1) PISIQ PISIQ is a research and development group that focuses on fostering prospective talents and startups that assist to improve people's lives.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2016 Founders: Arman Salah, Mudar Muhissen, Nihal Mohammad Shaikh Industries: Artificial Intelligence, Consulting, Information Technology, Internet, Product Research Number of employees: 51-100 Funding: $32,890,000 Funding rounds: 3 Number of investors: 5 (Nihal Mohammad Shaikh, Mudar Muhissen, Tajir Al Youm, RYNMS, Mudar-M) You can find their website here
2) Careem Careem is a company that creates an app that assists Dubai commuters in finding a car to rent.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2012 Founders: Abdulla Elyas, Magnus Olsson, Mudassir Sheikha, Wael Nafee Industries: Customer Service, Logistics, Public Transportation, Ride Sharing, Transportation Number of employees: 1001-5000 Funding: $771,700,000 Funding rounds: 7 Number of investors: 22 (Daimler, Rakuten, DCM Ventures, Coatue, Didi) You can find their website here
3) Kitopi Providing the fuel for the on-demand food industry.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2018 Founders: Andres Arenas, Bader Ataya, Mohamad Ballout, Saman Darkan Industries: Cloud Infrastructure, Delivery, Food and Beverage, Food Delivery, Internet, Restaurants, SaaS, Software Number of employees: 1001-5000 Funding: $89,000,000 Funding rounds: 3 Number of investors: 12 (Endeavor Catalyst, MSA Capital, VentureSouq, BECO Capital, Rise Capital) You can find their website here
4) Ziina In the Middle East, Ziina is introducing the next generation of financial services. Ziina is the first peer-to-peer payment software in the UAE.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2020 Founders: Andrew Gold, Faisal Toukan, Sarah Toukan Industries: Financial Services, FinTech Number of employees: 1-10 Funding: $8,475,000 Funding rounds: 5 Number of investors: 15 (FJ Labs, Goodwater Capital, Y Combinator, StartX (Stanford-StartX Fund), Graph Ventures) You can find their website here
5) Opontia Small e-commerce business owners can use Opontia to sell their businesses in a quick and fair manner.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2021 Founders: Manfred Meyer, Philip Johnston Industries: Brand Marketing, E-Commerce, Retail Number of employees: 1-10 Funding: $20,000,000 Funding rounds: 2 Number of investors: 7 (Global Founders Capital, Kingsway Capital, Presight Capital, Raed Ventures, Tushar Ahluwalia) You can find their website here
6) Matic Matic is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) marketplace for home services.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2016 Founders: Mohamed Samad Industries: Home Services, Information Technology, Marketplace, SaaS, Service Industry Number of employees: 101-250 Funding: $3,050,000 Funding rounds: 3 Number of investors: 2 (Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), Oqal) You can find their website here
7) Telegram Messenger Telegram is a cloud-based messaging service for mobile and desktop that prioritizes privacy, security, and speed.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2013 Founders: Nikolai Durov, Pavel Durov Industries: Apps, Messaging, Mobile, Mobile Apps, Social Media, Software Number of employees: 11-50 Funding: $1,000,000,000 Funding rounds: 1 Number of investors: 2 (Mubadala, Abu Dhabi Catalyst Partners) You can find their website here
8) Vezeeta Vezeeta is a practice management and digital healthcare booking tool.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2012 Founders: Ahmed Badr, Amir Barsoum Industries: Health Care, Medical, Medical Device, Software Number of employees: 101-250 Funding: $71,498,880 Funding rounds: 10 Number of investors: 11 (International Finance Corporation, Endeavor Catalyst, Sahra Growth Capital, Gulf Capital, VNV Global) You can find their website here
9) RIZEK RIZEK is a tech start-up that aims to increase employment creation in the MENA area.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2019 Founders: Abdallah Abu-Sheikh, Ahmed Marzui Industries: Information Services, Information Technology Number of employees: 11-50 Funding: $15,000,000 Funding rounds: 3 Number of investors: 4 (ADQ, Peak Investments, E-tech investments, Rozana capital) You can find their website here
