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 ShowGeorgina’s Engagement Nails, Abu Dhabi HR Alert, Mubadala Backs US Biotech
HEADLINES:♦ Abu Dhabi HR Expert Warns Against Including Nafis Allowance in Salary Packages♦ Saudi Cousins’ Base Boon Salon Creates Georgina Rodríguez’s…
The Smashi Business ShowMBC Profit Surge, Breadfast Funding Boost, Norway Wealth Fund Exits Israel
HEADLINES:♦ Norway’s $2 Trillion Wealth Fund Divests from Israeli Companies♦ MBC Group’s H1 Profit Soars 41% Despite Q2 Dip Amid Leadership Change♦ Breadfast…
The Smashi Business ShowHuda Kattan's Defense; Dubai in Top 10; Wynn Winning in UAE
HEADLINES:• Huda Kattan Defends Herself Amid Calls to Drop Huda Beauty Over Israel Comments• Dubai Joins Global Top 10 Cities Where Ultra-Wealthy Buy Second…
The Smashi Business ShowInside HUMAIN, Groq AI, BCG’s Draft, & Abu Dhabi’s Sphere Venues
HEADLINES:♦ Saudi Arabia Deploys First Regional OpenAI Models in HUMAIN–Groq Partnership♦ BCG Drafted Plans to Relocate Palestinians to UAE, Egypt, Jordan, and…
The Smashi Business ShowEmaar’s Billion-Dollar Boom, Syria’s \$14B Rebuild
HEADLINES:• Dubai's Emaar Properties gain 30% as H1-2025 net profit crosses Dh10b• Syria Inks $14B in Investment Deals, Taps Gulf Firms for Airport and Subway…
The Smashi Business ShowNorway Probes Israeli Investments; Alaan’s $48M Boost; Qatar Powers Syria
HEADLINES:• Norway to Investigate World’s Largest $2tn Oil Fund Over Israeli Investments• Alaan Raises $48M Series A to Grow AI Finance Platform• MGX Eyes $25…
The Smashi Business ShowTikTok Takedown, MGX in France, Dubai’s Priciest School Hiring
HEADLINES:♦ TikTok Removes 16.5M Videos Across MENA Amid Egypt’s 3-Month Deadline for Content Compliance♦ Abu Dhabi’s MGX Eyes $1B Investment in French AI…
The Smashi Business ShowSkims Lands in Dubai, Orascom Moves to ADX, Filmmakers Reject Mubi Deal
HEADLINES:♦ Wuilt Raises $2M to Scale Its Free E-Commerce Platform Across MENA♦ Orascom Construction to Delist from Nasdaq Dubai, Move Primary Listing to Abu…
The Smashi Business ShowBreadfast’s $382M Surge; Damac Denies Cavalli Sale; Anghami’s Nasdaq Move
HEADLINES:♦ Mostafa Amin-Led Breadfast Hits $382M Valuation as Investor Stake Nearly Doubles♦ Roberto Cavalli is not for sale' - says Damac♦ Anghami Plans…
The Smashi Business ShowAnthropic $5B Raise; PwC Adds Riyadh Al-Najjar; UAE Advertiser Permit
HEADLINES:♦ Anthropic in Talks to Raise $5B at $170B Valuation, CEO Acknowledges Shift on Gulf Funding♦ PwC Appoints Riyadh Al-Najjar to Global Board After…
The Smashi Business ShowCalo’s $39M Boost, PIF Tops SWF Rankings, Binghatti’s $570M Twin Towers
HEADLINES:♦ Calo raises $39mln (SAR 146.27mln) in Series B extension♦ Saudi PIF named most valuable and fastest-growing sovereign wealth fund♦ Binghatti…
The Smashi Business ShowShahid-Netflix, Qatar LNG, Anthropic, Huda-Kim
HEADLINES:• Netflix And Shahid Unite In First-Ever Joint Subscription For MENA• Qatar threatens to halt LNG exports to EU over sustainability law• “Shame On…
The Smashi Business ShowSaudi Ownership Law, Huda Beauty for Gaza, Etihad to Hire Wizz Staff
HEADLINES:♦ Saudi Arabia publishes new law on foreign property ownership♦ Huda Beauty and Saint Levant Redirect $210K to Gaza Relief via Doctors Without…
