Blanket, a UAE-born estate planning platform built for expats and cross-border lives, has officially launched in the UAE, offering residents a simpler, clearer and more affordable way to put the right protection in place for their families, assets and wishes.

Created by Anton Pirinen, a lawyer and member of the founding team at Wio Bank, Blanket was built to address the realities of modern expat life, where families, finances and responsibilities often span more than one country. Bringing together legal expertise, fintech experience and product-led thinking, the platform gives expats a more accessible route into estate planning, with wills and powers of attorney available through one guided process.

Anton chose to launch Blanket in the UAE after seeing a clear gap in the market. With a large expat population, multiple legal frameworks and many residents holding assets across more than one country, estate planning can quickly become fragmented,expensive and difficult to navigate. Backed by investors and advisors from Wio and Revolut backgrounds, Blanket helps close that gap by giving residents access to more serious, cross-border estate planning support without the cost, complexity or offline experienceof the traditional law firm route.

Alongside UAE wills, Blanket also supports expats with the wider estate planning decisions that come with living internationally. The platform helps customers understand what protection makes sense across the different countries connected to their life, family and assets, before guiding them through the right documents in one coordinated process. Blanket currently supports wills for the UK and India, with plans to expand globally.

For many UAE-based expats, putting a will in place is often delayed because the process feels expensive, complicated or overwhelming. Yet without a registered will, families can face frozen bank accounts, delayed access to assets, court-ledguardianship decisions and lengthy probate processes at an already difficult time. In some cases, the process can take six to eighteen months.

Blanket also offers powers of attorney, helping residents appoint someone they trust to act on their behalf when needed – from banking and government paperwork to healthcare matters and practical UAE admin if they are travelling or no longer in the country. For expats, it adds another much-needed layer of protection.

Anton Pirinen, Founder and CEO of Blanket, comments: “Estate planning is one of those things people know they should do, but usually put off because it feels too complex, too expensive or just not urgent enough. For expats, that problem is even bigger, because life does not always sit neatly in one country.

“You may live in the UAE, own assets somewhere else, have family overseas and be dealing with different legal systems at the same time. I built Blanket to make that process easier to understand, easier to access and more suited to how people actually live today.”

Users can sign up with an email address, complete an online intake in around 15 minutes, and manage the process without in-person meetings. From there, a draft will is created using lawyer-designed templates, reviewed by a qualified human expert, translated into Arabic by a Ministry of Justice-licensed translator, and submitted through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department’s notarial process. Once registered, the official will is held with ADJD as the government repository, while the user’s personal copy and supporting documents can be stored securely in Blanket’s Vault.

Each customer is assigned a specific expert at Blanket from the start. That means they have someone to manage their case, guide them through the entire process, and be on hand to answer questions along the way. 

Blanket’s service fee starts from AED 799 and includes drafting, changes, translation, Vault and Capsules. The Vault gives customers a secure place to store important estate planning documents, while Capsules allows them to securely share selected information, instructions or documents with the right people when needed. The ADJD government registration fee is AED 950 for a single will, while mirror wills carry an ADJD government registration fee of AED 1,900, paid directly to ADJD.

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SICO Capital today announced the launch of the SICO GCC Dividends Fund. The Fund marks SICO Capital’s third equity fund and the sixth fund within SICO Group’s suite of investment funds. The open-ended equity fund, domiciled in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and managed by SICO Capital, offers investors exposure to dividend-paying equities across the GCC region.

The fund aims to provide investors with quarterly income and long-term capital growth by investing primarily in listed companies with sustainable dividend policies and strong underlying financial fundamentals. The investment strategy combines quantitative screening techniques with in-depth fundamental analysis to identify companies demonstrating resilient business models, sound balance sheets, and disciplined capital allocation practices.

The fund offers two-unit classes to accommodate different investor profiles. Class A is intended for institutional investors with a minimum initial subscription of SAR 10 million, while Class B is designed for investors with a minimum subscription of SAR 10,000. The fund is denominated in Saudi Riyals and offers subscriptions and redemptions twice weekly, subject to the fund’s terms and conditions. Albilad Capital has been appointed as the fund’s custodian, providing independent oversight in line with applicable regulatory requirements.

Wissam Haddad, CEO of SICO Capital, added: “Our investment framework integrates quantitative analysis with active fundamental research to support disciplined portfolio construction and risk management. By focusing on companies with sustainable dividend practices, the fund is structured to serve investors seeking income-oriented equity exposure within a professionally managed framework.”