10) Property Finder Property Finder is a real estate web company based in the Middle East and North Africa.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2005 Founders: Michael Lahyani, Renan Bourdeau Industries: Marketing, Real Estate Number of employees: 101-250 Funding: $142,000,000 Funding rounds: 3 Number of investors: 6 (General Atlantic, Endeavor Catalyst, VNV Global, Xplorer Capital, Vostok Ventures) You can find their website here
11) Fetchr Fetchr is a corporation that provides worldwide express, mail delivery, and logistics services.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2012 Founders: Idriss Al Rifai, Joy Ajlouny Industries: Delivery Service, E-Commerce, Information Technology, Logistics, Supply Chain Management Number of employees: 1001-5000 Funding: $77,000,000 Funding rounds: 6 Number of investors: 21 (New Enterprise Associates, Endeavor Catalyst, Sahra Growth Capital, VentureSouq, Winklevoss Capital) You can find their website here
12) Souq Souq is the owner and operator of a retail e-commerce website.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2005 Founders: Ronaldo Mouchawar Industries: Consumer Electronics, E-Commerce, Marketing, Marketplace, Retail, Shopping Number of employees: 1001-5000 Funding: $460,000,000 Funding rounds: 5 Number of investors: 8 (Tiger Global Management, ACE & Company, Standard Chartered Bank, Baillie Gifford, Naspers) You can find their website here
13) Foodics Foodics is a restaurant management software program that keeps track of sales, transactions, inventory, employee schedules, and customer interactions.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2014 Founders: Ahmad Al-Zaini, Musab Alothmani Industries: Information Services, Management Information Systems, Restaurants, Software Number of employees: 101-250 Funding: $27,996,075 Funding rounds: 4 Number of investors: 14 (500 Startups, Endeavor Catalyst, Raed Ventures, STV, Sanabil) You can find their website here
14) STARZ PLAY In collaboration with the United States, STARZ PLAY offers children's films, Hollywood programs, and documentaries, as well as Arabic programming.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2014 Founders: Danny Bates, Maaz Sheikh, Saleem Bhatti Industries: Digital Entertainment, Media and Entertainment Number of employees: 101-250 Funding: $150,000,000 Funding rounds: 2 Number of investors: 5 (State Street Global Advisors, Delta Partners, Starz Entertainment, SEQ Capital Partners, Ruya Partners) You can find their website here
15) Shuaa Capital psc With over US$14 billion in assets under management, SHUAA Capital psc is a major asset management and investment banking platform.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 1979 Industries: Financial Services, FinTech Number of employees: 101-250 Funding: $93,000,000 Funding rounds: 1 Number of investors: 1 (Abu Dhabi Financial Group) You can find their website here
16) Bayzat Bayzat is a technology firm that specializes in insurance and HR software.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2011 Founders: Brian Habibi, Talal Bayaa, Tarek Bayaa Industries: Employee Benefits, Enterprise Software, Human Resources, Insurance, InsurTech, Software Number of employees: 101-250 Funding: $28,598,445 Funding rounds: 5 Number of investors: 10 (Endeavor Catalyst, Point72 Ventures, Silicon Badia, BECO Capital, Raed Ventures) You can find their website here
17) Mamo Pay Mamo Pay is a digital wallet and payment platform that offers a payment software that allows for easy money transfers.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2016 Founders: Asim Janjua, Imad Gharazeddine, Mohammad El Saadi Industries: Billing, FinTech, Payments, Peer to Peer, Personal Finance Number of employees: 11-50 Funding: $9,500,000 Funding rounds: 2 Number of investors: 9 (500 Startups, Global Founders Capital, MSA Capital, VentureSouq, 4DX Ventures) You can find their website here
18) Namshi Namshi is a Dubai-based online e-commerce site that sells stylish footwear and clothes.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2010 Founders: Faraz Khalid, Hisham Zarka, Hosam Arab Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Lifestyle Number of employees: 501-1000 Funding: $33,000,000 Funding rounds: 3 Number of investors: 6 (Rocket Internet, HV Capital, Summit Partners, Kinnevik AB, JPMorgan Partners (JPMP)) You can find their website here
