Dubai, UAE – The UAE remains the Middle East and North Africa’s leading startup market, with founders raising USD 1.6 billion (about AED 5.9 billion) in the first nine months of 2026, according to data from venture data platform MAGNiTT. That is a 17% increase on the same period last year, even as overall regional funding softened.
Key figures for January–September 2026
- MENA startups raised about USD 3 billion, down 7% in value, with the UAE accounting for just over half
- Regional deal count fell 33% to 351 deals, and early-stage deals dropped 45%
- Close to USD 1 billion of the UAE total came from rounds above USD 100 million
- Saudi Arabia raised around USD 1 billion (down 29%) and Egypt USD 206 million (down 20%)
Fintech leads, mega rounds surge
Fintech was the top sector, attracting USD 1.7 billion across 93 deals, or 58% of regional funding. The third quarter set a record USD 813 million in mega-round funding, led by Barq’s USD 329.5 million Series A, Moove’s USD 250 million round and Tabby’s USD 233 million Series F.
Local capital steps up
MENA-based investors supplied 58% of capital, up from 50% a year earlier, while the share from US-based investors fell from 15% to 9%. MAGNiTT noted that September marked a rebound after two slower summer months.
Source: MAGNiTT data via Atlant Capital.