Commenting on the launch, Ali Marshad, Deputy Group CEO – Buy Side at SICO BSC (C), stated: The launch of the SICO GCC Dividends Fund by SICO Capital reflects our continued commitment as a Group to expanding our investment solutions in line with the evolving needs of investors in Saudi Arabia. Through this new offering, which supports a more balanced portfolio construction approach, the Fund’s strategy is designed to play a dual role by enhancing yield through regular distributions from companies with stable returns, while focusing on reducing the relative impact of market fluctuations compared to growth strategies that invest in high-growth companies. The SICO Capital Equities Asset Management team aims to provide investors with access to dividend-focused equity opportunities across regional markets, enabling them to add an investment category that complements fixed income investments while contributing to building more diversified and balanced portfolios capable of delivering sustainable performance across different market conditions.”

With this third equities fund launch, SICO Capital continues to expand its suite of asset management offerings across the Group, providing clients with professional tools for wealth preservation and growth within the Saudi and wider regional capital markets. Detailed information regarding the fund, including the full prospectus and term sheet, is available on the SICO Capital website.

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Sovra, the fintech platform that provides people with a global dollar account, has raised more than $2 million in pre-seed funding. The round was led by Pharsalus Capital, with participation from leading regional and global angel investors, including Karim Atiyeh (founder of Ramp), Hisham Al-Falih (founder of Lean Technologies), Hany Rashwan (founder of 21shares), Naguib S. Sawiris (chairman of Orascom Development Holding AG) and other angel investors.

Directly from their mobile phones, Sovra users can hold digital dollars, earn yield, send money globally in seconds, and spend with a card that works anywhere. All from a self-custodial account that can only be accessed by the user, without interference from the platform or any intermediaries. This guarantees financial access to the account and longevity beyond the platform’s.

Sovra’s self-custodial architecture means users can have complete control of their own money, and the platform serves purely as infrastructure, not gatekeepers.

The platform integrates with a robust foundation of world-leading platforms to deliver a comprehensive fintech solution to users. Dollar balances are denominated in USDC, a regulated US dollar-based stablecoin issued by Circle, an NYSE-listed SEC-regulated company, and audited by Deloitte, where one real US dollar in reserve for every digital dollar in circulation, fully verifiable.

The platform also grants users access to a range of functionality for their digital dollars,  including the ability to connect to third-party DeFi protocols that offer yield, and card payments supported across the Visa and Mastercard networks, as well as free transfers across accounts.

Two-thirds of adults across MENA remain unbanked or underbanked. In some countries, even those with bank accounts can risk inflation, currency devaluation, withdrawal limits, and the possibility of losing access to their own money. As well as slow and expensive remittances, with charges of over 6% per transfer and often taking days to arrive.

Sovra is built for everyone who earns, saves, spends, or sends money — with three initial priority segments: young professionals across MENA, university students, and the regional diaspora globally.

Sovra was founded by Ahmad Wehbi, who watched Lebanon’s banking system fail in 2019, when bank deposits were frozen, and the national currency lost more than 98% of its value. The team brings together backgrounds across McKinsey, Revolut, Jumpcloud, decentralized finance, and the lived experience of disrupted access to finances and savings.

Ahmad Wehbi, Founder and CEO of Sovra, said: “There has always been something between people and their money;  a bank, a border, a fee, a policy, a form. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it took everything. The technology to remove the middleman now exists. Sovra is the simplest way in. Your money works for you and answers only to you. If we disappear tomorrow, it’s still there. That’s not a company policy alone, but the architecture we have built for Sovra.”

Anthony Ghosn, Managing Director, Pharsalus Capital, said: “By giving people sovereign, self-custodial alternatives to fragile fiat and banking systems, Sovra is helping restore financial dignity in Lebanon and beyond. For those of us with ties to the region, these issues are deeply familiar — and Ahmad and the Sovra team stand out for having the courage and clarity to build where others have been constrained by the scale of the problem.”

Sovra operates with a distributed team across the Middle East and Europe. The pre-seed round will fund engineering and product expansion as the company prepares for its public launch and continues building a platform. The waitlist is open at sovra.money

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Bahrain’s startup ecosystem has recorded a sharp acceleration in growth, underscoring its emergence as one of the most dynamic innovation hubs in the Middle East, according to the Startup Genome Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2026, highlighted by Tamkeen.

The Kingdom’s ecosystem value surged to approximately $1.6 billion, representing a 759% increase over earlier reporting cycles, reflecting strong expansion in startup funding, exits, and overall valuation creation across the innovation landscape. This performance builds on earlier momentum, where Bahrain had already demonstrated sustained 40% annual ecosystem growth, driven by rising venture activity and a supportive policy environment (Startup Genome).