19) Aster DM Healthcare Dr. Azad Moopen, a doctor turned entrepreneur, began the road toward excellence in healthcare from his base in Dubai.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 1987 Founders: Azad Moopen Industries: Health Care, Hospital, Wellness Number of employees: 10001+ Funding: $400,756,945 Funding rounds: 4 Number of investors: 3 (Axis Bank, True North, Olympius Capital) You can find their website here
20) The Luxury Closet The Luxury Closet is a website where you can purchase, sell, and consign pre-owned luxury things at a discount.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2012 Founders: Kunal Kapoor Industries: E-Commerce, Lifestyle, Retail Number of employees: 11-50 Funding: $18,100,000 Funding rounds: 4 Number of investors: 13 (Wamda Capital, Arzan Venture Capital, Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), HB Investments, EQ2 Ventures) You can find their website here
21) Eyewa Prescription contact lenses, color contact lenses, sunglasses, and eyeglasses are all available at Eyewa.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2017 Founders: Anass Boumediene, Mehdi Oudghiri Industries: E-Commerce, Eyewear, Marketing, Retail, Sales Number of employees: 11-50 Funding: $27,138,000 Funding rounds: 8 Number of investors: 9 (500 Startups, Endeavor Catalyst, Wamda Capital, Nuwa Capital, EQ2 Ventures) You can find their website here
22) SellAnyCar.com SellAnyCar.com is the first online car-buying service in the Middle East. We'll buy any car. Purchase and payment are guaranteed within 30 minutes.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2013 Founders: Saygin Yalcin Industries: Automotive, E-Commerce, Finance Number of employees: 11-50 Funding: $35,000,000 Funding rounds: 3 Number of investors: 4 (Sanabil, Polar Light Ventures, Simile Venture Partners, Olayan Financing Company) You can find their website here
23) Sarwa.co Sarwa is an online platform that enables Middle Eastern investors to invest in global markets in a simple and cost-effective manner.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2017 Founders: Jad Sayegh, Mark Chahwan, Nadine Mezher Industries: FinTech, Wealth Management Number of employees: 11-50 Funding: $9,900,000 Funding rounds: 5 Number of investors: 14 (500 Startups, Vision Ventures, Shorooq Partners, Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), Musaab Hakami) You can find their website here
24) Okadoc Okadoc is the region's first immediate online appointment booking platform, connecting healthcare professionals with their patients in a smooth manner.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2018 Founders: Fodhil Benturquia Industries: Fitness, Health Care, Information Technology, mHealth, Software, Wellness Number of employees: 11-50 Funding: $12,300,000 Funding rounds: 2 Number of investors: 2 (Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Ithmar Capital) You can find their website here
25) phygicart Phygicart is a web-based shopping mall.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2016 Founders: Jolly Antony Industries: E-Commerce, E-Commerce Platforms, Shopping Number of employees: 11-50 Funding: ₹1,000,000,000 Funding rounds: 1 Number of investors: 1 (Boby Chemmanur) You can find their website here
26) Beehive Beehive connects firms seeking funding with investors, forming mutually beneficial growth relationships.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2014 Founders: Craig Moore Industries: Financial Services, FinTech, Lending, Peer to Peer Number of employees: 11-50 Funding: $15,500,000 Funding rounds: 4 Number of investors: 1 (Riyad TAQNIA Fund (RTF)) You can find their website here
27) HolidayMe HolidayMe is an online site that provides clients in the Middle East with on-demand tailored vacation solutions.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2013 Founders: Digvijay Pratap, Geet Bhalla Industries: Leisure, Tourism, Travel Number of employees: 51-100 Funding: $39,000,000 Funding rounds: 7 Number of investors: 9 (Accel, InnoVen Capital, Algebra Ventures, Global Ventures, Gobi Partners) You can find their website here
