Abu Dhabi's startup boom and more cash for Arab entrepreneurs

- The number of new start-ups registering their businesses in Abu Dhabi has more than doubled in the last year, The National's Charlie Hamilton reports. A decision to scrap the Dh150,000 ($40,000) minimum capital requirements is being credited for much of the spike, although surely being a fast growing economy in a world of painful stagnation helped. Lifting bureaucratic barriers to entrepreneurship is always a good thing, but it's not as if anyone should even dream of trying to do business in Abu Dhabi - even selling sodas on the side of the road - without $40,000 in the bank.

- The Lebanese tech angel fund / incubator, Berytech, has announced a new $100,000 prize for great regional entrepreneurs. They are looking for a good idea(s), and will fund up to the full 100K for the winner. For more info see their site, or this post at Startup Arabia.