# Gulf women launch startups, but funding goes to men

> Female founders in the Gulf are thriving in numbers but struggle to secure capital in a male-dominated investor landscape.
- Title: Gulf women launch startups, but funding goes to men · Fortune
- Summary: Female founders in the Gulf are thriving in numbers but struggle to secure capital in a male-dominated investor landscape. Despite a surge in women-led…
- Keywords: gulf, middle east, women entrepreneurs, startup funding, gender gap, venture capital, abu dhabi, uae, saudi arabia, female founders, investment, mena
- Source: Fortune — https://fortune.com/2026/09/16/the-gulf-female-startup-ecosystem-is-flourishing-so-wheres-the-funding
- Author: Melissa Hancock
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: gulf, middle east, women entrepreneurs, startup funding, gender gap, venture capital, abu dhabi, uae, saudi arabia, female founders, investment, mena
## The funding gap is extreme
Male-founded startups took over 96% of the $375 million deployed in August. Female-founded startups secured just $8.5 million across two deals.
## Women are launching businesses
Abu Dhabi issued 3,058 new business licenses to Emirati women in the first half of 2026. The Gulf's startup ecosystem is thriving with female entrepreneurs.
## Investor networks favor men
Gulf investor networks remain male-dominated at decision-making levels. Deal flow follows networks, limiting access for female founders.

> Gulf investor networks are still very male-dominated, especially at decision-making levels. That matters, because deal flow follows networks.
## First women-led PE firm closes
Aliph Capital, the Gulf's first women-founded private equity firm, closed its debut fund at $200 million. It will invest $15-40 million per company.
## Accelerators step in to help
The Women in Tech Accelerator by Standard Chartered often serves as the primary financial lifeline for early-stage female-led tech startups.
## Saudi grants awarded to women
Standard Chartered and Falak Holding awarded three Saudi women-led startups equity-free grant funding totaling $45,000 in Riyadh last week.
## Riyadh hosts wealth summit
The Women Shaping Wealth Summit on September 28-29 will connect female founders with investors through a Live Demo Day and networking sessions.
## UAE expats plan to stay
44% of affluent UAE residents plan to retire there, despite 92% expressing concern about geopolitical instability. More than half stayed longer than intended.
## Financial benefits drive retention
96% of UAE expats earn more than in comparable roles at home, and 97% save more. Seven in ten believe living abroad will accelerate retirement by three years.
## Yas Island gets $3.3 billion
Abu Dhabi's Miral will invest $3.26 billion over five years to expand hotels and theme parks on Yas Island, targeting a 35% increase in room inventory.
## Harry Potter comes in 2029
The investment includes a Harry Potter-themed expansion of Warner Bros theme park opening in 2029, plus new Ferrari World rides and other experiences.
## UAE pledges billions to Germany
The UAE committed €40 billion to Germany for AI, energy, and defense investments. The minister called it "just the beginning" of the relationship.

> We're going to shop around for big opportunities to bring this relationship to the next level.
## Abu Dhabi invests in India
International Holding Company and Adani Group will invest $25 billion in 14 projects in Odisha, covering minerals, chemicals, renewables, and infrastructure.
## Gulf IPO market slows sharply
Gulf listing volumes stand at less than $1.1 billion this year, down from $5.1 billion in 2025, partly due to the U.S.-Iran war.
## Key takeaway

Despite a surge in women-led businesses across the Gulf, female founders receive less than 4% of startup funding due to male-dominated investor networks.