28) Telr An award-winning start-up established in Dubai that provides payment gateway solutions.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2013 Founders: Elias Ghanem, Harveen Narulla, Khaldoon Tabaza, Khalil Alami, Sirish Kumar, Sridhar Gorantla Industries: E-Commerce, Financial Services, FinTech, Internet, Mobile, Payments, Web Development Number of employees: 51-100 Funding: $13,900,000 Funding rounds: 3 Number of investors: 3 (iMENA Group, Harveen Narulla, Innovations East fund) You can find their website here
29) Foloosi Foloosi simplifies consumer-to-business card payments by allowing businesses to display QR codes that customers may scan and pay with.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2018 Founders: Mohan K, Omar Bin Brek Industries: FinTech Number of employees: 1-10 Funding: $2,524,592 Funding rounds: 4 Number of investors: 2 (Rashed Alfalasi, Mohammed Alsuwaidi) You can find their website here
30) NOW Money NOW Money employs mobile banking technologies to provide accounts and remittances to the Middle East's unbanked population.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2016 Founders: Ian Dillon, Katharine Budd Industries: Banking, Financial Services, FinTech, Information Technology, Mobile Payments Number of employees: 11-50 Funding: $10,872,500 Funding rounds: 5 Number of investors: 12 (Anthemis Group, Wamda Capital, Accion Venture Lab, Hambro Perks Ltd., Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)) You can find their website here
31) Altibbi Altibbi is the Arab World's largest digital health platform, with 1.5 million pages of medical content and a 24-hour telehealth service.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2010 Founders: Ayman Sharaiha, Hussein Abdelkarim, Jalil Allabadi Industries: Apps, Fitness, Health Care Number of employees: 11-50 Funding: $8,500,000 Funding rounds: 3 Number of investors: 7 (Endeavor Catalyst, Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), Global Ventures, Vickers Venture Partners, DASH Ventures) You can find their website here
32) Channel VAS Mobile Financial Services, Airtime Credit & Airtime Advance Services, Handset Loans, and Big Data Analytics are all offered by this leading Fintech company.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2012 Founders: Bassim Haidar Industries: Financial Services, FinTech, Mobile, Telecommunications Number of employees: 101-250 Funding: $104,000,000 Funding rounds: 3 Number of investors: 3 (Convergence Partners, Ethos Private Equity, Development Partners International) You can find their website here
33) iKcon iKcon is a tech-enabled cloud kitchen operator that buys, cooks, and distributes food for restaurants and brands.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2019 Founders: Kareem Abughazaleh, Khalid Baareh Industries: Food and Beverage Number of employees: 251-500 Funding: $25,000,000 Funding rounds: 2 Number of investors: 7 (Arzan Venture Capital, B&Y Venture Partners, Derayah Venture Capital, AlTouq Group, Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Group) You can find their website here
34) Floranow Using new technology and efficient cool chain solutions, a global online B2B marketplace connects flower and plant growers with purchasers.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2016 Founders: Charif Mzayek Industries: B2B, E-Commerce, Internet, Marketplace, Retail, Wholesale Number of employees: 11-50 Funding: $7,000,000 Funding rounds: 4 Number of investors: 6 (Wamda Capital, HB Investments, Global Ventures, Jabbar Internet Group, Nama Ventures) You can find their website here
35) GrubTech GrubTech is an end-to-end SaaS platform that enables restaurants and cloud kitchens to go digital.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2019 Founders: Mohamed Al Fayed, Mohamed Hamedi Industries: SaaS, Software Number of employees: 51-100 Funding: $5,400,000 Funding rounds: 2 Number of investors: 7 (Asif Keshodia, Gry Loseth, Ghassan Oueida, Abdulmohsen Altouq, Hilmar Venter) You can find their website here
