Diala J. Daoud’s Post

As geopolitical tensions continue to escalate across the MENA, the pressure on the region’s venture ecosystem is becoming more tangible. The critical question is no longer whether the impact will be felt, but how boldly local ecosystems can respond. For instance, consider the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Qatar—according to Diala J. Daoud, a startup enabler based in the country, each time it has faced a crisis, it did not simply recover; it recalibrated, rebuilt, and emerged ahead of where it started. 🇶🇦 "Every crisis this ecosystem has weathered has produced a generation of founders, investors, and ecosystem builders who were shaped by the pressure and strengthened by it," Daoud writes, in an exclusive op-ed for Inc. Arabia. "This moment is no different. Our bet is on public and private stakeholders to move with conviction and in unison to survive this disruption, and emerge from it stronger, more resilient, and globally competitive. Qatar has done it before. And it will do so again." Read Daoud's full piece—which also features Qatari startup ecosystem players like Golden Gate Ventures' Michael Lints, Alchemist Doha's Muhannad Taslaq, and Startup Grind Doha's Indica Amarasinghe—here: https://lnkd.in/dsnCp24J #Qatar #entrepreneurs #startups #venturecapital #investment #innovation #crisis #management #leadership #business #GCC #MiddleEast #MENA

 Qatar’s startup community has become a mirror of the nation’s strength in times of uncertainty, with citizens and expatriates alike standing behind each other and the government’s efforts to safeguard stability. Startup Grind Doha chapter director Indica Amarasinghe told Gulf Times yesterday that the unity of Qatar’s diverse communities is also a source of optimism, underscoring the shared resilience of citizens and residents in demonstrating how solidarity can “overcome short-term challenges and reinforce the country’s long-term vision.” “From the perspective of the startup community, I’ve seen how Qatar has handled different challenges over the past decade. Each time, the government has acted wisely and proactively to support citizens, businesses, and residents. “As an expatriate living in Qatar and part of the startup ecosystem, I firmly believe they are doing their very best for everyone right now. I’m confident we will come through this,” explained Amarasinghe, citing the ongoing regional conflict that shocked both regional and global markets. According to Amarasinghe, the country’s investments in the startup ecosystem, through initiatives like the Web Summit Qatar and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA)’s fund of funds programme, among others, “are designed for the long term.” “My encouragement to entrepreneurs, founders, startups, and the wider ecosystem is to focus on overcoming these short-term challenges, because there is so much more to contribute to and benefit from in Qatar’s future,” he emphasised, adding that “We’re not the only ones affected; many countries and much of the world are facing challenges. We’re not in this alone.” Amarasinghe also encouraged young entrepreneurs in Qatar who are just starting their journey: “My advice is to hold on. This is part of the startup journey; just another bump in the road. Entrepreneurs need to be resilient and take a lean approach to their operations to get through this period and come back stronger.... #Qatar #community #diversity #startups Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dK_JquKy

Moments of instability often bring sharper scrutiny to how startups are built and managed. And in such situations, entrepreneurs would be wise to refocus on the fundamentals of their businesses. That’s the crux of the perspective that Ekta Tolani, Chief Investment Officer at the Dubai-headquartered KBW Ventures, shares in this edition of 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘬, where she outlines three priorities that entrepreneurs in the MENA region should keep front of mind as they navigate shifting market conditions. Here’s how she breaks it down: 𝟭. 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗯. "It is always a good idea to conserve your resources, and think about worst case scenarios in terms of funding and market downturns. Investors ask about burn and runway, and it really is a telling metric. This isn’t only true for GCC-based startups, it is true for all startups regardless of geography." 𝟮. 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗼��𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀. “A strong business focuses on elevating customer service—it is important to retain clients, no matter the scale, to help you in good and bad markets. A solid customer base can help your business weather uncertain market conditions. The better your client relations segment is, whether you have a product or a service, the more likely you are to have word-of-mouth referrals when people consider who to go with in a tough market." 𝟯. 𝗘𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲. “In times of uncertainty, make sure that key instructions and protocols are cascaded to all relevant team members to ensure that operations continue to run smoothly. Put in place guidelines on who to contact for help, and who the sign-off authorities are for changes in operations that might be needed in uncertain conditions.” For more of Tolani's insights, check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dPSvzJYM #entrepreneurs #startups #investors #venturecapital #business #leaders #strategy #management #teambuilding #crisis #GCC #MiddleEast #MENA

