News
Egypt-based healthtech Almouneer has raised a $3.6 million Seed round, led by Global Ventures, Proparco and Digital Africa through the Bridge Fund (FRA), Wrightwood Investments (UK) - and other international funds.
Founded in 2017 by Noha Khater and Rania Kadry, Almouneer is a digital transformation platform to serve patients with chronic diseases.
Proceeds to further develop DRU - Almouneer’s patient-centric platform - treating pre-diabetes, diabetes and obesity.
Press release:
Almouneer, the leading digital transformation platform revolutionising healthcare for patients and doctors across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), announces its seed round fundraise of US$3.6 million.
The seed round was led by Dubai-based Global Ventures, with participation from other renowned international investors: Proparco and Digital Africa, through the Bridge Fund, Wrightwood Investments - the family office of Diane & Henry Engelhardt (UK) - and other leading international funds.
The fundraise follows rapid growth for Almouneer as it serves over 120,000 patients, with business volumes having doubled in the last year and its leadership team boosted with several key hires.
The proceeds will primarily support the development and expansion of DRU - MEA's first patient-centric, digitally-enabled lifestyle and diabetes management platform. DRU aids in the prevention and management of diabetes, pre-diabetes, and obesity - and will serve millions in Egypt and MEA. The scalable platform uses cutting-edge patient and doctor-facing applications and an extensive provider network.
Proceeds will enhance DRU’s state-of-the-art technology further and grow its wider provider ecosystem (doctors / health coaches / labs / nutritionists). Almouneer will also build MEA’s first online, patient-customized treatment plans. DRU currently connects to Continuous Glucose Monitors and other glucometers and will soon enable connection to wearables such as smart watches.
2024 is set to be a year of important milestones. In Q1, Almouneer will launch its DRU app for doctors - connecting healthcare providers with millions of patients. The company’s strategy is to expand regionally and internationally - with market entries to Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E., and African countries including Nigeria and Kenya - anticipated by next year.
The MEA region has very high levels of obesity and prediabetes - affecting over 40% of its population - making Almouneer and DRU’s mission to empower patients and healthcare professionals more critical than ever. Egypt has 15 million diabetics alone (20% of adults) with KSA having 7 million (30% of adults). Adding those suffering from pre-diabetes and obesity makes the problem even more endemic yet is largely preventable by lifestyle management and monitoring.
Noha Khater, co-founder and CEO of Almouneer, said: “We are very excited to be announcing this round—an important achievement and milestone in our journey.
Over the past year, we managed to grow our team and successfully build DRU. This round will now catapult us into the next phase of our business, helping us grow our team and talent further, invest in our technology, and broaden DRU’s provider network—inching us even closer to our vision.
And as we do, we’d like to extend our deepest gratitude to our investors—Noor Sweid and Said Murad from Global Ventures, Henry Engelhardt of Wrightwood Investments, and Proparco—for their belief in us and in our mission. We also wouldn’t be here today had it not been for the unwavering support and championing of Cartier Women’s Initiative, INSEAD, Endeavor and our friends at Alliance Law Firm."
Noor Sweid, Founder and Managing Partner of Global Ventures, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Almouneer to the Global Ventures portfolio and lead the company's seed round.
Over the years, we have had the privilege of working with a stellar group of healthcare entrepreneurs who are materially improving the lives of patients worldwide, enhancing access, quality and cost of care. Noha and Rania are now part of this group. We are excited to work alongside them as they leverage their specialized expertise across business-building and chronic care to tackle a prevalent health issue across the Middle East and Africa.
On its mission to become the lifelong companion of diabetic patients in the region, Almouneer is a unique and necessary innovation.”
Henry Engelhardt, of Wrightwood Investments, commented: "The work Almouneer does is truly valuable to the ever-growing diabetic community in Egypt and beyond.
Noha Khater and Rania Kadry, its two leaders, are truly exceptional, talented people, driven to make a positive difference to so many people’s lives. Wrightwood Investments [the family office of Diane & Henry Engelhardt] is proud to be an investor and part of the Almouneer family.”
