years: 2025

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 22^nd October 2025 – Qashio, the UAE’s leading corporate spend management platform, today announced its acquisition of Sanad Cash, one of Saudi’s first and most established expense management solutions. This landmark deal marks a major leap in Qashio’s growth into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and reinforces its long-term commitment to the region.

The acquisition combines Qashio’s industry-leading spend management technology with Sanad Cash’s deep local expertise, enabling Saudi businesses to access a fully localised, compliant, and seamless platform for managing corporate expenses and cards. The two market leaders joining forces will also enable Saudi clients to expand globally through Qashio’s international presence in EU, UK, and the UAE. This strengthens Qashio’s position as the region’s most comprehensive and only international spend management solution for businesses.

“Sanad Cash brings invaluable local knowledge and a trusted client base. Combined with Qashio’s technology and focus on exceptional user experience, we are now delivering the most advanced spend management solution in the region.” said Armin Moradi, Founder and CEO of Qashio. “The acquisition of Sanad Cash by Qashio represents a major leap forward for the Saudi fintech landscape. It reflects the growing maturity and consolidation of the market, and our shared commitment to empowering Saudi businesses with world-class financial technologies. Together, we are building a unified platform that simplifies how companies manage spending, enhances financial transparency, and supports the Kingdom’s vision for a cashless, innovation-driven economy.”, said Mahmoud Iswaid, Co-Founder and CEO of Sanad Cash.

The move is designed to fuel Qashio’s expansion into Saudi Arabia. By combining forces, Qashio will offer enhanced localised features, streamlined regulatory compliance, and unmatched rewards for Saudi enterprises, which are increasingly shifting towards digital payments in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 for a digital society. Existing Qashio clients will be able to get locally issued cards in KSA.

To support this major growth phase, Qashio is launching an extensive recruitment drive. The company currently has over 120 open positions across multiple functions to be filled within the next six months, reflecting its global ambitions. These new roles will be distributed across key operational and expansion markets, including Europe, Jordan, the UK, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and KSA.

With this acquisition and expansion, Qashio continues its mission to transform how companies across MENA and beyond manage their finances, driving efficiency, visibility, and rewards on every transaction.

Dubai, UAE, 17^th October 2025 – Shaffra, a leading deep-tech AI company, is showcasing its latest innovation at GITEX Global 2025 — a new full-stack AI employee platform designed to redefine how organisations integrate artificial intelligence into their operations. The platform combines three core solutions — Shaffra Build, Shaffra Work, and Shaffra Talk — into one ecosystem that enables companies to design, train, and engage digital employees that can operate securely within their existing infrastructure.

Each part of the platform serves a distinct purpose within the AI employee lifecycle. Shaffra Build lets users create customised AI employees and define their knowledge sources through an advanced Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) system, ensuring accuracy and localisation. Shaffra Work offers a secure environment to interact with enterprise-grade GPT models adapted to regional languages and cultural nuances. Shaffra Talk provides lifelike, customer-facing interfaces, including holographic displays and digital avatars, supported by Shaffra’s proprietary rendering engine for natural speech and movement.

The launch reflects Shaffra’s goal to make AI adoption simpler, faster, and more effective for governments and enterprises. Its plug-and-play technology allows organisations to integrate AI employees directly into their workflows and connect them with existing systems such as Oracle and SAP, helping institutions across the region accelerate digital transformation and improve operational efficiency.

Alharith Alatawi, CEO of Shaffra said: “Shaffra’s mission is to make AI practical, local, and human-centred. With Shaffra Build, Work, and Talk, we’re giving governments and enterprises a complete system to create and manage AI employees that are fully integrated, compliant, and culturally aware. In the next three to five years, AI-driven recruitment will become a standard practice, especially for early-stage hiring, and we’re proud to be among the companies enabling this transition today.”

The full Shaffra ecosystem can be deployed on-premise or within local cloud infrastructure, ensuring complete data sovereignty and compliance with regional regulations. This flexibility positions Shaffra as a trusted AI partner for government entities, regulated industries, and enterprises seeking to scale automation responsibly.

