Author: Emirates Insight
Sydney startup PlasmaLeap Technologies has raised US$20 million (A$28m) in a Series A to reduce carbon emissions in fertiliser and fuel production. The raise, closed in January, was co-led by the Gates Foundation, Investible and Yara Growth Ventures, the VC arm of nitrogen fertilisers producer Yara International. Additional support came from Twynam, GrainCorp Ventures, Uniseed/UniSuper, Artesian, SVG Ventures and Kiwi fertiliser cooperative Ravensdown’s Agnition Ventures. The funds will go to first-of-a-kind fertiliser hubs in New South Wales and Tasmania, expanding field trials, and developing PlasmaLeap’s core technology as it looks to support longer-term use in sustainable fuels and energy systems.…
Cullen Capital Management, LLC, operating under the name Schafer Cullen Capital Management, Inc. (SCCM), has released its “SCCM Enhanced Equity Income Fund” fourth-quarter investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In the fourth quarter, the US equity market continued to rally, largely fueled by enthusiasm for artificial intelligence. The Enhanced Equity Income Strategy returned 2.0% (net) for the fourth quarter and 7.5% (net) for the year, compared to 6.5% and 8.9% from its primary benchmark, the S&P 500 Buy/Write Index, and 1.4% and 8.7% for its secondary benchmark, the SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (JNK), respectively. The Strategy’s…
According to UK chancellor, Rachel Reeves, today’s Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast shows the government’s choices “are starting to pay off”.In two week’s time, she will reveal “three major choices that will determine the course of our economy into the future”. Specifically, strengthening global relationships, breaking down trade barriers, and harnessing the power of AI. The OBR has increased its forecast for unemployment. This is now forecast to peak at 5.3% this year. In November, the OBR said unemployment would peak at 4.9%. The OBR projects that inflation will fall from 3.4% in 2025 to 2.3% in 2026, and…
The sharp increase in XRP flowing to Binance hints that the price may head south in the near term. Ripple continues to draw attention due to important developments concerning its entire ecosystem. The company’s native token, XRP, has posted a minor recovery over the past week, but some indicators suggest a renewed downfall could be knocking on the door. Ripple & Hidden Road The firm made the headlines in April last year when it announced it would purchase the brokerage platform Hidden Road for a whopping $1.25 billion. The official conclusion of the deal occurred in October 2025. Some…
International Women’s Day (IWD) is this Sunday – and while it is easy to lament the tiny percentage of venture capital funding that typically flows to women founders, at Birchal we’re making it easy to take action and help change that. Crowdsourced funding allows everyone to back companies and ideas they believe in. With a minimum investment of just $250, it’s much more accessible than $25,000 for most angel cheques and $250,000 to invest into a fund. Birchal has four incredible women-led businesses live on the platform right now – check them out, and use your power as an investor…
Etihad Rail, in an exceptional step, operated a passenger train as part of its trial runs on the route connecting Al Ghuwaifat station on the Saudi border and Al Faya station in Abu Dhabi. This measure supports the continuity of vital services and provides safe, reliable transport alternatives, guided by continuous risk assessment and evolving circumstances. The move is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen preparedness and enhance response efficiency in light of the current regional situation, and in direct coordination with the Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre Abu Dhabi (ADCMC). The link between the two stations is strategically…
Gold (GC=F) prices were relatively stagnant for much of the 1900s. However, economic policy changes, world events, and inflation drove prices higher. Since 1970, gold prices have skyrocketed. If you were an early investor, your faith in that precious metal paid off. Here’s how gold prices have changed over time — and what $1 million of gold would be worth in today’s dollars. For a long time, gold prices were relatively flat. But major economic events, such as changes to government policies and inflation, drove a steep increase. From 2016 to 2026, the price of gold increased from $1,250 to…
The UAE Tennis and Padel Federation is organising the local ranking tournament “Ellington 2026”, marking the opening event of the UAE Padel Tour 2026, as part of the current edition of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament. The competition is being held at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex in cooperation with Ellington Sports Foundation, which aims to support emerging talent, elevate the level of competition, and provide structured and sustainable development pathways for players from an early age, contributing to the establishment of a long-term sporting culture in the UAE. The tournament is part of a calendar featuring 35…
U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs added 21,000 BTC worth $1.45 billion, marking the first major accumulation wave since mid-October 2025. Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded one of their best days for weeks in terms of inflows on February 25, marking their first meaningful increase in holdings since mid-October 2025. The shift comes as analysts point to falling retail flows and heavy unrealized losses among newer buyers as signs that market structure could be turning. The Institutional Signal vs. Retail Exit In a March 2 market update, analyst Amr Taha tracked two key data points that suggest a major shift…
Dog food subscription startup Lyka has raised $67 million in a Series C. The raise was once again led by Israeli entrepreneur Itai Tsiddon’s New York VC fund LGVP, which previously heavily backed Lyka’s 2022 $30 million Series B and its $55 million top up in 2023. The Series C takes the total raised to $155 million. The cap table also includes Airtree partner and Pet Circle director Craig Blair, Petbarn founder Paul Wilson and Afterwork, Stepstone, Wattle Hill and Point King Capital. Founded in 2018 by vet Dr Matthew Muir and Ukrainian immigrant Anna Podolsky – the company is named after her…