Q1 2026$612M raised13 deals3 new startups215 open roles

Dubai Startup Funding News & Ecosystem Intelligence

BREAKING·2 months ago

Stitch Raises $25M Series A, Andreessen Horowitz Enters GCC Market

Stitch, an operating system for financial institutions, secured $25 million in Series A funding led by Andreessen Horowitz. This investment marks a16z's first venture into the GCC region.

By DXB Start

SPOTLIGHT

The UAE Bought an AI Future. Now It Needs Builders.

The country secured the compute, the capital and the chips before it had the builders to use them. That looks like a contradiction. It is really a sequence, and it is finally starting to close.

By DXB Spotlight

LATEST

FUNDING

Funding News8 days ago

Ruya Partners Invests $15M in Whiteshield Group

Ruya Partners Limited has provided a $15 million private credit investment to Whiteshield Group, an AI-native policy intelligence company with operations in the UAE and KSA. The funding will support Whiteshield's technology expansion.

LONG READS

GUIDE

Unlocking Dubai: Your Ultimate Guide to Every Visa for the Best Lifestyle

Dubai offers one of the most diverse visa portfolios in the world, from the 10-year Golden Visa to freelance permits and retirement residency. As of early 2026, expanded eligibility criteria and streamlined digital processing have made relocation simpler than ever, though costs and requirements vary significantly across visa categories.

ECOSYSTEM

Ecosystem4 days ago

Abu Dhabi Partners with MIT-Koch for AI Cancer Research, Launching Startup Incubator

Abu Dhabi's Department of Health and the MIT-Koch Institute are collaborating on AI-driven cancer research, including a new bioconvergence incubator for startups. This partnership introduces a vital resource for health tech and AI startups in the region.

Newsletter

Get Dubai startup news delivered weekly.

Quarterly Report

Our Q1 2026 ecosystem report — $251M raised, 94 deals, sector breakdowns, and what to watch next.

Get the report →