News

Mubadala-Backed Tabby Raises $200 Million In Funds

The latest series D funding round gives the BNPL platform a value of $1.5 billion.

Published

1 year ago

November 1, 2023

Nour Nasir

Tabby

Backed by UAE investment company Mubadala, Dubai-based Buy Now Pay Later platform Tabby has raised $200 million in funding, making it part of an elite group of MENA companies known as “unicorns” due to their market value of $1 billion or more.

Tabby, now valued at a staggering $1.5 billion, joins fellow UAE startups like Careem, Kitopi, and Swvl, along with Saudi Arabia’s STC Pay and Egypt’s Fawry.

اليوم، نعلن أن تابي أصبحت أول شركة ملياريّة في قطاع التقنية المالية في المنطقة، بعد أن أغلقت جولة استثمارية Series D بقيمة 200 مليون دولار وبتقييم 1.5 مليار دولار. كل الشكر لمجتمع تابي من المتسوّقين والشركاء على دعمهم المستمر. pic.twitter.com/YnuJdembCy

— Tabby | تابي (@paywithtabby) November 1, 2023

US-based Wellington Management was in charge of the latest funding round, with Hong Kong’s Blue Pool Capital and Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Capital also taking part, with additional investment also coming from Saudi Arabia’s STV, PayPal Ventures and Arbor Ventures.

Tabby manages more than $6 billion worth of yearly transactions, and the new funding will be used to further develop the company’s financial and shopping services for both consumers and retailers.

“With this investment, we can advance our mission across Saudi Arabia and the UAE,” said Hosam Arab, CEO and co-founder of Tabby.

Also Read: MENA Online Electronics Sales Grew By 7% In 2023

The BNPL business model, which allows shoppers to spread payments for online purchases over several interest-free installments, has boomed since the COVID-19 pandemic and is projected to hit $565.8 billion by 2026, representing a compound annual growth rate of nearly 26%.

Tabby is currently active in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE. In a January 2023 funding round, the company had already raised $58 million, valuing the BNPL provider at $660 million.

Meanwhile, plenty more BNPL providers are jostling for a share of the enormous MENA market, including the likes of Postpay, Cashew, Spotii, and Tamara. Only time will tell if Tabby’s rivals are also able to achieve coveted unicorn status, though the MENA region is expected to produce at least 45 billion-dollar startups by the end of the decade, led by Saudi Arabia.

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

21 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.

Also Read: Google’s Alphabet To Acquire Cybersecurity Firm Wiz For $32 Billion

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.