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 ShowSnoonu founder shares story behind the name at Web Summit Day 3 updates
HEADLINES:- Web Summit Day 3 Updates Live from Doha Exhibition and Conference Center- Softbank's Masayoshi San says he hasn't given returns to PIF still-…
The Smashi Business ShowLIVE from Web Summit Qatar; Bybit loses $1.5 Billion; Musk Tower in UAE
HEADLINES:- Day 2: Web Summit Qatar 2025 is in full swing in Doha- Bybit's $1.5 billion hack and the announcement of reward- Musk Tower in UAE to be truly…
The Smashi Business ShowWeekend Edition: All Eyes on Doha: $163M IPO, Dubizzle’s Big Move & USAID Fallout
Alpha Data’s $163M IPO on ADX – UAE-based tech company Alpha Data is set to raise up to Dh600 million ($163.4M) through its IPO on the Abu Dhabi Securities…
The Smashi Business ShowSaudi Unveils Currency Symbol; Miami Chosen for Investment Hub by KSA; IDEX & NAVDEX Deals
HEADLINES:-Saudi Arabia Introduces New Currency Symbol to Strengthen Global Financial Presence-Saudi Arabia Selects Miami for Its Second US Investment…
The Smashi Business ShowLive from STEP Dubai: Trump Praises Saudi Arabia; Russia-US-Saudi Energy Talks
HEADLINES:- Step Dubai Conference | Dubai Internet City- Trump Applauds Saudi Arabia at FII PRIORITY Summit in Miami- Putin Calls for Russia-US-Saudi Energy…
The Smashi Business ShowDubai Luxury Property Market Booms; PIF Invests in DAZN; Grok 3 Unveiled
HEADLINES:- Dubai's Luxury Property Market Will Grow 9.9% in 2025 After a 6.8% Increase in 2024- Saudi PIF's SURJ Sports Investment Acquires Minority Stake in…
The Smashi Business ShowHuda Beauty and Kayali Split; Emaar Invests $7B in Egypt
HEADLINES:- Huda Beauty Sells Stake in Kayali to General Atlantic- Emaar to Boost Investments in Egypt by $7 Billion, Expanding Presence in Real Estate- How…
The Smashi Business ShowDubai's Viral Chocolate; Syria Gets Russian Cash; Musk's xAI Backed
HEADLINES:Dubai viral Chocolate Founder Meets HH Sheikh Hamdan at World Government SummitSyria Receives Currency Shipment from Russia Amid Liquidity CrisisElon…
The Smashi Business ShowElon Musk at WGS 2025; $600B Saudi-US Trade Target Doubtful
HEADLINES:- Elon Musk’s Big Ideas at World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai- Saudi’s $600B Trade Pledge to US ‘Unlikely to Be Achieved,’ Says Former IMF…
The Smashi Business ShowElon Musk at Dubai Summit: 'America should mind its own business
HEADLINES:- Elon Musk tells World Government Summit in Dubai: 'America should mind its own business'- LEAP 2025 Riyadh: $24B in Investments and Deals…
The Smashi Business ShowEtihad Listing Soon on ADX; Tabby Potential IPO; LEAP 2025 Updates
HEADLINES:- Saudi Unicorn Tabby Hires Banks for Potential IPO, Eyes Listing on Tadawul: Bloomberg- Etihad Airways May List on ADX as Early as this Month for $1…
The Smashi Business ShowPIF Backs $5B Basketball League; $17M Sotheby's Sale in Saudi; MONIIFY Layoffs
HEADLINES:- PIF Backs Ambitious $5 Billion Basketball League to Rival NBA- $17M Saudi Auction: Botero and Banksy Lead Sotheby’s Historic Debut- MONIIFY…
The Smashi Business ShowWeekend Edition: UAE’s AI Bet, World Governments Summit, and Expanding India Trade Ties
Headlines:- UAE’s $50 Billion Bet on AI: Building Europe’s Largest AI Hub in France- Elon Musk & Global Leaders Gather in Dubai for the World Governments…
The Smashi Business ShowMONIIFY’s Multi-Million-Dollar Gamble: Where Were the Red Flags?
