May 2025: MEAPT Startup Funding Surges Past $5.87B YTD

As of May 2025, venture capital in the Middle East, Africa, Pakistan, and Turkey (MEAPT) has climbed to $5.87 billion, showing a 17.3% year-over-year increase. This growth reflects the region's evolving investment dynamics—fewer deals, larger ticket sizes, and increased concentration in AI, fintech, quantum computing, PropTech, and digital infrastructure.

While total capital flows are rising, deal volume continues to decline, down 20% YTD, signaling investor emphasis on resilient, scalable ventures. The rise of mega-rounds (>$100M) also defined May's funding narrative, especially in Turkey and Israel, which are becoming powerhouses for deep tech and consumer tech investments.

🔹 Startup Funding Highlights – May 2025

• Dream Games (Turkey) – Gaming | $1.25B Debt Financing
  • Backed by Blackstone, Dream Games raised the largest funding round in MEAPT 2025 to date.
  • Known for Royal Match, it boasts 6M+ MAUs and generates $20M/month in in-app revenue.
  • Funding was used for investor buyouts, doubling valuation to $5B.
• AI21 Labs (Israel) – AI & LLMs | $300M Series D
  • Founded by AI pioneers including Amnon Shashua (Mobileye), with investment from Google & Nvidia.
  • Funds will scale their Jamba model suite, targeting enterprise AI and LLM applications.
  • Total capital raised now $626.5M, reinforcing Israel’s AI leadership.
• Classiq Technologies (Israel) – Quantum Computing | $110M Series C
  • Largest round ever for a quantum software company, backed by Entrée Capital.
  • Partners include Microsoft, AWS, Citi, and BMW.
  • Funds will scale GTM, R&D, and deepen engagement in national quantum initiatives.
• Nawy (Egypt) – PropTech & Digital Mortgages | $75M Series A + Debt
  • Africa’s largest real estate platform; over $1.4B GMV and 1M+ MAUs.
  • Backed by Partech, funds are fueling regional expansion and digital mortgage innovation.
• Orca AI (Israel) – Autonomous Shipping | $72.5M Series B
  • World’s largest maritime visual AI dataset (80M+ nautical miles).
  • Investment to expand into defense & ocean navigation safety.
• OX Security (Israel) – Cybersecurity | $60M Series B
  • Serving Microsoft, IBM & SoFi, OX improves application security risk prioritization.
  • Sales hit $10M; customer base tripled in 2024.
• MNT-Halan (Egypt) – Fintech & Lending | $49M Bond
  • Egypt’s top non-bank lender with 6M clients & 2.5M borrowers.
  • Plans to expand into Pakistan with 100+ branches, delivering AI-based credit scoring.
• Buildots (Israel) – ConTech | $45M Series D
  • Uses AI & computer vision to slash construction delays by 50%.
  • Clients include STO Building Group, JE Dunn, and VINCI.
  • Projecting triple-digit revenue growth for 2025.
• WakeCap Technologies (UAE) – ConTech / IoT | $28M Series A
  • Pioneers wearable tech for real-time construction monitoring, backed by Saudi-US Forum.
  • Scaling in Saudi Arabia and global infrastructure markets.
• Sett (Israel) – Gaming AI | $27M Seed + Series A
  • Offers an Agentic AI platform to generate real-time ad creatives for gaming studios.
  • Works with Playtika, SuperPlay & Cyplay to enhance ad performance & game personalization.