#ICYMI 10/01: UAE Tech & Digital News at a Glance
Two weeks in, we’re well on our way into the start of the new year. (We certainly hope everyone has started using their newly registered gym memberships). Though omicron has rocked the boat, the UAE economy is expected to grow owing to Expo 2020 and rebounding tourism boosting domestic demand. Read to find out about the latest start up funding rounds and the newest cybersecurity partnerships, along with other digital and tech news in the region.
MENA Start Ups are where it’s at
UAE-based digital authentication app, Nice to Meet You has raised $1 million in its latest fundraising rounds. The company specializes in digital transformation and documentation tools and plans to use the funds to hire new talent and improve its clients’ experience.
Kuwait-based Q-commerce (Quick-commerce ) start-up and Grocery Delivery platform Fiz raised $2.5M in its latest funding round. The company aims to introduce its platform to users this year and expand its services by developing technology.
Saudi-based technology start up Foodics acquired Jordan’s POSRocket, the second largest restaurant cloud services provider in the Middle East and North Africa.
Weather forecast for this year: Cloud kitchens predicted to be cooking up a storm in the MENA
Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Capital backed technology start-up Reef, together with the Americana Group, the largest food and beverage operator in the Middle East, is set to open cloud kitchens across the region.
Electric mobility platform launches payment services
Fenix, a leading electric mobility and deliveries platform in the Greater Middle East, has launched FENIX Pay, allowing users to choose between multiple payment options to pay for its services.
Make way for student-led Ed-Tech Solutions
Injazat (a part of Group 42), based in Abu Dhabi has signed a preliminary agreement with Zayed University to mentor students on education technology projects, aimed at empowering national talent in developing digital solutions.
Abu Dhabi’s Cyber Eye
The Abu Dhabi Digital Authority has joined forces with Etisalat, along with security software company Trend Micro to launch a programme that aims at strengthening cyber security strategies to identify cyber threats in real-time.
Real Secure, one of UAE’s leading cyber security service providers, has highlighted that majority of the SME sector with legacy systems in the country don’t engage in regular IT audits, making them “extremely vulnerable to spammers and ransomware attacks”.
Cyber-crime costs across the globe are expected to rise approximately 15 per cent every year over the next four years to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.
Abu Dhabi Hosting global energy summit
The World Future Energy Summit 2022 will be held in Abu Dhabi from 17 – 19 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The Summit will hold various forums, including Solar & Clean Energy, EcoWASTE, Water, Smart Cities, and Climate & Environment.
We love hearing your opinions
This week, we asked our community about the main challenges faced while scaling a health tech start up. Share your comments to join the discussion.
We spoke to several peers, experts and clients, to understand the common themes and strategies emerging in 2022 when it comes to attracting and retaining the best talent. Take a look at our list here.
