Latest Startups & Entrepreneurship News
OpenAI Expands GPT-5 Early Access to More Enterprise Sectors
OpenAI quietly expanded early access to GPT-5 for sectors including financial analysis and supply chain logistics, marking a significant acceleration in AI capabilities deployment, alongside other innovations like Sora Studio and Memory Profiles to enhance performance.
MENA Region Sees Record Startup Funding and Exits at $1.47 Billion in November 2025
Middle East and North Africa's startup ecosystem surged with publicly announced funding and acquisitions surpassing $1.47 billion in November 2025, driven primarily by AI and deep-tech sectors. Saudi Arabia led by deal count, with massive international investment fueled largely by Luma AI's $900 million round.
Saudi Cybersecurity Startup COGNNA Raises $9.2 Million Series A
COGNNA, an AI-driven cybersecurity firm, closed a $9.2 million Series A round to advance its predictive security platform that combines automation and expert human input, aiming to shift cybersecurity from reactive to proactive defense and support global expansion.
Dubai Food-Tech Startup Funch Raises $500,000 to Deploy AI-Enabled Lunch Services
Funch secured $500,000 in pre-seed funding to scale its AI-powered lunch subscription platform in Dubai. Uses AI to forecast demand, optimize delivery routes, and reduce waste, promoting flexible credit-based meal plans.
Singapore-Based ChemLex Raises $45 Million To Launch Self-Driving Drug Discovery Lab
AI-for-science startup ChemLex announced a $45 million funding round and established its global R&D headquarters and automated laboratory in Singapore, aiming to drastically accelerate pharmaceutical and materials research via AI and automation.
Dubai's Reno Raises $4 Million to Scale AI-Powered Renovation Platform Across GCC
Reno secured $4 million in equity and debt to accelerate the rollout of an AI-based end-to-end renovation operating system, featuring design tools, budgeting, and smart material planning, to improve predictability for homeowners and property investors.
Coinbase Resumes User Onboarding in India, Plans Fiat On-Ramp for 2026
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase reopened user onboarding in India after compliance registration, with plans to launch fiat on-ramp next year despite challenges posed by India's stringent crypto tax regime. The company is expanding its local team and investments in the region.
Co-Living Startup Funding Revives in 2025 with Stanza Living Raising Over $30 Million
After a three-year lull, co-living startups are regaining investor interest. Stanza Living, the sector's largest player, raised a $31.9 million Series E round led by Accel and Motilal Oswal, supplemented by $7 million in debt financing.
AI Cloud-Computing Startup Fluidstack Seeks $700 Million Funding at $7 Billion Valuation
Fluidstack, focusing on AI cloud computing data centers, is in talks to raise $700 million in funding that would value the company at approximately $7 billion, reflecting strong investor interest amid growing AI infrastructure demand.
Major AI Startups and Tech Giants Announce Breakthrough Updates and Market Moves
OpenAI, Google, and startups like Fliki.ai debuted significant AI product evolutions in December 2025, ranging from enhanced GPT-5 capabilities to hyper-realistic human avatars and regional AI platform expansions. The market is stabilizing, emphasizing AI's practical utility over hype.