Read our blog and stay informed with the latest news, insights, and trends in the startup ecosystem.
Saeed Zeinali is the Founder and CEO of NextStars, a Toronto-based multinational advisory platform that has helped over 200 startups scale globally. As an immigrant entrepreneur himself, Saeed founded and successfully exited TranQool, Canada’s leading online mental health platform, to HumanaCare, an experience that gave him deep insight into Canada’s startup
November 10-21, 2025 | Belém, Brazil As the world gathers in the heart of the Amazon for COP30, climate tech startups have a unique opportunity to position themselves at the intersection of global policy, capital flows, and emerging market opportunities. This isn’t just another climate conference—it’s a pivotal moment that
In an era where traditional manufacturing is increasingly automated and commoditized, nations are discovering a powerful truth: the real wealth of the future lies not in producing more widgets, but in developing intellectual property and exporting it globally. This shift represents a fundamental transformation in how we think about economic
Syria’s startup ecosystem represents one of the most remarkable stories of entrepreneurial resilience in modern history. Despite over a decade of conflict, international sanctions, and infrastructure challenges, Syrian entrepreneurs raised an estimated $15-20 million in 2024, primarily through diaspora networks and creative funding mechanisms. With a pre-war population of 22
[Toronto, October 30, 2025] – NextStars, a global entrepreneurship ecosystem platform, today announced that its CEO has completed a strategic visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking an important step in the company’s expansion into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The visit, which included stops in both Dubai and
Kuwait: The Overlooked Tech Hub Kuwait’s startup ecosystem is experiencing a remarkable resurgence—climbing from regional afterthought to become the GCC’s third-largest startup market. Startups raised approximately $200 million in 2024, maintaining momentum from previous years, driven by sectors like e-commerce (40% of funding) and fintech innovation. With 99% internet penetration,
Oman’s startup ecosystem is experiencing a quiet revolution—emerging from relative obscurity to become one of the GCC’s most promising frontier markets. While startups raised approximately $45 million in 2024, up from just $15 million in 2022, the real story lies in structural transformation: government initiatives like the $500 million Oman
Qatar’s startup ecosystem is undergoing profound transformation—ranking 73rd globally in the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index with sustained growth momentum. Startups raised approximately $150 million in 2024, building on strong foundations from previous years, driven by breakthrough sectors like FinTech (35% of funding) and emerging deep tech innovation. With 99%
Morocco’s startup ecosystem is experiencing remarkable transformation—climbing to 88th globally and 9th in Africa in the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index with a 23.1% growth rate. Startups raised $94.96 million in 2024, nearly tripling from $33.26 million in 2023, driven by breakthrough sectors like TravelTech (53% of funding) and sustained
Egypt’s startup ecosystem faces severe economic headwinds—the Egyptian pound plunged from 15 to 50 per USD in two years, inflation peaked at 37.3%, and foreign exchange shortages nearly paralyzed imports—yet this turmoil has created massive opportunities for startups solving real problems. The ecosystem produced its first unicorn (MNT-Halan at $1B+),
Immigration is not just movement of people. It shapes economies and the future of nations. Watch Blayne Kumar, Nino Melikidze, Immitracker, and NextStars unpack what comes next for immigration to Canada. Immigration policy is economic policy. With renewed talk about Mark Carney and Canada’s leadership, the conversation is shifting again.
Selling AI to big logos from Canada with Mike Grandinetti. We get practical about how enterprises buy, how to earn the first yes, how to design proof first pilots, how to pass security and legal, how to structure pricing that finance approves, and how to scale from pilot to production
