The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region saw impressive startup investment activity in July 2025, with a total of $744.3 million raised across 47 deals. This surge reflects a vibrant and maturing ecosystem that continues to draw investor confidence, according to insights by Digital Digest.
Saudi Arabia and UAE Dominate the Capital Flow
July’s funding numbers reveal a clear trend: Saudi Arabia and the UAE led the charge, accounting for 98% of all capital deployed during the month.
By deal volume:
- âś… UAE led with 42.6% of the total number of deals.
- âś… Saudi Arabia followed with 31.9%.
- âś… Egypt came third, contributing 10.6%.
This shows that while the UAE is nurturing more startup activity, Saudi Arabia is attracting larger, high-value investments, a dynamic that continues to shape regional funding patterns.
2025 So Far: $1.9 Billion Invested Across 291 Deals
The momentum isn’t limited to July. From January to July 2025, startups across MENA raised a total of $1.9 billion in 291 funding rounds.
Top countries by total capital (YTD):
- âś… Saudi Arabia and UAE: Combined 89.3% of all funds raised.
By number of deals (YTD):
- âś… UAE: 33.3%
- âś… Saudi Arabia: 34.7%
- âś… Egypt: 14.8%
These figures reinforce the trend: Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the region’s key growth engines, pushing both capital and volume to new highs.
Key Insights and Regional Trends
A few standout observations from the data:
- Saudi Arabia is attracting fewer deals but with much higher investment value, showing a focus on scaling mid-to-late-stage startups.
- The UAE remains the region’s most active startup hub by deal count, a testament to its entrepreneurial support ecosystem.
- Egypt continues to punch above its weight, consistently contributing to overall deal volume despite a smaller funding pool.
The Road Ahead
With over $1.9 billion already deployed in 2025, MENA’s startup ecosystem is on track for another record-breaking year. The investment spotlight remains firmly on Saudi Arabia and the UAE, but other markets like Egypt are steadily rising.
The region is clearly entering a new era of funding maturity, signaling exciting opportunities for startups, investors, and innovation at scale.