As the UAE cements its position as a global leader in AI innovation, with the sector expected to contribute USD 96 billion to national GDP by 2030, such advancements are shaping the next phase of workforce transformation. Research indicates that by 2025, 70% of organisations will rely on AI-driven tools for recruitment, engagement, and performance management, underlining the need for secure, adaptable AI systems like Shaffra’s.

Visitors can experience Shaffra’s new platform and AI employees firsthand at GITEX Global 2025, where the company will demonstrate how intelligent digital workforces can enhance productivity, accuracy, and engagement across every level of an organisation.

TiE Dubai, the regional chapter of TiE Global, has officially announced the winners of the sixth edition of the TiE Women MENA 2025 competition, following the MENA pitch finals held on 13th October at Expand North Star, the startup event of GITEX Global at Dubai Harbour. The MENA title went to Ayesha Mansha, Founder of Sahl, from Saudi Arabia, with Rahaf Aldruby and Seem Alkabbani, Co-Founders of TarKeys, from the rest of the ME track, named runner-up, receiving equity-free grants of AED 70,000 and AED 30,000, respectively.

This year drew almost 200 licensed, women-founded businesses, with strong showings in compliance and AI, edtech, clean beauty, femtech, and HR tech. After regional rounds across the program’s five tracks, five standout founders advanced to the regional finals: Anisha Oberoi, SECRET SKIN, from the UAE; Ayesha Mansha, Sahl, from Saudi Arabia; Mahra AlQubaisi, Elevation, from the Emirati track; Nesma Amin, Aziza, from Egypt; and Rahaf Aldruby and Seem Alkabbani, TarKeys, from the rest of the ME track. Each finalist was paired with one or two dedicated mentors who worked closely with them to get pitch- and market-ready, helping scale their businesses ahead of the regional finals.

They then presented before a jury comprising Zahra Zayat, Acting CEO, evision, Mouna Abbassy, Founder and CEO, izil Beauty and Danial Mausoof, Vice President and Head of Technology MEA, Nokia. All five regional winners advance to the TiE Global Summit in Jaipur, India, in January 2026 to compete for a USD 50,000 global prize pool. Each founder also received a pod to showcase their business at Expand North Star.

The winning company, Sahl, is a digital platform in KSA that simplifies and automates compliance processes, helping businesses manage regulatory requirements efficiently so they can focus on innovation and growth. The runner-up, TarKeys, is an e-learning platform transforming education in Syria by delivering interactive, high-quality content for baccalaureate students and empowering teachers to build a knowledge-driven future.

The program is run by TiE Dubai, in close association with GITEX Global and Expand North Star, to provide women founders with access to one of the world’s largest global tech platforms. It is supported by e& life, alongside ecosystem partners including Dubai Internet City, in5, Playbook, C3, AngelSpark, Plug and Play, Wamda, Astrolabs, StartAD, and various other funds, accelerators, and incubators that continue to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial network.

Carlina Marani and Raed Hafez, co-chairs for TiE Women MENA 2025, commented: “At TiE, we are deeply committed to supporting entrepreneurs at the early stages of their journey, particularly across the MENA region. Over the past six years, we’ve been building this mission from the ground up, creating equity, access, and a level playing field for women founders. TiE Women MENA has become a flagship program that empowers women entrepreneurs to build, scale, and lead from this region to the world. The rise of female-led businesses in MENA reflects a broader shift toward innovation and inclusion, fully aligned with the UAE’s vision of driving sustainable, diverse, and knowledge-based growth.”