Fabrice Perez, Head of VC Division at Proparco, said: “Almouneer is dedicated to fostering innovation and industry disruption through its array of digital services for patients and clinic networks. This objective strongly aligns with the goals of both Proparco and Digital Africa.”
Babacar Seck, CEO of Digital Africa, commented: “Digital Africa welcomes Almouneer to the Bridge Fund portfolio with great enthusiasm, as we are investing in a strategic, high-impact sector. We are delighted to contribute to Noha and her teams, and behind them all the patients for who Almouneer simplifies life.”
Source: Wamda
SVC invests $10 million in Ruya Private Capital I to back Saudi SMEs
01 Nov 2023 Written by Admin AdminThe private credit fund Ruya Private Capital I LP, run by Ruya Partners, has received a $10 million investment from Saudi Venture Capital (SVC).
Founded in 2020 by Omar Al Yawer, Mirza Beg and Rashid Siddiqi, Ruya Partners is an independent private credit firm that provides funding solutions to private sector companies in developing markets.
The fund will focus on providing capital solutions in the form of private debt instruments to SMEs, with a concentration on mid-market companies, including late-stage venture capital-backed businesses in Saudi Arabia and the region.
Press release:
Saudi Venture Capital (SVC) announced its investment of $10 million in "Ruya Private Capital I LP," a private credit fund managed by Ruya Partners.
The fund will focus on providing capital solutions in the form of private debt instruments to SMEs, with a concentration on mid-market companies, including late-stage venture capital-backed businesses, in Saudi Arabia and the region.
The subscription agreement was signed by Dr. Nabeel Koshak, CEO and Board Member at SVC, and Omar Al Yawer, Partner at Ruya Partners.
The signing ceremony was also attended by Nora Alsarhan, Chief Investment Officer, and Haifa Bahaian, Chief Legal Officer at SVC, as well as Mirza Beg and Rashid Siddiqi, Founding Partners at Ruya Partners.
Dr. Koshak commented: "The investment in the private credit fund managed by Ruya Partners is part of SVC's Investment in Funds Program. The investment also comes as a result of the increasing demand for venture debt and private debt by Saudi startups and SMEs and to implement SVC's strategy related to the launch of the "Investment in Venture Debt Funds and Private Debt Funds" product to fill financing gaps in the ecosystem".
"We are honored to have received this commitment of capital and trust from SVC and look forward to a successful partnership together," stated Omar Al Yawer.
The Founding Partners Mirza Beg and Rashid Siddiqi added: "We firmly believe that offering private credit capital solutions to companies in a manner which is non-dilutive to shareholders will serve as a powerful catalyst for their future growth and should contribute towards the continued expansion and development of the SME ecosystem."
SVC is a government investment company established in 2018 and is a subsidiary of the SME Bank, one of the developmental banks affiliated with the National Development Fund. SVC aims to stimulate and sustain financing for startups and SMEs from pre-Seed to pre-IPO by investing $2 billion through investment in funds and co-investment in startups. SVC invested in 43 funds that have invested in 700+ companies.
Source: Wamda
Talent Acceleration Platform (TAP), a promising startup in the tech industry, has recently announced the successful completion of a seed funding round. Led by Wamda Capital, the round raised an impressive $1 million, highlighting the confidence and support TAP has garnered from investors. This significant investment will undoubtedly propel TAP's growth and enable the company to further develop its innovative solutions.
The Seed Funding Round:
TAP's seed funding round, which closed recently, has been a resounding success. The round was led by Wamda Capital, a renowned venture capital firm known for its strategic investments in high-potential startups. The participation of other notable investors further validates TAP's potential and underscores the market's confidence in the company's vision.
TAP's Innovative Solutions:
TAP has been making waves in the tech industry with its groundbreaking solutions. The company focuses on developing cutting-edge technologies that revolutionize the way businesses operate. TAP's flagship product is a state-of-the-art software platform that streamlines and automates various business processes, enhancing efficiency and productivity.
The Importance of Seed Funding:
Seed funding plays a crucial role in the early stages of a startup's journey. It provides the necessary capital to fuel growth, develop products, and expand the team. TAP's successful seed funding round not only demonstrates the market's belief in the company's potential but also provides the resources needed to accelerate its growth trajectory.
