Funding
MENA Startup Funding Fell 22% in H1 2026 as Regional Conflict Rattled Investors, but the UAE Held Its Ground
MENA startup funding dropped 22% year on year to $1.35 billion in the first half of 2026 as regional conflict and cautious investors pulled back, with deal count falling 41% to the lowest half-year total since 2022. The UAE still captured 66% of all regional funding, led by three major BlueFive Capital-backed rounds.
