UAE Leads MENA Startup Funding in February With 23 Deals Worth $162.8M
UAE captures nearly half of MENA startup capital in February 2026 despite a 42% month-on-month regional decline.
D
DXB Start·March 9, 2026·1 min read·12 days ago
MENA startups raised $326.6 million across 62 deals in February 2026. The UAE led with 23 startups raising $162.8 million — nearly half of all capital deployed. Fintech attracted the most at $94.7 million.
Early-stage startups captured the bulk of activity with 49 companies raising $136.4 million. B2B startups accounted for 38 deals and $137 million, reinforcing investor preference for enterprise revenue models.
A stark gender gap persisted: female-founded startups received zero funding in February. All capital went to male-led startups, with only three mixed-gender teams securing a combined $14 million.