News

Riyadh Techstars Accelerator Program To Continue In 2023

The startup funding initiative will work with entrepreneurs to grow and scale MENA companies.

Published

2 years ago

January 26, 2023

riyadh techstars accelerator program to continue in 2023

After wrapping up the inaugural round of The Riyadh Techstars Accelerator in 2022 with investments in 11 portfolio businesses, the program’s organizers have confirmed the continuation of the initiative for 2023.

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Saudi National Bank, and RAED Ventures will come together for the pre-seed investor round, comprising a 13-week program that will run from June through to September 2023.

According to a recent press release, 2023’s Riyadh Techstars Accelerator will work with entrepreneurs to establish and expand innovative companies in the MENA region while developing a comprehensive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Saudi Arabia’s IT sector — currently worth over $40 billion and supporting over 318,000 jobs — is quickly becoming a leading global force.

“The nation is also making significant strides in enabling diversity in the workforce, with more women employed in the ICT industry. Agility and resilience, powered by talent and technology, have enabled Saudi Arabia to reach new heights,” says Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology.

Also Read: How To Find The Best Remote Work Opportunities In The Middle East

Startups from across the Middle East and Saudi-based entrepreneurs can now submit their applications to the 2023 Riyadh Techstars Accelerator. This year’s event promises a packed schedule of fundraising opportunities, workshops, mentorship, and networking.

“I am enthusiastic about the growth of the Saudi Arabian and broader Middle East startup ecosystem. Between the Kingdom’s investment in entrepreneurship and its central location, Riyadh can attract global startup talent for the entire region. Part of what we do at Techstars is to help founders connect their innovation with the rest of the world,” says Maëlle Gavet, CEO of Techstars.

News

Stake Powers Instant Payouts With Checkout.com Pay To Card

The new feature lets investors in the UAE, KSA, and UK receive real estate returns in minutes — cutting withdrawal times to under 10 minutes.

Published

1 day ago

June 19, 2025

Nour Nasir

stake powers instant payouts with checkout.com pay to card

Stake, a leading digital real estate investment platform, has unveiled Pay to Card, a next-generation withdrawal feature built on Checkout.com’s global payment infrastructure. The integration enables investors to have dividends and returns credited directly to their bank cards — often within minutes — dramatically reducing the traditional multi-day payout process.

After a successful pilot in May involving over 200 users, some investors reported receiving their funds in under 10 minutes. Ricardo Brizido, CPTO and Co-Founder of Stake, emphasized the importance of speed and reliability: “With Pay to Card, we’re eliminating unnecessary delays and putting returns in our investors’ hands almost instantly. This feature was built to directly solve one of the most common pain points in real estate investing, and it’s already driving strong results”.

The feature launch coincides with rapid growth in real-time finance across the Middle East. Checkout.com’s “State of Digital Commerce in MENA 2025” report highlights a 388% year-on-year surge in Account Funding Transactions (AFTs) in the UAE, reflecting strong demand for immediate payout solutions. The same study recorded a 176% increase in total processing volume from 2023 to 2024 and noted that daily online transactions have jumped 320% since 2020.

Since its 2021 debut, Stake has facilitated over AED 1 billion in property transactions, advancing its mission to democratize real estate investment in high-growth markets. By integrating Pay to Card, Stake reinforces its commitment to customer-centric innovation and operational transparency.

Also Read: Binance Enters Syrian Market As Sanctions Lifted

Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA at Checkout.com, praised the collaboration: “Stake has always led with customer-first financial experiences. Together, we’re meeting the expectations of a region that is no longer just digital-first, but real-time-first. Pay to Card exemplifies how modern payment infrastructure can directly solve investor pain points”.

Pay to Card is now available to all Stake users in the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. By slashing withdrawal times from days to minutes, Stake and Checkout.com are setting a new standard for seamless, on-demand real estate investing.