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It's a big week for startup investments with 9 deals across MENA; new funding sources launched; esports gets a strong ally; and packed long-reads section from investments to PR, economic outlooks and online child safety!
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INVESTMENTS & ACQUISITIONS
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IntiGo, Tunisia-based on-demand bike taxi startup, raises $300k from angel investors.
Chefz, Riyadh-based food delivery platform, raises “six-figure (USD)” seed funding in a round led by Vision Ventures with participation of Impact 46 and Ocean X. Amount disclosed.
MarketEx, Muscat-based ecommerce marketplace, raises $1M in seed funding “from private investors in Oman and United States”.
Eat, Bahrain-based online restaurant reservations platform, raises $5M in Series B funding led by 500 Startups, Derayah Venture Fund, MEVP, and angels.
Liwwa, Amman-based SME-lending platform, raises $6M in investment led by Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank FMO, and joined by 500 Startups. Edgo VC, EFG-EV, Wamda Capital, Bank al Etihad, DASH Ventures and Silicon Badia.
Okadoc, Dubai-based doctor booking platform, raises $10M in Series A from Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Ithmar Capital Partners.
SellAnyCar.com, Dubai-based online car trader, is raising a $35M funding round led by Saudi’s Public Investment Fund, joined by Sanabil Investments, Gulf Investment Corp. and Olayan Financing Co.
Vezeeta, Doctor booking platform, raises $40M in Series D funding led by Gulf Capital, and joined by Saudi Technology Ventures (STV) and other previous investors and relocates headquarter from Cairo to Dubai
Mawdoo3, Amman-based content network, acquires Relevant Network, Amman-based affiliate marketing. Amount undisclosed.
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Cafu, Dubai-based on-demand fuel delivery app, to launch in Cairo, Egypt.
Abu Dhabi Investment Office’s Ventures Fund ($145M) expands mandate to include: Series B investments in startups, investments in regional & global funds, as well as accelerators.
Nuwa Capital, new venture capital fund launches in Dubai, aiming to raise $100M and led by former Wamda Capital partner: Khaled Talhouni.
Dash Ventures, Jordan, and Angel Ventures Mx, Mexico, venture capital funds sign SAGIA’s Venture agreement and joins VCs with special arrangements for portfolio companies.
UAE Embassy in Washington & Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), (US-based esports & owner of Wizards District Gaming, aXiomatic, among others), partner to strengthen “esports on a global level”. MSE will help in growing eSports in the UAE, while the UAE will be a “presenting partner” for and sponsor for tournaments in the US.
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Wamda publishes “The state of pre-seed startups in MENA” report.
KPMG publishes “Saudi Arabia CEO Outlook: Agile or Out” report.
DQ Think Tank releases “The Child Online Safety Index (COSI)” that measures the usage, laws and safe access of minors to the internet across 30 countries including Oman, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
TalkWalker releases “State of PR 2020” report covering MENA professionals perceptions on the market, e.g. 78% of UAE PR professionals consider influencer marketing a PR offering, while only 66% of Saudi PR professional consider the same.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) launches “The Future of Oil and Fiscal Sustainability in the GCC Region” report.
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