The latest findings position Bahrain among the Top 5 MENA ecosystems in performance, highlighting its growing influence in regional innovation competitiveness. The ecosystem’s strength is particularly evident in fintech, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, which continue to attract both local entrepreneurs and international investors.

Tamkeen, the Labour Fund of Bahrain, continues to play a central role in this growth story. Through targeted programs in workforce development, startup funding support, and enterprise enablement, Tamkeen has helped build a strong pipeline of talent and scalable ventures. Its collaboration with Startup Genome has been instrumental in benchmarking Bahrain’s progress and identifying high-impact growth areas.

Commenting on the ecosystem’s trajectory, Alya Al Aali, Deputy CE of Strategy & Insights at the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), commented: “The Kingdom of Bahrain’s distinctive advantage lies in its agile startup ecosystem, which enables entrepreneurs to develop and test their ideas within a supportive environment that facilitates expansion into regional markets.” She added that Tamkeen continues its efforts to support entrepreneurs and advance the startup ecosystem through initiatives that stimulate innovation, accelerate business growth, and expand access to financing and emerging technologies, thereby supporting their sustainability and competitiveness both locally and regionally.

In addition, Samantha Evans, Managing Director, MENA at Startup Genome, said: “Rather than trying to compete on size, Bahrain has focused on precision, building depth in fintech and adjacent technologies where it can lead. With Tamkeen anchoring this approach, the ecosystem is proving that targeted investment and clear positioning can outperform broader, less focused strategies.”

The ecosystem’s expansion is further supported by institutions such as Bahrain FinTech Bay, StartUp Bahrain, and various incubators that provide mentorship, access to funding, and market-entry support. These enablers, combined with regulatory agility—particularly in fintech—have positioned Bahrain as a testing ground for digital financial innovation in the GCC.

With strong government backing, rising investor interest, and a growing base of skilled talent, Bahrain continues to strengthen its reputation as a high-performance startup ecosystem poised for sustained regional impact.

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Schneider Electric partnered with GIZ Egypt to support the implementation of the global ClimAccelerator programme in Egypt, which is locally operated through Athar Accelerator in collaboration with Climate-KIC.

As part of this partnership, Schneider Electric will participate as the sustainability and technology partner for the ClimAccelerator programme, providing technical support and specialized mentorship to participating startups based on their needs and alignment with the company’s expertise in sustainability, energy management, and digitalisation.

Through the Private Sector Innovation Project, GIZ Egypt in collaboration with Climate-KIC, will oversee the implementation of the ClimAccelerator programme, which aims to support five climate-tech startups through a climate-focused training programme, technical assistance for climate impact assessment, and milestone-based funding to help develop and scale their innovative climate solutions.

Commenting on the partnership, Asmaa El Shiemy, Sustainability Senior Manager, Africa at Schneider Electric, stated: “Our commitment to creating a positive and lasting impact in Egypt is rooted in our role as a trusted partner in energy technology and sustainability, supporting the climate innovation ecosystem. We firmly believe that empowering climate-tech and clean-energy startups is a fundamental pillar in building a resilient and sustainable economy. Addressing today’s environmental challenges requires integrated efforts and strong strategic partnerships among the private sector, international institutions, and entrepreneurs to accelerate the development and adoption of innovative climate solutions and support the sustainable energy transition.”

She added, “We are pleased to collaborate with a leading international organization such as GIZ to empower climate-tech entrepreneurs, by equipping them with the technical expertise and advanced solutions they need to transform their ideas into projects with tangible environmental and economic impact, directly contributing to Egypt’s sustainability agenda and the achievement of Egypt Vision 2030 goals.”

Svenja Brachmann, Head of Private Sector Innovation Project (PSI II) at GIZ Egypt, commented: “At GIZ, we believe that impactful climate action can go so much farther if the whole ecosystem works together. Through our partnership with Schneider Electric, the ClimAccelerator creates a collaborative space where agile startups and corporates with their capabilities can come together to co-develop and scale innovative climate solutions for Egypt.”

The ClimAccelerator programme aims to accelerate the adoption of innovative climate solutions in the Egyptian market by providing, specialised training programmes, advanced tools for assessing the climate impact of projects and milestone based financial support necessary for startup growth and expansion. This directly contributes to Egypt’s transition toward a green economy and accelerates the adoption of low-emission, resource-efficient solutions as a cornerstone for building a sustainable future.

This agreement reflects Schneider Electric’s comprehensive vision of integrating technological advancement with environmental responsibility, highlighting the critical role of digital solutions and data management in building smart and sustainable green cities and communities. It also underscores the company’s commitment to developing the capabilities of young Egyptian entrepreneurs and startup leaders in energy management and clean technology. Furthermore, this collaboration demonstrates Schneider Electric’s long-term commitment to leveraging its technological expertise to enable various sectors to achieve greater energy efficiency and build more sustainable and resilient business models.