● Startups across the region raised $326.6 million across 62 deals, a 42% drop from January and 38% lower than February last year. The decline, however, was largely driven by the absence of mega deals, not a collapse in startup activity. A few trends stand out: ✦ 🇦🇪 The UAE led the region, raising $162.8M across 23 startups ✦ 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia followed with $87.7M across 25 deals ✦ 🇪🇬 Egypt ranked third with $64M, driven by Breadfast’s $50M round Sector dynamics remained familiar: ✦ Fintech dominated with $94.7M raised ✦ E-commerce returned to the top three sectors ✦ Deeptech secured $51M through just two deals Meanwhile, early-stage startups drove the majority of activity, raising $136.4M across 49 deals. Investors also continued to favour B2B startups, which captured the largest share of capital during the month. One concerning signal: female-founded startups received no funding in February, highlighting a persistent funding gap across the region’s venture ecosystem. With geopolitical tensions rising toward the end of the month, the question now is whether investors will become more cautious or whether the ecosystem will continue to show the resilience it has demonstrated through previous periods of instability. ◆ Full analysis is now live on Wamda. What trend stood out to you the most this month? https://lnkd.in/dU46fY8f #Investment #MENA #Startup #Fintech #WamdaReport #WamdaInsights

February was a quieter month for MENA startup funding. 🔹 Startups across the region raised $326.6M across 62 deals, a noticeable slowdown compared with January. The absence of mega deals played a major role, even though early-stage activity remained relatively steady and fintech continued to lead sector funding. But beyond the numbers, two broader themes stand out. 🔹 First, the report comes out as we mark #InternationalWomenDay. Yet in February, female-founded startups did not secure funding across the region, while only a handful of mixed-gender teams raised capital. It’s a reminder that the conversation around access to venture capital for women founders in MENA still has a long way to go. 🔹 Second, the region is entering a more uncertain geopolitical moment following the recent escalation involving the US, Israel, and Iran, and Iran’s attacks against Gulf neighbours. Historically, the MENA startup ecosystem has shown resilience during periods of instability, but moments like this inevitably raise questions about investor sentiment and capital flows. So the question for the ecosystem now is: ▪️ Will investors become more cautious in the coming months? ▪️ Could geopolitical risk slow cross-border capital into the region? ▪️ Or will strong regional liquidity and newly raised funds keep momentum going? Curious to hear how founders, investors, and ecosystem players are thinking about the months ahead. The full February investment analysis is now live on Wamda. https://lnkd.in/dY-Qf7tT #Investment #MENA #Startup #Fintech #WamdaReport #WamdaInsights #IWD26

Recent data published by Wamda ومضة on startup investment across the Middle East and North Africa provides an interesting snapshot of how the regional venture ecosystem is evolving. In February 2026, startups across the region raised $𝟯𝟮𝟲.𝟲 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝟲𝟮 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀. While the figures reflect shifting investment dynamics, the underlying trends point more toward a phase of greater investor selectivity rather than a retreat from the market. One of the clearest trends is the continued dominance of the United Arab Emirates as the region’s primary startup funding hub. Nearly half of the capital deployed in February was raised by UAE-based startups, reinforcing the country’s role as: 🇦🇪 A central platform for venture capital 🇦🇪 A hub for founders building regional companies 🇦🇪 A base for regional scaling strategies The structure of investment activity also provides insight. 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆-𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀, indicating that investor confidence in the long-term pipeline of regional innovation remains intact. The absence of large later-stage rounds appears to be the main reason behind the drop in overall capital deployed. Sector trends remain closely aligned with the region’s broader economic transformation. 🔸Fintech continues to attract the largest share of funding, reflecting the rapid digitisation of financial services across the region. 🔸Deeptech investments, although limited in number, signal growing interest in more technically complex and capital-intensive ventures. The data also highlights a persistent challenge. Female-founded startups did not receive any funding during the month, reflecting a structural imbalance that continues to affect venture ecosystems globally. Overall, the figures suggest a maturing ecosystem, where capital is becoming more selective while innovation activity remains strong. #repost #startupfunding #gcc #mena #investmentattraction

