10 Inspiring Female-Led Startups in the Gulf Region

Over the past few years, startups led by women in the Gulf have started to flourish, backed by growing support, shifting attitudes, and aggressive innovation. From the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and other parts of the region, women entrepreneurs in the Middle East are starting companies that are revolutionizing technology, fashion, sustainability, health care, and more. This piece commemorates 10 amazing women founders whose businesses are defining the entrepreneurial future of the Gulf in 2025.

1. The Modist – Ghizlan Guenez (UAE)

Started by Algerian native Ghizlan Guenez, The Modist started in Dubai as a high-end
e-commerce platform for modest fashion. Ghizlan wanted to provide fashionable, modest
women across the globe access to high-end fashion. Even though the business was
suspended during the pandemic, the brand was back on a stronger note in 2024 with the
support of regional investors.

d by women in the Gulf have started to flourish, backed by growing support, shifting attitudes, and aggressive innovation. From the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and other parts of the region, women entrepreneurs in the Middle East are starting companies that are revolutionizing technology, fashion, sustainability, health care, and more.

This piece commemorates 10 amazing women founders whose businesses are defining the entrepreneurial future of the Gulf in 2025.

1. The Modist – Ghizlan Guenez (UAE)

Started by Algerian native Ghizlan Guenez, The Modist started in Dubai as a high-end e-commerce platform for modest fashion. Ghizlan wanted to provide fashionable, modest women across the globe access to high-end fashion. Even though the business was suspended during the pandemic, the brand was back on a stronger note in 2024 with the support of regional investors.

Why it matters:

The Modist redefined fashion-tech in the Gulf and continues to inspire female founders in the GCC to target niche markets globally.

2. SuperMama – Zeinab Samir (Saudi Arabia/Egypt)

SuperMama is a parenting platform that was co-founded by Zeinab Samir. Although initially Egypt-based, the startup has found a significant following among Gulf-based parents. It provides Arabic-language content for expectant and new mothers.

Why it matters:

SuperMama empowers Arab women by providing affordable health and parenting guidance, highlighting how Middle Eastern women entrepreneurs can have a social impact through online content.

3. Omar’s Toy Box – Hessa Al Ghurair (UAE)

UAE resident Hessa Al Ghurair established Omar’s Toy Box to develop inclusive toys for kids with disabilities. Disappointed with the absence of diverse educational toys in the market, she created a brand that blends innovation and inclusion.

Why it matters:

This female-led startup is disrupting the Gulf toy market with a purpose-driven mission that puts children’s needs first.

4. Fatafeat Kitchen – Manal Alalem (GCC-wide)

Celebrity chef Manal Alalem took her passion for food into a business. Through her start-up Fatafeat Kitchen, she introduces Middle Eastern traditional cooking to contemporary kitchens with online subscriptions, ready meals, and cookery kits.

Why it matters:

Manal’s journey from chef to female startup founder in the Gulf inspires aspiring entrepreneurs across the region.

5. Shezlong – Rania Ayman (MENA Region)

Shezlong, founded by Rania Ayman, is the Middle East’s first online therapy platform. Although Egypt-based, it’s quickly growing in the Gulf, providing mental health care in Arabic.

Why it matters:

Rania is showing how tech startups led by women can solve deep social issues like mental health stigma in the Arab world.

6. Boksha – Fatma Al Bakry (UAE/Oman)

Fatma Al Bakry started Boksha as a platform for independent Arab fashion designers. Boksha lets local creators market their designs to consumers directly, enabling an increasingly large community of Gulf women who are fashion-tech savvy.

Why it matters:

Boksha is making waves by supporting female entrepreneurs in the Middle East, both as a founder and platform provider.

7. Chefaa – Doaa Aref (Saudi Arabia/Egypt)

Doaa Aref co-founded the health-tech startup Chefaa, which enables customers to order prescriptions online and receive them by delivery. With robust funding, the platform expanded to Saudi Arabia in 2024.

Why it matters:

This female-led startup shows how Gulf startups led by women can enter highly regulated industries and scale fast.

8. Rizek – Loulwa Bakr (UAE)

Loulwa Bakr is a principal investor and board member behind Rizek, a UAE home services app. Although not the founder, her vision and strategic oversight drove the platform to success in the GCC service economy.

Why it matters:

She’s proof that women in the Gulf startup ecosystem are not just founders—they’re shaping company strategy at the highest levels.

9. The Tempest – Laila Alawa (Saudi/UAE/Global)

Set up by Laila Alawa, The Tempest is an underserved women-focused media startup empowering often-marginalized female perspectives from around the world. Content centered around feminism, identity, and culture attracts a sizeable Gulf following.

Why it matters:

It stands as a regional example of women-led digital platforms with global ambitions.

10. Eila–Reem Al Harbi (Saudi Arabia)

Eila is a personal finance app designed for women in Saudi Arabia. Reem Al Harbi created the app to help women budget, save, and invest wisely, especially as more Saudi women enter the workforce.

Why it matters:

Eila supports financial empowerment for Gulf women, a key step toward long-term economic independence.

Why Female-Led Startups in the Gulf Are on the Rise in 2025

The Gulf region is becoming a hub for female entrepreneurship, thanks to:

Government-backed incubators and accelerators
Easier access to funding and angel networks
Growing online communities of women entrepreneurs
Cultural shifts supporting female leadership

Many of these founders are not just leading companies—they’re mentoring future women entrepreneurs across the GCC.

The Future of Women Entrepreneurs in the Middle East

As we progress in 2025, anticipate more women-led innovation in AI, fintech, green tech, and e-commerce. Governments in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain are actively promoting female founders through grants, training programs, and public recognition.

Entrepreneurs and venture capitalists are also waking up to the untapped potential of female startups in the Middle East. And with female role models like these 10 founders, the next generation has solid footsteps to follow.

Final Thoughts

These 10 women-led startups in the Gulf aren’t just launching businesses—they’re starting movements. They are evidence that Middle Eastern women entrepreneurs are making a strong impact across sectors.

If you’re an aspiring founder in the region, take inspiration from these stories and remember: The Gulf is ready for more women-led success stories in 2025 and beyond.