Latest news with #OrbitStartups
CairoScene
13-06-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Turkiye-Based AI Firm VenueX Raises $1.2 Million to Expand into MENA
Istanbul-based startup VenueX raised $1.2 million to accelerate its entry into the UAE and Saudi markets, aiming to scale its AI-powered platform that connects digital ads to in-store sales. Jun 13, 2025 VenueX, a Turkiye-based AI startup focused on retail marketing automation, has raised $1.2 million in a bridge investment round to support its expansion into the Middle East and North Africa. The round was led by Singapore's Orbit Startups, with participation from Re-Pie, Akkök, and Akyasam. Founded in 2022, VenueX launched its unified digital advertising platform in April 2024, and has since onboarded 25 paying clients. The platform helps retail brands connect their digital advertising spend to in-store sales using AI agents that analyse budgets, inventory, and customer behaviour in real time. The aim is to create data-informed, automated campaigns that minimise manual oversight. With the new capital, VenueX plans to establish offices in Dubai and Riyadh, build local sales and market teams, and scale its partnerships across Turkiye. The company also intends to grow its internal teams in growth, data science, and business development, while continuing to evolve its platform into a fully autonomous marketing solution. Current development goals include enhancing AI agents for inventory optimisation, creative generation, and customer segmentation. VenueX's expansion comes amid rising regional demand for AI-driven retail tools that can bridge online customer acquisition with offline conversion—particularly in digitally transforming markets like the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Business Recorder
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Startups can get up to Rs5m with new acceleration program: NIC Karachi
National Incubation Centre (NIC) Karachi has launched its 'first-ever structured acceleration program' in partnership with Orbit Startups, a Singapore-based investor in emerging markets. According to a press release, through this three-month accelerator, 10 high-potential startups will receive up to Rs5 million in milestone-based grants and training by global experts from Orbit Startups. 'With a young, digital-first population, Pakistan is going through a technology-driven economic transformation,' said William Bao Bean, Managing General Partner of Orbit Startups, which has backed over 300 startups. Govt's Pakistan Startup Fund will help entrepreneurs raise up to $1m, says official 'We're excited to team up with NIC Karachi to bring Orbit's global ecosystem and hands-on support to this next generation of founders who can lead in Pakistan and win globally,' he said, adding that 'we believe Pakistan is one of the most overlooked startup markets in the world, and that's about to change.' The program signals NIC's 'evolution from a startup launchpad to a growth-stage acceleration powerhouse, fully aligned with national economic priorities and global innovation trends,' the release said. 10th iteration of Pakistan Investor Summit kicks off in Karachi The goal of the program is to fast-track companies that are ready to scale, raise capital and create market impact, locally and globally, explained Ali Sohail Tabba, Chairperson Governance Committee NIC Karachi and Director at Yunus Brothers Group. He said the program targets startups that are already showing traction, with revenue models in place and a product in the market. Startups belonging to sectors like fintech, cyber security, industrial automation, agritech, climate tech and logistics are encouraged to apply. Startups will be monitored through a milestone-based evaluation framework developed. All grant disbursements are tied to verified deliverables across business, product and investor readiness metrics. Earlier this month, NIC Karachi hosted the Pakistan Investor Summit 2025 – Summer Edition, where it announced the Pakistan Startup Fund and an initaitive called BridgeStart, aiming at giving startups international exposure. According to a press release, both initiatives 'marks a pivotal step in institutionalizing startup investment infrastructure in the country.'
Business Recorder
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Startups can get up to $5m with new acceleration program: NIC Karachi
National Incubation Centre (NIC) Karachi on Thursday launched its 'first-ever structured acceleration program' in partnership with Orbit Startups, a Taiwan-based investor in emerging markets. According to a press release, through this three-month accelerator, 10 high-potential startups will receive up to Rs5 million in milestone-based grants and training by global experts from Orbit Startups. 'With a young, digital-first population, Pakistan is going through a technology-driven economic transformation,' said William Bao Bean, Managing General Partner of Orbit Startups, which has backed over 300 startups. 'We're excited to team up with NIC Karachi to bring Orbit's global ecosystem and hands-on support to this next generation of founders who can lead in Pakistan and win globally,' he said, adding that 'we believe Pakistan is one of the most overlooked startup markets in the world, and that's about to change.' The program signals NIC's 'evolution from a startup launchpad to a growth-stage acceleration powerhouse, fully aligned with national economic priorities and global innovation trends,' the release said. The goal of the program is to fast-track companies that are ready to scale, raise capital and create market impact, locally and globally, explained Ali Sohail Tabba, Chairperson Governance Committee NIC Karachi and Director at Yunus Brothers Group. He said the program targets startups that are already showing traction, with revenue models in place and a product in the market. Startups belonging to sectors like fintech, cyber security, industrial automation, agritech, climate tech and logistics are encouraged to apply. Startups will be monitored through a milestone-based evaluation framework developed. All grant disbursements are tied to verified deliverables across business, product and investor readiness metrics.