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Zuvees, the Dubai-based premium gifting platform redefining how people celebrate relationships across borders, has announced that it has raised USD 1.6 million from IvyCap Ventures as part of its ongoing Series A round. The latest investment brings the company’s total funding to USD 3.3 million.

The company is targeting a total Series A raise of USD 6–8 million to fuel its next phase of growth, strengthen its technology stack, expand into leading global metropolitan markets, and further its vision of creating the world’s most trusted gifting platform.

Founded by Vijay Ghadge and Abhishek Daiya, Zuvees has rapidly established itself as one of the UAE’s most trusted gifting brands. It offers same-day and 60-minute express delivery of curated flowers, luxury hampers, and personalised gift experiences across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ajman.

Launched commercially in the UAE in early 2025, Zuvees has quickly emerged as a fast-growing direct-to-consumer gifting brand, achieving an annualised revenue run-rate exceeding USD 3 million while maintaining strong unit economics. The company serves customers in more than 50 countries, with a significant share of orders originating from international senders who are gifting across borders.

The follow-on investment from IvyCap Ventures, an existing investor in Zuvees, reflects continued confidence in the company’s execution capabilities, technology-led differentiation, and ability to build a globally relevant consumer brand.

The newly raised capital will be deployed to expand Zuvees’ operational footprint, scale its AI-powered personalisation and recommendation engine, strengthen its proprietary supply chain infrastructure, and deepen its customer intelligence and CRM capabilities.

Zuvees is now pioneering what it calls ‘Gifting 3.0 ‘—a new category that combines expert curation, artificial intelligence, and rapid fulfilment to transform gifting into a highly personalised, transparent, and reliable experience.

While e-commerce has transformed nearly every consumer category over the past decade, gifting remains surprisingly broken. Customers often purchase gifts based on images and promises, only to discover that what gets delivered does not match their expectations. This challenge becomes even more pronounced in cross-border gifting, where trust is paramount and the sender rarely gets visibility into the final delivered experience.

At the same time, consumer behaviour is rapidly evolving. Gifting is transitioning from a ‘gift later’ category, where purchases were planned days or weeks in advance, to a ‘gift today’ and increasingly ‘gift now’ category, driven by modern lifestyles, instant communication, and the desire to celebrate moments in real time.

Zuvees has built its platform around solving these challenges through a combination of curated premium products, AI-driven personalisation, operational excellence, and customer-first innovations such as Video Approval before dispatch and a 100% customer satisfaction commitment policy.

Vijay Ghadge, Co-Founder & CEO of Zuvees, said: “When someone sends a gift, they are not purchasing flowers, chocolates, or a hamper. They are purchasing an emotion.

The biggest challenge in gifting today is expectation mismatch. What the sender imagines, what the platform promises, and what the recipient ultimately receives are often three very different things. This trust gap has existed for decades and becomes even more significant in cross-border gifting, where customers are relying entirely on the platform to represent their emotions.

At Zuvees, we have built the company around eliminating that gap. Every innovation we introduce, from Video Approval before dispatch to our quality assurance systems and customer-first guarantees, is designed to ensure that what customers expect is exactly what gets delivered.

We are also witnessing a structural shift in consumer behaviour. Gifting is moving from a planned activity to an on-demand experience. People no longer want to celebrate tomorrow. They want to celebrate now. The future belongs to platforms that can combine trust, personalisation, and speed, and that’s precisely what we’re building.

While we started in the UAE, our ambition has always been global. The UAE is one of the world’s most cosmopolitan markets, bringing together people from over 130 nationalities with strong gifting traditions and high cross-border engagement. It has proven to be an ideal testing ground for building a brand designed for globally connected consumers. The playbooks, technology, and customer insights we are developing here are intended to scale across major international cities around the world.”

Abhishek Daiya, Co-Founder & CPO/CFO of Zuvees, added: “We believe the next generation of gifting companies will be powered by intelligence rather than catalogues.

The challenge isn’t helping customers buy a gift. The challenge is helping them discover the right gift for the right person at the right moment. Relationships are nuanced, occasions are personal, and customer expectations continue to evolve.

We are building a proprietary AI layer that understands gifting intent, recipient preferences, purchase behavior, cultural context, and occasion-specific signals to deliver hyper-personalised recommendations at scale.

This investment allows us to accelerate that vision by expanding our technology capabilities, automating our operations, and building the data infrastructure necessary to power a truly intelligent gifting platform. Our goal is to become the trusted layer between human emotions and meaningful gifting experiences.”

