Author: Mahdeehassan

Binbar Investment has partnered with Joa Capital to launch Marhoon Fund, Saudi Arabia’s first direct financing fund backed by lease and usufruct contracts, with a total investment volume of $133 million (SAR 500 million). The fund will enable Saudi companies to access innovative financing solutions secured by operational assets, enhancing private sector growth and funding diversification in alignment with Vision 2030. Rabeh will serve as the technical advisor, supporting the fund’s structure and execution. Press release: Binbar Investment, a company specialized in real estate investment solutions, announced the signing of a strategic partnership with Joa Capital, along with Rabeh serving as the fund’s technical advisor, to launch Marhoon Fund, the first direct financing fund in Saudi Arabia dedicated to securing loans through lease and usufruct contracts. The fund has a total investment volume of SAR 500 million. The fund aims to enable Saudi companies to access innovative financing solutions backed by their operational assets as collateral, in support of private sector growth and diversification of funding sources, in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. Nasser Al-Majed, Chairman of Binbar Real Estate, commented: “Binbar Real Estate Development is focused on creating differentiated real estate products, and with Marhoon Fund, we’re targeting direct financing solutions tailored to the rental market in the Kingdom.” Majed Al-Zahrani, Partner and CEO of Binbar Real Estate, added: “We believe that direct financing backed by usufruct contracts represents a transformative shift in how real estate assets are funded. It fosters trust among investors, developers, and tenants alike. Our partnership with Joa Capital is focused on building real financial tools that enable growth and long-term sustainability in the Saudi real estate sector.” Mr. Yousef AlYousefi, CEO and Managing Partner at Joa Capital, said: “We are proud of this partnership, which aligns with Joa Capital’s objectives and reflects our confidence in the strength of Saudi Arabia’s real estate market. This market is being empowered by digital platforms that improve liquidity access for property owners and stimulate investment. We are pleased to be working with a strategic partner who shares our vision of developing innovative financial solutions to support private sector growth.” Joa Capital is a leading private markets investment firm founded in 2020 and headquartered in Saudi Arabia. It invests in high-growth technology companies across the MENA region through direct equity investments. The firm also supports businesses with private credit tools that provide non-dilutive, operational financing options, enabling flexible funding pathways that foster growth and sustainability. The leasing market in Saudi Arabia is undergoing rapid growth and significant regulatory evolution, driven by initiatives from the General Real Estate Authority and the “Ejar” platform. Over 1.5 million commercial and residential lease agreements have been documented to date, with growing reliance on standardized digital contracts that enhance transparency and trust between parties. These unified lease contracts are now legally recognized as enforceable instruments—a major advancement that strengthens the creditworthiness of lease agreements and validates their role as collateralizable, financeable assets. The launch of Marhoon Fund at this time marks a strategic move supported by a strong legal and regulatory framework, empowering companies to tap into a secure and effective financing source to improve cash flow and support expansion plans.

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Builtop, a Saudi digital procurement startup for the construction and real estate sectors, has raised $11 million in a round led by TAM Capital with participation from other investors. Founded in 2024 by Ayman Aljohani, the company provides embedded finance “pay-later” trade credit, helping contractors manage cashflow and improve procurement efficiency. The funding will fuel Saudi expansion, enhance AI capabilities, and support Vision 2030 infrastructure projects through smarter procurement and financing models. Press release: Builtop, a Saudi digital procurement startup transforming construction and real estate operations, has raised $11 million in a funding round led by TAM Capital, with participation from other investors. Founded in 2024 by Ayman Aljohani, Builtop provides embedded finance solutions, including “pay-later” trade credit, helping contractors and suppliers manage cashflow, streamline material sourcing, and accelerate project delivery. The platform combines digital procurement, embedded finance, and AI-powered tools to improve operational efficiency and transparency across the construction and real estate sectors. The new funding will support Builtop’s expansion across Saudi Arabia, enhancement of its AI-driven procurement systems, and development of tailored solutions for large-scale infrastructure projects aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. “This investment enables us to expand our offerings, support Vision 2030 initiatives, and deliver smarter procurement solutions to the construction industry,” said Ayman Aljohani, Founder and CEO of Builtop. Builtop aims to position itself as Saudi Arabia’s digital procurement backbone, enabling smarter, faster, and more transparent construction operations in one of the Kingdom’s most strategic sectors.

