Amna Puri-Mirza
Research Expert covering the Middle East
Start-ups are business ventures in their early operations. In general, these companies try to approach the market with their new products or services with an innovative angle.
In most cases, the initial funding of start-ups are bank rolled by their founders. In order to guarantee the success and growth of a start-up, outside funding is crucial and is often provided by venture capitalists. The majority of Middle East and North African startups have their headquarter in the United Arab Emirates, followed by Egypt and Jordan.
While the initial investment phase is critical in the funding of a start-up, the exit strategy of a venture capitalist is also of importance. The exit phase in the funding of a start-up defines the moment when the initial investor yields his gains or losses by exiting the start-up.
In the Middle East and North African region, the gender divide is still prevalent when it comes to the initiation of a business start-up.
Starting a business in the Middle East
Though the Gulf Cooperation Council is regarded as the most business-friendly sub-region in the Middle East and North Africa, the time required to start a new business can vary from 6.3 days in Oman to over one month in Kuwait.
Leading Startup Industries
Delivery and transportation are the leading start-up industries in the Middle East and North Africa. This is also reflected in the first two startup unicorns in the Middle East and North Africa. The rideshare company careem and online retailer souq.com were the first MENA startups to reach this status.
Amongst all Middle East and North African countries, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are ranked the highest in regards to the ease of minority investor protection.
While the initial investment phase is critical in the funding of a start-up, the exit strategy of a venture capitalist is also of importance. The exit phase in the funding of a start-up defines the moment when the initial investor yields his gains or losses by exiting the start-up.
In the Middle East and North African region, the gender divide is still prevalent when it comes to the initiation of a business start-up.
Starting a business in the Middle East
Though the Gulf Cooperation Council is regarded as the most business-friendly sub-region in the Middle East and North Africa, the time required to start a new business can vary from 6.3 days in Oman to over one month in Kuwait.
Leading Startup Industries
Delivery and transportation are the leading start-up industries in the Middle East and North Africa. This is also reflected in the first two startup unicorns in the Middle East and North Africa. The rideshare company careem and online retailer souq.com were the first MENA startups to reach this status.
Amongst all Middle East and North African countries, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are ranked the highest in regards to the ease of minority investor protection.
