Across the Middle East and North Africa, women aren’t just stepping into the tech arena, they’re leading. Building. Scaling. And rewriting the rules. The rise of women-led startups in MENA is more than a headline or feel-good moment. It’s a power shift—and the future of tech is all the better for it.
If you’re still holding on to the idea that tech in this region is a men’s-only club, it’s time to drop that storyline. The data may not always be flattering, women-led startups in MENA pulled in just 1.2% of VC funding in 2023, according to MAGNiTT—but the direction of change is clear: upward, bold, and unstoppable.
Here’s a look at some of the women-led startups who are turning ambition into actual companies and impact.
Founders of Women-Led Startups Who Are Flipping the Script
- Mona Ataya – Mumzworld (UAE)
Mumzworld began as a living room idea and is now the Middle East’s biggest e-commerce platform for mothers and children. Mona didn’t just build a brand—she changed how moms shop online. And yes, she built all of that while raising three boys. Supermom status: confirmed.
- Nour Al Hassan – Tarjama (Jordan)
In a world where AI and Arabic don’t always blend well, Nour is bridging the gap. Her company, Tarjama, is reimagining how Arabic content is created using natural language processing and AI. With $5M in Series A funding and regional expansion in view, this isn’t just innovation—it’s language liberation.
- Reem Khouri – Whyise (Jordan)
Reem is building tools that let organizations prove their social impact, not just talk about it. With Whyise, data becomes the engine behind ESG decisions, and that’s a serious win for transparency and accountability.
- Salma Baghdadi – The Mediterranean Experience (Lebanon)
Travel tech meets storytelling. Salma’s startup is preserving Lebanese culture through immersive VR experiences. It’s part tourism, part tech, and all vision, an emerging space that’s redefining what cultural preservation looks like in the digital age.
- Nadine Mezher – Sarwa (UAE)
Fintech has a new face. Nadine co-founded Sarwa, a robo-advisory platform simplifying investing for first-timers and seasoned users alike. With $25M+ raised and serious backers on board, she’s proof that women are making money moves in money tech.
- Rania Belkahia – Afrikrea/ANKA (Morocco)
Rania helped launch Afrikrea, a marketplace for African fashion and creatives. Under her leadership, the platform rebranded as ANKA and raised $6.2M, connecting thousands of African sellers with the global market. She’s not just pushing culture forward; she’s scaling it.
Zooming Out: What This Movement Means
Women-led startups in MENA aren’t just building companies, they’re solving real, local problems. From tackling healthcare access in Egypt to designing financial tools for underserved women in Morocco, these founders are doing more than disrupting; they’re redesigning.
And the potential? Huge. The OECD estimates that if women participated equally in the economy, MENA’s GDP could grow by a jaw-dropping $2.7 trillion by 2025. That’s not a typo.
Investors are catching on. Global initiatives like We-Fi and local accelerators like Flat6Labs and Womena are turning up the heat on support for female founders and the women-led startups. Still, the journey isn’t all smooth; funding gaps, societal pressure, and policy roadblocks remain.
Yes, the numbers still need work. Yes, the pitch rooms still lean male. But there’s momentum, and the ripple effect is already showing.
When women build, they don’t just make products. They build community. They build access. They build better.
Lipstick. Laptops. Legacy.
So here’s what we’re betting on at Tribe Techie: the future of tech in MENA won’t just be coded in back rooms or built in suits. It’ll be dreamed up by women-led startups who show up with bold ideas, big plans, and just enough rebellion to change everything.
Whether it’s fintech in Dubai or VR-powered tourism in Beirut, women-led startups are no longer on the sidelines. They’re leading. Loudly.
And this is just the beginning.
