Lebanon: Innovation Against All Odds
Lebanon’s startup ecosystem represents one of the most extraordinary stories of entrepreneurial resilience in modern history—a sophisticated tech community surviving and even thriving despite economic collapse, currency devaluation of 98%, and a banking sector in ruins. Against all odds, Lebanese startups raised an estimated $100-120 million in 2024, primarily through diaspora networks and foreign currency […]
Iraq: The Reconstruction Tech Opportunity
Iraq: The Reconstruction Tech Opportunity Iraq’s startup ecosystem represents one of the most compelling yet complex opportunities in global tech—a nation rebuilding from conflict with unprecedented needs and surprising innovation emerging. Despite security challenges and infrastructure gaps, Iraqi startups raised an estimated $30-40 million in 2024, primarily through local investors and diaspora networks, marking the […]
Algeria: 45 Million Reasons to Pay Attention
Algeria’s startup ecosystem represents one of Africa’s most paradoxical opportunities—a nation with immense potential held back by structural challenges, yet showing signs of breakthrough. Despite bureaucratic constraints and limited funding infrastructure, Algerian startups raised an estimated $50-70 million in 2024, primarily through diaspora networks and government programs, marking a 300% increase from just two years […]
Don’t Kill the Startup Visa – Fix It
Saeed Zeinali is the Founder and CEO of NextStars, a Toronto-based multinational advisory platform that has helped over 200 startups scale globally. As an immigrant entrepreneur himself, Saeed founded and successfully exited TranQool, Canada’s leading online mental health platform, to HumanaCare, an experience that gave him deep insight into Canada’s startup ecosystem. Through NextStars, he has […]
COP30 Brazil: What Climate Tech Startups Need to Watch
November 10-21, 2025 | Belém, Brazil As the world gathers in the heart of the Amazon for COP30, climate tech startups have a unique opportunity to position themselves at the intersection of global policy, capital flows, and emerging market opportunities. This isn’t just another climate conference—it’s a pivotal moment that will shape the next decade […]
The New GDP Engine: How Exporting Innovation Powers Economic Growth
In an era where traditional manufacturing is increasingly automated and commoditized, nations are discovering a powerful truth: the real wealth of the future lies not in producing more widgets, but in developing intellectual property and exporting it globally. This shift represents a fundamental transformation in how we think about economic productivity and national prosperity. The […]
Syria: The Tech Phoenix Rising from Crisis
Syria’s startup ecosystem represents one of the most remarkable stories of entrepreneurial resilience in modern history. Despite over a decade of conflict, international sanctions, and infrastructure challenges, Syrian entrepreneurs raised an estimated $15-20 million in 2024, primarily through diaspora networks and creative funding mechanisms. With a pre-war population of 22 million (now approximately 18 million […]
NextStars CEO Completes Strategic Visit to Riyadh to Advance MENA Expansion
[Toronto, October 30, 2025] – NextStars, a global entrepreneurship ecosystem platform, today announced that its CEO has completed a strategic visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking an important step in the company’s expansion into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The visit, which included stops in both Dubai and Riyadh, focused on laying the […]
Kuwait: The Overlooked Tech Hub
Kuwait: The Overlooked Tech Hub Kuwait’s startup ecosystem is experiencing a remarkable resurgence—climbing from regional afterthought to become the GCC’s third-largest startup market. Startups raised approximately $200 million in 2024, maintaining momentum from previous years, driven by sectors like e-commerce (40% of funding) and fintech innovation. With 99% internet penetration, one of the world’s highest […]
Oman’s Startup Ecosystem: The Hidden Gem of the Persian Gulf
Oman’s startup ecosystem is experiencing a quiet revolution—emerging from relative obscurity to become one of the GCC’s most promising frontier markets. While startups raised approximately $45 million in 2024, up from just $15 million in 2022, the real story lies in structural transformation: government initiatives like the $500 million Oman Future Fund, regulatory reforms enabling […]
