SUSTG.com / Research

Discover stories, topics, and more about Saudi Arebia faster.

We can't find results matching your search.

Adjust your search and try again or browse topics and stories below.

Recent stories from sustg

MUST-READS

  • Healthcare
    MENA, birthplace for a digital health revolution?

    Healthcare proves both a critical and rapidly growing sector in the Middle East and North Africa, with demand far outpacing supply owing to the growing population and shifting disease demographics, the latter largely prompted by sedentary lifestyle habits resulting in the rising prevalence of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In 2011, approximately 27 million people in the region had diabetes according to the International Diabetes Federation. In barely four years, that number has already risen to 37 million, and IDF estimates nearly 68 million diabetes sufferers by 2035.

  • Startups
    8 promising hardware startups from the MENA region

    Hardware based startups, the building of physical products that change the way we live, continue to play a crucial role in shaping our world. Over the last few years a number of promising hardware startups have emerged from the MENA region led by a movement of enthusiastic builders and makers.

  • MENA Energy Projects
    Oil’s not quiet on the MENA front

    However, the Arab Energy Investment Outlook report, published by multilateral development bank Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (Apicorp) earlier this year, indicates that despite continuing regional turmoil as well as declining oil prices, energy capital investments over the next five years will total $658 billion for the Arab world, and as much as $755 billion in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

  • Social Entrepreneurship
    Opinion: Why social entrepreneurship is critical for MENA

    The concept of social entrepreneurship has its own challenges in this part of the world. Developmental work is traditionally associated with the nonprofit mentality and in many cases is accused of sinister agendas and corruption. As such, it’s difficult for community stakeholders to accept the concept of profit-making companies that address social challenges.

  • Islamic Economy
    Islamic economy presents significant opportunity for MENA entrepreneurs

    Saeed Farook had listed the seven pillars of the Islamic economy, namely: funding in accordance with Islamic principles, halal products, tourism, digital economy, Islamic designs and art, Islamic standards, and Islamic knowledge, stressing the fact that Islamic economy "represents the opportunity of a lifetime."

  • MENA Startups
    8 Startups from the MENA Go Global

    The last couple of years have witnessed a surge in the number of Arab startups that have managed to catch the attention of foreign investors and dip into the pockets of US sharks. Spanning Beirut to Dubai, Jeddah, Amman, and Cairo, among others, the Middle East region is making its presence felt on the global tech scene.

  • MENA Startup Investment
    New Wamda Research Lab report sheds light on MENA investment landscape and future opportunities

    Entrepreneurs that have the ambition to grow their company often reference limited funding as a barrier to achieving their goals. Whether just starting out, launching a new product or expanding into a new country, access to capital is a critical resource that is not always easy to obtain. The investment ecosystem for startups in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is no exception, yet in recent years funding access in the region has improved.

  • Entrepreneurship
    Want to push the MENA forward? Work for an entrepreneur

    As new programs in the region teach young people about the merits of starting a business, they also need to position working with a startup as a viable career choice. The two are symbiotic and the full potential of each track cannot be realized without the other. Moving forward, here are two recommendations to help shape efforts supporting entrepreneurship amongst youth:

  • Investment
    Why Foreign investment is elusive for MENA startups

    But why can’t they raise funds while remaining in the Middle East? “In the hierarchy of  Silicon Valley venture firms,” says Nasr, “the focus is generally on the Bay Area first, California second, and the rest of the US after that. Most US VCs don’t have a presence or much awareness outside North America. When you’re investing, one of the most important things is the market; so other than very big markets such as China, India or Brazil, there is not much interest or appetite.”

  • MENA Startups
    What do investors in the MENA want from startups?

    While most of the funders surveyed currently have a presence in either Jordan, the UAE, or Lebanon, 83% plan to expand and increase their activity in the next two years, and most of them are seeking to become more involved in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. While challenges in obtaining investment differ from one market to the other, there are some similarities across the region. Thirty-six percent of entrepreneurs surveyed said that the supply of venture funding in their countries was small, and 24% thought that investors are not offering enough value beyond cash.