News
Healthcare innovations to take centrestage at GITEX
The GCC healthcare market is rapidly expanding, with connected hospitals and healthcare providers re-imagining the industry with wearables, machine monitoring, and patient record digitisation. Both startups and established technology firms are transforming healthcare technology, showcasing the latest developments at GITEX Technology Week 2016.
The GCC is investing at least USD 2 billion in new patient-management technologies, and constructing of 37 mega-hospitals worth USD 28 billion, according to financial analysts Ardent Advisory . Overall, the GCC healthcare market is set to grow by 78 per cent from USD 40 billion in 2015 to USD 71 billion in 2020, according to Alpen Capital.
At GITEX’s Healthcare Monday industry vertical programme and conference, healthcare innovators such as Dr Rafael Grossmann, the first surgeon to live-stream surgery on Google Glass, and Australia’s first Chief Medical Information Officer Dr Monica Trujillo will support the GCC and wider market and share global best practices.
Speakers will detail how cutting-edge healthcare technology can enhance the patient experience, deliver personalised care, and contribute better value for money.
In particular, the world is set to see a new wave in healthcare wearables, with shipments growing from 2.5 million units in 2016 to 97.6 million by 2021, and USD 18 billion in revenue, according to market intelligence firm Tractica.
“In combating lifestyle diseases, the way that medical professionals use technology to manage and collect information can be as important as advances in medical science,” said Dr Monica Trujillo, Chief Medical Information Officer at Australia’s UnitingCare Health.
Dr Trujillo was responsible for the clinician engagement strategy at St Stephen’s Hospital in Queensland, Australia’s first fully integrated digital hospital.
The system includes patient wristbands with vital information for nursing staff, and doctors view digital patient records from anywhere at any time – including their homes, and all equipment is monitored electronically. The technology saves time on administration, reduces the scope for human error, and means staff can focus on patient care.
Additional GITEX Healthcare Monday speakers are set to include Jessica Federer, Chief Digital Officer of global pharmaceutical company Bayer; Alan Boehme, Chief Technology Officer of The Coca-Cola Company; and Dr Timothy Low, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore’s innovative Farrer Park Hospital.
Startups are beginning to play a significant role in reimagining healthcare. The GITEX Startup Movement will connect more than 400 entrepreneurs from over 40 countries with over 250 global investors. These startups are set to showcase innovative healthcare solutions that help to connect and personalise healthcare in a rapidly growing market.
“In the near future, people will be able to use wearables to measure and understand personal risk, and monitor real-time results of making healthy choices. With the GCC’s high rate of technology adoption, the region could become global leaders in using wearable technology to transform personal healthcare,” said Shahid Azim, who co-founded United States-based healthcare startup Quanttus.
At GITEX Technology Week, Shahid Azim will speak during the event’s Healthcare Monday conference on the development of Quanttus’ recently-launched Q Heart, a consumer medical wearables and analytics mobile app and analytics platform. Users can log their blood pressure and heart rate, and label the data against activity and how well they fell.
Shahid Azim will also share details about his new venture in the precision medicine area of molecular diagnostics, and also insights of his previous involvement in developing the world’s first intra-aural 3D scanning system to combat hearing loss.
Aiming to simplify healthcare on a wide scale, Kuwaiti startup Afya Arabia uses digital technology to unite stakeholders across patients, healthcare providers, and payments.
Taking digital patient records to the next level, the GreenHealth mobile app by Canadian startup Easy Integrated Information and Technology Services provides real-time data on patient health, lab results, prescription, billing, and scheduling.
Helping patients to manage medication prescriptions, Indian startup HeyCare’s mobile app provides notifications on when to take medicine and vaccines, and enables online delivery. Similarly, Canadian startup ibebot’s connected devices and mobile apps track air quality, advise on healthcare tips, and allow users to share activities on social media.
With UAE health centres encouraging blood donations, the UAE-based Mobility Eye’s iCare mobile app matched requests from blood banks and health centres to nearby donors, and allows donors to use social media to support friends and family to donate blood.
Supporting the next wave of healthcare startups, the GITEX Startup Movement will host global accelerators and incubators such as the Japan External Trade Organisation, Jordan’s early stage and seed investor Oasis500, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s BADIR Programme for Science and Technology and InspireU by communications company STC, Russia’s Skolkovo Foundation, and the UAE’s Dubai Technology and Entrepreneurship Centre.
Established technology enterprises are also turning their technology to healthcare. Exhibitors at GITEX – such as HP, Microsoft, and SAP – are lining up resources to enhance patient care and healthcare provider operations.
SAP, a top exhibitor at this year’s GITEX, is partnering with Stanford University to determine genetic traits for disease, as well as and German and Nigerian organisations to use mobile apps to track, prevent, and treat Ebola outbreaks in real-time. Microsoft’s CityNext partner-lead initiative looks to use new and existing Microsoft technologies to improve patient care.
“Bringing together the world’s leading healthcare companies, innovators, and experts at GITEX Technology Week will place the Middle East at the centre of the global connected revolution. Attendees can learn about and experience the latest in healthcare innovations, from mobile apps and wearables, to connected hospitals,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice-President, Exhibitions and Events Management, Dubai World Trade Centre.
Financial
SemanticPay: Pioneering Seamless AI Transactions for the Agent Economy