Wamda Capital's Strategic Investment:
Wamda Capital's decision to lead TAP's seed funding round is a testament to the startup's promising future. With its extensive experience and network in the tech industry, Wamda Capital brings more than just financial support to the table. Their strategic guidance and industry expertise will undoubtedly prove invaluable as TAP continues to scale and establish itself as a key player in the market.
Future Prospects:
With the infusion of $1 million in seed funding, TAP is well-positioned to capitalize on the market opportunities and further develop its innovative solutions. The funding will enable the company to expand its team, enhance its product offerings, and accelerate its go-to-market strategy. TAP's future prospects look promising, and the company is poised to make a significant impact in the tech industry.
TAP's successful seed funding round, led by Wamda Capital, marks a significant milestone in the company's journey. The $1 million investment will provide the necessary resources for TAP to continue its growth trajectory and solidify its position as a leading player in the tech industry. With its innovative solutions and strategic partnerships, TAP is poised to make a lasting impact and shape the future of business operations.
About TAP:
TAP founded in 2018, is a Dutch/ Palestinian initiative that provides talented youth in Palestine with 16-week online educational programs to prepare them for remote work with European companies. TAP's programs focus on developing in-demand technical skills and power skills.
Once participants complete TAP's programs, they are connected with potential employers through TAP's network of European companies. TAP's new funding will enable it to expand to other countries in the MENA region in the coming years.
For more information, you can visit their website by clicking here.
Saudi Arabia and Switzerland partner to boost cleantech innovation and sustainability
29 Oct 2023 Written by Admin AdminSaudi Arabia and Switzerland hosted the first-ever Saudi-Swiss CleanTech Forum in 2023. The event brought together Swiss companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to showcase innovative solutions to address global challenges, combat climate change, and promote sustainability.
The forum was a partnership between the Embassy of Switzerland in Saudi Arabia, the Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA), and King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology (KACST). It aimed to boost international trade and economic ties between the two nations.
Discussions at the forum also revolved around the benefits of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which strives to make the country a major industrial power and a global logistics hub.
In his keynote speech, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim, highlighted the importance of the partnership between Saudi Arabia and Switzerland, as well as the challenges facing the environment. He also stated that Saudi Arabia is a leading country in the Middle East for private sector investment, with around $5.5 billion invested in 2022.
Al-Ibrahim mentioned several significant projects, including the NEOM green hydrogen projects and a carbon capture facility. The NEOM green hydrogen projects, which are expected to be commissioned in 2026, will be the world's largest green energy facility and will be powered entirely by renewable energy.
Switzerland is known for its innovation and utilizes a "bottom-up" approach, with the government focusing on education and fundamental research to support companies. In an interview with Arab News, Helene Budliger Artieda, Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs, explained that the government's primary role is centered on funding a robust education system and supporting fundamental research at universities.
Artieda added that transitioning to a greener world is a key priority for both Saudi Arabia and Switzerland. She highlighted Switzerland's expertise in areas such as railways and water treatment and management. She also mentioned that there are various investment opportunities that Switzerland might be interested in, such as the Kingdom's vast areas, abundant solar parks, and green hydrogen initiatives.
Artieda emphasized the presence of numerous niche opportunities in the Kingdom, including investments in sustainable Saudi fashion. She noted that Switzerland has a well-established textile industry. She also expressed interest in the significant developments occurring in the global fashion industry, implying that Saudi Arabia is eager to align with global trends and standards, particularly those related to sustainability.
On Sunday, Artieda held a meeting with the minister of economy and planning to discuss ways to expand economic relationships, explore the potential for trade and investment collaboration between their respective countries, and review topics of mutual interest. She emphasized the significance of establishing a robust framework to facilitate this cooperation.
Additionally, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday that Saudi Arabia's National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) organized a Saudi-Swiss symposium in Riyadh. The event had several objectives, including shedding light on the Kingdom's economic transformation and exploring investment opportunities between Saudi Arabia and Switzerland.
Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports to Switzerland are valued at around SR3.5 billion ($0.93 billion), while total imports from Switzerland into the Kingdom stand at approximately SR8 billion.
