News

Mitgo Launches MENA Publisher Investments Program

The finance service will provide $50,000 to $500,000 to help regional companies grow.

Published

3 years ago

September 14, 2023

mitgo launches mena publisher investments program

Global tech company Mitgo has launched a new Publisher Investments Program, an alternative financing service that will provide investment opportunities for projects in the MENA market. Initial capital for the fund is $20 million, with the program’s scope expanding as applications are received.

Mitgo’s service will be aimed primarily at the FinTech, smart shopping, generative AI, MarTech, and HRTech sectors. The program will help publishers solve financing gaps and cash flow issues that stand in the way of expansion.

Applicants for funding must earn (or plan to earn) more than 50% of their revenue from cost-per-lead, cost-per-click, cost-per-sale, and other performance-based methods. They also need to be working with Mitgo businesses Admitad and Takeads or with another affiliate network. Companies that do not meet these criteria may still be eligible for funding if they can demonstrate a readiness to earn using the listed advertising models.

Successful candidates will be eligible for $50,000 to $500,000 in funds. In addition, companies will also gain access to the complete Mitgo ecosystem, along with a dedicated strategic manager.

The MENA region will be a key focus for the Publisher Investment scheme, with Mitgo expecting at least 10% of all investments to be made in local projects.

“Their success is our success, which is why we’ll not only provide financial support but also allocate time and resources into mentoring and coaching, as well as giving access to an extensive network of digital advertising contacts,” said Alexander Bachmann, Mitgo CEO & Founder.

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

Mitgo has a successful history in investing, having already closed over 30 deals, including FairSavings ($500K+) and LetyShops ($3M+).

Since the announcement of its Publisher Investments program in June, Mitgo has received 100+ applications and continues actively inviting MENA publishers to submit proposals.

News

Syria Just Got Its First Super App Featuring Built-In Digital Payments

Built by UAE-based Syrian founders with the Ministry of Tourism’s backing, My Syria lands as visitor numbers more than double.

Published

5 days ago

August 1, 2026

Nour Nasir

syria just got its first super app featuring built-in digital payments

For most of the past decade, paying for anything in Syria with an international card was effectively impossible. Sanctions, a collapsed banking sector, and years of isolation left the country running on cash. That is what makes the launch of My Syria — the country’s first super app — more than a routine product announcement.

Developed by 121 Living, a company founded by four UAE-based Syrian entrepreneurs — Rami Kaiem, Feras Kaiem, Waseem Qudmani, and Kinan Madi — the app launched in Damascus on July 30 under the patronage of Minister of Tourism Mazen Al-Salhani. It bundles hotels, restaurants, transport, attractions, food delivery, and other lifestyle services into a single platform, currently offering eight services with plans to expand to more than 40 verified tourism and hospitality providers across the country.

Although the app already sounds enticing, the headline feature is its built-in payments. My Syria is the first platform in Syria to support cross-border digital payments through Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — familiar tools for international visitors, and a route into the digital economy for local businesses that have long operated outside it.

my syria super app launch event

The launch rides on a sharp rebound for the troubled country. Syria’s tourism sector recorded 3.52 million visitor arrivals in the first half of 2026, a 111 percent increase over the 1.67 million during the same period in 2025 — a mix of returning expatriates, regional visitors, and international tourists.

Also Read: This UAE Platform Wants To Replace Fashion Photo Shoots With AI

The Ministry of Tourism, which supported and supervised the app’s development, frames the launch as proof of concept for a wider strategy. “Digital transformation is one of the Ministry’s strategic priorities because it enables us to build a more competitive, connected and investment-ready tourism sector,” Al-Salhani said, inviting technology companies “globally, regionally and locally” to explore opportunities across the wider economy.

For 121 Living, this is phase one, with additional services and expanded geographic coverage planned. Whether a super app can flourish in a market still rebuilding its infrastructure is an open question, but for the first time in years, a visitor to Damascus can pay for dinner with their phone.