Shows / The Smashi Business Show
The Smashi Business Show
The Smashi Business Show tells AI, tech, startup and business stories from the Arab world. For the driven, the dreamers and the doers. Hosted by Abdul Majid Awan, Ward Ahmed, and Wael Hossam El Din.
Episodes
The Smashi Business ShowDubai Court Arrests BlueChip Owner, UAE Allocates $460M for Housing, Saudi Aramco Completes Share Offering
Headlines:Dubai Court Issues Arrest Warrant for BlueChip Owner Over Unpaid MillionsUAE Allocates $460 million for Emirati Housing SupportSaudi Aramco Completes…
The Smashi Business ShowADNOC Redeems $1.199B Bonds, UAE Prop-Tech Stake Closes $14M Series A, Musk Threatens Apple Device Ban Over OpenAI
Headlines ADNOC Redeems $1.199 Billion Bonds, Maintains Full Ownership of ADNOC DistributionUAE-based prop-tech Stake closes $14M Series AElon Musk to ban…
The Smashi Business ShowDubai Appoints 22 AI Chiefs, Aramco Shares Up, UAE's Fortis Enters Saudi, Saudi Q1 GDP Falls 1.7%
Headlines: -Dubai Appoints 22 Chief AI Officers to Lead Tech Initiatives-Aramco Update: Shares Rise After Follow-On Offering-Saudi Arabia's Q1 GDP Contracts…
The Smashi Business ShowViral Tweet Lands Emirati Son Job Offer; Starbucks Sales Drop 1.8%; Egyptian Buys iPhone, Gets Tea
TOP STORIESEmirati Father's Viral Tweet Lands Son a Dream Job Offer from Emaar FounderStarbucks Reports Global Sales Decline of 1.8% amid boycotts: Biggest…
The Smashi Business ShowAl Habtoor Faces Criticism Over TV Channel Delays, Gaza Conflict Costs MENA Ad Industry $1.5B, Fakeeh Care Shares Surge in Debut
Al Habtoor Faces Delays & Criticism for Planned Lebanese TV Channel: Al Habtoor Group's plan to launch a new Lebanese TV channel encounters delays and faces…
The Smashi Business ShowDubai's Chili's Shakes Up, Shein's IPO Soars, Saudi Office Rents Surge, New Al Maktoum Terminal in construction
Exclusive: Dubai's Chili's revamps, Shein's IPO eyes London, Saudi office rents spike, new Al Maktoum terminal underway
The Smashi Business ShowX's Approval Controversy, $400m Dubai Mall Expansion, Hadid Sisters Donate $1M, Abu Dhabi Police Deny Fine Discount
X's formal approval of adult content has sparked controversy, while Dubai Mall plans a $400 million expansion to add 240 luxury stores and restaurants. The…
The Smashi Business ShowCloning of Muzz’ dating app, Meta AI in the Gaza genocide, Aramco and the FT, and Disney boycots
Meta: Israel-Hamas misinformation likely AI-generated‘Never trust an arab,‘ racist comments pile up in the financial times‘ comment section after Aramco…
The Smashi Business ShowExpats in Kuwait, Wall Street in Saudi, and Ethara’s big plans (exclusive)
Failed government planning, not expats, are Kuwait's main problem, says a politician, while Saudi and Kuwait have reopened talks about a high speed train…
The Smashi Business ShowNike, Burj Khalifa, Qatar Airways, and Lovin Dubai's acquisition
A customer has claimedd Nike cancelled his Free Palestine inscribed shoes, a $37.8M penthouse has broken records in the Burj Khalifa district, Qatar Airways…
The Smashi Business ShowDrake & Schull, Pepsi's ad, the PIF, Telegraph deal, and Shark Tank Egypt
Scandal-ridden Drake and Schull sees 30% surge in shares, Pepsi’s “stay thirsty” ad sparks outrage amid boycotts, the PIF’s domestic focus spooks global asset…
The Smashi Business ShowSheikh Tahnoon, Oprah, Noon, and all about mortgages
Tech entrepreneur who sold startup to Noon speaks out on bullying, UAE and London funds back a Dubai mortgage platform in oversubscribed funding round, Sheikh…
The Smashi Business ShowPickl, Boycotts, Saif Al Rubie, Naguib Sawiris, and Qatar Airways
Social media users are calling for the boycott of PureGym UAE, UAE is second globally for longest working hours, 12 passengers have been injured aboard a Qatar…
The Smashi Business ShowTabby, Rasan, Sarwa, and Pavel Durov
Pavel Durov says he doesn't own any yachts, land, or real estate. Why? Listen to find out. Plus, the missing link when it comes to Emiratisation, Tabby and…
The Smashi Business ShowA deep dive into AI’s potential,Sarwa fined $390, UAE and France Forge AI Investment
Sarwa, a startup in the UAE that gives investment advice through robots, is being fined $390k!
