Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: The World Economic Forum (WEF) unveiled its 2025 “Technology Pioneers” list, spotlighting 100 startups from 28 countries that are redefining global innovation.

This year’s selection reflects a shift toward more AI-driven growth, as many of the chosen companies are leveraging artificial intelligence to scale efficiently with fewer resources, as per the forum’s press release.

The United States leads the pack with 29 startups on the list, followed by China and India with 10 each. Since its launch in 2000, the WEF’s Technology Pioneers program has recognized over 1,200 early-stage companies, including global giants like Google, PayPal, Dropbox, and SoundCloud.

Among the 2025 cohort are two standout startups from the Arab region. Intelmatix, a Saudi-based deep tech company founded in 2021, is developing next-generation enterprise AI platforms powered by intelligent agents. The company’s platform functions as a digital brain for organizations—absorbing data, forecasting scenarios, recommending decisions, and coordinating smart actions.

Also featured is Thndr, an Egyptian fintech startup launched in 2020. Thndr offers a digital investment platform aimed at retail users across the Middle East and North Africa. It seeks to make investing more accessible to all income levels while promoting financial literacy across the region.

Both startups reflect the growing momentum of innovation in MENA’s tech ecosystem.