Overall, the Saudi-Swiss CleanTech Forum was a successful event that highlighted the importance of innovation and sustainability in addressing global challenges. The partnership between Saudi Arabia and Switzerland is a positive step towards achieving these goals.
- Saudi Arabia-based full-stack inventory management platform Rewaa has raised $27 million (SAR100 million) in a Series A funding round, led by Wa’ed Ventures, the VC arm of Aramco, along with STC’s Corporate Investment Fund (CIF), Silicon Valley’s Graphene Ventures, Sadu Capital, Vision Ventures, Khwarizmi Ventures, RZM Investment, Derayah VC, and Abdulrahman Sulaiman Al Rajhi & Sons Investment Company.
- Founded in 2018 by Mohammed Alqasir and Abdullah Aljadhai, Rewaa provides retailers with a cloud-based integrated solution that synchronises online and physical store inventory, in addition to offering Point-of-Sale (POS) and accounting modules for a fully integrated platform.
- The company claims to have served more than 7,000 retailers in Saudi Arabia and in the Middle East, creating over 250 local jobs.
Press release:
Rewaa, the leading full-stack inventory management platform for the retail industry, has raised $27 million (SAR 100 million) in a Series A funding round. The round was led by Wa’ed Ventures, the Kingdom-based VC fund wholly owned by Aramco.
STC’s Corporate Innovation Fund (CIF), launched earlier in February to invest in early-stage tech companies across various digital sectors, participated in the round. Rewaa marks CIF’s first venture investment in Saudi Arabia since its launch.
Other participating investors included Silicon Valley’s Graphene Ventures, Sadu Capital, Vision Ventures, Khwarizmi Ventures, RZM Investment, Derayah VC, and Abdulrahman Sulaiman Al Rajhi & Sons Investment Company.
According to the founders, the company has processed over SAR 7 billion in transaction value to date, positioning it as one of Saudi’s fastest-growing SaaS companies in the MENA region. The company specializes in omnichannel inventory management software.
“This investment propels us toward our vision of becoming the optimal technological partner for small and medium-sized businesses in the retail sector. By contributing to the industry's digital transformation through the creation of a globally competitive product, we aim to make a significant impact on retail merchants, empowering them to deliver unparalleled service with heightened efficiency,” said Mohammed Alqasir, Co-Founder and CEO at Rewaa.
Founded in 2018 by Mohammed Alqasir and Abdullah Aljadhai, Rewaa provides retailers with a cloud-based integrated solution that synchronizes online and physical store inventory seamlessly, in addition to offering Point-of-Sale (POS) and accounting modules for a fully integrated platform. The company aims to become a technical partner for retailers by providing advanced technical solutions to manage inventory, sales, and payments which facilitate various business functions all from one portal.
Since its inception, Rewaa has served more than 7,000 retailers in the Kingdom and abroad, creating over 250 local jobs. The company’s innovation and success led to its recognition as one of the 35 tech companies in the Saudi Unicorns Program. The program itself was announced during LEAP, the region’s largest technology conference, as a joint initiative by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT), the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), and Misk Foundation.
“Rewaa’s revolutionary approach to digitizing and optimizing operational processes based on efficiency and scale-up goals for SMEs perfectly addresses the needs of the typically-scattered retail industry,” said Fahad Alidi, Managing Director at Wa’ed Ventures.
“We had the privilege of knowing Mohammed and Abdullah since their early days as founders. We are proud to back their growth today as they transform Rewaa from a simple digital tool to the go-to cloud-based POS and inventory management platform for local and regional retailers,” he adds.
“We are pleased to invest in Rewaa, which has proven itself through tremendous in recent months, thanks to a and thanks to a great team behind these achievements. Through our investment, we seek to participate in developing technologies that support the retail market, including Rewaa'a company,” commented Majed Aljarboua, General Manager at stc Corporate Funds & Entrepreneurship.
Source: Wamda
- UAE-based fintech myZoi has raised $14 million from SC Ventures and SBI Holdings.