The Smashi Business ShowNadine Njeim's Makeup Line, MDD Funding, Ronaldo & Ahmed on WHOOP
Nadine Nassib Njeim launches her own beauty brand inspired by the Beirut tragic event , Saudi-based MDD secures $26.6M in a funding round, Ronaldo & Ahmed Talk…
The Smashi Business ShowRotana Media, Tamara's CEO, Wizz Air, and OpenAI vs Scarlett Johansson
The VP of Rotana Media says linear TV is very much alive, a UAE production firm wants to help old Emiratis rebuild homes using VR, Tamara's CEO urges…
The Smashi Business ShowShark Tank Dubai's Deal Fall Out and UAE Salt's London Copy
Shark Tank VC Elie Khouri says 2 deals fell through after the Dubai show, Maha Abouelenein says personal branding isn't just about promoting yourself, while…
The Smashi Business ShowMade In Arabia: From Blog to Billion-Dollar Empire: The Rise of Huda Beauty
From a $6,000 investment to a billion-dollar empire, Huda Beauty remains a leader in the beauty industry.
The Smashi Business ShowProperty Finder, Versace hotel, Blinx, Abu Dhabi media, and Yasmine Sabri
Property Finder is mulling a $1bn listing after a preliminary roadshow, Dubai's Palazzo Versace hotel is up for sale for half of its cost price, questions have…
The Smashi Business ShowFrom Blog to Billion-Dollar Empire: The Rise of Huda Beauty
From a $6,000 investment to a billion-dollar empire, Huda Beauty remains a leader in the beauty industry.
The Smashi Business ShowStartup acquisitions & fund raising, Egypt's ride-hailing issue, and crypto regulations
Hala Insurance founder Walid Dib has sold his new startup CallMi, Walid Shihabi's rent now, pay later startup Keyper has secured $4M in equity & $30M in sukuk…
The Smashi Business ShowPIF, Alabbar, Kris Fade and more from the QEF
The PIF is making bold moves, and reducing its holdings in US equities, while Alabbar joins a list of GCC investors banking on Egyptian land. In Dubai, a radio…
The Smashi Business ShowQatar Economic Forum Special: an insider’s look
From the President of Poland to Trump's best friend and the Gulf's top business personalities, the Qatar Economic Forum is one of this year's most anticipated…
The Smashi Business ShowCristiano, Whoop, Emirates, and Influencers
E& UAE sets new record with world's fastest 5G speed, Cristiano Ronaldo invests in Egyptian American tech founder's company, Emirates Group posts record $5.1BN…
The Smashi Business ShowBotim's Palm Pay, Gaza & the Met Gala, and Elon Musk's Burnt Hair
Elon Musk's Burnt Hair, Botim reveals PalmPay, for Gaza, people are blocking celebrities to stop ad-revenue, a Saudi podcast has overtaken Joe Rogan globally…
The Smashi Business ShowMade In Arabia: LuLu Hypermarket From a Single Store to a Global Retail Giant
LuLu Hypermarket, part of LuLu Group International, has expanded from one Dubai store to 260+ outlets in 26 countries. With $8 billion in annual revenue and…
The Smashi Business ShowApple, Dubai Duty Free, Saudi Arabian and ATM
Apple is under fire for “the worst ad ever,” while Dubai Duty Free’s legendary CEO Colm Mcloughlin is retiring, and Saudi will reveal $100bn in aviation…
The Smashi Business ShowAmericana boycotts work, TikTok sues US government, Israel v Gaza & the world
Americana's Q1 net profit and revenue dropped almost 52% thanks to boycotts over the Gaza genocide, TikTok has sued the US government for threatening to ban…
The Smashi Business ShowGCC Visa, Dubai Parks, Aramco Dividends, Emirates Fleet, Dubai Tourism
Latest in the Gulf: GCC visa talks, Dubai parks expansion, Aramco dividends, Emirates upgrades, and Dubai's tourism boom!