HEADLINES:MONIIFY’s Multi-Million-Dollar Gamble: Where Were the Red Flags?LEAP 2025 in Riyadh Poised to Transform the Tech LandscapeSaudi Arabia’s IPOs Lead…
The Smashi Business ShowMONIIFY's Massive Layoffs & Altman’s Key Visit to Abu Dhabi
HEADLINES:- Egyptian Billionaire Naguib Sawiris’ Media Startup in Dubai, MONIIFY, Lays Off Hundreds Just Months After Launch- Open AI's Sam Altman to stop in…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE Approves Key Initiatives, BlackRock Eyes Kuwait, Riyadh Air Joins LIV
HEADLINES:- UAE Cabinet Approves Major Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and Economic Initiatives- BlackRock Eyes Kuwait Expansion to Strengthen Gulf Presence-…
The Smashi Business ShowBlackRock plans Kuwait office; UAE gets first methanol plant; Meta AI in MENA
HEADLINES:- $11 trillion AUM giant BlackRock is exploring plans to establish an office in Kuwait- Abu Dhabi’s TA’ZIZ Awards $1.7 Billion Contract for UAE’s…
The Smashi Business ShowAl Habtoor IPO in Hospitality; Dar Global Starts Trump Tower Jeddah Project
HEADLINES: - Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2025 Highlights- Al Habtoor Group Considering IPO for Hospitality Arm- London-listed Dar Global starts work on…
The Smashi Business ShowDubai Luxury Homes, Trump Controversy & Germany’s Sweet Obsession Trending
HEADLINES: - Expo City Dubai is turning country pavilions into luxury homes- Amjad Masad calls out Trump's executive order on antisemitism- Germans are…
The Smashi Business ShowAnna Wintour in Dubai; Arab Health 2025; Saudi IV Fluid Factory
HEADLINES: - Anna Wintour in Dubai as Vogue Arabia’s Social Media Vanishes Amid Legal Battle- Arab Health 2025: US Healthcare Fund Akkad Holdings to Invest…
The Smashi Business ShowAl Habtoor Exits Lebanon, Damac Expands to US, Alabbar Invests in Georgia
HEADLINES: - Khalaf Al Habtoor Cancels All Planned Investments in Lebanon- Damac Launches First US Project with $15M 'Mansions in the Sky'- Mohamed Alabbar’s…
The Smashi Business ShowThe new tech buzzword is Deepseek; Americana expands in Oman; Etihad IPO imminent
HeadlinesBig Tech faces heat as China's Deep Seek sows doubts on billion-dollar spending Americana Group Acquires Pizza Hut Business in Oman Etihad Airways is…
The Smashi Business ShowDavos 2025, Saudi Arabia’s $3.4B workforce plan, Bocelli’s Bugatti home
HEADLINES: - World Economic Forum 2025 in Davos: Key Highlights from 20–24 January- Saudi Arabia Offers $3.4 Billion in Cash Incentives to Trim Government…
The Smashi Business ShowTrump Seeks $1T from Saudi Arabia; Prince Alwaleed’s KHC Eyes TikTok
HEADLINES: - Trump Calls for $1 Trillion Saudi Investment and Lower Oil Prices- Saudi Prince’s Kingdom Holding Eyes TikTok Investment If Musk or Others Buy It-…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE to Maintain Tax-Free Status'; MGX Joins AI Giants for Stargate; UAE Companies Shine
Headline:- UAE to Maintain Tax-Free Status, Says Minister of Economy at World Economic Forum 2025- Davos 2025: UAE Companies Shine in Global Brand Rankings-…
The Smashi Business ShowMubadala's AI Bet, Jeddah Tower $26B Deal, Abu Dhabi's AED13B Digital Push
HEADLINES: - Jeddah Tower: $26 Billion Project ‘Officially’ Resumes Construction- Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027- Abu Dhabi’s $330B Fund…
The Smashi Business ShowTrump 2.0 and the Middle East
HEADLINES: - Dubai's Property Game-Changer: Freehold Conversion on Sheikh Zayed Road & Al Jaddaf- Riyadh Air Delays Launch Due to Boeing Delivery Setbacks-…
The Smashi Business Show$1.4B Al Habtoor-Alabbar Battle, U.S. TikTok Ban, & Casa Milano's Azhar Sajan
HEADLINES: - Meetings Matter: Al Habtoor Criticizes Alabbar Over $1.4 Billion U.S. Loss- TikTok Ban Sparks Arab World Debate: Freedom vs. Disruption- Director…
The Smashi Business ShowRonaldo's Al Nassr deal, Trump's impact on KSA, and Google Pay's launch
HEADLINES: Ronaldo's 'Business' Deal with Al NassrTrump’s Second Term and Its Impact on Saudi ArabiaGoogle Pay Set to Launch in Saudi Arabia in 2025
