The Saudi Startup Paradox: Navigating Growth Challenges Amid Unprecedented Opportunity
Insights from NextStars’ work building bridges between Canadian innovation and MENA markets Over the past year, NextStars has been deeply engaged in Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem, working to connect international entrepreneurs with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions. What we’ve discovered is a landscape rich with potential but grappling with challenges that capital alone won’t solve. […]
Canada and the UAE: Building a Cross-Border Innovation Corridor from the Ground Up
The timing couldn’t be more strategic. As Prime Minister Mark Carney touches down in Abu Dhabi for Canada’s first prime ministerial visit to the UAE since 1983, he’s not just chasing capital investment. He’s laying the groundwork for what could become one of the most consequential cross-border innovation partnerships of the decade. For those of […]
Innovation and Startup Strategy in Saudi Arabia’s Higher Education System
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has made innovation and entrepreneurship central to the Kingdom’s transformation. Universities – from research powerhouses like KAUST to sprawling institutions like King Saud University (KSU) and King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) – are now tasked with producing not just graduates, but startup founders. In recent years Saudi institutions […]
Latin American Startup Ecosystem 2025: Trends and Opportunities
Latin America’s startup scene is large and still growing. The region spans 20+ countries with ~660 million people (primarily Spanish/Portuguese speakers) and rapidly rising Internet/mobile use. After a 2021 funding peak (~$16B), VC activity dipped but stabilized. LAVCA reports roughly $4.5 billion deployed across ~750 deals in 2024 (only slightly above 2023’s $4.2B), and roughly $1B […]
The Energy Sector in Oman: Oil, Gas, and the Broader Energy Industry
Introduction Oman’s economy has long been driven by oil and gas, which provide around 70% of government revenues and roughly 30% of GDP[1]. While Oman is a moderate producer relative to its Gulf neighbors, it has maintained output near 1 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil and condensate in recent years[2][3]. This production […]
Innovation and Startup Strategy in Oman’s Higher Education System
Muscat, Oman – Higher education institutions in the Sultanate are key to driving innovation under Oman Vision 2040. Introduction: Vision 2040 and the Push for Innovation in Higher Ed Oman Vision 2040 places innovation and economic diversification at the heart of the nation’s future. A central pillar is building a knowledge-driven economy less reliant on […]
High Net Worth Individual Investment Strategies in the UAE: Gateway to Canadian Innovation and Sustainable Growth Opportunities
Executive Summary The United Arab Emirates stands as the undisputed wealth management hub of the Middle East, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi ranking as the world’s #1 and #5 destinations for High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) respectively. With 81,200 millionaires in Dubai alone and projected wealth under management reaching $1.5 trillion by 2028, the UAE […]
High Net Worth Individual Investment Strategies in Morocco: Gateway to Canadian Clean Energy and Innovation Opportunities
Executive Summary Morocco stands at the forefront of Africa’s wealth creation narrative, with 7,500 HNWIs representing a 40% growth over the past decade. As the kingdom positions itself as a global green hydrogen powerhouse with $32.5 billion in approved projects and targets 52% renewable energy by 2030, significant opportunities emerge for strategic partnerships with Canadian […]
High Net Worth Individual Investment Strategies in Bahrain: Gateway to Canadian Opportunities
Executive Summary Bahrain continues to solidify its position as a leading wealth management hub in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with assets under management projected to reach US$4.02 billion by 2030. This growth, combined with evolving HNWI preferences toward Islamic finance, ESG investments, and international diversification, presents significant opportunities for Canadian businesses and investment platforms. […]
Iraq’s Emerging Investment Landscape: Reconstruction Opportunities and the Canada Connection
1. Introduction Iraq stands at a critical juncture in its economic history, transitioning from decades of conflict and isolation to become one of the Middle East’s most promising reconstruction and investment frontiers. With vast oil wealth, a young population exceeding 44 million, and an unprecedented reconstruction agenda requiring over $400 billion in investment, Iraq represents […]
