News
The Backbone
The Backbone coverage — startups, funding and business news across the UAE and MENA.
13
stories
Today
last update
Featured · 2 Nov 2026Gulf shops pay for software, then reach for the notebookAcross the Gulf, small shops often buy inventory and sales software yet still record sales on paper, making everyday use the harder problem to solve.Anecdoted Desk · 4 min read
The Backbone7 minUAE family firms generate 60% of GDP as up to $700B changes handsTariq Benali · 28 Oct 2026The Backbone3 minResponsible Partnerships Begin Before the Contract Is SignedKarim El-Sayed · 21 Oct 2026The Backbone2 minUAE's biggest projects depend on smaller suppliers staying solventKarim El-Sayed · 19 Oct 2026The Backbone2 minUAE SMEs Embrace Digital Payments, but Back-Office Work Still LagsKarim El-Sayed · 15 Oct 2026The Backbone2 minSaudi Cabinet Approves SME Strategy With 500,000-Job TargetTariq Benali · 16 Sept 2026The Backbone2 minDubai SME and Kitopi Open Founder Series to 12 Emirati Food EntrepreneursKarim El-Sayed · 11 Sept 2026
