The Rise of Women-Led Startups in the Middle East

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As I observe the face of entrepreneurship in the Middle East and its evolution over the last decade, perhaps one of the most inspiring shifts I see is the rise of women-led startups. Not too long ago, female founders were often sidelined or undervalued to be honest; and yet today you see powerful women on billboards, leading conferences, and driving businesses that are impossible to ignore. They are redefining industries, and establishing a fresh outlook towards what business leadership can look like.

The success of these entrepreneurs is not just about representation though. It is their performance and vision, as that of any other good leader. Female entrepreneurs from all over the region are building companies that are profitable and purposeful. Their companies are addressing real-world problems in creative and resilient ways - and all these are always required in entrepreneurship.

As an active serial investor in startups myself, I've had the privilege of backing and investing in a few women-owned startups and I have truly seen them flourish. These ventures have proven that when women are given the right platform and support, they CAN and WILL create enterprises that are both impactful and sustainable.

Within my own organisation even, women are at senior levels leading strategy and growth. At 360 Nautica, the women have  been instrumental in shaping the company’s vision and success since conception. They, along with many other such remarkable leaders across our portfolio, reflect the strength and clarity that women bring into business across the region.

So what makes this era and this moment remarkable is the collective ecosystem that has begun to recognize and support these leaders, and not just ‘accept’ them. We can all agree it was long due. Access to mentorship, funding, and networks is slowly expanding now, though it is still not at the level it needs to be. But despite the existing challenges, women continue to push boundaries and find ways to thrive, is what I notice. That persistence is what acts as the catalyst and serves as fuel for long-term change.

The Middle East is at a turning point. I am of the strong belief that if our governments, investors, and local institutions continue to empower women in business, the impact will be felt far beyond the entrepreneurial ecosystem. It will echo through societies and economies, creating brand new opportunities in the market for generations of wide-eyed youngsters to come.

I believe the story of women-led startups in this region is only just at its beginning. The more we get real with celebrating and supporting these founders around us, the faster we will see the transformation of the Middle East into an inclusive, world-class hub of sustainable innovation. It is what our future needs.