Vikram Gupta, Founder & Managing Partner, IvyCap Ventures, said: “What attracted us to Zuvees is its ability to address a global consumer need through a technology-led platform. As gifting becomes increasingly cross-border, the company is uniquely positioned to deliver trusted, personalised experiences at scale. We have been impressed by the team’s execution and are excited to support their journey in building a category-defining global gifting brand.”

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du, a leading UAE telecom and digital services provider, today launched du Launchpad, an AI-powered all-in-one super platform to support entrepreneurs and micro- and small-business owners across the UAE in scaling their businesses.

The UAE’s first super platform supporting the nation’s ambition to become the startup capital of the world,  ‘du Launchpad’, operates under the ‘du Business’ services portfolio and has been developed in partnership with Peko. The super-app integrates critical business services into a single platform to streamline operations by removing complexity, improving execution speed, and enabling SMEs to focus on their business growth.

du Launchpad brings essential capabilities together, such as accounting solutions, HRMS and payroll management, and corporate tax filing, as well as WhatsApp Business integration and professional invoicing systems.

Powered by automation and AI workflows, the platform reduces manual effort, supports compliance readiness, and keeps day-to-day operations seamless. Du is also offering a cost-effective premium bundle that provides subscribers with access to the top five essential services, specifically designed to support entrepreneurs and business owners in enhancing their operational efficiency and driving cost optimisation.

Karim Benkirane, CCO at du, said: “With du Launchpad, we are moving beyond standalone tools to deliver an AI-powered all-in-one platform that helps SMEs scale their businesses by saving time, reducing complexity, and strengthening compliance. The cost-effective packages as well as a roster of free-of-charge services will ease the burden on entrepreneurs. By bringing essential services into one place and automating key workflows, du Launchpad enables business owners to focus more on their core work rather than the operational nitty-gritty. Our collaboration with Peko represents our ongoing commitment to being the telecom champion for entrepreneurs, supporting the UAE’s focus on promoting SMEs and start-up ventures.”

Many SMEs in the UAE face mounting pressure from complex compliance requirements, government obligations, and workforce management challenges that divert time, talent, and capital away from growth. Industries such as professional services, retail and e-commerce, F&B outlets, healthcare clinics, construction and contracting, and logistics trading SMEs are particularly impacted. du Launchpad directly addresses these challenges, consolidating the services SMEs need the most into one AI-enabled platform that cuts through administrative complexity and frees entrepreneurs to focus on building resilient businesses.

Kashif Khan, Founder and CEO of Peko, added: “Our partnership with du on Launchpad empowers SMEs by simplifying complex administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on growth. By integrating smart compliance and automation, we’re helping businesses stay agile and resilient in a competitive market.”

The du Launchpad delivers clear, measurable outcomes: significant time savings through streamlined administrative processes; reduced regulatory and financial risk through dedicated compliance support; and lower operating costs through bundled pricing. With the full operational spectrum from government filings and PRO services to compliance management, workforce administration, and AI-powered workflow automation, it gives entrepreneurs the headspace to focus on customers, develop their teams, and grow with confidence.

du Launchpad is available for du business customers through the MyAccount portal and the dedicated du Launchpad platform.

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CNTXT AI, a UAE-based data and AI company that enables companies and institutions to develop AI solutions while maintaining full sovereignty over their data, announced the successful closing of a $60 million Series A funding round.

The round was co-led by two of the region’s most active AI investors: AI71, Abu Dhabi’s applied AI company focused on sovereign, domain‑specialized AI, and BlueFive Capital, a global asset manager originating out of the GCC. The funding will support continued product development, expansion into new markets, and global deployment of secure AI infrastructure for enterprise and public-sector environments.

CNTXT AI was founded by Mohammad Abu Sheikh, a tech entrepreneur with a track record of successful exits and deep experience across AI infrastructure, applied AI platforms, and ecosystem development. Abu Sheikh’s previous venture LocAI was successfully acquired by AI71, who now returns as co-lead investor in this round. He is also the founder of SMPL AI, a $25 million fund supporting early-stage AI startups, reinforcing his role in building a global AI ecosystem focused on real-world impact.

The company works with global technology leaders including Oracle, NVIDIA, and AWS, and has supported several major global AI developers on large language model initiatives, deploying enterprise and government AI projects across multiple markets. Its proprietary products include Munsit, the most accurate Arabic voice AI, which has processed over one million minutes of speech and serves more than 250 enterprises and 150,000 users.