The Smashi Business ShowBCG Gaza Report Withheld; AI Salaries Soar; Saudi Film Booms
HEADLINES:• BCG Refuses to Release Gaza Report Despite Pressure From Lawmakers and NGOs• Saudi Comedy 'AlZarfa' Hits $2.7M, Becomes Fastest Arab Film to Sell…
The Smashi Business ShowUK Clears Telegraph Stake; Fredriksen Lists Mansion; Saudi $5B Syria Deal
HEADLINES:♦ UK Clears Abu Dhabi’s 15% Stake in Telegraph, Ending Long-Running Ownership Dispute♦ Shipping Billionaire John Fredriksen Lists Chelsea Mansion…
The Smashi Business ShowAnthropic Shift, Titan Deal, Binghatti, GymNation
HEADLINES:• Leaked Memo Reveals Anthropic CEO’s U-Turn on Taking Investments from Gulf Countries• Titan To Acquire Majority Stake In Dubai Jeweller Damas In…
The Smashi Business ShowEgypt Woos US Investors, US Delays UAE Chips, Musk’s Bot Calls Out X
HEADLINES:♦ Egypt Plans To Offer New Investment Opportunities To US Firms♦ Mubadala Backs Dubai-Based Restaurant Payments Startup Qlub In $30M Funding Round♦…
The Smashi Business ShowAl-Futtaim, Meta deals; xAI unveils Baby Grok
HEADLINES:• UAE’s Al-Futtaim to Buy 49.95% Stake in Saudi Arabia’s Cenomi Retail for $667 Million• Meta Acquires Voice AI Startup Led by Egyptian Engineer…
The Smashi Business ShowBinghatti London Move, xAI-Saudi Deal, Calo Gaffe, Air Arabia Rise
HEADLINES:♦ Dubai’s Binghatti Opens First London Office to Court Global Investors♦ Musk’s xAI in Talks for Saudi Data Center Deal to Power AI Push♦ Saudi Penny…
The Smashi Business ShowWizz Air’s UAE Exit, Manchester City’s Kit Deal, and Shark Tank Lebanon Launch
HEADLINES:♦ Wizz Air's UAE Exit Leaves Up to 450 Staff Facing Uncertain Future♦ Mubadala CEO Khaldoon Al Mubarak: “We Invested in Every Piece of AI♦ Manchester…
The Smashi Business ShowHouse of Pops, The Line Review, PIF Eyes Musk AI
HEADLINES:♦ Dubai’s Independent Food Company Celebrates HH Sheikh Mohammed’s Birthday in London♦ Saudi Arabia Reassesses The Line Project to Keep Vision 2030…
The Smashi Business ShowWizz Exit Abu Dhabi; BYD Expands Saudi; Mubadala-Linked Acquires Techem
HEADLINES:♦ Wizz Air Pulls Out of Abu Dhabi After Six Years♦ BYD Doubles Down on Saudi EV Market with 10 Showrooms by 2026♦ Majid Al-Futtaim Enters Kuwait…
The Smashi Business ShowSyria Inks Port Deal; Saudi Considers Huawei Chips; Gameball Doubles Revenue
HEADLINES:• Syria Signs $800M Tartous Port Deal With UAE’s DP World in Push for Post-War Rebuilding• Saudi Arabia May Buy Huawei Chips as Chinese Tech Giant…
The Smashi Business ShowBCG Execs Out, Trump Tariffs Arab Nations, Yaccarino Quits X
HEADLINES:♦ BCG Strips Two Top Executives of Leadership Roles Over Gaza Project Fallout♦ Trump Slaps Up to 30% Tariffs on Iraq, Algeria, Libya, and Tunisia in…
The Smashi Business ShowSequoia’s Maguire Eyes Intern, Kuwait Offloads, Sawiris Backs Morocco EVs
HEADLINES:♦ Saudi’s Jahez Acquires 76% of Qatari Snoonu from Founder Hamad Al-Hajri in $245M Deal♦ Egypt’s Sawiris to Invest $100M in Morocco’s Electric…
The Smashi Business ShowTech Founders vs Shaun Maguire, Attias IPO Plans, Starlink Launches in Qatar
HEADLINES:♦ Middle Eastern Tech Founders Petition Forces Sequoia Partner Shaun Maguire to Apologize♦ Richard Attias Associates Considers IPO Amid Saudi…
