Middle Eastern startups are making a mark on the international stage with innovative technological offerings.
In the heart of the desert, a transformation is taking place. Dubai-based Dake Rechsand, a pioneering company that has developed a sand-based material to help desert soil hold water, is turning dry land into farmland and saving rainwater [1]. This innovative solution is just one example of how Middle East tech startups are making a significant impact on global markets.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as a key launchpad for tech startups that are attracting global attention. One such success story is Seez, a Dubai-based autotech startup that has expanded into 16 markets with its AI- and machine learning-powered SaaS platform. Earlier this year, Seez was acquired by UK-based Pinewood Technologies for $46.2 million [1]. Now, Seez offers software solutions to car dealerships and manufacturers, aiming to enhance customer experience and boost sales.
The UAE's business-friendly environment, driven by government efforts, has made it one of the safest and most welcoming places for startups. Abdumalik Mirakhmedov, a Dubai-based entrepreneur and tech investor, believes that startups across the Mena region are focused on solving persistent problems and creating products built from the ground up. These solutions, many of which can succeed beyond the region, are redefining 'Made in Mena' [1].
Mirakhmedov, who runs Scalo Technologies, a UAE tech venture company, states that Mena tech companies can make a real difference globally by solving important problems with well-designed solutions, instead of just chasing growth. He believes that many more success stories will follow from Middle East startups [1].
Several Middle East tech startups are leading the charge in this global impact. Alaan, a leading AI-powered B2B spend management fintech platform launched in 2022, raised a large $48 million Series A round in 2025, one of the biggest in the region. Its platform has processed over 2.5 million transactions, saving finance teams millions of hours, and serving major enterprises like G42 and Careem [1][4].
Salasa, an e-commerce fulfillment startup from Saudi Arabia, provides end-to-end logistics services, including warehousing, inventory, last-mile delivery, and cross-border shipping. It raised $30 million in a Series B round to scale its network and embed AI for predictive logistics and automation, vital for supporting the Kingdom’s growing digital economy and e-commerce sector [1][3].
Deep.SA, another Saudi Arabian AI startup, recently secured $1.2 million in pre-seed funding, showcasing the rising momentum of locally developed AI technologies [1][3].
Notable "soonicorns," companies approaching $1 billion valuations, include Egypt’s MNT-Halan (financing for the underbanked), Saudi’s Ninja (24/7 grocery delivery), and UAE-founded Tabby (buy-now-pay-later lending). These startups exemplify how local adaptations of fintech and e-commerce innovations are quickly scaling and attracting major investment [2].
The impact of these startups on global markets comes from addressing unmet local needs with scalable tech, driving investment confidence in the Middle East’s tech ecosystem, applying AI and automation to traditional sectors, and building profitable, capital-efficient business models that attract global investors [1][4].
Collectively, Middle East tech startups are demonstrating strong innovation rooted in the region’s unique demands while creating products and services with global potential, fueling a growing reputation as a vibrant tech hub beyond the traditional markets of the US, Europe, and Asia [1][2][4].
[1] Source: Wamda [2] Source: Arabian Business [3] Source: TechCrunch [4] Source: Gulf News
- The Middle East's tech startups, like Alaan and Salasa, are raising significant funding and making a global impact by addressing unmet local needs and scaling innovative technologies, such as AI and automation.
- Companies such as Seez, Alaan, and Salasa, based in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, are showcasing the potential of Middle East tech startups to create profitable, capital-efficient business models that attract global investors.
- Mirakhmedov, a tech entrepreneur and investor in the UAE, believes that startups in the region are focusing on solving persistent problems and creating products built from the ground up, with solutions that have the potential to succeed beyond the Middle East.
- Dake Rechsand, an innovative Dubai-based company that has developed sand-based materials for desert soil, is just one example of how such startups are making a significant impact on the environment and business sectors, transforming the desert into farmland and saving rainwater.