A cutting-edge AI startup emerges from stealth, announcing the launch of SemanticPay, a groundbreaking solution designed to power the emerging AI agent economy. SemanticPay is set to become the essential infrastructure that enables AI-powered agents to seamlessly transact and create value in the digital world. Developed by a team of AI, FinTech, and Web3 experts, SemanticPay will establish the monetization layer necessary to support autonomous AI agents, positioning itself as the first mover in this transformative space.
The rapid evolution of AI, decreasing compute costs and breakthroughs in AI models like DeepSeek R-1 are democratizing access to powerful AI leading to the proliferation of autonomous “AI agents” – intelligent systems capable of executing complex tasks, optimizing workflows, and unlocking new revenue streams. However, the current internet infrastructure, designed for human interactions, presents significant challenges for AI agents to transact seamlessly. “The internet was built by humans for humans, not agents,” says one of the co-founders of SemanticPay. Challenges arise such as compatibility issues with human-centric systems, regulatory uncertainty that slows adoption rate, restrictive firewalls that misidentify agents as bots, and outdated monetization models not suited for microtransactions.
This is where SemanticPay steps in – building the “Visa for AI” – a comprehensive platform that addresses these challenges and empowers AI agents to become full participants in the digital economy. SemanticPay builds a robust transaction infrastructure that allows AI agents to securely interact, access services, and engage in economic activity. By developing a specialized infrastructure, they will eliminate these constraints and unlock new opportunities for an AI-powered economy.
Key Features of SemanticPay Include:
- Access: SemanticPay’s Agentic API layer ensures that AI agents can access web services and data sources seamlessly, unlocking new opportunities for interaction and information retrieval.
- Identity: Traditional internet structures often categorize AI agents as bots, blocking their ability to perform legitimate tasks. Through Agent ID and “Know Your Agent” (KYA) protocols, SemanticPay establishes a secure, compliant framework for transactions, building trust and ensuring regulatory adherence.
- Payment: The platform will offer optimized payment rails, supporting fiat currencies, stablecoins, and cryptocurrencies for high-frequency, low-value transactions crucial to the AI agent economy.
- Empowerment: Value-added services such as data analytics, decision-making tools, and access to specialized AI models will enhance the capabilities of AI agents, driving efficiency and growth.
Rooted in the GCC, SemanticPay aims to scale globally, with its team currently having a presence in APAC and Europe. They are building the foundation for a new AI-powered economy that bridges the gap between web operators and AI agent builders – paving the way for a future where these intelligent agents play a vital role in our digital world, driving innovation and creating value for all stakeholders.
Financial
Hasnae Taleb and Jeff Ransdell to Drive Innovation in UAE with a $45 Million to Support UAE Startups

Jeff Ransdell, Managing Director and Founding Partner of Fuel Venture Capital, and Hasnae Taleb, Managing Partner of Mintiply Capital, are making waves in the UAE investment landscape by introducing a $300 million vintage fund. This ambitious initiative dedicates $45 million specifically to fuel the growth of startups within the GCC region. The fund is strategically structured to offer regional investors a rare opportunity to capture exponential returns by backing high-growth ventures before they reach public markets.
The collaboration between Mintiply Capital and Fuel Venture Capital takes the form of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), leveraging both firms’ unmatched expertise in capital markets and venture investments. With decades of collective experience, Ransdell and Taleb are uniquely positioned to guide companies through the critical phases of growth, scaling, and eventual public listings. Their shared vision is built on the understanding that private market investments in pre-IPO companies have the potential to generate immediate returns of up to 200% from day one, presenting a transformative proposition for investors across the UAE and broader GCC region.
The vintage fund provides access to an elite portfolio of high-potential startups backed by Fuel Venture Capital. Notable names include:
• Betr – A disruptive sports betting platform co-founded by Jake Paul, integrating real-time engagement with microbetting.
• Curve – A fintech innovator providing a single card that aggregates all financial accounts into one seamless experience.
• CookUnity – A chef-to-consumer platform redefining meal delivery with curated, gourmet-quality meals.
• Novopayment – A fintech infrastructure company driving digital payments innovation across the Americas.
• Aexlab – A pioneer in virtual reality gaming and social engagement technologies.
These companies are not just building market-leading products; they are poised to reshape industries and create outsized investment returns when they enter the public markets.
Jeff Ransdell and Hasnae Taleb believe in creating pathways for local investors to participate in the most promising global opportunities. This vintage fund provides GCC-based investors exclusive pre-market access to disruptive businesses that would otherwise remain out of reach until a much later stage.

