Startups in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region witnessed notable activity in funding and acquisition deals during the final week of January 2026, with total disclosed investment value reaching $238.07 million.
The investment and acquisition report issued by “entArabi”, covering the period from January 25 to 31, 2026, highlights strong momentum across several key sectors, including fintech, e-commerce, proptech, wealth management, and insurtech, alongside strategic moves in the Saudi market that reflect the accelerating pace of digital transformation and regional expansion.
This week’s deals reflect several key trends shaping the regional startup ecosystem, including:
- Continued flow of large-scale investments into AI infrastructure, as demonstrated by Upscale AI’s funding round, underscoring the shift of artificial intelligence from software applications to a core foundational layer.
- Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a key driver of activity, through both strategic acquisitions—such as the Qoyod–Flevers deal—and funding rounds targeting wealth management and insurtech, in line with the Kingdom’s digital transformation goals and Vision 2030.
- North Africa, particularly Morocco, demonstrating its ability to attract large Series A rounds in traditionally fragmented sectors undergoing deep digital transformation, such as real estate, as seen in Yakeey’s funding round.
Overall, the landscape points to a gradual maturation in deal quality, with increasing focus on comprehensive solutions and platforms capable of scaling regionally and globally.
Investments and Deals by Country
The total number of companies by country reached 7 startups, with total investments amounting to $238.07 million, excluding acquisition deals.
| Country | Number of Companies | Company Names | Total Investment Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | 3 | Qoyod (Flevers acquisition), Vennre, Mantas | $11.37 million + acquisition |
| UAE | 2 | Yozo.ai, Upscale AI | $201.7 million |
| Morocco | 1 | Yakeey | $15 million |
| Regional / MENA | 1 | UPFRONT (partnership with Credible X) | $10 million (previous funding) |
Investments and Deals by Sector
The total number of companies by sector reached 7 startups, with investments totaling $238.07 million, excluding acquisition deals.
| Sector | Number of Companies | Company Names | Total Investment Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-commerce & Artificial Intelligence | 2 | Yozo.ai, Upscale AI | $201.7 million |
| PropTech | 1 | Yakeey | $15 million |
| Digital Wealth Management | 1 | Vennre | $9.6 million |
| InsurTech | 1 | Mantas | $1.77 million |
| Financial Infrastructure & SMEs | 1 | UPFRONT | $10 million (previous funding) |
| Business Solutions & Enterprise Management | 1 | Qoyod / Flevers | Acquisition |
