Welcome to Wamda's weekly startup news ticker, which will offer quick announcements and stories relevant to the region. If you have a quick news release to share about your startup, let us know at editor@wamda.com 

Monday, September 30th

Frootapps launches a new app for Muslims

Frootapps, a mobile app company based in Amman, has launched a new app called ‘Fathkrony’ or “remember me” in Arabic, which is similar to AlSalam app.

The app, which is available oniOS, Android and Blackberry, reminds Muslims about prayer times, according to their location, and it has a Qibla locator, an Islamic Hijri calendar as well as other features, which include the following: Audio notification for prayer time, the full Quran with Arabic scripts, a search and share option and others.

Oasis500 brings 8 startups from Jordan and Egypt to the US

In partnership withSilicon Badia and Chadbourne & Parke LLP, Oasis500 will be hosting an event in New York called Why Entrepreneurship beats politics in the Middle East, bringing eight early stage companies from Jordan and Egypt.

The eight startups, which includeJamalon, Zaytouneh, Ekeif, and ShopGo, will get the chance to pitch their ideas in front of a VC panel (5 minutes for pitching and 1 minute for questions). After the pitch, there will be a networking session. For more information or for registration, click here.

ArabNet Developer Tournament in Lebanon

The ArabNet Developer Tournament will be held in Lebanon on October 26th, 2013, to give developers a chance to test their coding skills, advance in their career and discover the latest technologies in web and mobile development.

The tournament will include three rounds with a judging panel, a job fair with on-site interviews and a code lab with two sessions and hands-on training. For those interested in participating, they can check the tournament page here.

eBay acquires Braintree to boost PayPal presence

eBay, the global e-commerce website, has confirmed that it will purchase Braintree, an American company which helps online businesses process credit card payment, for about US $800 million.

The acquisition, which will give eBay access to Braintree’s mobile and tablet payment app Venmo, is expected to boost PayPal,’s presence on mobile devices. To know more about e-commerce and mobile payment in the Middle East, see PayPal’s Insights E-commerce report in English and Arabic.