- Founded in 2022 by Christian Buchholz and Syed Muhammad Ali, myZoi is a fintech focused on financial inclusion and financial literacy for the underbanked. It recently obtained two regulatory licences from the Central Bank of the UAE.
- myZoi aims to use the funds to expand its presence in the UAE.
Press release:
myZoi, an innovative fintech focused on financial inclusion and financial literacy for the underbanked, has raised $14 million from SC Ventures and SBI Holdings, as it obtains two regulatory licenses from the Central Bank of the UAE. These achievements mark a significant milestone in myZoi’s mission to enable, digitise and simplify access to essential financial services for over 5 million low-income migrant workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and beyond.
“At the heart of myZoi lies the transformative potential of fintech to innovate with solutions that foster financial inclusion. myZoi will strive towards reducing the transaction cost of migrant remittances to less than 3%, in line with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (10c), while providing corporates a digitised, safe and efficient way to process payroll,” said Syed Muhammad Ali, Co-Founder and CEO of myZoi. “As a tech-led, digital-native company, our drive is to make a meaningful difference not just in the lives of the underbanked, but their lifeline, which is their support network of families as well.”
Headquartered in the UAE, myZoi brings global financial expertise and high standards of compliance. myZoi has secured two licenses from the Central Bank of the UAE: the Stored Value Facilities (SVF) and the Retail Payment Services and Card Schemes (RPSCS) Category II. The licenses enable myZoi to empower the underbanked and support their essential transactional needs through a single platform.
The concept was originally developed by the Co-founder and Chief Product Officer, Christian Buchholz, and incubated under SC Ventures. Buchholz, who led SC Ventures’ design and innovation initiatives across multiple geographies over the last five years, spent extensive time within the communities myZoi will benefit the most. He was deeply inspired by their commitment to remitting up to 80%2 of their income home, leaving little for personal use. The offering, aptly named myZoi, where Zoi means 'life' in Greek, extends beyond the underbanked in the UAE and seeks to also positively impact the families back home.
“There are over 1.4 billion unbanked individuals globally. At SC Ventures, we invest in innovative business models like myZoi so we can better serve the communities we operate in. We believe that fintech innovations such as myZoi are emerging as the catalyst for change. They are building an ecosystem that delivers simple yet meaningful solutions to low-income migrant workers while offering a commercially viable and socially impactful proposition,” said Gautam Jain, Member, SC Ventures.
myZoi aims to use the funds raised to expand its inclusive and differentiated proposition for the underbanked and their families. myZoi places equal commitment to financial inclusion and financial literacy. myZoi is preparing for its full commercial launch by the end of 2023.
“We wholeheartedly believe in myZoi’s vision to enable financial inclusion and secure an equitable future for every individual, regardless of their background or social status. Therefore, we are happy to invest in this impactful fintech. Our partnership with myZoi goes beyond mere financial investment and extends to support a more empowered future for all,” said Yoshitaka Kitao, SBI Holdilngs, Inc. Representative Director, Chairman, President & CEO.
Source: Wamda
Thrift for Good wins $50,000 grant from She’s Next UAE-based charity platform Thrift for Good has won a $50,000 grant from She’s Next programme, organised by Visa and First Bank of Abu Dhabi (FAB).
Founded in 2020 by Jennifer Sault, Thrift for Good is a charity shop that rehomes preloved clothes and items to raise funds for children’s charities around the world.
Sault has also won one year of business coaching from ITC SheTrades as well as $3,000 of AWS credits and a 1:1 deep dive consultation to help jump-start the winner’s cloud journey on AWS.
The Founder of The Bookshelf startup Nada Alawadhi was granted the $10,000 People’s Favourite award.
Press release:
Visa (NYSE: V), the world's leader in digital payments, together with First Abu Dhabi Bank today announced Jennifer Sault, the Founder of Thrift for Good, a charity shop in Dubai that rehomes preloved clothes and items to raise funds for children’s charities around the world, as the much-anticipated winner of its second She's Next grant programme for UAE. The winner was selected at an award ceremony held at the Museum of the Future in Dubai.
Handpicked from a pool of over 880 applicants from across the GCC, the winning woman-owned small business received a $50,000 grant along with a year of business coaching from the International Trade Centre (ITC), a United Nations and World Trade Organisation, and $3.000 of Amazon Web Services credits.