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Builtop, a Saudi digital procurement startup for the construction and real estate sectors, has raised $11 million in a round led by TAM Capital with participation from other investors. Founded in 2024 by Ayman Aljohani, the company provides embedded finance “pay-later” trade credit, helping contractors manage cashflow and improve procurement efficiency. The funding will fuel Saudi expansion, enhance AI capabilities, and support Vision 2030 infrastructure projects through smarter procurement and financing models. Press release: Builtop, a Saudi digital procurement startup transforming construction and real estate operations, has raised $11 million in a funding round led by TAM Capital, with participation from other investors. Founded in 2024 by Ayman Aljohani, Builtop provides embedded finance solutions, including “pay-later” trade credit, helping contractors and suppliers manage cashflow, streamline material sourcing, and accelerate project delivery. The platform combines digital procurement, embedded finance, and AI-powered tools to improve operational efficiency and transparency across the construction and real estate sectors. The new funding will support Builtop’s expansion across Saudi Arabia, enhancement of its AI-driven procurement systems, and development of tailored solutions for large-scale infrastructure projects aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. “This investment enables us to expand our offerings, support Vision 2030 initiatives, and deliver smarter procurement solutions to the construction industry,” said Ayman Aljohani, Founder and CEO of Builtop. Builtop aims to position itself as Saudi Arabia’s digital procurement backbone, enabling smarter, faster, and more transparent construction operations in one of the Kingdom’s most strategic sectors.

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Doha, Qatar – As part of its continued commitment to supporting the academic community and expanding study opportunities, Qatar National Library announced —in response to patron needs and requests— that its Quiet Study Area will now remain open to serve researchers and scholars throughout the night until early morning. This dedicated space is designed to provide a quiet, comfortable, and secure environment for focused individual study and research beyond regular opening hours.The Night Study Space will be open from Friday to Wednesday, 8:00 PM – 6:00 AM, and on Thursdays from 8:00 PM – 9:00 AM (Friday morning). Access is…

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Dubai, UAE: AUM Developments, recipient of the Rising Star Developer of the Year award at the Smart Built Environment Awards (SBEA), has recently announced significant plans to expansion across Dubai’s residential landscape with three projects now under construction and a fourth development set to launch in Warsan.The developer has officially broken ground on two residential projects – Veda in Jumeirah Village Circle and Ryze in Warsan, as well as a commercial project, Vertex Pointe, in Arjan. A fourth project is also coming up in Arjan, offering commercial spaces in the heart of the thriving community, further solidifying AUM’s presence across…

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Interview with Iphigenia von Moock-Tsipas, Founder & CEO, PhiThea™ Elite Advisory for Women in Motion “Motion means evolution — the courage to move forward, redefine, and lead. It’s not just progress; it’s purpose in action.” — Iphigenia von Moock-Tsipas On the sidelines of the 2025 WE Convention in Dubai — one of the region’s largest […] Follow on Twitter @DubaiChronicle

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Dubai has become the destination of many job seekers who want to experience an international environment and reach a high-paying job. As a result, the majority of the city’s population are expats who work in different industries and at various levels. Although the job market in Dubai is flourishing, many job seekers still have doubts […] Follow on Twitter @DubaiChronicle

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Abu Dhabi, UAE – Etihad Airways and Hong Kong Airlines are strengthening their partnership by launching a codeshare partnership and establishing a reciprocal loyalty agreement. The loyalty agreement was signed during a ceremonial event in Hong Kong on the evening of 4 November 2025, coinciding with the arrival of Etihad’s inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong International Airport .Seamless ConnectionsHong Kong Airlines flights between Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi are now bookable as Etihad ‘EY’ services, while travellers can fly Etihad to popular Japanese destinations including Fukuoka, Hokkaido-Sapporo, Osaka, and Okinawa on Hong Kong Airlines-operated flights under the…

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Dubai International (DXB), the world’s leading international airport, has once again transformed its runway into a high-energy cycling arena as part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC). The extraordinary event, executed in collaboration with premium fitness studio CRANK, delivered one of the city’s most unique and highly anticipated fitness experiences. Returning for its second year, […] Follow on Twitter @DubaiChronicle

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Amman, The European Union, the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST), Orange Jordan, and SESAME (Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East) joined forces today to host a roundtable on “How innovation builds climate change resilience and fuels prosperity.”Held at the Orange Innovation Hub in Amman, the roundtable brought together approximately 70 researchers, business representatives, and policymakers from the EU and Jordan to exchange ideas on how science and technology can drive Jordan’s climate resilience and open fresh opportunities for green prosperity.The roundtable was held as part of the Ministry of Environment and the French Embassy’s…

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