https://www.arabnews.com/main-category/startups en https://www.arabnews.com/node/2621908/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/nour-el-shaeri-0">Nour El-Shaeri</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Sat, 2025-11-08 22:03</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Startup funding in the Middle East and North Africa region posted an annual rise of 395 percent in October, indicating ongoing investor confidence, according to Wamda’s monthly report. </p> <p> The $784.9 million secured across the month did however mark a 77 percent decline from September’s $3.5 billion high. </p> <p> Debt financing continued to dominate in October, accounting for $567.8 million— or 72 percent — of total funding through four deals. Equity and other investment instruments collectively raised $217 million. </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/2025/11/08/4656305-619329684.jpg" width="1200" height="716" alt="" title="Saudi based Q-commerce platform Doos has received a strategic investment from Jahez as it moves to expand beyond food delivery. (Supplied)" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/start-week">Start-up of the Week</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/mena-startups">MENA startups</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/startup-funding">startup funding</a></div></div></div> Sat, 08 Nov 2025 19:11:18 +0000 Sajjadkk 2621908 at https://www.arabnews.com https://www.arabnews.com/node/2621856/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/242891">SPA</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Sat, 2025-11-08 13:56</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Some 24 startups have qualified for the final stage of the Entrepreneurship World Cup as part of the Biban Forum 2025, as they vie for a chance to win prizes totaling $1.5 million. </p> <p> The finals began with the participation of the top 100 startups from more than 47 countries in what is the world’s largest competition for entrepreneurs, according to SPA.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/2025/11/08/4656155-792330973.png" width="1172" height="677" alt="" title="The Entrepreneurship World Cup is sponsored by the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, also known as Monsha’at. SPA" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/biban-2025">biban 2025</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/entrepreneurship-world-cup-ewc">Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC)</a></div></div></div> Sat, 08 Nov 2025 11:00:47 +0000 owen.bennett 2621856 at https://www.arabnews.com https://www.arabnews.com/node/2621835/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/242891">SPA</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Sat, 2025-11-08 10:06</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: The third day of Biban Forum 2025 saw the signing of 11 agreements and memorandums of understanding and the launch of seven financing portfolios with a total value above SR7.6 billion ($2.03 billion).</p> <p> These portfolios support entrepreneurial projects and the SME sector, according to the Saudi Press Agency. </p> <p> The Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, also known as Monsha’at, signed cooperation agreements with Tarmeez Financial Co. to allocate SR4 billion to finance entrepreneurs and SMEs, and with Al-Taysir Arabia Finance Co. for SR3 billion. </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/2025/11/08/4656099-925885384.png" width="2290" height="1542" alt="" title="Hosted by Monsha’at, Biban Forum 2025 is Saudi Arabia’s premier entrepreneurship gathering, running from Nov. 5 to 8 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center. SPA" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/biban-2025">biban 2025</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/general-authority-small-and-medium-enterprises-monshaat-0">General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monshaat)</a></div></div></div> Sat, 08 Nov 2025 07:12:46 +0000 owen.bennett 2621835 at https://www.arabnews.com https://www.arabnews.com/node/2621741/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/rahaf-jambi">Rahaf Jambi</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Fri, 2025-11-07 13:51</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Biban Forum 2025 has once again cemented Saudi Arabia’s role as a global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, gathering startups, investors, and business leaders from around the world under one roof at Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center. </p> <p> Organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, known as Monsha’at, under the theme “A Global Destination for Opportunities,” the event aimed to empower entrepreneurs and strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a destination for business and investment in line with Vision 2030. </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/2025/11/07/4655805-1189823621.png" width="2396" height="1430" alt="" title="Since its inception in 2017, Biban has grown into the Middle East’s largest entrepreneurship forum. AN/Jafa Al-Saleh" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/biban-2025">biban 2025</a></div></div></div> <span class="label abs-el uppercase special"> Special </span> Fri, 07 Nov 2025 11:08:46 +0000 owen.bennett 2621741 at https://www.arabnews.com https://www.arabnews.com/node/2621719/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/242891">SPA</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Fri, 2025-11-07 11:07</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: The Investors’ Arena at Biban Forum 2025, recorded 37 investment intentions during day two, with a total value of SR7.4 million ($1.97 million). </p> <p> These were directed toward 13 fintech startups following a series of live pitches presented by the companies before a panel of investors and experts, reflecting the vibrancy of Saudi Arabia’s investment environment and the maturity of the participating startups’ business models.