Harrison Lung, Group Chief Strategy Officer, e&, said: “At e& we support women-led startups with more than funding, offering hands-on mentoring. Our ‘She Leads’ program with Nokia and UN Women graduated 22 participants in 2024 with a 96% satisfaction rate, while our ‘She&’ initiative on Emirati Women’s Day highlights how we develop women leaders. It’s the same approach we bring to TiE Women MENA, combining skills, networks and real opportunities. At e& capital, we’re driven by a belief that innovation flourishes when ecosystems are inclusive and well-supported. Through our long-standing partnership with TiE Women MENA, we’re proud to champion the next generation of female founders who are redefining entrepreneurship across the region. Their creativity, resilience, and determination not only inspire us, they remind us why investing in inclusive innovation is so vital for the future.”

Ten mentors, the majority TiE Charter Members, will continue supporting the cohort beyond the finals. Mentors include Shameema Parveen , CEO of Edutech; Raed Hafez, CEO of elGrocer by Smiles, e& UAE’s everyday rewards Super App; Ramit Harisinghani, General Manager of Luxury Tech at Chalhoub Group; Maria Paula (MP), CVC and Investor at Mashreq Bank; Sanjay Babur, CEO of Best Insurance; R. Sashikanth, Partner at Ardent Advisory; Ahmed Arif, Founder and CEO of Clara; Deemah Kayed, Global Partner Services at Nokia; and Hind Rasheed, Director of Communications at Amazon.

Recent research reveals that gender parity could add US$2 trillion to MENA’s GDP, yet male-only ventures still raise roughly five times what women-only ventures do. Women lead under 5% of businesses region-wide, even as the UAE saw a 23.1% rise in women’s private-sector participation in 2024. TiE Dubai aims to make consistent efforts to close the gap through practical support, mentorship, funding access, visibility, and a clear path from pitch to market, continuing to back women entrepreneurs with regional networking and community engagement initiatives that strengthen their growth and presence in the ecosystem.

Ayesha Mansha, Founder of Sahl, Winner of the TiE Women MENA 2025 competition, reflected: “This win isn’t just for Sahl, it’s for every founder in the region, proving that world-class products can be built right here. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity provided by TiE Dubai and the recognition. It fuels our mission to make compliance simple, transparent, and accessible for everyone.”

TiE Dubai was established in 2003 to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship in the Middle East region and was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the TECOM Free Zone Authority. Through its diverse charter members, TiE Dubai provides assistance and guidance to a community of more than 3,000 budding entrepreneurs through events and programs that span Networking, Mentoring, Funding, Incubation and Education.

Next steps for finalists

All five winners will continue one-to-one work with their assigned mentors to refine go-to-market and investor materials ahead of the TiE Global Summit, Jaipur in India. TiE Dubai will coordinate preparation sessions and targeted introductions across the TiE global network.

Sherpa Communications has supported Yango Group, the global technology company, in partnering with the Rashid Center for People of Determination to launch a comprehensive initiative aimed at enhancing learning, transportation, and digital safety for students. This collaboration aligns with the UAE’s vision of promoting inclusive education and advancing digital capabilities, following His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s directive to introduce artificial intelligence as a subject in schools across the country.

Artificial intelligence is expected to become a cornerstone of the UAE’s economy, with forecasts from PwC estimating AI’s contribution to reach $96 billion by 2030. Ensuring that all students can engage with AI and digital technologies is critical for building an inclusive future workforce. The partnership between Yango Group and the Rashid Center for People of Determination aims to bridge this gap by providing tailored tools and services that meet the needs of students of determination.

As part of the collaboration, Yango Group has donated smart speakers powered by a bilingual, human-like AI assistant, Yasmina, to the Rashid Center for People of Determination. These devices support voice interaction in both Arabic and English, giving students an accessible way to engage with technology. Furthermore, to support students and families connected to the center, Yango Ride will offer 60 rides per user annually, discounted at 20%, easing transportation costs.

Complementing these efforts, Yango Play, the company’s entertainment and streaming platform, will provide free yearly subscriptions to the Rashid Center for People of Determination and its students, offering a range of carefully curated Arabic-language content that is both educational and age-appropriate, designed to promote a safe and enriching media environment.