Jeff Ransdell, founder of Fuel Venture Capital, brings a remarkable career spanning decades in public markets. As a former Managing Director at Merrill Lynch, he led a team responsible for managing a staggering $130 billion in assets for some of the world’s most influential investors. His deep understanding of capital markets, asset management, and scaling high-growth companies provides him with a unique ability to identify and nurture disruptive startups poised for exponential success.

Hasnae Taleb shattered barriers as the youngest equity trader on Wall Street and the first Arab African woman to achieve such recognition in global capital markets. Known for her sharp analytical mind and fearless decision-making, Taleb earned the nickname “Shewolf of Nasdaq” for her unparalleled ability and navigate high-stakes trading scenarios with precision. Now, as Managing Partner of Mintiply Capital, she leverages her expertise in trading, equity markets, and entrepreneurship to build ecosystems that empower innovators and investors alike.
“Both Jeff and I understand what it takes to list companies and the immense value creation that occurs before a company goes public,” said Hasnae Taleb. “We are bringing this opportunity to investors in the region to give them access to exceptional returns and a strategic advantage over traditional investment avenues.”
Jeff Ransdell added, “The GCC market is evolving rapidly, and there’s a growing appetite for sophisticated investment vehicles. This fund delivers exactly that — it empowers investors to support transformative businesses while capturing the kind of returns typically reserved for institutional players.”
The introduction of this vintage fund and the strategic partnership between Mintiply Capital and Fuel Venture Capital reflect a shared commitment to enhancing the financial ecosystem in the UAE and KSA. By supporting visionary entrepreneurs and scaling innovative businesses, the duo aims to foster sustainable economic growth and establish the region as a hub for entrepreneurial excellence and venture capital success.
Home Integrator
SEE Holding and Arabian Gulf Steel Industries Forge Partnership to Advance Sustainable Construction Practices

SEE Holding, the parent company behind The Sustainable City brand, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Arabian Gulf Steel Industries (AGSI), marking a significant step towards advancing sustainable construction practices in the region. The partnership will prioritize the integration of low carbon steel in future projects, reinforcing SEE Holding’s commitment to selecting sustainable materials to achieve its net zero ambitions. Additionally, both entities will explore opportunities to promote circular economy practices, focusing on recycling and repurposing steel products to minimize waste and environmental impact.
The MoU signing ceremony was held at SEE Institute, SEE Holding’s knowledge partner and the region’s first operational net zero emissions building, underscoring a shared commitment to environmental responsibility.
Faris Saeed, Chairman & CEO of SEE Holding, stated: “Achieving net zero emissions requires a holistic commitment to reducing both embodied and operational emissions across every facet of the built environment. Our partnership with Arabian Gulf Steel Industries reaffirms our dedication to selecting materials that align with our net zero strategy while driving innovation in sustainable cities and communities. Through this collaboration, we aim to inspire transformative change in net zero construction practices across the region, redefining how sustainable infrastructure and cities are designed and built.” The collaboration extends beyond material selection, focusing on research and development (R&D) to innovate and refine techniques that enhance the adoption of low carbon steel in construction processes. Both parties will work together to develop new methodologies that optimize energy efficiency and reduce embodied emissions in building projects.
Asam Hussain, the AGSI’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “The partnership with SEE Holding represents a significant step forward by driving sustainable transformation in construction practices in the UAE. Our collaboration will ensure that we structurally embed demand for low-carbon materials to seize the opportunity of accelerating decarbonization of the hard-to-abate sector. Together, we are advancing environmental sustainability and driving positive economic and social impact.”
AGSI is the World’s first Carbon Neutral Steel Plant and Low Carbon Steel Manufacturing Facility based in the UAE. The company is pioneering low carbon products play a critical role in decarbonizing not only the steel industry but also the built environment. By incorporating 100% recycled low carbon steel SEE Holding aims to significantly reduce embodied emissions while maintaining the highest standards of durability and strength required for modern construction. AGSI’s state-of-the-art facilities are designed to minimize waste and energy consumption, aligning seamlessly with SEE Holding’s ethos of responsible urban development.
AGSI has also signed the Memorandum of Understanding with SEE Institute with a shared vision of advancing knowledge. Both companies will work together to introduce training programs targeted at architects, engineers, and construction professionals to raise awareness of low carbon steel benefits and foster its adoption across the sector. The partnership will also prioritize performance monitoring, implementing robust reporting mechanisms to track environmental impact, measure emission reductions, and enhance project transparency.
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