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Explosive Growth In MENA’s Startup Ecosystem

February marked a groundbreaking month for MENA’s startup landscape, with an impressive $494 million raised across 58 deals—almost five times more than last year’s total for the same month. While Saudi Arabia dominated with $250.3 million accrued over 25 deals, the UAE and Egypt followed suit with $203.5 million and $27.5 million respectively.

Debt Financing Dips In February

Unlike January, where debt financing took the bulk of investments, February saw it drop to just 15% of total funding. The exclusion of debt reveals a staggering 371% increase in investment activity, highlighting a promising shift in financial dynamics.

Industry Leaders And Rising Sectors

Fintech emerged as the leading sector, delivering $274 million over 15 deals. Insurtech and logistics took the next spots, with $55 million and $28.5 million respectively. This upswing showcases both sustained interest and escalating financial backing for key tech industries.

Regional Contributions and Gender Disparities

B2B models attracted the most attention in February, garnering $191.6 million through 33 transactions. However, gender disparities remain, as startups led by male founders bagged 87% of the total investment. Despite the progress, this underlines the need for more equitable funding allocations.

For further insights into startup ecosystems, explore how Cyprus is setting new records in global startup growth.

Ultrahuman Unveils Ring Pro As Smart Ring Competition Intensifies In The U.S.

Ultrahuman, the Bengaluru-based leader in wearable technology, has unveiled its third-generation smart ring, the Ring Pro, marking a significant step in the company’s efforts to reestablish its U.S. presence. With an extended battery life of up to 15 days and a completely redesigned form factor, the Ring Pro arrives as a strategic response following last year’s patent dispute with rival Oura.

New Design And Extended Battery Life

Ring Pro introduces a redesigned form factor alongside a dual-core processor and upgraded heart-rate sensing architecture aimed at improving data accuracy. The device is slightly heavier than its predecessor but offers enhanced on-device computing and the ability to store up to 250 days of health data. Priced at $479, the ring delivers up to 15 days of battery life, a notable increase compared to the four to six days offered by the Ring Air.

Overcoming Regulatory And Patent Hurdles

Ultrahuman’s U.S. operations faced disruption in October 2025 after the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled in favor of Oura in a patent dispute, restricting imports of new inventory. Existing stock remained available, but the decision pushed the company to redesign the product and reassess its U.S. strategy. The market remains critical for Ultrahuman, with American users accounting for roughly 45% of its 700,000 daily active users.

Introducing Jade: Real-Time Biointelligence

Alongside Ring Pro, Ultrahuman launched Jade, a real-time biointelligence system designed to provide actionable health insights instead of retrospective data summaries. According to co-founder and CEO Mohit Kumar, the system focuses on continuous analysis and real-time recommendations. Jade is available across the company’s ecosystem, including older ring models, reinforcing Ultrahuman’s AI-driven approach to wearable health monitoring.

Robust Financials And Expanding Market Influence

Despite legal and operational challenges, Ultrahuman continues to show strong financial performance. The company reports an annualized revenue run rate of approximately $150 million and operating revenue of $64 million for the fiscal year ending March 2025. Subscription services and additional offerings, including coaching programs and continuous glucose monitoring, continue to diversify revenue streams and support profitability.

Expanding Production And Global Reach

Ultrahuman is expanding production capacity as demand grows across international markets, including the UK, Canada, Australia, and India. Industry analysts note that the future of smart rings will depend on sensor precision, AI integration, and ecosystem connectivity — areas where Ultrahuman is actively investing.

With the launch of Ring Pro and the introduction of Jade, the company is aiming to strengthen its position in the fast-growing wearable technology sector while rebuilding momentum in key global markets.

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