RiseUp acquires online startup and technology media platform MENAbytes
RiseUp, the Egypt-based organizer of startup and entrepreneurship summits with the same name, has acquired the regional startup and technology publication, MENAbytes. The Saudi Arabia-based startup will remain an independent media platform covering startups and technology ecosystem from MENA, and will integrate with RiseUp’s digital content arm.
RiseUp will also utilize MENAbytes’ network and resources to design a fully integrated platform dedicated to the RiseUp community of startups and the ecosystem. On top of that, the acquisition also includes trackMENA, a new data platform by MENAbytes to help users track startups, VCs, investments and acquisitions in MENA.
Founded in 2017 by Zubair Naeem Paracha, MENAbytes has grown to become one of the leading startup media outlets of the Middle East & North Africa. MENAbytes has recently expanded its coverage to Pakistan and is looking to further expand it to Turkey and some other emerging markets.
Zubair, the solo entrepreneur and only employee of MENAbytes, will join RiseUp as a result of acquisition and continue to lead MENAbytes, trackMENA and other digital efforts of the company.
“I am very excited about becoming a part of RiseUp and working with Abdelhameed and the brilliant team there,” Zubair Naeem, MENAbytes founder said, “especially because of their vision of building a platform to offer every online and offline resource that an entrepreneur may need to grow their startup in MENA. Partnering up with RiseUp will open many new avenues for MENAbytes and trackMENA to build the largest startup news and data platform for the emerging markets.”
“We’re immeasurably excited about the opportunities MENAbytes will offer RiseUp.” Abdelhameed Sharara, RiseUp CEO said, “The acquisition, and working with Zubair, is the first big leap in our vision of being a one-stop shop for the entire spectrum of resources entrepreneurs and startups in the region need to grow.”