The Smashi Business ShowCasinos, RAK, Israel, Shark Tank, and Eid
World's largest casino will be in RAK, Israel raids Al Jazeera offices in 'criminal act' on freedom of press, Egyptian Shark Tank star Ahmed Tarek invests…
The Smashi Business ShowHabtoor, Mohamed Hadid, Tony Robbins, Dubizzle and TikTok
UAE’s Al Habtoor is opening a channel and studio city in Lebanon, Mohamed Hadid’s company is filing for bankruptcy, real estate firm Aldar could have paid Tony…
The Smashi Business ShowAnghami losses, Hermes under fire, regional stocks, and best countries to work in
Anghami's seeing recovery with less losses and higher subs, regional stock exchanges should support non-profitable companies, Hermes is facing backlash, Dubai…
The Smashi Business ShowMayweather's debts, Spinneys IPO, Nakheel, SWVL and flood insurance
Floyd Mayweather is allegedly banned from leaving Dubai until he repays outstanding debts, a new $13.6K fine for real estate brokers announced, Spinneys has…
The Smashi Business ShowThe Dubai football agent, Yas Island's latest move, Aldar and RAK
Ryan Reynolds is Yas Island's new chief island officer, Dubai-based football agent found not guilty in high profile intimidation case, RAK will welcome a $250M…
The Smashi Business ShowNakheel, Qatar Airways, Hussain Sajwani, Dubai apartments, and marijuana
Nakheel, Roshn CEOs resign in major leadership change to UAE and Saudi developers, Qatar Airways will reveal world’s first AI cabin crew at ATM, apartments are…
The Smashi Business ShowBye bye DXB, Telegram, SME loans, Shark Tank and RedBird IMI
Dubai will have one airport as Al Maktoum International eyes $35bn expansion, Telegram's Pavel Durov says he will never leave the UAE, SMEs affected by the…
The Smashi Business ShowClimate Catalyst: Rana Hajirasouli Ignites Change Through Innovation and Collaboration
. Through her expertise in innovation and collaboration, Rana inspires listeners to join the movement towards a more sustainable future.
The Smashi Business ShowSaudi influencer in trouble, ADQ in Australia, Jeddah's airports, Dubai's RTA, Spinney's IPO
Saudi, UAE take legal action against influencer who slammed Dubai during floods, ADQ acquires 49% stake in Plenary Group, Jeddah's King Abdulaziz Airport ranks…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE loan relief, Telegram, Du Pay, Sharjah floods, Saudi Cinema, and Tesla
Telegram will tokenise its stickers, UAE’s telecom giant Du has launched fintech arm Du Pay, Sharjah is providing flood relief via WhatsApp, Saudi Arabia…
The Smashi Business ShowEx-MBC director's strange email, Abu Dhabi's Zambia copper mines, Unilever's setback
An ex-MBC director has sent a strange email mourning the loss of his Porsches due to the rainAbu Dhabi's most valuable, Abu Dhabi's most valuable company is…
The Smashi Business ShowTelegram, Emaar, Habtoor, Nvidia, Neom and Crypto
Telegram's mysterious founder at Dubai event, Emaar Properties will repair homes damaged by rain, Habtoor to donate $4.6M to fix Emirati houses, Young…
The Smashi Business ShowBusinesses damaged by rain, Binance’s Dubai crypto license, Saudi’s Neom and new airline
We reveal the UAE businesses damaged by rain, Binance’s Dubai crypto license, Neom mulling a $1.3BN bond, and the kingdom’s newest airline linked to Africa…
The Smashi Business ShowRain car insurance, Google fires pro-Gaza staff, Starbucks & Alshaya face backlash, Dubai’s $10M home sales surpass NYC & London
What to do with insurance if your car has been damaged by the rain, Google fires pro-Palestine employees, Gulf markets tumbled but Egypt’s 70+ index is up…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE weather damage, holidays bad for business, Spinneys IPO, Abu Dhabi’s Microsoft deal, and Four Seasons $155k jet
How the weather is affecting business in the UAE, prominent businessmen say long Eid holidays bad for business, Spinneys will go public with 25% stakE, Abu…