The business coaching will be provided by the ITC SheTrades Initiative, ITC’s flagship women and trade programme. The winner was selected from a pool of applicants representing a range of sectors including but not limited to textiles, education, food and beverage, professional services, beauty and wellness.
A jury evaluated entries based on the following criteria: the progression of applicant’s entrepreneurial journey; robustness of their business metrics; digital presence; and demonstrated ability to problem-solve confidently.
The members of the jury included: Shaikha Ali AlNaqbi, Head of Contracting Segment – Corporate Banking, First Abu Dhabi Bank; Khuloud Al Omian, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, Forbes Middle East; Carl Manlan, VP, Inclusion Impact & Sustainability, Visa, CEMEA; Houda Buhumaid, Chief Impact Officer, Dubai Holding; Wendy Paratian, Programme Officer, She Trades; and Hadi Aloh, Head of Sales, Commercial Segment, UAE, AWS.
For the first time, She’s Next included a People’s Favourite award, voted for online by members of the general public. This award with a cash prize of $10,000 went to Nada Alawadhi, the Founder of The Bookshelf, a bilingual book subscription for kids.
Further highlighting the increasing focus on sustainability in today’s local business landscape, most of the She’s Next applicants showcased sustainable business practices. In fact, based on the SMB Digitisation Index commissioned by Visa to support the She’s Next programme, all the women entrepreneurs surveyed in the GCC (100%) acknowledged the increasing importance of sustainability in the current business landscape, indicating their commitment to reduce waste, recycle products (45%), and minimise plastic usage (51%).
Through their participation in the She's Next programme, these women entrepreneurs have already gained access to practical insights from women leaders, valuable tools, educational resources, and facilitated training. This includes access to AWS Connected Community and ITC SheTrades Initiative's "Elevate Your Business" training programme.
Visa and ITC will also provide one-to-one advisory support for 30 finalists – equipping these individuals with the guidance and insights to boost their business and financial strategies.
"In a world where women-owned small businesses consistently demonstrate their resilience and future-forward optimism, Visa is proud to acknowledge and support these trailblazing female entrepreneurs in UAE.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations once again to the winners of She’s Next in UAE and look forward to supporting them in their business journey," said Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, Visa’s SVP and Group Country Manager for GCC.
Sara Al Binali, Group Head of Corporate, Commercial, and International Banking at FAB, said: “The She's Next winners exemplify the strength and depth of women-owned businesses in the UAE.
FAB is proud to be part of a programme that is proving to be so effective at empowering and elevating women entrepreneurs in their journey to success. As we celebrate these exceptional winners, we eagerly anticipate their businesses reaching new heights and making a lasting impact on the UAE's entrepreneurial landscape.”
Source: By Nesma Abdel Azim- Wamda
Wa’ed Venture co-leads Mighty Buildings’ $52 million Series B round
16 Sep 2023 Written by Admin AdminSaudi Arabia’s Wa’ed Venture, the VC arm of Aramco, has co-led a $52 million Series B round in the US-based construction technology (contech) startup Mighty Buildings, along with BOLD Capital, with participation from Khosla Ventures and 15 other new and existing investors.
Mighty Buildings, founded in 2017, is a 3D printing contech known for its prefabricated, environmentally friendly and climate-resilient homes.
The new round brings the total funding raised since inception to $153 million.
The funds will be used to build out Mighty Buildings’ factories in North America and expand operations to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Press release:
Mighty Buildings, the leader in 3D printing construction technology known for its prefabricated, environmentally friendly and climate-resilient homes, today announced that it has raised $52 million in funding. This latest round demonstrates strong investor confidence in Mighty Buildings' innovative offsite 3D printing construction technology.
The round was co-led by Wa’ed Ventures, the $500 million innovation-focused venture capital fund backed by Saudi Aramco, and by BOLD Capital Partners, a U.S. disruption and transformation-focused venture firm. Existing investor Khosla Ventures and new investor KB-Badgers, a South Korean firm investing from its sustainability-focused fund, were among a total of almost 20 investors in the round. New investors contributed more than half of the funds raised.
