Homzmart raises $15m; Hub71 recruits 16 new startups
Good morning,
Here’s your weekly roundup of Middle East AI News!
It's still a little slower than before Ramadan, news-wise. However, some interesting stories today on venture funding, tertiary education, Expo 2020 Dubai, plus a nice interview with Affectiva co-founder and chief executive Rana el Kaliouby.
Stay safe and have a great weekend!
/Carrington
Homzmart closes $15 million Series A round — www.wamda.com
#Egypt #funding - Homzmart, an online furniture and home goods marketplace, has raised $15 million in a Series A round led by MSA Capital and Nuwa Capital. Homzmart’s platform uses AI to optimise furniture sellers’ content, with intelligent tools helping customers with purchasing decisions. (WAMDA)
Hub71 recruits 16 new startups as part of latest cohort, including two AI-powered ventures — www.thenationalnews.com
#UAE #funding - Abu Dhabi's tech ecosystem Hub71 has selected 16 startups from 11 countries to join its incentive programme during Q1. They come from seven sectors including CleanTech, AI, SpaceTech, FinTech and e-commerce. Startups include Indian AI edtech Gleac and the, as yet, unannounced AI ideation and sourcing platform for event management Hafla. (The National)
Tunisian edtech startup GoMyCode expands into France, Bahrain & Africa — www.cairoscene.com
#Tunisia #Bahrain #edtech - Tunis-based edtech startup GoMyCode has announced its expansion into Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Bahrain and France, tapping into new markets after securing funding in 2020. (Cairo Scene)
UAE FDI
UAE FDI inflow climbs over 44% to $19.88 bn in 2020 — gulfbusiness.com
#UAE #FDI - Foreign direct investment (FDI) into the UAE grew 44.2 per cent during 2020 to $19.88bn compared to 2019, according to a report by the Ministry Of Economy. Whilst FDI was predominantly oil and gas related, the UAE has had some success in attracting FDI for technology sectors. (Gulf Business)
Education
RIT-Dubai opens doors for applications — www.tradearabia.com
#UAE #education - Rochester Institute of Technology –Dubai's (RIT-Dubai) new university campus at the Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSOO) is open for applications for the academic year 2021-22. The university offers a variety of specialisations in advanced technology including AI, Big Data and cybersecurity. The university's 30,000 sqm. of laboratories include a digital transformation and innovation lab. (Trade Arabia)
Expo 2020 Dubai
Expo 2020 innovation experiences revealed — www.expo2020dubai.com
#UAE #Expo2020 - Organisers of Expo 2020 Dubai have revealed a wide range of experiences created for the event, including Innovation and Technology experiences. Visitors will be able to experience and learn how AI, AR, VR and other future technologies can be used for education, green energy, urban mobility and many other needs. (Expo 2020)
AI Policy
Egypt helps draft OECD Recommendations on AI — dailynewsegypt.com
#Egypt #OECD - Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has participated in drafting the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Recommendations on the responsible use of AI. (Daily News Egypt)
Interview
Rana el Kaliouby: ‘We should think of ourselves as stewards of technology’ — www.ft.com
#Egypt #US #AIethics - “Digital platforms are emotion-blind,” explains Egyptian-American co-founder and chief executive of Affectiva Rana el Kaliouby. “We should think of ourselves as the stewards of the technology.” (FT.com)
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About Carrington Malin — www.carringtonmalin.com Carrington Malin helps large organisations, digital brands and fast growing tech ventures with brand, communications and go-to-market strategies.