News

COTU Ventures Launches $54M MENA Startup Investment Fund

The industry-agnostic fund focuses on supporting founders from the inception of their idea through to post-product launch.

Published

1 year ago

February 28, 2024

Nour Nasir

COTU Ventures

COTU Ventures, which stands for Champions of the Underdog, has announced that it has raised $54 million to invest in what it calls “extraordinary founders” in the MENA region.

In a philosophy that explains the firm’s unique name, COTU will help startups at the earliest stages of their journeys, investing at the pre-seed and seed stages, where founders often have difficulty attracting attention from backers.

“I’ve been a part of the regional ecosystem since 2008, and it’s come a long way since then,” explained Amir Farha, founder and GP of COTU Ventures. “Saudi Arabia has opened up internationally, and governments have been driving policies and investment to activate the technology sectors of their local economies. We have a growing young population of tech-savvy, digitally connected consumers with substantial spending power. When you combine this with remarkably low customer acquisition costs and some of the highest revenues per user, there has never been a better and more profitable time to invest in the region than today”.

The fund from COTU is industry-agnostic and instead focuses on identifying and supporting the most talented founders from inception to post-launch. So far, the firm has invested in over 20 early-stage startups, including mortgage platform Huspy, UAE-based ResTech company Supy, and Sirdab, a leading Saudi storage and warehouse management platform.

Also Read: The Cloud Secures $12M For GCC And European Expansion

“Our partnership with COTU Ventures has been a cornerstone of Sirdab’s journey,” enthused Naif Alzahri, the startup’s founder. “Amir and the entire COTU team have contributed a wide array of expertise that has significantly enhanced our strategic, technical, and operational frameworks. Their unique approach to collaboration is rare to find [and the] foundation of trust and mutual understanding not only highlights the extraordinary nature of our relationship with COTU but also makes us eternally grateful for their support”.

COTU’s distinctive approach is rooted in the conviction that an individual’s early years serve as a barometer for their potential success as an entrepreneur. The firm believes there is a profound impact from decisions made during a startup’s infancy, and to that end equips founders with valuable resources, perspectives, and connections to better navigate their entrepreneurial journeys.

News

Samsung To Roll Out One UI 7 Starting April 7

The update will introduce AI-driven tools and Google integration, along with a fresh design and enhanced personalization options.

Published

20 hours ago

March 20, 2025

Nour Nasir

Samsung

Samsung has confirmed that One UI 7 will officially begin rolling out on April 7, bringing a fresh design and enhanced personalization options. This update is tailored for a more intuitive user experience, powered by AI-driven improvements. Initially, One UI 7 will be available in the U.S. on the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold6, and Z Flip6 starting April 10. The rollout will gradually expand to more Galaxy smartphones and tablets in the following weeks.

Refined Design And More Customization

With One UI 7, Samsung is introducing a cleaner, more cohesive look aimed at making customization easier and more intuitive. The home screen, widgets, and lock screen have been redesigned to streamline navigation and personalization.

One standout feature is Now Bar, which provides real-time updates directly on the lock screen. Whether checking workout progress during a run or seeing what’s playing on Galaxy Buds, users can access key information with just a swipe — no need to unlock the phone.

AI-Powered Enhancements For A Smoother Experience

Samsung has integrated AI into One UI 7 to make everyday interactions more seamless and efficient. Galaxy AI helps users complete tasks with minimal app switching, while AI Select suggests relevant actions based on selected content. For instance, users can swipe the Edge Panel and tap the AI Select icon while watching a video to instantly create a GIF.

Writing Assist — a favorite tool for Galaxy users — will now offer automatic text summarization and formatting. Meanwhile, Drawing Assist provides a creative boost by generating visuals from text prompts, images, or sketches. Another highlight, Audio Eraser, allows users to fine-tune video sound by isolating and adjusting different audio elements.

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Finally, Samsung has added greater integration with Google Gemini. Users can simply activate Gemini and ask, “Find Italian restaurants with outdoor seating that are pet friendly” to get instant recommendations. Natural language search also makes adjusting settings easier — users can now tap the mic icon in Settings and say, My eyes feel tired, to receive suggestions like dimming the screen or enabling Eye Comfort Shield.

Device Compatibility And Rollout Schedule

The One UI 7 update will begin rolling out on April 7, with more devices receiving it in the weeks that follow. Compatible models include the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy S24 FE, Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Z Fold5, Z Flip5, and the Galaxy Tab S10 and Tab S9 series.