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/2025/11/07/4655758-57721927.png" width="2310" height="1500" alt="" title="The Investors’ Arena is one of the forum’s key events. SPA" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/biban-2025">biban 2025</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/fintech">fintech</a></div></div></div> Fri, 07 Nov 2025 08:15:27 +0000 owen.bennett 2621719 at https://www.arabnews.com https://www.arabnews.com/node/2621713/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/242891">SPA</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Fri, 2025-11-07 10:18</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: The second day of the Biban Forum 2025 witnessed the signing of 21 agreements, as well as the launch of five new initiatives. </p> <p> These efforts reflect the commitment of various entities to support entrepreneurship and empower small and medium enterprises in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals to enhance economic diversification, stimulate innovation, and promote sustainable growth.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/2025/11/07/4655741-135664700.png" width="2328" height="1562" alt="" title="Biban 2025 is being held in Riyadh. SPA" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/biban-2025">biban 2025</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/monsha%E2%80%99">Monsha’at</a></div></div></div> Fri, 07 Nov 2025 07:23:58 +0000 owen.bennett 2621713 at https://www.arabnews.com https://www.arabnews.com/node/2621527/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/rbitem-author/arab-news">Arab News</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Wed, 2025-11-05 18:09</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s flagship entrepreneurship event, Biban Forum 2025, opened in Riyadh on Wednesday, drawing tens of thousands of investors, innovators, and business leaders from around the world as the Kingdom strengthens its position as a global hub for startups and small businesses.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/2025/11/05/4655256-582881117.jpeg" width="1600" height="1067" alt="" title=" Billions of riyals in potential agreements expected as investors and startups converge. SPA" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/biban-2025">biban 2025</a></div></div></div> Wed, 05 Nov 2025 15:15:54 +0000 owen.bennett 2621527 at https://www.arabnews.com https://www.arabnews.com/node/2621496/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/242891">SPA</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Wed, 2025-11-05 13:52</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, Monsha’at, said the Kingdom’s entrepreneurial landscape is expanding rapidly, with SME financing, employment, and business registrations reaching record levels. </p> <p> In a new report titled “Biban 2025: A Destination of Ambition in a Nation Abounding with Opportunities,” released to coincide with the opening of the Biban Forum in Riyadh, the authority detailed progress in the Kingdom’s startup ecosystem and the broader ease of doing business, the Saudi Press Agency reported.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/2025/11/05/4655175-894197055.png" width="2296" height="1494" alt="" title="Held at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center from Nov. 5 to 8, Biban 2025 is expected to attract more than 140,000 visitors " /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/biban-2025">biban 2025</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/startups">startups</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/general-authority-small-and-medium-enterprises-monshaat-0">General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monshaat)</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/small-and-medium-enterprises-general-authority">Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority</a></div></div></div> Wed, 05 Nov 2025 11:03:32 +0000 owen.bennett 2621496 at https://www.arabnews.com https://www.arabnews.com/node/2621125/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/nour-el-shaeri-0">Nour El-Shaeri</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Sat, 2025-11-01 22:33</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Saudi Arabia led this week’s startup activity, with a surge of venture deals, strategic partnerships, and funding announcements across key sectors including artificial intelligence, logistics, fintech, and HR technology. </p> <p> The wave of investment underscores the Kingdom’s growing prominence as a hub for innovation and its continued push to diversify its economy through technology-driven enterprises. </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/2025/11/01/4654250-1498487630.jpg" width="1200" height="716" alt="" title="Saudi food delivery platform Jahez has partnered with noon to integrate their services and enhance delivery speed and products across the Kingdom. (Supplied)" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/start-week">Start-up of the Week</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/saudi-startups">saudi startups</a></div></div></div> Sat, 01 Nov 2025 19:37:41 +0000 Sajjadkk 2621125 at https://www.arabnews.com https://www.arabnews.com/node/2620418/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/abdulsalam-al-thamiri-al-eqtisadiah%C2%A0">ABDULSALAM AL-THAMIRI AL-EQTISADIAH </a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Mon, 2025-10-27 13:11</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Winners of the fourth Industrial Hackathon will gain access to a special program that helps turn their ideas into reality through implementation by Saudi factories for potential investment returns, revealed a senior minister. </p> <p> In an interview with Al-Eqtisadiah, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Industrial Development Fund Bandar Alkhorayef emphasized the importance of supporting young innovators and following up on their projects. </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/2025/10/27/4652467-784913560.png" width="839" height="554" alt="" title="Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef. File" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/minister-industry-and-mineral-resources-bandar-alkhorayef">Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/hackathon">Hackathon</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/sidf-hackathon-2025">SIDF Hackathon 2025</a></div></div></div> Mon, 27 Oct 2025 10:17:58 +0000 owen.bennett 2620418 at https://www.arabnews.com https://www.arabnews.com/node/2620245/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/nirmal-narayanan">Nirmal Narayanan</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Sat, 2025-10-25 22:26</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Startups operating in the Middle East and North Africa witnessed multiple funding rounds in the past