Funding is earmarked to accelerate the development and scale production of new homes for the U.S. market, where new home demand continues to increase, as well as to establish manufacturing operations in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two of the largest and fastest-growing construction markets in the world. The addition of operations in the Gulf region aligns with Mighty Buildings' strategy to transform housing construction globally while addressing sustainability, climate resilience, and the global housing shortage.
“The team at Mighty Buildings have reaffirmed our confidence in the incredible and diverse potential for innovation lying within the construction tech industry. Our investment in the company reflects our belief that innovative materials, such as those used in Mighty Buildings’ proprietary 3D-printing, will be a major driver for scalability and sustainability of homebuilding in the Gulf Region,” said Fahad Alidi, Managing Director at Wa’ed Ventures.
Mighty Buildings is meeting a rapidly growing demand for sustainable, prefabricated housing, as evidenced by the delivery of over 50 units to date, an important milestone that reflects the company's progress in developing scalable housing technology. By focusing on its mission, the company is making it easier, faster and more cost-effective to build homes, while pushing the construction industry towards lower carbon, climate-resilient solutions.
“This recent funding underlines Mighty Buildings’ leadership in the modular homebuilding market. It will accelerate our growth by funding the international expansion to one of the most exciting homebuilding regions in the world. We are thrilled about the support from such esteemed investors for our mission: solving the housing and climate crises by transforming the way the world builds homes,” said Mighty Buildings’ CFO Rene Griemens.
Following the opening of its innovative, industrial-scale factory in Monterrey, Mexico, in 2022, the company continues to emphasize its strategy of transformative home building. Mighty Buildings’ patented factory-based 3D printing manufacturing process speeds construction by 3-4x, providing for the completion of a home’s envelope in less than one week with drastically less water and near zero waste.
Using its patented Lumus material, which is 5x stronger than concrete, the technology of Mighty Buildings creates climate-resilient homes that resist severe weather, hurricanes and earthquakes.
Source: Wamda
Palestine-based AI data training company DataQueue has raised an undisclosed amount from the Ibtikar Fund.
Founded in 2021 by Bashir Alsaifi, DataQueue is an AI data training firm that allows organisations to have access to a broad range of annotated and labelled data for training their AI models.
This funding round will provide DataQueue with the resources to further develop its technology, strengthen its research and development capabilities, and expand its customer base.
Press release:
Ibtikar Fund announced their investment in DataQueue, a leading AI data training company, and an innovative platform to manage the entire AI lifecycle.
“DataQueue aims to revolutionize the AI landscape by simplifying the training data process and empowering organisations to unlock the true potential of AI. We are thrilled to have the support of Ibtikar Fund in our journey to democratis3 AI and enable businesses to leverage its transformative power," explained Bashir Alsaifi, DataQueue’s Founder and CEO.
The field of AI faces numerous challenges, particularly in the acquisition and management of high-quality training data. DataQueue has emerged as a solution provider, offering a comprehensive platform that addresses these challenges and streamlines the AI lifecycle for organisations.
One of the primary obstacles in AI development is acquiring diverse and reliable training data at scale. DataQueue tackles this problem by leveraging advanced algorithms and crowdsourcing techniques to efficiently gather large volumes of relevant training data from diverse sources. This approach accelerates the data acquisition process and ensures organisations have access to a broad range of annotated and labelled data for training their AI models.
Accurate annotation and labelling of training data are essential for the effectiveness of AI models. DataQueue's platform incorporates robust annotation tools and quality control mechanisms, guaranteeing precise labelling and minimising errors. This attention to detail significantly improves the performance and accuracy of AI models.
Similarly, managing and organising training data can be a complex task, especially as data volumes increase. DataQueue's centralised platform provides efficient data management capabilities, enabling organisations to categorise, search, and retrieve data seamlessly. This streamlined approach optimises the data management process, saving valuable time and resources.
“Our team was impressed by DataQueue's comprehensive approach to training data management and their commitment to quality and scalability. We believe in their vision to simplify the AI lifecycle for businesses, and we are excited to partner with them as they continue to innovate and disrupt this industry,” said Ambar Amleh, Managing Partner at Ibtikar Fund.
