Women Founders Lead the Way in MENA’s Startup Boom
[10:03 pm, 4/9/2025] Rashika: Dubai, UAE – From Cairo to Riyadh to Amman, a wave of female-led startups is reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), breaking down long-standing barriers and redefining what leadership looks like in the region’s fast-growing tech ecosystem.
In 2025, more women are starting companies, raising venture capital, and entering accelerator programs than ever before — a trend fueled by inclusive policies, regional innovation hubs, and a growing appetite for diverse leadership in business and tech.
“This is a historic moment. Women in the region are not just participating in the startup economy — they’re leading it,” said Rana Abu Hassan, director of Women in Innovation MENA, a regional advocacy group.
Record Numbers of Women-Led Startups
According to a report released in Q3 2025 by Wamda and Arabnet, the percentage of startups in MENA with at least one female founder has grown to 26%, up from just 12% in 2019. In the UAE and Egypt, the rate is even higher, with one in three startups now co-founded by women.
Key stats:
$410M raised by women-led startups in MENA so far in 2025
Top sectors: e-commerce, healthtech, edtech, fintech
Highest growth markets: Egypt, UAE, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia
“I didn’t wait for permission to build my startup,” said Sara El Dahan, founder of a Saudi-based AI health diagnostics company. “The ecosystem is finally ready to support female founders.”
Supportive Programs Fueling Growth
A number of new programs and initiatives across the GCC and North Africa are helping empower women entrepreneurs:
Flat6Labs Female Founders Track (Egypt, Bahrain)
Womena Accelerator (UAE) focused on impact startups
Monsha’at Women SME Program (Saudi Arabia) offering grants and mentorship
She Wins Arabia — a regional initiative by IFC and Arab Bank to connect women founders to funding and networks
These platforms offer everything from early-stage capital and business training to legal support and pitch opportunities in front of regional and international investors.
Female Founders Driving Innovation Across Industries
Women-led startups in the region are not only gaining traction — they’re also leading in sectors tied to innovation and societal impact:
Sector Notable Examples
HealthTech Nabta Health (UAE) – AI-powered women’s health platform
Fintech MoneyFellows (Egypt) – digital lending platform led by a female co-founder
EdTech Ostaz (Lebanon/UAE) – personalized online tutoring
AgriTech Tanmiah Tech (Jordan) – vertical farming solutions for arid environments
These founders often cite social impact, market gaps, and resilience through adversity as key motivators in building their companies.
Challenges Still Exist — But Mindsets Are Shifting
Despite the positive momentum, female founders still face challenges around:
Access to early-stage funding
Balancing societal expectations and business growth
Limited representation in VC decision-making
However, 2025 has seen a growing number of female partners at regional VC firms, women-focused angel networks, and gender-diverse investment mandates.
“We’ve moved beyond symbolic support. Investors now understand that diversity in founding teams leads to better returns,” said Faten Al Mahmoud, a managing partner at a Saudi VC fund.
A Generation of Role Models Emerging
Prominent women entrepreneurs like:
Raya Bidshahri (School of Humanity, UAE)
Amena Khatun (GreenBox, Qatar)
Mona Ataya (Founder of Mumzworld)
Nour Al Hassan (Tarjama, UAE)
…are serving as role models for younger women in business, inspiring university students, tech professionals, and creatives to launch their own ventures.
In parallel, educational institutions and incubators are seeing record female participation in entrepreneurship bootcamps and coding programs.
Conclusion: A More Inclusive Startup Future
As MENA’s startup scene matures, gender diversity is becoming a competitive advantage — not just a social goal. Women entrepreneurs are proving that they have the vision, talent, and resilience to build the next generation of regional unicorns.
“We’re not asking for special treatment. We’re asking for equal access — and we’re proving we deserve it,” said Layla Khoury, founder of an AI-powered logistics startup in Lebanon.
With more support, capital, and visibility, the future of innovation in the Middle East is increasingly female-led, inclusive, and global.