week, as companies across a range of industries continue to scale up operations beyond their national borders. </p> <p> The sustained momentum in funding underscores investor confidence in the emerging startup landscape in the region amid global economic headwinds. </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/2025/10/25/4652052-896977699.jpg" width="1200" height="716" alt="" title="Founded in 2024, TabSense replaces traditional PoS systems with autonomous AI agents that streamline operations and automate management tasks. (Supplied)" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/start-week">Start-up of the Week</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/mena">MENA</a></div></div></div> Sat, 25 Oct 2025 19:30:54 +0000 Sajjadkk 2620245 at https://www.arabnews.com https://www.arabnews.com/node/2619988/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/miguel-hadchity">Miguel Hadchity</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Thu, 2025-10-23 17:03</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Some 100 startups from 46 countries have officially qualified for the finals of the Entrepreneurship World Cup 2025, set to be held in the Saudi capital as a centerpiece of the Biban 2025 forum.</p> <p> Scheduled for Nov. 5-8 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Centre, the EWC finals are organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority under the theme “A Global Destination for Opportunity.”</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/2025/10/23/4651353-181202268.png" width="1654" height="1084" alt="" title="The EWC is recognized as the largest global competition for entrepreneurs. File/Monsha’at" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/entrepreneurship-world-cup-ewc">Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC)</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/monsha%E2%80%99">Monsha’at</a></div></div></div> Thu, 23 Oct 2025 14:28:56 +0000 owen.bennett 2619988 at https://www.arabnews.com https://www.arabnews.com/node/2619564/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/reem-walid">Reem Walid</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Mon, 2025-10-20 16:36</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: UAE-based corporate spend management platform Qashio has acquired Saudi fintech Sanad Cash in a strategic move to accelerate its expansion in the Kingdom and deepen its regional footprint. </p> <p> The deal combines Qashio’s technology with Sanad Cash’s local market expertise, enabling Saudi businesses to access a fully localized and compliant solution for managing corporate expenses and cards, the companies said in a joint statement. </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/2025/10/20/4650311-355759594.png" width="629" height="421" alt="" title="Qashio plans to leverage the acquisition to roll out locally issued corporate cards in Saudi Arabia. Supplied" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/finance">Finance</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/fintech">fintech</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/sanad-cash">Sanad Cash</a></div></div></div> Mon, 20 Oct 2025 13:40:02 +0000 owen.bennett 2619564 at https://www.arabnews.com https://www.arabnews.com/node/2619387/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/nour-el-shaeri-0">Nour El-Shaeri</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Sat, 2025-10-18 22:34</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Startups across the Middle East and North Africa are accelerating growth through new funding rounds, regulatory milestones, and technology deployments, with companies in fintech, legal tech, and health tech attracting strong investor interest. </p> <p> From Morocco to the UAE, founders are scaling operations, expanding regionally, and enhancing product capabilities as demand for digital and artificial intelligence-driven services continues to rise across key sectors. </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/2025/10/18/4649822-1510975277.jpg" width="1200" height="675" alt="" title="By hosting its AI infrastructure locally, Tabby will accelerate the development of AI applications across millions of daily interactions. (Supplied)" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/start-week">Start-up of the Week</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/smes">SMEs</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/mena">MENA</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/artificial-intelligence">artificial intelligence</a></div></div></div> Sat, 18 Oct 2025 19:41:41 +0000 Sajjadkk 2619387 at https://www.arabnews.com https://www.arabnews.com/node/2619206/business-economy <div class="field field-name-field-rbitem-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">article author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/article-authors/nour-el-shaeri-0">Nour El-Shaeri</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Fri, 2025-10-17 10:16</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> RIYADH: Venture capital funding in the Middle East surged to a record $2.77 billion in the first nine months of 2025, defying a global downturn, according to MAGNiTT. </p> <p> Funding jumped 152 percent year on year, with the number of deals rising 10 percent to 388, highlighting the region’s growing appeal to global investors even as capital flows into Southeast Asia, Africa, and Pakistan weakened. </p> <p> The surge reflects broader trends in the Middle East venture capital ecosystem, where early-stage and non-mega funding showed robust growth despite global headwinds.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-binary field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/2025/10/17/4649338-2128068640.jpg" width="1000" height="667" alt="" title="Saudi Arabia recorded 173 transactions, a 38 percent yearly increase, in the first nine months of 2025. Shutterstock" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Main category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/economy">Business &amp; Economy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/main-category/startups">Startups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-9 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/venture-capital">VENTURE CAPITAL</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/startups">startups</a></div></div></div> Fri, 17 Oct 2025 08:02:18 +0000 owen.bennett 2619206 at https://www.arabnews.com