Mohammad Abu Sheikh, Founder and CEO of CNTXT AI: “The era of AI experimentation is over; the era of execution has begun. This funding strengthens our ability to build the sovereign infrastructure and talent needed to deploy AI at scale. Our focus has always been on making AI work in the real world, under the most demanding conditions.”

Reda Nidhakou, member of AI71 board of Directors, and CEO of VentureOne: “CNTXT AI capabilities and speed of execution stand out in this fast moving AI world. An impressive venture born in the UAE but addressing global AI deployment needs. This investment strengthens our ability to build the environment needed to deploy AI at scale and to address our clients data sovereignty requirements.”

Hazem Ben-Gacem, Founder and CEO of BlueFive Capital: “We backed CNTXT AI because they are building exactly the kind of technology-driven platform the region needs, one that turns raw data into real AI outcomes. This is the type of globally competitive business we want to build alongside.”

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The Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) has announced a series of senior appointments and promotions within its case management leadership team today. The appointments include the promotion of Katy Hacking and the appointment of Markel Eguiluz Parte to the role of deputy registrar, following the departure of Christoffer Coello Hedberg, who has returned to Sweden and private practice after three years as the Center’s first deputy registrar. 

Further appointments include the promotion of Laura Roberts and the appointment of Anna Boer to the role of senior counsel. 

Dr Tariq Humaid Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said: “DIAC’s continued progress is built on institutional trust, experienced people and a clear commitment to serving the needs of parties, counsel and tribunals. These recent appointments strengthen the case management team at an important stage of its development and reinforce the Centre’s role in supporting Dubai’s position as a global hub for dispute resolution”. 

Michael Pryles AO PBM, President of the Arbitration Court, said: “Christoffer’s departure was a great loss to the Centre and particularly to our case management team. As deputy registrar, he carefully discussed challenging questions which arose from time to time and provided helpful oversight and support to the Arbitration Court. He did so as a person who has considerable knowledge of arbitration and sound judgment. Whilst sad to bid farewell to Christoffer, I am delighted to welcome Markel Eguiluz Parte and Anna Boer and to celebrate the promotion of Katy Hacking and Laura Roberts at a time when the Centre is going from strength to strength. Markel and Katy will be excellent additions to the leadership of the case management team, with their broad experience of international arbitration, having worked in private practice and at other leading institutions. I look forward to working closely with them. The recruitment of Anna demonstrates the Centre’s commitment to its Russian speaking users and the promotion of Laura is a testament to her careful work and dedication over the past two years. I wish them all the best”. 

Robert Stephen, Registrar, said: “The case management team is central to the quality and reliability of institutional arbitration. Katy, Markel, Laura and Anna all bring strong experience across institutional practice, private practice, international arbitration and complex disputes. Together, they further strengthen our ability to administer cases with the professionalism, responsiveness and procedural rigour expected by the international arbitration community. It was a career pleasure working with Christoffer, and a personal disappointment to see him leave the Centre and Dubai. We have all benefitted from his thoughtful leadership, and careful, considered approach. We wish him all success in his return to Sweden and private practice.” 

Katy Hacking, who has been promoted to Deputy Registrar, joined DIAC as Senior Counsel in August 2023. She is qualified in England and Wales and has over 11 years’ experience in the UAE, with prior experience at the former DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre and in private practice with Simmons & Simmons and Pinsent Masons in London and Dubai. 

Markel Eguiluz Parte, joining DIAC as Deputy Registrar, is qualified in Spain and brings extensive institutional experience from The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, where he served for almost seven years as Legal Counsel. His experience includes investor-State and State-related disputes, as well as procedural issues concerning the constitution of tribunals and the appointment and challenge of arbitrators. 

Laura Roberts, who has been promoted to Senior Counsel, joined DIAC as Counsel in 2024. She has 14 years of private practice experience with Magic Circle and US law firms in London and Dubai, with specialist expertise in advanced technologies in arbitration and experience representing clients before international tribunals and courts under major institutional rules. 

Anna Boer, joining DIAC as Senior Counsel, is qualified in England and Wales and New York and has extensive experience in commercial and investment arbitration. Before joining DIAC, she practised at White & Case in Moscow and Dubai, advising governments, financial institutions and multinational corporations on complex cross-border matters. 

The case management team is responsible for the day-to-day administration of all disputes referred to the Centre. These appointments reinforce the Centre’s capacity to manage a growing and increasingly complex international caseload.

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Tally Solutions has announced the launch of the sixth edition of Tally MSME Honours. With an aim to recognize and celebrate emerging entrepreneurs, the initiative builds on the momentum of five successful years and continues to champion the future of the UAE’s MSME ecosystem by spotlighting innovation, resilience, and meaningful impact.