Saudi Arabia Startups 🇸🇦 Ministry of Investment Publishes Saudi Startup Ecosystem Guide (2026) The Ministry of Investment has released the Saudi Startup Ecosystem Guide (2026). This isn’t just a handbook. It’s a policy document disguised as a guide — and that distinction matters. Three Key Takeaways 1️⃣ From Capital Market → Ecosystem Market Saudi Arabia is no longer just deploying funds. It is building full-stack startup infrastructure: • Government-backed accelerators • Sovereign VC participation • Regulatory sandboxes • National innovation programs Capital is now paired with institutional structure. 2️⃣ Increasing Policy Clarity The guide clearly maps: • Priority sectors • Licensing pathways • National support frameworks • Market entry routes For foreign founders, this addresses the biggest historical barrier: uncertainty. Saudi is transforming “opaque opportunity” into navigable opportunity. 3️⃣ The Real Shift: Scale Ambition Unlike many emerging markets building small innovation clusters, Saudi is building national-scale platforms aligned with Saudi Vision 2030: • Fintech • AI • Logistics • Mobility • Climate tech • Deep infrastructure innovation This is startup policy with sovereign backing. The Bigger Insight One of the biggest misconceptions about Saudi Arabia: People think it’s early-stage. In reality, it’s early access to late-scale ambition. Timing matters. Those who enter too late won’t lack opportunity — they’ll lack positioning. If you are a founder, investor, or operator considering expansion into Saudi Arabia or the UAE, strategic entry planning is critical. NAMCO | Global Business Services is a MISA-approved incubator supporting: ✔ Company setup ✔ Licensing & CR registration ✔ Iqama processing ✔ PRO & regulatory services Expanding into the region requires more than capital — it requires structure, clarity, and execution readiness. #SaudiArabia #Startups #Vision2030 #Entrepreneurship #MISA #VentureCapital #Innovation #MiddleEast #BusinessExpansion #EcosystemBuilding

Saudi Arabia is not just opening its doors to startups, it’s building a structured runway for them. The recently published Saudi Startup Ecosystem Handbook by the Ministry of Investment is one of the most practical and comprehensive resources I can now share with #founders, #investors, and ecosystem builders exploring the Kingdom. It covers: ✔A clear overview of the Saudi startup ecosystem ✔Priority and high-growth sectors ✔Regulatory frameworks and licensing pathways ✔Step-by-step guidance for foreign companies looking to establish operations For international founders constantly asking, “Where do we start in #KSA?”, this handbook opens the door. #SaudiArabia continues to position itself as a regional powerhouse for #innovation, #fintech, #venturecapital, and #SME growth. The clarity and structure provided in this publication reflect the maturity and ambition of the ecosystem. If you’re considering expanding into KSA, this is a must-read starting point. #SaudiArabia #Startups #Fintech #MENA #Vision2030 #Entrepreneurship

The Ministry of Investment has recently published the Saudi Startup Ecosystem Handbook, a comprehensive guide designed to help #founders, #investors, and international companies navigate the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving startup landscape. The handbook provides: • A detailed overview of the Saudi startup ecosystem • Insights into high-growth and priority sectors • Clear explanation of regulatory frameworks • Practical guidance for foreign companies looking to establish operations in KSA For #startups in the #Egypt, #Qatar, #Pakistan, #Europe and across the region exploring expansion into #SaudiArabia, this handbook serves as a strong starting point. As #SaudiArabia continues to accelerate innovation under Vision 2030, structured resources like this reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to attracting global entrepreneurs and capital. At Fintech News Qatar, we see this as another positive step toward strengthening the broader #MENA startup and #fintech ecosystem. #FintechNewsQatar #Fintech #Startups #MENA #SaudiStartupEcosystem #Vision2030 #SaudiArabia

The Ministry of Investment has recently published the Saudi Startup Ecosystem Handbook, a comprehensive guide designed to help #founders, #investors, and international companies navigate the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving startup landscape. The handbook provides: • A detailed overview of the Saudi startup ecosystem • Insights into high-growth and priority sectors • Clear explanation of regulatory frameworks • Practical guidance for foreign companies looking to establish operations in KSA For #startups in the #Egypt, #Qatar, #Pakistan, #Europe and across the region exploring expansion into #SaudiArabia, this handbook serves as a strong starting point. As #SaudiArabia continues to accelerate innovation under Vision 2030, structured resources like this reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to attracting global entrepreneurs and capital. At Fintech News Europe, we see this as another positive step toward strengthening the broader #MENA startup and #fintech ecosystem. #FintechNewsEurope #Fintech #Startups #MENA #SaudiStartupEcosystem #Vision2030 #SaudiArabia