written by Admin Admin“Stars of Science” – the Arab world’s leading premier innovation initiated by Qatar Foundation (QF) this show empowers Arab innovators to develop technological solutions for their communities, benefitting people’s health and lifestyles, and helping to preserve the environment.
Over the course of 12 weeks, in a race against time, contestants compete to demonstrate the effectiveness of their innovations - solutions to diverse challenges, supported by a team of experienced engineers and product developers.
A panel of experts evaluates the innovations of the participants in this program and excludes the least competitive innovation weekly, within several rounds that include different stages starting from proof of concept, product modeling, and testing, to reach four finalists and compete for a prize of $600,000 USD (special terms and conditions apply program). The final ranking is determined by jury voting and online audience voting.
Stars of Science empowers Arab innovators
The Stars of Science program has a proven track record of empowering young Arab innovators and problem solvers through science, transforming ground-breaking ideas into successful businesses.
Stars of Science serves as an innovation accelerator, as an experiment to promote a culture of innovation, and as a catalyst for social progress across the region.
Stars of Science enhances the entrepreneurship ecosystem across the region.
The program encourages young people between the ages of 15-35 years to sign up via https://www.starsofscience.info/
The Stars of Science program reflects the Arab world's leadership in scientific discovery and innovative thinking, which once again helps make Stars of Science a global leader in innovation. This is in line with Qatar's goal of becoming the preferred destination for innovators in the Arab world.
Stars of Science promotes local and international cooperation that transcends disciplines and borders, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, where digital transformation has become the basis for dealing across sectors, making virtual collaboration around the world the norm today.
Qatar Foundation's Key Messages
Stars of Science is part of the research, development and innovation ecosystem at Qatar Foundation.
The Stars of Science program is a Qatar Foundation media initiative directed at Arab youth.
Stars of Science reflects Qatar Foundation's commitment to investing in people's capabilities and ideas, helping aspiring innovators succeed, and accelerating innovations that can make a difference in people's lives and create future jobs.
Objectives of communication in the 15th case
Emphasizing that the “Stars of Science” program is an initiative launched by Qatar Foundation, and that the Foundation is the owner of this brand, and that the program reflects the Foundation’s commitment to investing in creative ideas and its support for innovation and entrepreneurship, in addition to the position of “Stars of Science” in Qatar Science and Technology Park and within the ecosystem Research, development and innovation.
Highlight the successes of the program through the achievements of Stars of Science graduates, and the development of an entrepreneurial culture.
80 percent of posts are via digital platforms and 20 percent via traditional media.
Encouraging young creators from the Gulf Cooperation Council, Arab countries and the world to participate in the 15th season of the programme.
Emphasize the status of Stars of Science as a part of Qatar Science and Technology Park.
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.