This funding round will provide DataQueue with the resources to further develop its technology, strengthen its research and development capabilities, and expand its customer base.
source: Wamda
Fla6labs announces awards up to $100,000 in funding for contechs in Egypt
17 Aug 2023 Written by Admin AdminMakers, the construction technology (contech) accelerator launched by Flat6Labs in partnership with SIAC and Dar Al-Handasah (Shair and Partners), has announced that it will award the selected startups up to $100,000 each.
The programme will also grant access to pilot projects, industry experts, mentorship, business training, one-on-one consultations, coaching sessions, networking opportunities, and essential resources to cultivate and scale their businesses.
The programme will initially focus on Egyptian entrepreneurs, before expanding to Saudi Arabia and subsequently to the wider Mena region.
Press release:
Flat6Labs, the region's leading seed and early-stage venture capital firm, has launched the "Makers" ConTech Accelerator Program in partnership with SIAC and Dar Al-Handasah (Shair and Partners).
The program is the first-ever construction-focused accelerator program in the Middle East that aims to support advanced startups in the construction technology industry.
The "Makers" ConTech Accelerator Program will provide select startups with up to $100,000 in funding per startup as well as grant access to pilot projects, industry experts, mentorship, business training, one-on-one consultations, coaching sessions, networking opportunities, and essential resources to cultivate and scale their businesses.
The program will last 12 weeks, startups will be chosen based on their unique new technology, hardworking founders, and exceptionally promising products, presented at a minimum viable product (MVP) level or higher.
The launch of the new program follows Makers’ first pre-accelerator program, which ran in early 2023 and which aimed to promote construction industry innovation through connecting and engaging with various industry stakeholders with extensive expertise, thereby creating sustainable innovation ecosystems for resolving construction-related challenges within SIAC, Dar, and the industry at large.
The pre-accelerator program graduated nine of the most innovative ConTech startups in Egypt – including Reblox, Tawredaat, AION Innovation, Masafa, HomeLab, A.D Innovations, Makinahub, and JEEZAR.
During the pre-accelerator, these startups were offered strategic mentorship, entrepreneurship-focused business training, one-on-one sessions with subject matter experts, as well as other benefits that would empower them to develop and present their innovative ideas and solutions.
With the launch of the new accelerator program, Flat6Labs intends to provide ongoing support to construction technology startups. The program will initially focus on Egyptian entrepreneurs, before expanding to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and subsequently to the wider MENA region.
Commenting on the new Makers Accelerator Program, Faysal Shair, Head of Digital Solutions at Dar, said, “We are thrilled to continue our exceptional collaboration with SIAC and Flat6Labs to accelerate the transformation of the construction industry.
We believe that the program will promote innovation in the construction industry and foster talents in construction tech, empowering them to showcase their innovative solutions and work alongside industry leaders to bring those solutions to the market. We are looking forward to seeing what the selected startups will bring to the table."
"We are proud to be a part of the journey towards digitising the construction industry and unlocking more opportunities and potential for ConTech startups in Egypt," stated Seif Ragab, Deputy CEO at SIAC. “
The digital revolution of the construction industry is becoming more crucial than ever and we are excited to capitalise on this momentum and make major leaps. We are confident that the expansion of this program would essentially help the growth and development of the region's constructing industry."
"We are excited to announce the launch of an accelerator program in collaboration with SIAC and Dar Al-Handasah, with the hope that it will serve as a conduit for the development of cutting-edge innovation while driving growth and opportunities for promising startups," said Yehia Houry, Chief Programs Officer at Flat6Labs.
"We are proud of the success of the pre-accelerator program, and we believe that Makers will have a significant impact on the construction industry in Egypt, and eventually across the Middle East."
Compared to other sectors like fintech, the construction industry typically moves at a slower pace when it comes to embracing innovation or digitalisation.
The Makers program strives to equip construction entrepreneurs with the necessary support in order to provide innovative solutions and fresh technologies that optimise and automate construction industry processes, making them more efficient and sustainable while propelling the sector forward.
Source: Wamda
