Top Emerging Tech Startups in GCC to Watch in 2025

Tech in the Gulf isn’t taking a back seat. It’s stretching its legs, picking up pace, and gaining serious traction. From Riyadh to Doha, a new generation of founders is stepping up, building tools that solve real issues, quietly shifting how life and work feel for millions.

The GCC, covering Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, isn’t just experimenting. It’s investing, building, and betting big on its people. The ideas coming out of this region are bold, smart, and, more often than not, rooted in what locals need.

So, which startups should you keep tabs on in 2025? Let’s break it down.

1. Sarwa (UAE)

Investing, minus the noise

Sarwa makes wealth-building less intimidating. Instead of drowning you in charts and jargon, it offers automated investment tools that are easy to use. You can set it, forget it—or chat with a human advisor if that feels better.

Why people are paying attention:

• Friendly for beginners
• Offers hands-off and hands-on options
• Pushing into sustainable and ethical investing

People want control over their money, but they don’t want it to feel like a full-time job. Sarwa gets that.

2. Snoonu (Qatar)

Delivery, and then some

Snoonu didn’t stop at food. Groceries, errands, packages, it’s turned into a one-stop-shop for everyday stuff. There’s a reason folks in Doha keep this app on their home screens.

Its rise is no accident. With help from a mobile app development company in Qatar, the platform has grown into something far bigger than a food app.

What’s next?

• New e-commerce tools
• Broader marketplace integrations
• Faster fulfillment

It’s an app that moves with the city.

3. Unifonic (Saudi Arabia)

Let’s talk. Everywhere.

Whether it’s texts, voice calls, or instant messaging, Unifonic helps companies stay in touch with their customers without juggling five different platforms.

Why it works:

• Developers love the clean integration

• Supports multiple languages

• Serves retail, healthcare, and more

It’s less about the message, more about making sure it lands on time, every time.

4. Tamara (Saudi Arabia)

Buy now, pay… whenever you’re ready

Tamara makes payments easier. Shoppers can split bills into chunks, with no interest and no fuss.

What to watch for in 2025:

• More stores getting on board
• Seamless mobile checkouts
• Regional expansion outside the Gulf

It’s become part of how people shop, almost without thinking about it.

5. Barq EV (UAE)

Electric wheels built for delivery life

Barq’s not your average EV company. They’re making electric delivery bikes that can handle hot days, tight turns, and long shifts.

Features that stand out:

• GPS and battery tracking
• Smart route planning
• Built for extreme environments

As more companies focus on last-mile delivery, Barq’s bikes are lining up to do the job quietly and cleanly.

6. Ogram (UAE)

Work, when and where it’s needed

Ogram connects businesses with freelancers—from event staff to warehouse helpers. It’s quick, flexible, and built with hospitality and logistics in mind.

Who’s using it:

• Restaurants needing last-minute staff
• Events with fluctuating guest counts
• Businesses managing peak seasons

It’s gig work, but smarter and more secure.

7. Yegertek (UAE)

Loyalty that actually means something

Too many loyalty programs gather dust. Yegertek uses tech and behavioral cues to build programs people actually use—and enjoy.

Where it’s catching on:

• Retail
• Fitness and wellness
• Entertainment

Instead of racking up points you’ll never spend, you get benefits that fit your lifestyle. Simple.

8. Altibbi (Jordan/UAE)

Healthcare without the long waits

Altibbi gives users access to Arabic-language health information and real-time doctor consultations. It’s already helping millions across the Middle East.

What they’re building this year:

• Smart symptom checkers
• Tighter insurance links
• Faster regional access

Healthcare shouldn’t be hard to reach. Altibbi is making sure it’s not.

9. WakeCap (Saudi Arabia)

Construction tech that fits into your helmet

WakeCap puts sensors into standard hardhats. The result? Real-time data on where workers are, how long they’ve been on site, and who’s around them.

Benefits at a glance:

• Keeps teams safe
• Tracks job progress
• Helps spot issues early

With megaprojects across the region, WakeCap’s offering real solutions for high-stakes worksites.

10. Finyal Media (UAE)

Podcasts with an Arabic heartbeat

Finyal’s building something rare—Arabic audio content that’s fresh, original, and built for younger listeners.

What’s on their radar:

• Exclusive podcast subscriptions
• Branded storytelling for companies
• More creators, more voices

They’re making space for stories that speak to the region. And listeners are showing up in big numbers.

Why These Startups Matter

This isn’t just a list—it’s a snapshot of how fast things are changing in the Gulf. Behind each of these names, there’s a mix of smart code, bold bets, and late-night work sessions. But they don’t do it alone.

Support comes from all directions:

• Public funding and accelerator programs
• A generation that grew up online
• Tech-savvy talent working hand in hand with custom app developers

Each startup on this list is doing more than just launching an app. They’re building services people actually want to use.

Worth Keeping an Eye On

2025 is shaping up to be interesting. Some of these startups will scale quietly. Others might surprise everyone with a breakout year. But all of them are building with intention—and that’s worth paying attention to.

If you’re thinking of partnering, investing, or even just staying in the loop, these are the ones to follow.