BAE, mega yuvarlak güç konusunda bölgesel risk sermayesi fonu tacını geri aldı

UAE retakes regional VC funding crown on mega-round strength

Fri, September 11, 2026 at 1:27 PM GMT+3 2 min read

Abu Dhabi's skyline

George Pachantouris/Getty Images

The United Arab Emirates' venture market bounced back in the first half of this year, reclaiming its position as the top funding hub in the Middle East and North Africa from Saudi Arabia.

Funding for startups in the UAE has already surpassed last year's annual total, according to PitchBook's H1 2026 MENA Private Capital Breakdown, with investment reaching $1.3 billion at the end of June.

This marks a reversal from last year, when investment levels in the Emirates were stagnant, while those in rival Saudi Arabia tripled. After its VC surge, deal value for Saudi startups has reset, with only around $200 million invested in H1.

The pace of dealmaking in the UAE has been softer, with the count currently trailing 2025 levels, though by less than peers'.

Much of the UAE's funding growth was driven by a handful of mega-rounds. In June, ADCN led a $275 million investment in Cadena, a Dubai-based company that helps organisations expand internationally and increase overseas revenue.

That same month, autonomous delivery startup CargoX secured $250 million in a round led by BlueFive Capital. The asset manager also led AI-native Islamic digital bank Mal's $230 million round in January, rounding off the top three deals in the region this year.

Overall, VC dealmaking in MENA has slowed, but remained resilient in the face of a turbulent first six months of the year. The Iran war has put pressure on the region as a whole, creating uncertainty particularly for foreign investors.

Despite the volatility, deal value is pacing just below 2025 at $2 billion in the first six months of the year. Deal count, on the other hand, is trailing last year by a significant margin.

With the conflict yet to be resolved and ceasefire talks deadlocked, MENA's VC hubs could see a further slowdown as the year progresses. Deals are taking longer to close, and the median time between rounds increased from 1.6 to 1.7 years. Fundraising cycles could extend further due to stricter due diligence processes.

This article originally appeared on PitchBook News