The rule update is part of SAMA’s efforts to develop the finance sector in general and enable the fintech sector in particular
crowdfunding
Latest in crowdfunding
Bond funding
Saudi and UAE lead MENA startup funding with $328m raised in September; top sectors and companies revealed
Saudi and UAE show continued interest in startup funding in MENA region, nearly 97 per cent awarded to male founders
crowdfunding
Saudi Arabia approves crowdfunding licence for Funding Souq
Saudi approves licence for Funding Souq
angel investments
How to raise capital in the UAE
Remember, don’t just have figures in a vacuum – show your reasoning, because investors are going to press you on your research
Abdul Baset Al Janahi
Dubai Next crowdfunding platform eyes expansion after enabling eight startups to raise required funds
People of all nationalities aged 12 and above with an innovative idea or project can create a campaign on the Dubai Next crowdfunding platform and seek funds from contributors
crowdfunding
Dubai’s DIFC looks to enhance framework to create more options for companies, including crowdfunding
The proposed amendments aim to enhance the regulatory framework within the DIFC, and provide further structuring options for businesses operating in or from the centre
Bedaya Fund II
Venture Capital firm Shorooq Partners launches $150 million seed stage fund for fintech, software, and digital asset startups
Shorooq Partners is doubling down on the earliest stages of the startup founders’ journey in alignment with the fundamental principles of acting as founders’ partners, company builders, and value investors.
Capital Market Authority
Oman approves first licence for crowdfunding platform after rules change
Capital Market Authority says Ethis Investment is the first Islamic crowdfunding platform to be set up in the sultanate
crowdfunding
How to win the race to investment
There has never been a better time to start your own business, but that also means more people than ever before are asking for cash, says Genny Ghanimeh
Artificial intelligence
Riyadh-based WeDeliver closes $2.4m record pre-seed round
Funding round is largest for a Saudi start-up and third largest for a start-up in the MENA region
crowdfunding
How three Dubai-based women are using crowdfunding to realise cafe dream
Amsay’s the Pastry Bar aims to raise AED300,000 through local crowdfunding platform Dubai Next
acquisitions
Middle East’s start-ups to see more funding in second half of 2021, says expert
While the region’s food and beverage sector boasted the largest share of funds invested in H1 2021, fintech start-ups claimed the largest amount of deals closed
Ali Sajwani
Crowdfunding: Advantages and disadvantages in a post-Covid world
Given the dire straits the pandemic has created for many SMEs, it could be that crowdfunding provides a vital business lifeline beyond government and bank loans, handouts and support schemes – many of which are now drying up
Angel Investors
Crowdfunding as a vehicle for a good economy
Crowdfunding improves democratisation of access to funding; it is a great alternative way to fund a new passion project or venture
crowdfunding
Dubai’s new official crowdfunding platform scores first successes
Dubai Next, launched by Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan last month, helps to secure funding for start-ups
crowdfunding
Top six hottest areas for property crowdfunding in Dubai
SmartCrowd, the DFSA-regulated property investment platform, has revealed the top six areas investors are most interested in for crowdfunding in Dubai. It follows a recent poll of 100 potential investors conducted by SmartCrowd, which showed that 50% believe the Dubai property market has already ‘bottomed out’.
crowdfunding
Video: Five reasons why firms might choose crowdfunding
UAE-based Udrive has opening up to invite investment from the general public as part of its Series A funding drive.