The Smashi Business ShowFadi Ghandour Petition, Dubai Chocolate Boom, Bahrain Stablecoin Rules
HEADLINES:♦ Fadi Ghandour Leads Petition Over Sequoia Partner’s Islamophobia Toward Zohran Mamdani♦ Dubai Duty Free Chocolates Smash Records with 2.5 Million…
The Smashi Business ShowBCG Gaza Controversy, Baladna’s Syria Expansion & Alabbar’s Luxury Move
HEADLINES:• BCG Under Fire for Role in Gaza ‘Relocation’ Plan Backed by Israel and U.S.• Qatari Tycoon Brothers' Dairy Giant Baladna to Invest $250M in Syria•…
The Smashi Business ShowAmr Diab’s Telecom Shift, Harry Potter World Expands, Google Unveils AI Video
HEADLINES:♦ Amr Diab Switches from Vodafone to Orange Egypt in Major Telecom Shake-Up♦ Miral Issues AED 3 Billion Tender for Harry Potter-Themed Expansion on…
The Smashi Business ShowAbu Dhabi, Dubai Lead Data; US Healthcare Fraud Villa; Saudi Startup $1.5M
HEADLINES:♦ Abu Dhabi and Dubai Named World’s Top Emerging Data Centre Markets♦ Kuwait to Introduce 15% Minimum Tax on Big Global Companies Starting 2025♦…
The Smashi Business ShowPIF Hits $1T; Sawiris Denies Egypt Crash Link; Trump Lifts Syria Sanctions
HEADLINES:♦ Saudi Arabia’s PIF Crosses $1 Trillion in Assets, But Net Profit Slumps Over 50%♦ Trump signs executive order lifting sanctions on Syria♦ UN Report…
The Smashi Business ShowDubai Flying Taxi Test, Saudi Jobless Rate Falls, Norway Cuts Ties Over Gaza
HEADLINES:♦ HH Sheikh Hamdan: Dubai Successfully Conducts First Joby Air Taxi Test Flight♦ Emaar Named World’s Fastest-Growing Real Estate Brand with $4B…
The Smashi Business ShowJordanian Royals at Bezos Wedding, Tesla Riyadh Launch, UK Billionaires Dubai
HEADLINES:♦ Jeff Bezos Marries Lauren Sánchez in $56M Venice Wedding with Jordanian Royalty♦ Tesla Makes Saudi Debut with First Riyadh Centre Opened; Jeddah to…
The Smashi Business ShowHouse of Pops Mix-Up, Owens Funding Claims, MENA Aid, Gaza Grant Approved
HEADLINES:♦ House of Pops CEO Responds After Sugary Drinks Added to Orders Without Approval♦ Candace Owens Says She’s Accused of Taking Qatar, Iran Funding♦…
The Smashi Business ShowFadel Al Ali Chairs MAF, Maersk Ends Ties to Israeli Firms, Replit Gets $100M
HEADLINES:♦ Fadel Al Ali Named Chairman of Majid Al Futtaim Group in Major Governance Shakeup♦ Maersk Cuts Ties With Firms Linked to Israeli Settlements After…
The Smashi Business ShowOil Steady After Iran Strikes; Saudi CEOs Get Younger; Oman’s Income Tax Incoming
HEADLINES:• Oil Markets Steady Despite Iran’s Missile Strikes on US Bases in Gulf• Saudi CEOs Are Getting Younger and More Local, Says New Korn Ferry Report•…
The Smashi Business ShowAlabbar Launches Lana; Airlines Reroute, Iran Eyes Hormuz Closure
HEADLINES:♦ Mohamed Alabbar Launches New AI-Driven Arabic Media Platform "Lana"♦ Iran Considers Strait of Hormuz Closure After US Strikes♦ Valu Set to Debut on…
The Smashi Business ShowSaudi’s HUMAIN Enters Media, Citi Warns on Oil Spike, Syria Back on SWIFT
HEADLINES:♦ Saudi Arabia's HUMAIN Launches Media and Gaming Division♦ Mohammed Al Abbar-chaired Americana Looking to Add Five Guys, Cinnabon to its Portfolio…
The Smashi Business ShowIs WhatsApp Sharing User Data with Israel?