36) Sehteq Sehteq is a Dubai-based health insurance firm using Oscar-like technologies.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2017 Founders: Saif AlJaibeji Industries: Health Insurance, Insurance Number of employees: 101-250 Funding: $20,000,000 Funding rounds: 1 Number of investors: 1 (971 Capital) You can find their website here
37) Sweetheart Kitchen Sweetheart Kitchen is a multi-brand virtual kitchen that produces and delivers meals using innovative cooking techniques.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2019 Founders: Peter Schatzberg Industries: Catering, Food and Beverage, Food Delivery, Food Processing, Manufacturing, Restaurants Number of employees: 101-250 Funding: € 36,000,000 Funding rounds: 2 Number of investors: 1 (Peter Schatzberg) You can find their website here
38) MUNCH:ON With MUNCH:ON Pro, you can get 50% off and free delivery from the greatest restaurants, thanks to bundling, routing, and scheduling technologies.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2016 Founders: Dana Baki, Mohammad Al Zaben Industries: E-Commerce, Food and Beverage, Food Delivery, Food Processing, Information Technology, Internet, Location Based Services, Messaging Number of employees: 101-250 Funding: $6,000,000 Funding rounds: 3 Number of investors: 13 (FJ Labs, Wamda Capital, Vision Ventures, Shorooq Partners, Arzan Venture Capital) You can find their website here
39) Seez Seez is a smartphone app for automobile shoppers that is built on a data-driven automotive platform.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2016 Founders: Andrew Kabrit, Tarek Kabrit Industries: Apps, Artificial Intelligence, E-Commerce, Image Recognition, Internet, Machine Learning, Mobile, Search Engine Number of employees: 11-50 Funding: $8,800,000 Funding rounds: 3 Number of investors: 5 (Wamda Capital, B&Y Venture Partners, Phoenician Funds, Crealize, B&Y) You can find their website here
40) Eat Online Restaurant Reservations and Restaurant Management Software
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2014 Founders: David Feuillard, Nezar Kadhem Industries: Apps, E-Commerce, Food and Beverage, Mobile, Reservations, Restaurants, SaaS, Software Number of employees: 11-50 Funding: $7,200,000 Funding rounds: 3 Number of investors: 5 (500 Startups, Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), Pinnacle Financial Partners, Derayah Financial, Tenmou) You can find their website here
41) ARADA ARADA is committed to creating stunning communities that inspire, enrich, and engage the people who live there.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2016 Founders: HE Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi Industries: Building Material, Property Development, Real Estate Number of employees: 101-250 Funding: AED2,000,000,000 Funding rounds: 2 Number of investors: 3 (Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Mashreq Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank) You can find their website here
42) Souqalmal.com Souqalmal.com is the Middle East's premier financial comparison portal, with offices in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2012 Founders: Ambareen Musa Industries: Banking, Finance, Financial Services, Price Comparison Number of employees: 51-100 Funding: $11,500,000 Funding rounds: 7 Number of investors: 10 (500 Startups, Endeavor Catalyst, VentureSouq, Hummingbird Ventures, Shorooq Partners) You can find their website here
43) Emirates Global Aluminium Outside of the oil and gas sector, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) is the largest industrial firm in the UAE.
Details of the startup:
Started in: 1975 Industries: Industrial, Machinery Manufacturing, Manufacturing, Oil and Gas Number of employees: 10001+ Funding: $600,000,000 Funding rounds: 1 Number of investors: 4 (Standard Chartered Bank, Emirates NBD, Mashreq Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai) You can find their website here
44) Odiggo Spare Parts, Mobile App, and Website
Details of the startup:
Started in: 2018 Founders: Ahmed Nasser, Ahmed Omar Industries: B2B, B2C, Big Data, E-Commerce, E-Commerce Platforms, Information Technology, Internet, Internet of Things, Predictive Analytics Number of employees: 11-50 Funding: $752,000 Funding rounds: 3 Number of investors: 3 (Essa Al-Saleh, Agitero AG, Saeed Al Jaberi) You can find their website here