The Smashi Business ShowPrince Al-Waleed to Reopen Four Seasons Beirut; RAK Tourism +12%
HEADLINES: - Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal to Reopen Four Seasons Beirut in Early 2026 - Ras Al Khaimah Reports 12% Growth in Tourism Revenue in 2024-…
The Smashi Business ShowUS AI Chips Restrictions Will Affect UAE; PIF-DAZN Talks Resurface; Qatar Airways Splashes $97M
Headlines--US Export Restrictions on AI Chips and GPUs Impact UAE and 119 Other Nations --Saudi Arabia’s PIF in Talks to Acquire $1 Billion Stake in DAZN…
The Smashi Business ShowHussain Sajwani Backs Trump, ADQ Acquires Aramex, Safa Joins Living
HEADLINES: - Emirati Billionaire Hussain Sajwani Bets Big on Trump’s Pro-Business Second Term- ADQ Offers $1.2 Billion to Fully Acquire Aramex- Dubai Bling…
The Smashi Business ShowDubai Property Prices, UAE Tech Market Growth, Emirates Autism Certification
Headlines: - Mohamed Alabbar on Rising Property Prices in Dubai- UAE Technology Services Market Set to Grow by $3.8 Billion in 2025- Emirates Set to Be World’s…
The Smashi Business ShowHome Bakery, Trump Tariffs Hit Oman, Mashreq Expands to Pakistan
Headlines: - Hind Al Mulla tells the story of ‘Home Bakery’ Becoming a Symbol of Emirati Pride- Oman: Trump's Tariffs May Halt Investment- Mashreq Expands to…
The Smashi Business ShowQatar explores Syria funding, Chalhoub gets PUIG rights, Zuckerberg acts.
Headlines:- Qatar Explores Funding for Syria’s Public Sector- Chalhoub Group Secures PUIG Distribution Rights in Qatar- Mark Zuckerberg ends Fact-Checking On…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE Billionaire Hussain Sajwani to Invest $20B in US Data Centers
Headlines: - UAE Billionaire Damac’s Hussain Sajwani to Invest $20B in US Data Centers- Saudi Arabia Kicks Off 2025 with $12B Bond Sale and $7B PIF Loan-…
The Smashi Business Show"Sheikh Mohammed’s $1.5B Housing Project, $108M Dubai Deal & US Expansion
Headlines: - Sheikh Mohammed Approves $1.5 Billion Housing Project- US Private Credit Firm Golub Capital Expands to Abu Dhabi- Dubai Awards $108 Million…
The Smashi Business ShowAssad Profits from Aleppo Bombing, U.S. Arms Deal, and Saudi Cinema’s Big Win
Headlines: - U.S. Approves $8 Billion Arms Package for Israel- Assad Regime Turns Aleppo's Ruins into a Profitable Scrap Metal Trade- Saudi Films Earn $19.2…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE Trade Hits AED 2.8T, Salaries Up 4%; Saudi Unemployment Falls
Headlines: -UAE Achieves Record AED 2.8 Trillion in Foreign Trade in 2024-UAE Salaries to Rise Maximum by 4% in 2025, Says a Recent Survey-Saudi Unemployment…
The Smashi Business ShowMubadala Surpasses PIF; Neom Air Taxi Partner Faces Issues
Headlines: - Mubadala Overtakes PIF as World's Top Wealth Fund Spender- Neom's Air Taxi Partner Volocopter Files for Insolvency- Adnoc to Boost UAE Economy…
The Smashi Business Show2024 in review What happened in the Middle East in a year of records
Headlines: - 2024 in review: What happened in the Middle East in a year of records- Deep dive into what UAE achieved in 2024- Deep dive into what Saudi Arabia…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE-China Trade via Pakistan; Nadal to Open Saudi Academy
Headlines: - UAE and China to trade through a new, faster route through Pakistan- Spanish legend Rafael Nadal eyes a tennis academy in Saudi Arabia- UAE…
The Smashi Business ShowSaudi Pauses BRICS Bid; UAE Leads Africa Investments; Wa’ed Backs Ynmo EdTech
Headlines: - Saudi Arabia Pauses Full BRICS Membership Bid, Maintains Active Engagement- UAE Emerges as Africa’s Largest Investor, Championing Green Energy and…
The Smashi Business ShowMubadala Acquires 80% in UAE Healthcare; Food Price Controls Tighten
Headlines:- Mubadala Secures 80% Stake in Leading UAE Healthcare Firms Boosting Logistics Presence- UAE Implements Stricter Price Controls on Essential Foods-…
The Smashi Business ShowTelegram hits $1B revenue; UAE office surge; xAI gets $6B