Over the last five editions, Tally MSME Honours has received more than 70,000 nominations globally, with over 20% of entries from women-led ventures, making it one of the biggest global platforms to celebrate MSMEs. This year, Tally expects 20,000 nominations across categories. The honours will also showcase MSME success stories from across India, Africa, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Middle East. The entries can be submitted by interested businesses or people who know such businesses via this link.

As part of this year’s edition, participants can submit video entries, ensuring representation from different emirates across the UAE. To further strengthen the evaluation process, Tally is also deploying an AI-led shortlisting framework that will help validate and assess entries more comprehensively by analyzing publicly available business information, ensuring deserving businesses receive due recognition for their impact and growth.

Speaking about the initiative, Vikas Panchal, General Manager – MENA, Tally Solutions, said, “MSME Honours is not just an award platform; it is a celebration of the resilience, ambition, and entrepreneurial spirit that drives small businesses forward every day. Across the UAE and the wider MENA region, we continue to witness inspiring MSMEs building innovative businesses, creating employment, and contributing meaningfully to economic growth. This becomes even more relevant as the UAE continues to place strong focus on strengthening its SME ecosystem as a key pillar of the country’s long-term economic vision. Through MSME Honours, we aim to spotlight these stories of determination and impact, while encouraging more entrepreneurs to share and celebrate their journeys.”

With a strong focus on enabling long-term growth and visibility, Tally MSME Honours extends beyond recognition to create a platform that continuously supports entrepreneurial journeys. Over the years, past winners have become part of a growing network of business leaders and changemakers, gaining opportunities to participate in industry discussions, ecosystem forums, and business-led conversations. These engagements help entrepreneurs showcase their journeys, build meaningful collaborations, exchange insights, and further strengthen their impact within the broader MSME ecosystem.

Tally MSME Honours 2026 will feature the following award categories:

• Business Maestro: Established businesses that have mastered the art of thriving and sustaining success.
• Wonder Woman: Outstanding women-led businesses making a remarkable impact.
• NewGen Icon: A new generation of business owners innovating and paving the way for exponential growth.
• Tech Transformer: Businesses leveraging new technology to drive efficiency and scale.
• E-preneur Icon: Purpose-driven businesses contributing meaningfully to society and the environment

The entries will be judged by an esteemed panel comprising experts from the field of technology, the MSME domain, and the media.

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du today announced the launch of du Ventures, a $50 million corporate venture fund developed in partnership with Shorooq and designed to accelerate the next wave of digital innovations across the UAE and the broader region. The initiative marks a significant milestone in du’s evolution beyond traditional telecom services into a comprehensive digital ecosystem player.

du Ventures will partner with promising startups and founders transforming emerging technologies into real-world solutions, focusing on companies in fintech, AI, cybersecurity, cloud, loyalty, gaming, enterprise solutions, and customer experience technologies.

Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO at du, said: “du Ventures represents our commitment to driving meaningful digital transformation while contributing to the UAE’s ambitions to build a globally competitive digital economy. Through this platform, we are investing in technologies and founders that align closely with our strategic priorities. Leveraging du’s scale, infrastructure, and enterprise reach with startup innovation, we aim to accelerate the commercialization of emerging technologies and create long term value for our customers, shareholders, and the wider economy.”

The fund will be managed by Shorooq, a leading multi-strategy investment firm that will prioritize investments that fit du’s corporate strategy, with a significant share of investments dedicated specifically to UAE-based ventures.

Mahmoud Adi, founding partner at Shorooq said: “Partnering with du on this initiative is a natural fit for Shorooq. We share a common belief that the region’s most promising startups deserve access to both capital and the strategic infrastructure that du can offer. du Ventures will enable us to bridge the gap between innovation and scale, empowering founders to bring transformative solutions to market faster.”

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Dubai-based real estate firm Sweid & Sweid has partnered with The Executive Centre (TEC) to operate more than 53,000 sq. ft. of premium flexible workspace at Sweid One, bringing its serviced office offering to Dubai’s Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) and marking its entry into the DMCC business district.

The move expands TEC’s UAE footprint, which already includes approximately 9,000 sq. m. at Dubai World Trade Centre, 3,000 sq. m. at One Za’abeel, and 5,000 sq. m. at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).

At Sweid One, TEC will occupy two full floors, offering private offices, collaborative workspaces, executive meeting suites, boardrooms, and event facilities supported by dedicated on-site teams and enterprise-grade infrastructure. Designed for both immediate occupancy and future growth, the workspace aims to provide businesses with the flexibility to scale without the limitations of traditional leases.

