This is a special edition published ahead "QITCOM 2014" Qatar's biggest ICT conference and exhibition. This month's edition focuses on start-ups from around the MENA region, covering a wide range of subjects and countries. Some innovations are based on social media, others are the development of creative devices, while others are web-based. Countries covered in this edition are Palestine, Sudan, Egypt, Syria, Turkey, UAE, Qatar, KSA and Lebanon.

1. May, 2014
10 examples of Tech Start-ups
from the Middle East

2. The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
(ictQATAR) established Rassed, a program that aims to study the
effects of the Internet and Information Communication Technologies
(ICT) on society; and the potential of emerging digital technologies.
We produce quarterly Digital Digests of recent market developments
and a monthly Top 10 on a particular theme.
Ahead of QITCOM 2014, Qatar’s largest
ICT conference and exhibition, this issue focuses
on 10 Tech Innovations from the Middle East.
QITCOM takes place between May 26-28, 2014.
About Rassed

3. A smartphone app for Hajj pilgrimage
Source: Tfour.me http://bit.ly/REzWKz
Using HajjSalam, pilgrims can
read or hear prayers at the
right time and place; count the
number of circuits made
around the Kaaba, tag their
tent on the app’s map and get
clear image of nearby
landmarks and routes.

4. A Sudanese solution for
out-of-school children
Source: War Child http://bit.ly/RRslss Image: http://bit.ly/1k27sVR
Through the use of a web-
based, educational content,
laptops, solar power, wireless
technology and remote
support, NGOs are offering
learning opportunities for
children in conflict zones who
are unable to attend school.

5. Lebanese start-up creates
computerized swimming goggles
Source: Instabeat http://bit.ly/1v5vUKZ Image: http://bit.ly/1o0EY26
“Instabeat” offers
wearabe technology in
the form of a waterproof
heads-up monitor.
It tracks, stores, and
displays data such as the
swimmer’s heart rate,
calories burned and
number of laps swum.

6. Source: Venturebeat http://bit.ly/1bTaWrn
Peak Games produce community
driven games that can be
accessed on different platforms.
They are based in Turkey.
Online Games with a local flavor
• 300,000 concurrent users.
• 11.8 million active players
• 25 million monthly active users
• 300% annual revenue increase

7. A job-match and aid-link app
Source: Souktel http://bit.ly/1mrU9ir Image: http://bit.ly/1lBMaOP
Souktel is a is a mobile-based service that uses
SMS to connect people with jobs through its Job-
Match function, and put aid agencies in touch
with those in need via its Aid-Link program.

8. A hashtag for an
anti-racism campaign
Source: Al Sharq Portal http://bit.ly/1mYtPLk
A female Saudi pilot
started a hashtag ‫عبدة‬#
to raise awareness
about stereotyping
attitudes and racism
against darker skinned
people in the region.

9. Rate My Doctor: an online database
with user ratings for physicians
Source: Forbes http://onforb.es/1k23IUx
Egypt sees 500,000
Google searches for
Doctors in the country
every month.
Ekshef provides patients
with a guide and ratings
for physicians.
Users can also book
appointments online.

10. “Tap N’ Go”: a sticker
payment solution
Source: Tfour.me http://bit.ly/1gEvvWv
The “Tap N’ Go” sticker
converts mobile phones
into a credit card.
It can be used to make
payments at various
UAE retail outlets.

11. “Instagram for Good Deeds” contest
Source: Al Sharq Portal http://bit.ly/1sOvVko
This year long competition
started in February 2014,
under the title #‫انستجرام‬_‫الخير‬
“Instagram for Good
Deeds”. Instagram users
upload pictures reflecting the
“value of the month” with the
opportunity to win cameras
and photography equipment.

12. Mohmal: Disposal e-mail
address service in Arabic
Source: Startuparabia http://bit.ly/1sOHubq
Mohmal enables users to quickly create a
disposable email address, that temporarily lives
and receives emails for 45 minutes. It is then
automatically deleted. Users can harness it,
when filling subscription forms in order to avoid
getting undesired “marketing” emails afterwards.

13. Disclaimer: All content in these slides is in the public domain and referenced so that you can read the original sources.
Contact Us: Rassed@ict.gov.qa
Twitter: @ictqatar
Thanks for reading
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