Headlines:- UAE’s Commercial Property Boom: Outpacing Global Leaders- Telegram Surpasses $1 Billion in Revenue, Achieves Profitability- Musk's xAI secures…
The Smashi Business ShowNissan, Honda to Merge by 2026; Debunk UAE's $40B Bitcoin Claim
Headlines: - Nissan and Honda to Merge by 2026 as Declining Sales Push Nissan Toward Survival- UAE Holding $40 Billion in Bitcoin: Fact or Fiction?- Kushner’s…
The Smashi Business ShowSports add $6.9B to KSA; seven new billionaires; Xmail for Gmail soon
Headlines: Sports contributed $6.9 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP last yearSaudi IPO boom creates seven new billionaires Elon Musk has hinted at launching an…
The Smashi Business ShowADIA Joins $1T Club; Dubai’s $5.6B Blue Metro Line Approved; Anghami Gets $55M Boost
Headlines: ADIA Joins the Exclusive $1 Trillion Club of Sovereign Wealth FundsDubai’s $5.6b Blue Metro Line to be completed on 2029Anghami Secures $55M…
The Smashi Business ShowOman invests in Musk's xAI; MGX in $10B Databricks; Mubadala in Crusoe
Headlines: - Oman Investment Authority Invests in Elon Musk’s AI- Abu Dhabi's MGX Joins $10B Funding Round for Databricks- Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala Invests in…
The Smashi Business ShowDubai launches drone delivery; VAT refund for online buys; Gaza report
Headlines: - HH Sheikh Hamdan Launches Middle East's First-of-its-Kind Drone Delivery System- UAE to Offer VAT Refunds for Online Purchases by Tourists- World…
The Smashi Business ShowDubai's Parkin Mulls KSA Expansion; MNT-Halan in UAE; Microsoft Leads AI
Headlines: - Parkin and BATIC Partner to Expand Smart Parking Solutions in Saudi Arabia- MNT-Halan Expands to UAE, Pioneering Financial Inclusion with Fintech…
The Smashi Business ShowMan City’s Record Revenues, PIF Eyes Newcastle Airport, Abu Dhabi Tech
Headlines: - Man City Hits Record Revenues, Chairman Predicts ‘Further Growth Ahead- Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 Expands Tech Startup Ecosystem with Launch of ‘Hub71+…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE's Economic Growth Year; Saudi PIF Targets PGA Tour; Talabat Recovers
Headlines: - HH Sheikh Mohammed Declares 2024 a Year of“Unprecedented Economic Growth” for UAE- Saudi Arabia's PIF Nears $1.5 Billion Stake in PGA Tour's…
The Smashi Business ShowAbu Dhabi Solar Crypto Farm, UAE-Saudi Workplace Ties, BlackRock IPO Plans
Headlines: - Abu Dhabi to Host $1 Billion Solar Farm for Crypto Mining- 84% of UAE and Saudi Employees Feel Connected to Their Companies- BlackRock eyes Middle…
The Smashi Business ShowTalabat's IPO Stumbles; QatarEnergy CEO Criticizes EU Tax; CYVN Buys McLaren
Headlines: - Talabat’s Rocky IPO Debut- QatarEnergy CEO Questions EU Tax- Abu Dhabi's CYVN Acquires McLaren
The Smashi Business Show"Renaissance State" Abu Dhabi; Bitcoin MENA Day 2; Property Finder IPO
Headlines: - Inaugural Bitcoin MENA Event in Abu Dhabi Entered Day 2- Ray Dalio: Abu Dhabi is a "Renaissance State" as it Emerges as a Hedge Fund Hub- Property…
The Smashi Business ShowBitcoin MENA Launches, Dubai's Walkability Improves, Assad's Regime Falls
Headlines: - Bitcoin MENA Kicks Off Today- Apple CEO Visits Abu Dhabi: UAE Gets Its 5th Apple Store- Sheikh Mohammed Approves 6.5km 'Dubai Walk' Network- For…
The Smashi Business ShowNoon will Soon Dominate; DDF Nears $2B; Dubai Property Prices to Rise 8%
Headlines: - Dubai Duty Free Nears $2 Billion Sales Milestone Thanks to Perfume Boom- Noon Edges Closer to Regional Leadership in E-Commerce and Delivery…
The Smashi Business ShowBitcoin MENA 2024 in Abu Dhabi; UAE Billionaire Growth; Risky Saudi X
Headlines: - Billionaire Growth in the UAE Amid Regional Shifts in Wealth- What’s Next for Kingdom Holding’s $2 Billion Investment in X?- Upcoming Guest…
The Smashi Business ShowBitcoin MENA in Abu Dhabi, Qatar backs Audi F1, Adidas UAE launch.
Headlines: - Bitcoin MENA 2024 in Abu Dhabi- Qatar Investment Authority finalizes agreement to acquire minority stake in Audi’s f1 team- Adidas Launches…