Akeed Azmi

📢 Big news at Journify We’ve doubled our valuation, 5x’d our revenue in six months, and expanded across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the broader Gulf. Today we’re proud to welcome Shorooq, Bunat Ventures, and Plug and Play Tech Center as strategic investors as we scale the next generation of AI-powered data infrastructure. This funding is not just a milestone. It is fuel to scale what we’re already seeing in-market: 📈 182% ROAS increase for Jarir Bookstore on Meta 📉 44% drop in CPP for Baytonia on TikTok ⚡ Real, measurable impact by activating first-party data across Meta, TikTok, Snap Inc., Google, and more. As cookies disappear, privacy expectations rise, and AI reshapes how we engage customers, brands need smarter, faster, more ethical ways to grow. That is exactly what we’re building. Grateful to our customers, investors, partners, and team for helping bring this vision to life. 🔗 Full story here: https://lnkd.in/dnKAYy9K #AI #FirstPartyData #Marketing #GCC #Data #Growth

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MENA VC Just Made History For the first time ever, MENA venture funding has surpassed Southeast Asia, marking a defining moment for the region’s startup ecosystem. In the first nine months of 2025, VC Investments in startups across MENA raised $3B across 469 transactions, more than double last year’s total and the highest 9-month record ever. But it’s not just about how much capital was raised, as ever, at MAGNiTT we looked at where and how this capital is being deployed behind the real story: - Series A & B rounds surged, investors are backing scale, not just ideas. - Saudi Arabia led in deal count, while the UAE captured the most funding value. - FinTech remains strong, but AI, logistics, and digital infra are gaining pace. - M&A activity doubled YoY, showing real liquidity and exit momentum. As 2025 nears its close, we are seeing signs of a recovery in regional Venture capital. The summer has historically been a quiet quarter for the MENA VC Lanscape. That trend was bucked, with the strongest quarter reported. The question remains, how do we close out the year with key events including GITEX Technology Week, Expand North Star, Private Capital Forum and FII Institute still to come. Will we see a record year to 2024?! All our insights and analysis available as part of our subscription reports which you can find here: https://lnkd.in/drS_8Zh9 #MAGNiTT #MENA #VentureCapital #VC #Funding #investments

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The surge was largely fuelled by a wave of mega-deals from Saudi fintechs, led by Tamara’s $2.4 billion debt facility, Hala’s $157 million Series B, Lendo’s $50 million debt, and Erad’s $33 million debt financing. Saudi Arabia once again topped the regional charts, with 25 startups raising a combined $2.7 billion. Much of this momentum stemmed from Money20/20, the fintech sector’s headline event, where 15 deals were announced.

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🌐As a strategic location with ease of compliance and tax benefits, many startups are setting up second offices in the UAE. 💼 Also more VC funds are started moving to the UAE and establishing offices here, increasing fund access for startups. Most interesting thing is different emirates are rolling out various accelerator programs targeting high-potential startups at very early stages. These accelerator programs are one of the best choices for founders to launch or experiment in the UAE market. One of the most promising among them is the 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐲 Hub71, supported by Techstars. This 12-month program is ideal for 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐀 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬 and offers: ✅ AED 250K in cash via a SAFE note. ✅ AED 250K worth of in-kind services, ✅ A guided 3-month track with Techstars mentors, ✅ Potential top-up of AED 250K for high-performing startups. 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐬: ✔️ Office space. ✔️ Licensing & visa support. ✔️ Marketing, legal & financial advisory. ✔️ Housing & health insurance. ✔️ Workforce & back-office support. ✔️ Growth marketing & upskilling. 📍 At least one founder is expected to relocate to Abu Dhabi to access the full benefits. 🗓️ 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 8, 2025, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 2026. 🔗 Application Link :https://lnkd.in/gPxhAt54 #UAEStartups #Hub71 #Techstars #AccessProgramme #MiddleEastInnovation #StartupFunding #GCCStartups #ScaleInUAE #Founders #StartupAccelerator #AbuDhabiTech

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Emiratisation is a burden 😥 That is how it’s often seen by companies in the private sector. Targets. Quotas. Compliance. But let’s flip the perspective: What if Emiratisation became a strategic investment in your company’s future? -> Emiratis bring deep cultural knowledge and networks that no expat workforce can replicate. -> They represent the next generation of leaders who will shape policy, business, and society. And yes, the mandate is clear: the private sector must employ nationals. The question is whether you see it as an opportunity or a box-ticking exercise. 👌The winners will be the firms that: - Build skills-first pathways for Emiratis (not just headcount hires) - Invest in apprenticeships and mentorships to bridge the skills gap - Embed nationals in strategic roles, not only admin or symbolic functions - Use technology to match skills with growth sectors The reality: Emiratisation is non-negotiable. But how you embrace it will determine whether your company simply survives regulation, or thrives as a trusted partner in the UAE’s future economy. Private sector leaders: Emiratis should not just be on your payroll. They should be in your talent pipeline, leadership bench, and boardroom succession plan.

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