News

NEOM Launches Accelerator To Support Saudi Entrepreneurs

The program will support small to medium enterprises and innovative businesses.

Published

1 year ago

March 28, 2023

Nour Nasir

NEOM

A new accelerator program called Seven Senses has been launched by the social responsibility department of NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s hyper-futuristic city development.

The program will support SMEs, as well as craftsmen and other professionals, with the aim of driving innovation and change in the NEOM and Tabuk regions.

نسعى لنترك أثرًا ونغيّر واقعًا ونبني مستقبلًا بجهودٍ مشتركة ومواهب شابة وأفكارٍ لا حدود لها، لنلهم بها غيرنا ونضع بصمتنا في يوم #المسؤولية_الاجتماعية #نلتزم_بمسؤوليتنا_الاجتماعية #نغير_الحاضر pic.twitter.com/EoOXPIDy9m

— المسؤولية الاجتماعية في نيوم (@NEOM_CSR) March 23, 2023

The accelerator program is welcoming applications until May 14. Although the Seven Senses program is open to anyone, officials are keen to encourage media, arts and culture, food, clothing, and new media projects.

The program will begin with a two-day entrepreneurial boot camp on May 28, where 150 entrepreneurs will receive training in business building, marketing, and attracting investors. After that, participants will present their ideas to an expert panel to compete for a place in the accelerator, held between late May and August.

Also Read: How To Create An Effective GPS Tracking Solution In The Middle East

“The idea of the NEOM accelerator program Seven Senses, which was designed after extensive studies of the market reality, came to support entrepreneurs and owners of emerging companies in the regions of NEOM and Tabuk through scientific and practical paths that contribute to developing their capabilities,” says Meshari Al Mutairi, Executive Director of Government Affairs at NEOM.

After completing the program, participants will enjoy priority access to entrepreneurial opportunities in the NEOM area, as well as lucrative investment opportunities.

News

Mamo Completes $3.4M Funding Round To Enhance Fintech Services

The startup will use the influx of cash to expand into Saudi Arabia and across the wider GCC while improving its product offering.

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Nour Nasir

Mamo

UAE-based fintech Mamo has announced the completion of a $3.4 million funding round that will help the startup extend its market presence and improve its product offering. Investors included 4DX Ventures, the Dubai Future District Fund and Cyfr Capital.

Mamo’s platform offers “payment collection, corporate cards and expense management” to help small and medium-sized businesses consolidate and streamline their operations. With the latest influx of capital, Mamo will further develop its comprehensive suite of services and begin testing its product lines in Saudi Arabia, further extending its footprint across the GCC.

Imad Gharazeddine, co-founder and CEO of Mamo, stated: “We’ve been in the market for a while now and are incredibly proud of what our team has achieved. The holistic and expansive nature of our product offering has helped us continue to grow sustainably. This additional funding will allow us to reach our medium-term goals even faster. The support from new and existing investors is a testament to our strong expertise and the ability to deliver on our customer promise”.

Daniel Marlo, General Partner of lead investor 4DX Ventures, added: “We have immense trust in Imad’s vision, leadership and Mamo’s innovative approach to provide a user-friendly and comprehensive financial solution for SMEs that makes financial management more accessible and efficient. We are proud to partner with them and support their mission”.

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

Amer Fatayer, Managing Director of Dubai Future District Fund’s investment team, also commented: “Mamo’s localized product lines serve as an infrastructure for SME payments and spend management in UAE, a segment that is underserved by the country’s current banking infrastructure. The team has taken a product-first approach to consolidating SMEs’ financial journeys and building a fintech solution deeply embedded in a business’s core operations”.

To date, Mamo has raised around $13 million in investment funding and now boasts a team of 30 people. The company’s intuitive financial services platform has allowed over 1,000 businesses to consolidate their financial operations and significantly reduce payment fees.