Starting from September this year, the partnership will expand to include monthly AI learning classes tailored to the needs of students of determination. These interactive sessions will introduce key AI concepts in ways that build confidence and digital skills, preparing students for future opportunities. The company will also host digital safety workshops for students, families, and educators, covering topics such as online protection, content rating understanding, and secure streaming practices. The Rashid Center for People of Determination will also work with Yango Ride to train drivers on how to provide compassionate and accessible service to passengers of determination, ensuring safe and respectful travel.

This collaboration is part of Yango Group’s ongoing commitment to inclusive innovation. By combining efforts in education, transportation, and digital safety, Yango Group and the Rashid Center for People of Determination are creating opportunities for people of determination to participate fully and confidently in the UAE’s digital future.

Sherpa Communications supported Yango Ride, part of the international tech company Yango Group, in announcing its new offering of city taxis for corporate clients in Abu Dhabi through its business solutions. The service provides a centralized platform that enables companies to book and manage employee rides efficiently. This new B2B option addresses the challenges of coordinating transport and managing expenses across large teams, allowing businesses to implement custom policies and achieve savings of up to 30% on corporate travel compared to other solutions.

The move follows Yango Ride’s 2024 launch of its B2B options in the UAE, where companies in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi gained access to a centralized, cloud-based system to manage employee transportation. The addition of taxis in Abu Dhabi builds on this foundation, extending greater affordability and access while preserving the platform’s enterprise-grade features.

With a unified system for managing rides, Yango Ride’s offer for business removes the complexity of employee reimbursements and ride approvals. All trips, including city taxis, are billed monthly to a single corporate account, with itemized reporting and tax-deductible documentation. Companies can monitor ride activity in real time, apply custom travel policies, and control usage based on employee seniority, department, time of day, or location.

Yango Ride for business can integrate with internal HR and travel systems through APIs, enabling automated onboarding, access rights, and budget control for distributed teams. Each client is assigned a dedicated account manager and 24/7 support for smooth and responsive service.

The service is already used across over 15 industries, including consulting, logistics, finance, IT, and legal services. In Abu Dhabi, companies can now choose between the Comfort tariff and City Taxis for their corporate transport needs. In Dubai, the available ride classes are Premier and Elite.

This update complements Yango Ride’s ongoing work with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) and “Abu Dhabi Mobility,” further strengthening the emirate’s push toward smart, efficient transport systems. The addition of taxis marks another step in Yango Ride’s expansion across the UAE, reinforcing its position as a key player in the region’s corporate mobility space.

Sherpa Communications has supported Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L), the world’s lifelong learning company, in announcing updates to its English language testing portfolio. These include enhancements to the Pearson Test of English (PTE) and the launch of the Pearson English Express Test—introducing new advances in secure, accurate, and trusted assessments. Together, these developments underscore Pearson’s commitment to improving the testing experience for governments, universities, and test takers worldwide.

With over 30 million expatriates in the Middle East, English fluency is becoming essential for career and economic advancement. Driven by demand for international education, global job mobility, and digital transformation, the region is placing growing emphasis on English proficiency.

According to Pearson, 85% of learners believe English is vital for professional growth, and in Saudi Arabia, fluent speakers can earn up to twice as much as their peers. In response, regional stakeholders are ramping up efforts to deliver effective language training, digital learning solutions and standardized assessments for the future workforce.

Enhancements to the Pearson Test of English (PTE)

Starting in August 2025, PTE Academic will introduce two new speaking tasks: “Respond to a Situation” and “Summarize a Group Discussion”. These additions precisely assess how test takers communicate in real-world situations, demonstrating key skills needed for academic and professional success.

The scoring model is also being enhanced, with advanced AI working alongside human experts to better detect copied or unoriginal responses.

To help test takers perform at their best, Pearson has introduced new preparation resources tailored to the enhanced PTE Academic, including scored practice tests, PTE expert courseware, test taker webinars, and video content.

