Wamda

MENA startup funding plunges 96% to $40 million in October 2026 as megadeals dry up

Startup investment across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) plunged in October 2026, with 32 startups raising just $40 million, as the absence of large funding rounds brought September’s short-lived rebound to an abrupt halt. The total represents a 96% month-on-month decline from the $1.1 billion raised in September and a 95% drop from the $784.9 million recorded in October 2025, making October one of the weakest months for regional startup funding this year. The sharp reversal under

By Wamda

1 min read
MENA startup funding plunges 96% to $40 million in October 2026 as megadeals dry up
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