in5, the region’s leading start-up and innovation incubator established by TECOM Group PJSC in 2013, highlighted the rapid growth and global ambitions of its entrepreneurial community at Step Dubai 2025, the city’s largest tech festival. The platform showcased several success stories that have marked a strong start to the year with vital funding rounds, international expansion, and strategic exits.
At the heart of in5’s presence was the message of Dubai’s growing maturity as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Representing in5 at the event, Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President at TECOM Group PJSC, stated:
“Entrepreneurship is a stepping stone to industry leadership, and Dubai rivals global cities as an attractive and supportive hub for innovators and enterprises. in5’s success stories reflect Dubai’s position as a launchpad for sustainable growth, new market entry, and business expansion.”
He added that in5 continues to align with the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’, serving as a key driver of innovation and investment confidence through its mentorship, infrastructure, and regulatory support.
Start-Up Successes in 2025
- Namara Fintech, a Sharia-compliant micro-lending platform and one of in5’s standout fintech ventures, announced its full acquisition, marking a successful exit and graduation from the in5 ecosystem.
- Halo AI, which uses artificial intelligence to streamline influencer-brand collaborations, secured AED 22 million in funding during the ‘1 Billion Pitches’ competition in January 2025. The funding will support its expansion across MENA, Europe, and North America.
- Derq, a mobility tech company and in5 alumnus, was named winner of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Intersection Safety Challenge, receiving AED 2.7 million for its real-time, AI-powered traffic management solutions. This follows investment rounds in late 2024 aimed at scaling operations across the U.S. and GCC.
These milestones build on in5’s legacy of empowering more than 1,000 start-ups since its founding. Collectively, its incubated ventures have attracted over AED 7.8 billion in funding, with notable alumni including:
- Tabby, a buy-now-pay-later platform operating in the UAE and Saudi Arabia
- Detectiome, a health-tech innovator behind the region’s first multi-cancer detection test tailored for Middle Eastern populations
Emerging Ventures and Continued Growth
As in5’s ecosystem continues to expand in 2025, new members are joining with promising innovations:
- Framsys Technologies: A cloud-based, AI-enabled project management platform
- Neurazon Tech: Developer of at-home diagnostics for rare and neurodegenerative diseases
Participation in Step Dubai 2025, held on 19–20 February at Dubai Internet City, reinforced in5’s role as a catalyst for strategic partnerships and a bridge to global investment networks.
With strong momentum and an expanding pipeline of high-potential ventures, in5 remains committed to nurturing next-generation innovators and supporting the UAE’s long-term vision for a diversified, knowledge-based economy.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