Trusted fundamentals remain

The core features of PTE remain: it is fully computer-based, primarily AI scored, and delivers fast results, typically within two days. The test continues to be trusted by more than 3,500 institutions and millions of learners worldwide.
Growth in global test center network

PTE’s secure test center network continues to expand worldwide, with 30 centers opened so far in 2025, bringing the total to 517 locations. New openings across Canada, China, Australia, India, Vietnam, and 12 other countries are supporting growth in key migration and study abroad markets.

In the UAE, leading universities including the University of Wollongong in Dubai, Heriot-Watt University Dubai, Middlesex University Dubai, and the American University of Ras Al Khaimah already accept PTE Academic as part of their admissions process.

Introducing the Pearson English Express Test

Responding to demand for a trusted, accessible test for US-bound learners, Pearson is launching the Pearson English Express Test, a new online assessment to expand access to secure testing.

The one-hour test can be taken anytime, anywhere, offering an affordable alternative for those without access to a test center. Results are available within minutes, with a certified report delivered in under 48 hours.

Meeting university needs

The Pearson English Express Test addresses the growing demand from universities for secure and accurate English proficiency assessments. Institutions can set scores using Pearson’s Global Scale of English (GSE) proficiency scale and receive results through the same secure platform used for PTE Academic.

Universities will receive samples of written and spoken responses for added assurance. Security features leverage Pearson’s 30 years of expertise, and include identity and equipment checks, human oversight, and dual-camera monitoring of the test environment. 

Helping more learners take the next step

Pearson’s latest investments meet the different needs of governments, institutions, and learners worldwide, as part of an ongoing programme of innovation and development.

Enhancements to PTE Academic take effect from 7 August 2025, with further information available on our website.

The Pearson English Express test will be available from Q4 in Brazil, Mexico, the US, Japan, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain, with additional markets to follow in 2026.

Sherpa Communications has supported TiE Dubai, the regional chapter of the globally renowned The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), in announcing the appointment of its new board for the 2025–2026 term. The newly elected board comprises visionary business leaders and seasoned professionals committed to fostering entrepreneurship, empowering youth, and strengthening the startup ecosystem across the UAE and the wider MENA region. The board includes Bashar Kilani as President, Rohit Dev as Past President, PK Gulati as President Emeritus, Bianca Gracias as Event Director, Deepak Padmanabhan as Director of Finance, Sanjay Babur as Membership Director, Ramit Harisinghani as Director of Marketing, Romit Dasgupta as Mentorship Director, and Anastasiya Golovatenko as Director of Partnerships & Sponsorship.

Established in 2003 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and supported by Dubai Internet City, TiE Dubai has been instrumental in transforming the entrepreneurial landscape of the region. As part of a global network spanning 20,000+ members and 3500+ charter members in 64 chapters in 14 countries, TiE Dubai continues to connect rising entrepreneurs with accomplished mentors, corporate leaders, and innovators, nurturing the next generation of changemakers. With a focus on giving back to the community, TiE’s mission is to foster entrepreneurship through networking, education, funding and incubation.

“Our new board embodies the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and community that defines TiE. We are focused on scaling our programs, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring every aspiring entrepreneur, regardless of background, has the resources to thrive,” said Bashar Kilani, President of TiE Dubai. “We envision a community where the hungry entrepreneur has access to experienced mentors and resources to build successful businesses and scale faster to support the UAE’s strategic priorities around digital transformation, youth empowerment, and economic diversification.”

TiE Dubai’s flagship programs remain central to its strategy:

TiE Women MENA Program

Unlocking the potential of the region’s underutilised female talent represents a substantial economic opportunity; achieving gender parity in the MENA could add $2 trillion to the region’s GDP, according to PwC. Supporting this ambition, this programme, now in its sixth edition, is committed to empowering women entrepreneurs across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the broader MENA region. It offers participants access to mentorship, funding opportunities, and international exposure. Applications for the 2025 cohort are open until 25 June 2025, with national and regional competitions culminating in the Global Finals at the TiE Global Summit in Jaipur, India, in December 2025, competing for equity-free cash prizes and global networking opportunities. Over the previous additions, TiE Women has supported 400+ startups and impacted 6500+ business owners.

