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- Upscrolled Founder's Warning & STEP Dubai 2026 and AI Everything Egypt Kick Off Today
Upscrolled Founder's Warning & STEP Dubai 2026 and AI Everything Egypt Kick Off Today
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Happy Wednesday everyone!
Two events kick off today and we are media partners with them. We are at STEP Dubai 2026 today in Dubai Internet City, expecting hundreds of startups and 8000+ attendees. We will also bring you updates from AI Everything MEA Egypt (organized by GITEX Global), taking place in Cairo. Stay tuned for all the coverage on our socials.
For our main stories today: Upscrolled founder Issam Hijazi has come out with a warning about posting “harmful and rule-breaking content”. Great news for Egyptian startups as the government has officially launched its first national Startup Charter, pledging $1 billion. Lastly, a big debut by a legacy Egyptian brand, Gourmet, on the Egyptian stock market.
Meanwhile, if you are into or in any way associated with the health business, World Health Expo (WHX), formerly Arab Health is also taking place in Dubai at the newly opened Dubai Exhibition Centre. Just type WHX in WAM’s search and you can get all the updates. We will pick some headline making news from the event too.
Markets
EGX 30 | 50,109.78 | 0.15% |
DFMGI | 6753.32 | 0.931% |
ADX | 10,612.54 | 0.468% |
Tadawul | 11,170.46 | 0.41% |
“No Form Of Racism Belongs Here”: Upscrolled Founder Issam Hijazi Warns Over Harmful Content
What Is It About?
Upscrolled founder Issam Hijazi issued a public warning after harmful material appeared on the platform, saying it violated the company’s core values. “Upscrolled exists because you deserve a platform that does not exploit you,” he said, adding that the app aims to remain “free of surveillance and free of political censorship.” He stressed there is “no room” for racism, child exploitation, or homophobic and transphobic content.
Why It Matters?
Hijazi framed the crackdown as central to Upscrolled’s identity, stating users deserve “a healthy and respectful digital environment.” He explicitly condemned “white supremacy, anti-Arab racism, anti-Semitism, and all other forms of racism,” adding bluntly: “If that’s what you’re posting, this isn’t the right platform for you.” The remarks come as social platforms face rising scrutiny over safety, moderation, and free expression.
What’s Next?
The company is accelerating enforcement efforts, with Hijazi saying Upscrolled is “rapidly expanding our content moderation team” and upgrading systems to detect abuse faster. A global operation now works “24–7 to keep the platform safe,” he said, adding that “nearly every resource we have” is focused on fulfilling the promise of a privacy-first space for open but responsible sharing.
Step Dubai 2026 Appoints Augustus Media as Official Media Partner
Step Dubai 2026 has named Augustus Media as its official media partner, with Lovin Dubai, Smashi Business and Odeum Studio leading coverage of the Middle East’s flagship tech and startup festival.
The two-day event will take place on 11–12 February 2026 at Dubai Internet City, bringing together thousands of founders, investors, operators and decision-makers from across the GCC and global markets.
Now in its 14th year, Step Dubai runs under the theme “Intelligence Everywhere: The AI Economy.” Founder Ray Dargham, who launched Step in 2012, said artificial intelligence is “no longer a vertical or a niche, but the economic infrastructure of the future.” Held in partnership with Dubai Internet City, the event aligns with the UAE’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, reinforcing the country’s ambition to become a global hub for AI innovation, talent and adoption.
Egypt Launches $1 Billion Startup Charter to Boost Innovation and Job Creation
What Is It About?
Egypt has officially launched its first national Startup Charter, pledging $1 billion in funding and introducing policy reforms to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. The initiative, developed over more than a year with input from 15 government entities and over 250 ecosystem participants, aims to back up to 5,000 startups and create an estimated 500,000 direct and indirect jobs. The launch took place on Feb. 7 at the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Why It Matters?
The charter comes as Egypt’s startup ecosystem gains momentum, with $228 million raised in venture capital and debt financing in the first five months of 2025, and a total of $614 million last year. By providing a unified framework and clearer definitions for high-growth, innovation-driven startups, the charter seeks to simplify access to incentives, attract investment, and strengthen the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem.
What’s Next?
Over the next five years, the charter will focus on enabling global expansion for startups, developing local talent, promoting venture capital, and coordinating funding through a unified financing mechanism designed to multiply the impact of public resources. Authorities aim to link sector-specific challenges with technology-driven solutions, creating a sustainable, innovation-led business environment in Egypt.
Ai Everything Egypt Registration Kicks off Today, Still Time to Get Your Pass
AI Everything MEA Egypt is the region's largest AI platform, kicking off today from 11-12 February 2026 in Cairo. Organized by GITEX GLOBAL alongside Egypt's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the event brings together decision-makers, global corporations, startups, and experts from over 60 countries. With over 200 venture capitalists managing more than $1 trillion in assets expected to attend, this summit positions Egypt as a regional hub for AI innovation, aligning with the country's National AI Strategy 2025-2030 targeting $42.7 billion in AI contribution to GDP by 2030. Get your pass now.
Egyptian Gourmet Rises Nearly 40% In IPO Debut
What Is It About?
Gourmet Egypt SAE, a high-end food retailer, made a strong debut on the Egyptian Stock Exchange, with shares rising as much as 38% from the IPO price of 6.9 pounds to 9.5 pounds per share. The company raised roughly 1.3 billion pounds in the offering. Gourmet, known for foie gras, Angus beef, and European cheeses, has also expanded into ready-to-heat meals under its ‘Made by Gourmet’ brand.
Why It Matters?
The listing marks Egypt’s first IPO of 2026 and comes after a two-decade presence in the market. It signals renewed investor confidence following a “soft IPO market,” with authorities expecting more listings as benchmark indices surged 68% over the past year. Analysts see the IPO as part of a broader effort to revive local markets and attract international participation.
What’s Next?
Egypt aims to accelerate privatization and the sale of state-owned assets, including banks and petrochemical firms, as part of IMF-backed economic reforms. The IPO of Gourmet could set the tone for a more active year in new issuances, following last year’s listings of fintech firm Valu and real estate investor Bonyan for Development & Trade.
🦄 World of Startups
Mersal Media Capital secures $1.3 million in first funding round
Dubai-based Antoine Kanaan’s Haqq AI, a legal-tech platform, raised $3M.
Notion Expands into Middle East with Launch of Arabic Support
Wio Bank Partners with Pine Labs to Revolutionise UAE Payment Processing
Vennre Secures $9.6M to Democratise Wealth-Building in Saudi Arabia
Jeel and Ripple Join Forces to Revolutionise Saudi Payments with Blockchain
👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
Syrian Founder Yasmeen Jisri’s Bake My Day Lands Major Dove Collaboration
KHC, OIA, QIA and MGX-backed SpaceX and xAI merge.
Beauty mogul Mona Kattan is using her platform for good, calling on millions of followers to help support Iran.
Emmy-winning Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda says TikTok has permanently banned her account.
Dubai-born Noon smartly turns the viral penguin into a delivery hero
🔍In other news…
🗓️ Plan Your Events (Jan-Feb 2026)
UAE
9-12 February: World Health Expo (WHX), Dubai.
11-12 February: STEP Dubai Conference, Dubai Internet City. (Media Partners)
Saudi Arabia
8-12 February: World Defense Show, Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, Riyadh.
Egypt
11-12 February: Ai Everything Egypt (Organized by GITEX Global), Cairo. (Media Partners)