HEADLINES:♦ Aramco CEO: Oil and Gas ‘Crucial in Times of Conflict’ Amid Israel-Iran Tensions♦ Flight Detours and Fuel Costs Hit Gulf Airlines During Peak…
The Smashi Business ShowAl Habtoor Group's Potential IPO; UAE Second-Fastest Growing Millionaire Hub
HEADLINES:• Al Habtoor Group is looking at potential IPO for Hospitality Portfolio• Kris Fade's Fade Fit is a local success story• UAE Was World’s…
The Smashi Business ShowNeumann’s Saudi Move, Salt in Egypt, France-Israel Rift, Abu Dhabi Summit
HEADLINES:♦ The Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit is starting today from June 17 till June 18♦ Adam Neumann Tapped Saudi Investors For $300M Flow Expansion In…
The Smashi Business ShowThmanyah’s Saudi Coup, Modrić’s Israel Ties, Al Habtoor on Iran-Israel
HEADLINES:♦ Emirati Billionaire Khalaf Al Habtoor Calls for Peace between Iran and Israel♦ Podcast-Born Thmanyah Wins Saudi Football Streaming Rights♦…
The Smashi Business ShowOil Jumps After Israel-Iran Strike; Giza $30M Upgrade; Talabat Skips Saudi
HEADLINES:• Egypt Revamps Giza Pyramids Site in $30M Push to Elevate Tourism• Oil Soars, Markets Slide After Israeli Strikes on Iran Trigger Regional Tensions•…
The Smashi Business ShowEmaar Launches VYOM, G42’s Khazna-Nvidia Deal, Yasmeen Jisri’s Bake My Day
HEADLINES:♦ Nvidia Approves UAE’s G42-Backed Khazna to Host Its Most Advanced AI Chips♦ Emaar Launches VYOM, a Digital Resale Platform to Transform Property…
The Smashi Business ShowAl-Habtoor Syria Visit; UK Sanctions Israeli Ministers; Nigeria-Aramco Loan Delay
HEADLINES:♦ UK and Allies Sanction Israeli Ministers for Inciting West Bank Violence Amid Gaza Crisis♦ Emirati Billionaire Khalaf Al-Habtoor to Lead Delegation…
The Smashi Business ShowEmirates–Home Bakery Collab, WBD Splits, MAF Succession Settled
HEADLINES:♦ Huda Beauty Donates AED1 Million to UNRWA in First Move as Fully Independent Brand♦ Dubai Appoints New Board at Majid Al Futtaim to End Billionaire…
The Smashi Business ShowTrump’s Qatari Jet Price Tag, Huda’s AED 1M Gift, and Zara’s Russia Comeback
HEADLINES:♦ Turning Qatar’s Jet into Trump’s Air Force One Could Cost $400 Million♦ Huda Beauty Donates 1 Million Dirhams to Mark Eid and Take Back Control♦…
The Smashi Business ShowHuda Buyback, Mubadala, Hariri’s AI, Kuwait xAI Deal
HEADLINES:♦ Huda Kattan Has Officially Reclaimed Full Ownership of Huda Beauty♦ Mubadala Emerges as World’s Most Active Sovereign Fund in May♦ Ex-Lebanese PM…
The Smashi Business Show$8,100 Labubu Bouquet; Fazza in DMCC; Cloud Kitchens Are Booming
HEADLINES:♦ HH Sheikh Hamdan Visits World’s Largest Diamond Exchange at DMCC♦ Cloud Kitchens Are Booming in the GCC — And Kaykroo Is Leading the Charge♦…
The Smashi Business ShowEmirati UN First, Musk vs UAE AI Deal, Al Habtoor Tower Nears Completion