 

Mentorship Program

This structured initiative connects early-stage and emerging entrepreneurs with seasoned industry professionals, providing one-on-one mentorship to help accelerate their business growth and navigate challenges more effectively.

SMEs are the backbone of the UAE and Dubai’s economy, accounting for 63.5% of the nation’s non-oil GDP. Representing over 94% of companies in the UAE and 95% in Dubai, they employ more than 86% of the nation’s private sector workforce. With the number of SMEs projected to reach 1 million by 2030, targeted mentorship and development programmes are essential to sustaining their growth and impact.

“TiE has always been about giving back. As an entrepreneur and mentor, it’s a privilege to support the next generation of founders,” added PK Gulati, President Emeritus, TiE Dubai. “Our new board will continue to build a strong, inclusive ecosystem that reflects the region’s dynamic entrepreneurial spirit. By connecting founders with experienced mentors and a deeply supportive community, we aim to help startups thrive and create lasting impact.”

TiE University (TiE U)

Aimed at university students and recent graduates with startup ideas or early-stage ventures, this programme reflects the growing trend of increasingly younger entrepreneurs in the region. Notably, Emirati teenagers Amer and Mohamad Yaghi founded Chillax, a privacy-focused social app, and AidMaid, an emergency assistance platform, while still in high school. Similarly, Egyptian teen Yehia Nabil launched Junior Labs at just 16, creating a student-led incubator that partners with global tech giants to foster innovation.

The TiE University programme offers participants coaching, mentorship, and connections to potential investors. Applications for the 2025 edition close on 30 June 2025, with regional pitch competitions taking place between August and September. Finalists will go on to represent their startups at the Global Summit in December. 5000+ students, 70+ nationalities, 200+ ideas, and 50+ universities in the GCC and MEA region have been supported through the programme.

TiE Dubai works closely with accelerators, incubators, universities, and government entities to support entrepreneurs at various stages of their journey – from idea to scale. This includes Dubai Internet City, in5, the US Mission to the UAE, e&,  Sandooq Al Watan, C3, and Wamda. Its charter members come from prominent regional and international organizations such as Microsoft MEA, Amazon MENA, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Google, Accenture, Citibank, Noon.com, BECO Capital, Sheraa, Dubai Internet City, TECOM Group, Expo City Dubai, Chalhoub Group, FIVE Group, Wio Bank, and others.

Sherpa Communications has helped shine a spotlight on MENATech’s efforts as the Middle East cements its place on the global esports map. MENATech Entertainment (a GGTech company), an international esports and gaming company, is playing a central role in accelerating the region’s digital entertainment ambitions. With Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading government-backed strategies to grow gaming into a multi-billion-dollar sector, MENATech is bridging global best practices with local talent development, grassroots tournaments, and strategic partnerships.

Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy projects US$13.3 billion in economic impact by 2030. As part of its broader 2030 economic transformation, the Kingdom plans to create 39,000 esports-related jobs, driven by large-scale investments and a national push to become a global hub for competitive gaming. Meanwhile, the UAE’s Dubai Programme for Gaming 2033 aims to position the city among the world’s top 10 gaming hubs by 2033, contributing $1 billion to GDP and creating 30,000 new jobs. These initiatives have created fertile ground for companies like MENATech to scale up their impact.

Aligning with national economic visions, in early 2025, MENATech brought one of the world’s most iconic gaming festivals, GAMERGY, to the region for the first time. Held in Cairo, GAMERGY MENA drew over 40,000 attendees and featured top-tier tournaments in titles like Valorant, PUBG Mobile, League of Legends, and Rocket League. Supported by the Egyptian Ministry of Youth & Sports, IMKAN Misr, Samsung, and Red Bull, the event marked a pivotal moment for regional esports, with prize pools exceeding EGP 2 million.

