UAE-based startup Persium wins London Business School MENA Startup Competition 2026

Persium, a UAE-based environmental technology startup providing air quality, noise and environmental sensors, data and solutions, has won the London Business School (LBS) MENA Startup Competition 2026, held in Dubai on 14 October.

Supported by LBS’s Institute of Entrepreneurship and Private Capital (IEPC), the competition drew nearly 100 applications from across the Middle East and North Africa. Ten finalists, spanning sectors from AI and healthtech to climate, fintech and proptech, pitched for a share of the USD 45,000 non-dilutive prize pool.

Saudi startup SDM took second place, while UAE-based Frank AI, which has developed an Agent Operating System for independent real-estate professionals across the GCC, finished third.

The judging panel comprised Karim Hasab El-Nabi, Founder of MARIHUB; Jane Khedair, Executive Director of IEPC; Pier Armando Vender, Principal at Iliad Partners; and Umer Saleem, Board Director and Chief Transformation Officer at Maven Investment Partners. They assessed business potential, early traction, founding team, problem-solution fit and potential to benefit from the LBS network.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have won today. The quality of startups competing was exceptionally high, which makes this recognition even more meaningful.” – Alex Yousefian, CEO of Persium

“Congratulations to Persium and all the finalists of the LBS MENA Startup Competition 2026. The competition is about more than recognising promising businesses. It is about connecting founders with the investors, mentors and wider networks that can help them grow.” – Jane Khedair, Executive Director of IEPC at London Business School

All 20 semi-finalists received mentoring from LBS alumni and experienced volunteers ahead of the finale. The competition was organised by Ihab Tabbara and Dr Nasir Khan, Co-Presidents of the LBS Entrepreneurship Club, MENA, with strategic partner MARIHUB.

Breakout profiles:

UAE startup Persium wins LBS MENA Startup Competition 2026 - Persium, a UAE-based environmental technology startup, provides air quality, noise and environmental sensors, along with data and solutions. Its win in Dubai on 14 October secured the top prize from a USD 45,000 non-dilutive pool, ahead of nine other finalists spanning AI, healthtech, climate, fintech and proptech. “We are absolutely thrilled to have won today. The quality of startups competing was exceptionally high, which makes this recognition even more meaningful,” said Alex Yousefian, CEO of Persium.

Saudi startup SDM - SDM, a Saudi startup, builds artificial intelligence that helps health practitioners across the Kingdom find chronic disease early. Its runner-up finish in Dubai makes it one of the competition’s top three startups.“Being named among the top three at the LBS MENA Startup Competition is a proud moment for our team at SDM. This recognition motivates us to continue developing solutions that address healthcare challenges in Saudi Arabia and beyond,” said Naif Al-Obaidallah, CEO of SDM.

UAE startup Frank AI - Frank AI, a UAE-based startup, has developed an Agent Operating System for independent real-estate professionals across the GCC. Its third-place finish in Dubai places it among the top three startups at the competition, which drew nearly 100 applications from across the Middle East and North Africa.