The May 2018 Analytics Report summarises and analyses investments in MENA-based startups, including funding trends in countries, industries and funding stages, as well as comparisons and gap analyses. May 2018 saw $42M invested in 20 MENA-based startups. Although there were 9 fewer deals in May 2018 (20) compared to May 2017 (29), this was the second highest amount raised in May in the last 4 years.
What is included in this report:
- Executive Summary: Snapshot including the key takeaways from the report.
- All Deals in May 2018: All MENA-based startups that received investment in May 2018, including country, industry, funding amount, funding stage, and investors.
- May 2018 Funding Overview: High-level overview and analysis of all MENA-based startup funding over time (monthly, quarterly, and yearly), including a gap analysis to the previous year.
- Funding Stage Breakdown: Analysis of the different stages of funding, such as early stage, Series A, Series B, and how they compare and change over time.
- Industry Breakdown: Analysis of the most popular industries by number of deals and funding amount in May 2018 and YTD, as well as how they change over time.
- Country Breakdown: Analysis of the most popular countries by number of deals and funding amount in May 2018 and YTD, as well as any trends over time.
- Top News in May 2018: Highlight of the top news of May 2018
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May proved to be a busy month! In fact, it was the busiest month in 2018 by amount invested. A couple of key highlights for you:
- 20 deals undertaken amounting in $41.7M in disclosed funding.
- If we compare YTD 2018 to the same period in 2017 we have seen roughly the same number of startups funded but a considerable $60M drop in amount invested
- The top 3 most funded startups were Aqeed ($18M), Alawooz ($13.6M) and BaharSoft ($6M).
- Questions remain as to whether 2018 is actually looking positive. Signals suggest that the MENA region needs a strong summer period to see us keep pace with previous year funding. For example, June to August 2017 saw $300M of funding announcements.
- Thus far major existing VC institutions have made very few disclosed investments. Is there a funding squeeze taking place?
- Rumors of a $500M funding of Careem as they prepare for an IPO.
May 2018 comparison
• Deals:20 in May 2018
• Disclosed Investments:$41.68M in April 2018
• May 2018 vis-à-vis April 2018:
- Deals: 4 more deals in May 2018 (20) compared to April 2018 (16)
- Disclosed Investments: $14M more invested in May 2018 ($42M) compared to April 2018 ($28M)
• May 2018 vis-à-vis May 2017:
- Deals: 9 fewer deals in May 2018 (20) compared to May 2017 (29)
- Disclosed Investments: $35M less invested in May 2018 ($42M) compared to May 2017 ($77M)
• January – May 2018 vis-à-vis January – May 2017:
- Deals: 2 fewer deals in Jan-May 2018 (101) compared to Jan-May 2017 (103)
- Disclosed Investments: $59M less invested in Jan-May 2018 ($107M) compared to Jan-May 2017 ($166M)