In partnership with Riot Games, the gaming firm launched the Strike Arabia Championship, the first official regional Valorant league. Spanning the GCC, Levant, Iraq, Egypt, and North Africa, the competition included both amateur and professional divisions, with top players advancing to European LAN finals. This structure created a bridge between regional players and international stages, giving local talent a platform to shine.

In Saudi Arabia, MENATech contributed to the initial creation of the Saudi Esports Academy, laying the groundwork for a more formal and on-site educational model. The company also leads the UNIVERSITY Esports program across the MENA region, empowering students through workshops and careers in broadcasting, event management, and digital marketing. Historically backed by global brands like Amazon and HP Omen, the initiative is one of the few in the region linking competitive gaming with long-term career pathways.

With one of the world’s youngest populations, the appetite for competitive gaming is massive in the region. That demand is matched by cultural momentum, where gaming is considered a viable, respected career. Dubai is already home to over 350 gaming companies, including 260 specialised developers. Major events like the Dubai Esports Festival and the development of innovation hubs such as the DMCC Gaming Centre are supported by the issuance of gaming-related resident visas.

MENATech continues to differentiate itself by integrating deeply into the region’s ecosystem. Rather than operate as an external player, the company works alongside public and private entities to build lasting programs and infrastructure. Its approach is not just to host events, but to develop skills, create jobs, and inspire innovation.

With the Esports World Cup returning to Riyadh in 2025 and more international gaming firms entering the Gulf, the spotlight on the Middle East has never been stronger. MENATech is focused on scaling its education programs, growing its tournament portfolio, and building a sustainable esports economy. Through strategic alignment with national initiatives, mega events, and investments in talent development, the company is helping position the gaming industry as a key driver of economic diversification and cultural innovation across the Middle East.

Sherpa Communications is proud to support Qashio, the Dubai-headquartered B2B spend management platform with operations and clients across 22 countries—including the UAE, Europe, the UK, and soon Saudi Arabia—in announcing the successful raise of $19.8 million in its latest funding round. The capital will fuel further geographic expansion and scale what is already the largest B2B fintech loyalty program in the MENA region.

Despite achieving profitability with over $1.2M in Q1 2025, the additional funds will enhance regulatory compliance ahead of the company’s entry into Saudi Arabia and further extend its differentiated loyalty offering.

Unlike typical cashback programs, Qashio’s impressive Tier 1 partner network includes Emirates, Air France, KLM, Avios (British Airways, Iberia, Finnair), US Airways, and top hotel groups such as Jumeirah One, Accor, and IHG Intercontinental Hotel Group—benefits often unavailable to businesses through other expense management platforms.

Category-Defining Momentum with a Superior and Scalable Product Suite

 

The fundraising round, which consists of both equity and non-equity financing, was led by existing investor Rocketship, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm.

“We invested in Qashio because of their bold vision to modernize spend management in the Middle East, a region ripe for financial innovation. Their rapidly growing customer base positions them as a category-defining company in the GCC’s digital transformation journey.  We’re proud to back a team that’s not just solving a pain point, but transforming how companies across the region operate and grow” said Sailesh Ramakrishnan – Managing Partner at Rocketship.

With over 800% YoY revenue growth for the third consecutive year, Qashio has proven its ability to scale with discipline. Several existing investors have reaffirmed their confidence by following on their previous commitments such as ABN Ventures, MITAA, and Oneway VC. The round also welcomed new strategic investors, such as Luxembourg-based European fund MoreThan Capital, major regional banks in MENA, and regional family offices from each market.

“MoreThan Capital chose to invest in Qashio due to its exceptional growth trajectory since launching from beta in 2022, its seasoned founding team, and its superior product suite—which is both broader and more advanced than regional competitors. Qashio’s relentless innovation aligns with our vision, and we see tremendous potential in their MENA expansion strategy as well as their international ambitions. Their unique value proposition positions them strongly for success in the MENA as well as European market, and we’re excited to support their journey with ‘more than’ capital” says Caroline Kracht – Managing Partner at MoreThan Capital.