HEADLINES:♦ Shaikha Al Nowais Makes History as First Woman to Lead UN World Tourism Organization♦ Elon Musk Tried to Block Sam Altman’s Big AI Deal in the UAE♦…
The Smashi Business ShowSmashi Business Show Weekend Edition: India Woos Saudi Billions, Dubai Property Faces Peak, Billionaire Asif Aziz Bets Big on Abu Dhabi
This weekend on Smashi Business Show: Weekend Edition, we break down three major stories shaping the region. India moves to exempt Saudi Arabia’s sovereign…
The Smashi Business ShowHumantra Secures JamJar Investment; FIX in Marsa Al Arab Hotel Rooms; TOD’s Streaming Strategy
HEADLINES:• Saudi Arabia’s HUMAIN Plans $10 Billion Global VC Fund to Power AI Ambitions• Dubai’s Viral Chocolate Brand FIX Lands in Ultra-Luxury Marsa Al Arab…
The Smashi Business ShowElon Musk’s xAI Pays $300M to UAE Citizen Pavel Durov’s Telegram to Push Grok
HEADLINES:♦ Dubai Residential REIT’s Big Debut: $584M IPO, 15% Surge, and Market Buzz♦ UAE Citizen Pavel Durov, Elon Musk Sign $300M Deal to Bring xAI’s Grok…
The Smashi Business ShowKings League MENA, M&C Saatchi x Dune23, Dubai Retail Robots, AI Tsunami
HEADLINES:♦ Kings League MENA: SURJ Sports And Gerard Piqué’s Kings League Launch Football Format In Saudi♦ Dubai’s Dune 23 To Be Acquired By M&C Saatchi In…
The Smashi Business ShowSaudi Oil, Gaza, Free ChatGPT & ME Billionaire Moves
HEADLINES:• Saudi Arabia Denies Alcohol Legalization Rumors Amid World Cup Buzz• UAE will Become the First Country to Offer Free ChatGPT Plus to All Residents•…
The Smashi Business ShowSaudi Alcohol Move, Gulf Women, Fintech Boom, Telegram Profit
HEADLINES:• Fact Check: Is Saudi unbanning Alcohol in 600 Tourist Locations?• Omani Huda Al Lawati Raises $200M for Gulf’s First Woman-Led Equity Firm• Tabby…
The Smashi Business ShowQatar Forum Closes; Sweid Warns of Series B Funding Gap; Saudi Unveils AI Incubator
HEADLINES:• Highlights of Day 3 of Qatar Economic Forum• Noor Sweid Warns of “Massive Funding Gap” in Middle East at Series B Stage• Saudi Arabia Launches AI…
The Smashi Business ShowNew Moniify CEO; U.S. Officially Accepts Qatari Jet; Qatar Economic Forum Day 2
HEADLINES:• Highlights from Day 2 of the Qatar Economic Forum• Flynas Raises $1.1 Billion in IPO Priced at Top Range, Fueling Saudi Aviation Push• U.S…
The Smashi Business ShowQatar Forum Day 1; UK Halts Israel Talks; 'Project Paradise' in Riyadh
HEADLINES:♦ Key Announcements and Global Deals at Qatar Economic Forum Day 1♦ UK Halts Trade Talks, EU Reassesses Israel Ties Amid 'Horrifying' Genocide in…
The Smashi Business ShowAbu Dhabi's MGX & Europe; PIF in Paris; Durov Slams Whatsapp
HEADLINES:• Nvidia, UAE’s MGX Plan to Build Europe’s Largest Data Center• Saudi PIF Opens Paris Office, Aims to Double Europe Investments• Pavel Durov slams…