News

Capifly Finishes Successful $1M Pre-Seed Funding Round

The Jordanian startup has also initiated a $10 million Shariah-compliant, non-dilutive capital facility.

Published

1 year ago

October 4, 2023

Nour Nasir

Capifly

Jordan-based Capifly has announced a successful $1 million pre-seed funding round. In addition, the tech startup is also preparing to launch a $10 million non-dilutive capital facility to coincide with its recent expansion into Saudi Arabia.

Capifly unlocks value in the digital economy by offering a proprietary credit scoring technology across a wide range of sectors, including SaaS, gaming, enterprise software, and internet-based virtual goods. The company is rapidly becoming a leader in providing non-dilutive capital — a style of funding that doesn’t require giving up equity or ownership.

Capifly’s CEO and co-founder, Dunya Bashiti, said, “Our vision positions Capifly at the forefront of the internet’s GDP growth. Our unique technology isn’t just for our use; we’re gearing up to underwrite debt for other financial institutions, solidifying Capifly’s key role in the digital era”.

Funders — including Oasis500, BLDR Ventures, Ahli Fintech, Joa Capital, and various angel investors from Jordan and the KSA — have backed Capifly’s growth and ongoing MENA expansion. According to Ahmed Jaradat, Capifly’s CTO and co-founder, the investors’ belief in Capifly’s vision and technological strengths has been invaluable. “The journey is just beginning, and their continued support propels us forward”.

Also Read: A Guide To Digital Payment Methods In The Middle East

Capifly’s ambition doesn’t stop with Middle Eastern expansion. The company’s long-term strategy includes growth across pivotal emerging markets for Islamic financing, with a particular focus on Southeast Asia, where Capifly has already gained a foothold through using Malaysian registration.

The MENA virtual goods market is currently valued at over $15 billion and is estimated to grow by another $10 billion before 2025. The addition of non-dilutive capital from players like Capifly means the market could soon grow at an even greater pace than is currently forecast.

News

Viasat Satellite Messaging Tech Showcased In Saudi Arabia

The direct-to-device (D2D) demonstration highlighted the technology’s potential to revolutionize remote communication.

Published

4 days ago

November 28, 2024

Nour Nasir

viasat satellite messaging tech showcased in saudi arabia

Satellite communications firm Viasat announced yesterday that it had completed its first demonstration of direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity technology in Saudi Arabia. The live broadcast took place during the “Connecting the World from the Skies” event in Riyadh, organized by Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) alongside the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Attendees witnessed successful satellite-based two-way messaging and SOS alerts sent using commercial Android smartphones and a combination of Viasat’s robust L-band satellite network and the Bullitt over-the-top messaging app. Signals were transmitted using the company’s L-band spacecraft positioned over the Indian Ocean, while the infrastructure for 3GPP NTN services was deployed by Viasat’s partner Skylo.

Sandeep Moorthy, Viasat’s Chief Technical Officer, emphasized the significance of the demonstration, explaining, “By expanding our direct-to-device innovation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we’re showcasing the potential for D2D services in the fast-growing Gulf and Asia-Pacific region. D2D could help reduce barriers to connectivity in regions where terrestrial services are spotty and unavailable to help transform industries and supply chains, enable new opportunities, and to become more efficient, sustainable and safer. We’d like to thank the CST for their support in carrying out this exciting demonstration”.

Also Read: Joby Begins Construction Of Dubai’s First Vertiport For Air Taxis

D2D technology allows devices like smartphones, vehicles, and industrial equipment to connect seamlessly to both satellite and terrestrial networks. Unlike traditional satellite setups, D2D eliminates the need for extra hardware, thanks to emerging global standards that are gaining traction among satellite operators, mobile network providers, and tech manufacturers.

What makes this approach particularly promising is that Viasat uses a licensed, dedicated satellite spectrum to deliver its D2D services. This avoids any interference with existing terrestrial networks, allowing smooth integration with mobile network operators in the future.

The demonstration clearly showed the potential of D2D technology to bridge connectivity gaps in remote regions while opening up opportunities for innovation, improved safety, sustainability, and efficiency.