The Smashi Business ShowEconomist Dr. Sohaib Shahid on financial education
Economist Dr. Sohaib Shahid on financial education
The Smashi Business ShowEmaar ban, Andrew Tate's $16M Dubai place, Nas Daily x WeWork's Adam Neumann, and Google's IDF scandal
Emaar has placed a ban on any AI-altering imagery of its assets, Andrew Tate says now isn't a good time to sell your Dubai property, Nas Daily may be teaming…
The Smashi Business ShowDubai startup fraud, Amazon, Quran, Azizi Developments, Abu Dhabi Tourism, and Supercar Blondie
The Dubai startup founder nobody wants to touch, Amazon invests $4BN in OpenAI rival, a Dutch company sparks outrage with dissolvable Quran paper, this…
The Smashi Business ShowDubai chef Jose Andres, AI deaths, Meta/Netflix trouble and Aramco’s $7.2BN contract
Jose Andres is mourning the death of 7 aid workers from his charity World Central Kitchen in an IDF attack in Gaza, where Israel is using AI technology…
The Smashi Business ShowAlfii, Shein and Riyadh HQ
Top Stories TodayDubai HR Tech Startup Alfii Shuts down shortly after raising $2.5MDouble Profits For Shein At $2BN Ahead Of Expected IPORiyad Attracts 350…
The Smashi Business ShowChina special: Mubadala, real estate crisis, deflation, aging population and what it means for Dubai
Mubadala has come to the rescue of China’s mall operating giant, China is having a real estate crisis but it's bringing the Chinese back to Dubai. It's also…
The Smashi Business ShowSwvl’s story, Cafu’s crisis, Abu Dhabi’s asset managers, and Ambani and Adani unite
"Nobody believed we would make it" admits Swivvl founder as the company turns profitable, but critics still say the startup raised and spent too much. Plus…
The Smashi Business ShowMade in Arabia: Transforming Abu Dhabi with Iconic Developments
Aldar Properties' journey reflects a commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainable development, positioning it as a key player in not only the UAE. but…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE salaries, Saudi's IPOs, Hollywood, and the Baltimore bridge incident
UAE salaries are expected to outpace the growth of living costs in 2024, how the Baltimore bridge incident is going to affect the global supply chain, what…
The Smashi Business ShowDonald Trump, TikTokers, Telegram, Lucid and Bolt
Top Stories TodayDonald Trump sells 'God Bless the USA' bibles, TikTokers more effective than celebrities, Telegram’s new feature may cost more than your…
The Smashi Business ShowBoeing, Saudi's private sector, AI in Abu Dhabi, and the owner of Arab News
Top Stories Today:Boeing’s CEO will step down in the wake of ongoing safety problems, Saudi's private sector has added 1.1M jobs, the EU has enforced the…
The Smashi Business ShowVice meeting scandal, Bahrain takes Mclaren, BBC worries, and MBC's Anghami deal
A Vice chief had to cut a meeting short after a flood of thumbs down emojis, boycotts of this Dubai cafe continue, Bahrain's Mumtalakat full ownership of…
The Smashi Business ShowApple and Hermes face lawsuits, Parkin's shares soar 30%, and Elon Musk is racist, claims ex-CNN host
A Bahrain F&B group has taken legal action against pro-Israel chef Susy Massetti, while both Apple and Hermes are being sued in two separate incidents - find…
The Smashi Business ShowDubai F&B boss facing boycotts, UAE's $2.5TN overseas investment, backlash for DeepMind’s co-founder as he joins Microsoft
A Dubai F&B boss is facing boycott threats after sharing a zionist post on Instagram, the UAE is eyeing Egypt as its overall oversea investments top $2.5TN…
The Smashi Business ShowSaudi’s $48BN ‘Downtown Riyadh’, Telegram’s $330M in new capital, and Elon Musk’s ketamin habit good for investors
Top Stories Today:Saudi Arabia's $48.00 billion Mega-Project: New Murabba Seeks Global InvestorsTelegram secures $330 million in new capital through the…