Supporting Finance Teams and SMEs with Industry-Focused Solutions

Qashio has invested heavily in developing purpose-built products that support the financial health of its clients, from SMEs with five employees to global enterprises with strict compliance and security requirements, Qashio caters to them all. Its solutions are tailored to each industry, with custom offerings that reflect local and vertical-specific requirements.

For firms with highly sensitive operations such as law practices, consulting firms, and government entities, as well as specialized sectors like travel, hospitality, retail, and high-volume e-commerce companies, Qashio offers customized corporate cards and embedded financial microservices to support operational efficiency.

“At Qashio we have learned that change often comes with resistance. We are committed to helping the companies that place their trust in us move away from the manual finance processes that slow them down. That’s why we built and continue to evolve our loyalty program—to reward the right behavior with incentives such as air miles and hotel points that are otherwise difficult to obtain. We also offer the lowest cross-border fees and the highest cashbacks delivered transparently without lockdown periods and clawbacks, because every business drives behavior in their own way,” says Armin Moradi, CEO and Co-founder of Qashio.

Sherpa Communications has successfully helped Whitewill, the international luxury real estate agency, announce its expansion into Oman—marking a strategic milestone in the agency’s regional growth. This move positions the firm to meet the growing demand from investors and end-users seeking opportunities in one of the Gulf’s most promising emerging real estate markets.

The decision to enter Oman comes as the country undergoes a period of accelerated economic diversification, supported by the government’s Vision 2040 strategy. With a stable economy, increasing foreign investment, and progressive policies allowing foreign nationals to acquire freehold property, Oman has rapidly gained attention among global investors. Whitewill began building its Omani operations in 2023, and by 2024, investor demand had grown so significantly that the firm established a dedicated office and team of brokers in Muscat.

Whitewill is already operational in Muscat and Salalah, the only regions in Oman where Integrated Tourism Complex (ITC) zones permit full freehold ownership for foreign investors. Muscat, with its modern infrastructure, administrative significance, and international connectivity, appeals to long-term investors seeking capital growth. Salalah, known for its lush green landscapes and year-round appeal to Gulf and European tourists, offers an attractive option for investors focused on lifestyle-driven, rental-yield properties.

Since entering the Omani market, Whitewill has successfully sold hundreds of property units with an upward range of OMR 300,000. The firm’s client base spans international investors, expatriates, and regional buyers, including high-net-worth investors from the GCC, Europe, India and more. Demand is particularly strong for holiday homes, rental units, and investment properties in Oman’s premium waterfront and master-planned communities.

The agency’s portfolio in Oman includes over 30 projects from globally recognized and trusted developers such as DarGlobal, SDIC, Muriya by Orascom, Eagle Hills, Saraya Bandar Jissah SAOC, and Al Mouj. The firm also collaborates with respected local developers, including Alargan Towell, Maysan Properties, and Ideal Building Development. Many of these projects benefit from the involvement of Omran Group, the government’s development arm, further enhancing investor confidence.

Among the standout developments are AIDA by DarGlobal, a luxury, master-planned community perched on a coastal plateau offering villas, townhouses, apartments, branded residences, hotels, and the Trump Golf Club. The Sustainable City Yiti, led by SDIC, is Oman’s flagship eco-community, blending sustainable technologies with residential, hospitality, retail, and educational facilities. Upcoming projects include an ultra-luxury beachfront community on Yiti Beach and an exclusive ITC development in Muttrah, Muscat’s historic centre, both expected to generate significant investor interest.

Looking ahead, Whitewill sees Oman as a long-term growth market for real estate. With the government expanding ITC zones and global developers entering the market, new opportunities are emerging not only in Muscat and Salalah but also in Musandam, Duqm, and Oman’s mountainous tourism hubs. The company is committed to supporting this growth by advising developers, tailoring products to investor expectations, and promoting Oman internationally through roadshows, webinars, and targeted events in key global markets.

With a multinational team, Whitewill is well-positioned to serve its international clientele and further cement its role as a trusted partner for investors seeking high-quality real estate opportunities in Oman.