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Welcome to another edition of 🔍 Startup Researcher - Middle East, your essential digest delivering the latest news and premium insights on startups and venture capital across the region 🌍

If you haven't subscribed yet, now's the perfect time. Don't miss the opportunity to supercharge your understanding and stay ahead in this dynamic world.

Let's delve into the core sections of our weekly newsletter:

• 📰 Important News

• 💸 Top Funding Rounds

• 💰️ Notable Exits

• 🏦 About Investors

• 📈 Deep Dive Bites

• 🚀 Startup Of the Week

• 💼 Investor of the Week

• 🤑 Opportunity Radar

📰 Important News

• The International Olympic Committee has announced its partnership with the National Olympic Committee of Saudi Arabia to host the first edition of the Olympic Esports Games 2025 in the kingdom.

• Dubai-headquartered Swvl signed a $6.3 million five-year contract with e& Egypt to provide tech-driven mobility solutions, strengthening its position in the Egyptian market and enterprise sector.

• Startup Grind Qatar has partnered with UK's Builder.ai to provide Qatar-based startups with access to AI-powered software development tools.

• Dubai-based Swyt Solutions has announced its strategic partnership with giant HRTech company Deel to provide unparalleled IT support and People resources to empower businesses.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• UAE-based AgriTech startup Maalexi has raised $1 million in venture debt from India's Stride Ventures, marking the latter's first investment in the GCC region.

• Tokinvest, a real-world asset tokenization marketplace, raised $500,000 in pre-seed funding to connect asset issuers with global investors through its virtual token platform.

💰️ Notable Exits

• Private Equity firm Olive Rock Partners has acquired a strategic stake in LEORON Institute, a leading Saudi corporate training and EdTech company, expanding its presence in the education technology sector.

🏦 About Investors

• Jordan’s ISSF has injected $5 million into Global Ventures' Fund III to boost Jordan's startup ecosystem, with a mandate to direct investments specifically toward Jordanian startups.

📈 Deep Dive Bites

Dive into the vibrant world of Bahrain's startup support system. Discover the leading Incubators and Accelerators propelling entrepreneurial growth and fostering innovation across the kingdom. Explore the full article to uncover how these organizations provide crucial resources, mentorship, and tailored programs that are transforming innovative ideas into successful ventures and driving Bahrain's economic future.

🚀 Startup Of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Maalexi

UAE-based Maalexi, an agriculture-focused fintech startup, has secured $1 million in venture debt from Stride Ventures of India marking the latter's first investment in the GCC region. This investment comes after Maalexi's $3 million pre-Series A round earlier this year, led by Global Ventures and including existing investors Rockstart and Ankurit Capital.

Founded in 2021 by Dr. Azam Pasha and Rohit Majhi, Maalexi is a dynamic platform that facilitates cross-border trade for small food and agri-businesses. The startup aims to transform the $3 trillion global cross-border food and agri-produce trading market by offering essential risk management tools such as digital contracts, AI-driven inspections, and blockchain-verified documentation.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Global Ventures

UAE-based Global Ventures has secured a $5 million investment from the Innovative Startups and SMEs Fund (ISSF) for its third fund.

Founded in 2018 by Noor Sweid, Global Ventures has rapidly emerged as a leading venture capital firm in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. With a focus on Series A investments and $300 million in assets under management, the firm targets innovative founders and transformative ideas across emerging markets. The Global Ventures team comprises a diverse group of talented professionals who collectively bring decades of experience in building and scaling companies. Their collaborative approach and intellectual curiosity drive the firm's success in identifying and nurturing high-potential startups.

🤑 Opportunity Radar

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