Persium, a UAE-based environmental technology startup, won the London Business School’s MENA Startup Competition 2026, taking home the top prize from a field of 10 finalists selected out of nearly 100 applicants from across the Middle East and North Africa.
The company develops air quality, noise and environmental sensors alongside the data and analytics tools built around them, positioning itself in the fast-growing environmental monitoring technology space. CEO Alex Yousefian said the company was “absolutely thrilled” with the win, noting that “the quality of startups competing was exceptionally high, which makes this recognition even more meaningful.”
The event, held in Dubai on October 14, was organized by the London Business School’s Institute of Entrepreneurship and Private Capital alongside strategic partner MARIHUB, with a total prize pool of $45,000 in non-dilutive funding distributed among the top finishers. Semi-finalists received mentoring from LBS alumni and volunteers ahead of the final round.
Saudi startup SDM, which is developing AI tools for early detection of chronic disease, placed second, while Frank AI, a UAE-based company building an "Agent Operating System" for real estate professionals across the Gulf Cooperation Council, took third.
The result adds to a growing list of MENA-region climate and environmental technology startups gaining traction with investors and accelerator programs, as the region's startup ecosystem continues to mature across sectors ranging from healthcare AI to proptech, as reflected in this year's finalist lineup.