Located in the heart of JLT within the DMCC free zone, Sweid One spans approximately 1 million sq. ft. of built-up area, including 500,000 sq. ft. of Grade A office space. The development features large floor plates, four-metre floor-to-floor heights, energy-efficient HVAC systems, premium solar-efficient glazing, and sustainability-focused design standards. Amenities include Boon Coffee, The Kitchen by Spinneys Food Hall, and a premium restaurant with an outdoor terrace set to be announced.

The development is positioned within one of Dubai’s most active business hubs, offering access to more than 600 cafés and restaurants and over 300 retail and convenience outlets. It also provides connectivity to Sheikh Zayed Road, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, and two metro stations, while benefiting from DMCC’s ecosystem of more than 25,000 registered companies.

Maher Sweid, Managing Partner of Sweid & Sweid, said the addition of TEC enhances Sweid One’s appeal by giving occupiers access to a wider range of workplace solutions alongside Grade A office space and fully fitted units.

Ketan Trehan, Regional Director – Middle East at TEC, described the expansion as one of the company’s most significant commitments to the UAE market, reflecting its confidence in DMCC as a destination for ambitious organisations. He added that the partnership aligns with both companies’ shared focus on design, quality, and creating workspaces that enhance the employee experience.

TEC currently operates across 38 cities in 15 markets worldwide, serving multinational corporations and high-growth enterprises with premium flexible workspace solutions.

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Ansarada has released its latest Middle East M&A Market Analysis Q1 2026 report, finding that the UAE’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market continues to demonstrate resilience, retaining long-term investor confidence despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty across the region.

According to the report, the Middle East recorded sustained M&A activity in Q1 2026, with 196 announced deals valued at US$23.3 billion, compared with 207 deals valued at US$31.3 billion in the same period in 2025.

The UAE accounted for 33 deals valued at US$2.2 billion during the quarter, down from 52 deals in Q1 2025, representing a 37% decline in deal volume. However, the report found that this reflects a recalibration of capital deployment strategies rather than a weakening of investor confidence.

“The conflict may be reshaping deal timelines, but it’s not reshaping the region’s thirst for ongoing M&A activity. We remain confident in the long-term health of deal activity in the UAE, which we view as an enduring and critical hub for M&A in the region and beyond,” said Justin Smith, Managing Director, Ansarada.

Smith continued, “While volatility continues, there’s a lot of dry powder out there waiting for the right time, while deals already in motion continue to progress with more rigorous diligence. The fundamental strategic drivers for M&A in the UAE remain strong, and dealmakers have to become more accustomed to operating in a new normal of volatility.”

Across the broader Gulf, deal activity has also remained relatively stable. KSA recorded 24 announced deals, up slightly from 23 in Q1 2025. Oman recorded seven deals valued at US$535 million, while Qatar recorded four transactions and Kuwait recorded three deals worth US$24 million.

Collectively, Gulf deal flow continues to be underpinned by sovereign-backed investment strategies, national transformation agendas and long-term infrastructure priorities rather than short-term market sentiment. The GCC’s track record of economic resilience, seen particularly during COVID-19, continues to provide a strong basis for investor confidence.

While prolonged tensions may slow the pace of dealmaking over the short to medium term, they are unlikely to dent the region’s broader long-term trajectory.

The report also highlighted that sovereign wealth funds continue to act as a major stabilising force for regional dealmaking, while economic reform programmes and diversification agendas are sustaining cross-border investment momentum. It further noted that Middle Eastern acquirers continue pursuing international partnerships and outbound acquisitions, reflecting sustained confidence in the region’s capital strength, strategic positioning and long-term growth outlook.

Sector performance across the Middle East remained robust during the quarter. Technology emerged as the leading sector by volume with 68 deals worth US$7.3 billion, driven by continued investment into AI, fintech and enterprise technology.

Transportation led by value with US$8.2 billion across nine transactions, highlighting sustained investment into strategic infrastructure. Energy and natural resources contributed US$2.2 billion across 18 deals, while healthcare recorded US$1.9 billion across 19 transactions as governments continue to expand medical and life sciences capabilities. Industrials generated US$1.6 billion across 23 deals, driven by national ambitions to strengthen domestic manufacturing and industrial capacity.

Smith also noted that technology is becoming increasingly critical as buyers and investors seek greater transparency and faster access to information in uncertain market conditions. “Periods of uncertainty place enormous pressure on execution certainty. Companies and investors require real-time visibility into risk, compliance and diligence readiness. Virtual data room platforms such as Ansarada are helping dealmakers manage complexity, maintain momentum and execute transactions with greater confidence and efficiency.”

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