middle east | Page 3

Achieved amid ongoing global and regional uncertainty, the milestone signals both the resilience of the UAE and Abu Dhabi’s financial infrastructure.

Beyond lean operational models that protect margins, RAKEZ has been able to unlock another core fact: reducing operational risk has become equally central to the equation.

Reda Nidhakou, CEO of Abu Dhabi-based venture builder VentureOne, says the deep technology solutions that will stand the test of time are not necessarily those built on novelty and perfection, but something much simpler.

Customers can participate in the initiative using the Careem app by placing food orders, purchasing groceries, sending money, or making direct donations.

Partnerships that typically take 12 months or more to develop were accelerated into a three-month timeline, with some moving from introductions to signed agreements within a single cycle.

The State of Unicorns: Turkey 2026 Report, developed and published by Lucidity Insights and Entrepreneur Middle East, covers the global unicorn landscape as context, Turkey's structural advantages and constraints, full company profiles and milestone timelines for all eight unicorns, the female founder data, the cautionary tales of Getir and Papara told fully and fairly, and a chapter on the earlier generation of Turkish startups — GittiGidiyor, Yemeksepeti, Gram Games — that paved the way.

In a market driven by scale and spectacle, Dr. (CA) Ankur Aggarwal, Chairman of BNW Developments, offers a different perspective one rooted in authenticity, responsibility, and presence. In this candid conversation, he reflects on leadership, entrepreneurship, and why real success is not built on perception, but on staying true to who you are.

Each project will receive up to US$100,000 in funding, along with technical guidance, increased visibility and access to networking opportunities.

The UAE-based technology group posted consolidated revenue of AED19.4 billion and EBITDA of AED8.6 billion in the first quarter of 2026, alongside a 30.8% increase in global subscribers to 248 million.

The new funding will also be used to expand its product catalog, localization efforts, technology upgrades, and AI-powered personalization.

According to its report, revenue rose 11% year-on-year to AED755 million, driven by portfolio expansion, higher occupancy, and improved rental rates. 

As of January 2026, women occupy 403 board seats across the GCC, held by 341 individuals, an increase from 390 seats held by 334 women in 2025.

The 2026 edition will offer a perspective on Saudi Arabia’s AI development, tracing its progress from early vision to ongoing implementation.

The initiative brings together Creative Zone, RAKEZ, Mashreq NEO BIZ, DHL, Zoho and other partners to provide bundled startup support valued at more than AED 15,000 at no additional cost.

As the UAE grows both organically and through its ability to attract high-net-worth individuals and professional investors, demand for sophisticated and internationally aligned wealth solutions is rising. For many clients, the UAE is no longer simply a place to live or base a business—it has become the anchor of their broader cross-border wealth strategy.

“FemTech in Dubai" maps 90 companies, 20 leaders, 17 clinics, 15 investors and 10 accelerators, offering a structured overview of Dubai’s femtech and digital health landscape.

From May 7-10, ME by Meliá Dubai will host a marketplace in its signature atrium, in partnership with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, featuring locally made abayas, jalabiyas and artisanal perfumes.

The country posted strong results in the quality of its entrepreneurship environment, scoring 7.0 in the National Entrepreneurship Context Index (NECI) for 2025, which measures the quality of a country’s entrepreneurial environment based on expert assessments.

The new funding will support Comfi’s next stage of growth, including scaling its underwriting and risk capabilities, expanding its product offering, and accelerating growth across key regional markets.

As loneliness emerges as a growing yet often overlooked challenge of aging in an increasingly modern life, UAE-based startup Rafeeq Connect is rethinking elderly care by offering in-person and virtual companionship services designed to complement family support.

The new report highlights the Kingdom's maturing private capital ecosystem and growing IPO momentum.