Editor’s Note: Saudis Are Becoming The Kings of Content

Back in 2022, when on the second day of LEAP22, Saudi Arabia has announced Ignite, a new program for digital content creation and production, nobody really took much notice. Never mind that it was backed by US$1.1 billion in investment.

It was just one of several mega announcements made at the event. The program would include new investments and support for next-generation connectivity and communications infrastructure, and a new partnership that would see Trend Micro open its regional headquarters in Riyadh. The investment was part of Saudi Arabia’s plans to accelerate its digital ecosystem and leverage its position in the MENA region to become a leading international digital economy. The aim was simple: transform Saudi Arabia into a leading digital entertainment and media production hub.

So three years on, how’s it all gone? Pretty well I would say.

The Saudi creator economy grew by 32.37% in Q1 2025, fueled by influencer marketing, content-driven commerce, and the increasing adoption of user-generated content (UGC), an industry report said. Video content is at the forefront of this expansion, according to the joint study by Admitad and Stllr Network.

Among social platforms, TikTok has seen the highest growth in influencer-driven orders, with its penetration is estimated to be a staggering 88% of the population. X, formerly Twitter, increased by 17%, followed by Instagram with a 12% rise, while Telegram has grown by 10%. The fastest-growing content niches according to Stllr Network, include beauty, which has grown by 56 percent, lifestyle by 45.8% and fashion by 18.2%.

While fixed payments remain common, Saudi influencers are increasingly incorporating performance-based marketing as an additional collaboration model, the report said. Many now adopt a hybrid approach, combining fixed fees with the CPA (cost-per-action) model, where they earn based on real sales and conversions, it said.

Whilst the details and numbers are hugely interesting, what is more remarkable is how, over the past three years, Saudi Arabia has become one of the world’s biggest hubs for content creators. Not only are they now a huge contributor to the country’s economy and growth, but it is an industry that is providing endless opportunities for young people.

By 2030, most experts forecast that content creators will be generating over US$1.5 billion of revenue each year. That makes it the fastest growing content creation market in the Middle East. It is a remarkable story, and one which still has a long and prosperous way to go.

Related: Editor’s Note: Boris Johnson Deserves Credit For Being a Job Creator

ICYMI: Key Highlights from Dubai AI Week

Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, Dubai AI Week was held from April 21-25, attracting key global experts, policymakers, innovators, and industry leaders representing the world’s leading organizations and companies specializing in AI.

Key events of the week included the AI Retreat, Dubai Assembly for AI, Global Prompt Engineering Championship, Dubai AI Festival, Machines Can See summit, AI Week in Schools, 8th edition of the International Conference on Education Quality, HIMSS Executive Summit Dubai, and Hackathon: Agentic AI.

Organized by the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI) and overseen by the Dubai Future Foundation, the event provides a landmark platform to advance public-private collaboration, accelerate the adoption of AI technologies, and promote innovation for global good and sustainable growth.

H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications. Image source: Dubai AI Week

“Every single conversation about AI that takes place across the world today talks about two paradigms: innovation and regulation,” said H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, at the Dubai AI Retreat at the Museum of the Future. “There is another paradigm that most people don’t talk about, but that we in the UAE have adopted as our ethos when it comes to pushing this technology forward. And that is: acceleration. We believe that we should not compromise regulation for the sake of innovation, but we should focus on accelerating the use of this technology in the best way possible.”

Digital Dubai and Dubai Future Foundation unveiled the inaugural Dubai State of AI Report, a strategic publication highlighting the emirate’s accelerating adoption of AI across government operations. The launch coincides with the official rollout of Dubai’s AI Policy for Government Entities, both announced during Digital Dubai’s participation in Dubai AI Week via a dedicated exhibition.

The Dubai State of AI Report is the first in a series of strategic publications and offers an in-depth look at how AI is being deployed today—from predictive healthcare and digital twins for urban mobility to automated business licensing, fraud detection, and AI-powered procurement and auditing platforms. Many of these use cases are already operational and delivering measurable outcomes.

Internal estimates and proportional economic modelling suggest that by 2030, AI implementation could contribute a cumulative amount of over AED 235 billion in projected economic impact, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a key driver of digital economic transformation in the UAE, and supporting the national goal of AI contributing up to 14% of the country’s GDP by the end of the decade.

Meanwhile, the Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR), in partnership with the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG), launched a new report titled ‘Generative AI Adoption Amongst Dubai Government Employees’ in a special session at Dubai AI Week 2025. Based on a detailed fieldwork conducted between October 2023 and October 2024 with responses received from over 1531 public sector employees across at least 34 government departments in Dubai, the report is the first comprehensive analysis of the usage, perceptions and potential exposure of generative AI (gen AI) technology by Dubai Government employees, across different departments and at different levels, ranging from senior management to front-line employees. According to the study, 97% of generative AI users in the public sector believe they have a positive impact on the government sector, while 89% consider acquiring generative AI skills essential for government employees.

In other notable highlights of the week, Sheikh Hamdan attended the announcement of an AED2 billion hyperscale data centre. The facility will be developed and operated by du, the UAE-based telecommunications and digital services provider, in collaboration with Microsoft.

The hyperscale data centre is expected to be developed in multiple phases, progressively expanding capacity to meet the growing demand. Microsoft will serve as the primary tenant, leveraging the facility’s advanced computing capabilities to support its cloud infrastructure and next-generation digital services.

Sheikh Hamdan said, “The project marks a significant investment in digital infrastructure, reinforcing Dubai’s leadership in adopting the latest technologies, innovations, and digital services.”

The inaugural Dubai AI Week also saw the Museum of the Future in Dubai unveil the latest version of Ameca –an advanced humanoid robot– now equipped with enhanced capabilities to interact with visitors in multiple languages, including Hindi and Chinese. Ameca, featuring a human-like face and robotic body, has been greeting visitors on the museum’s ‘Tomorrow, Today’ floor since October 2022. Serving as an intelligent assistant, Ameca has fascinated visitors with its uniquely human-like interactive abilities. The upgraded version of Ameca, revealed during the inaugural Dubai AI Week, now boasts even more realistic facial expressions, natural human-like responses, and highly precise movements.

Museum of the Future debuted upgraded AI-enabled humanoid robot ‘Ameca’ with advanced human interaction capabilities during Dubai AI Week.

Dubai Health Authority (DHA) launched a comprehensive training program aimed at equipping its employees with the knowledge and capabilities required to keep pace with the rapid digital transformation of the healthcare sector.

This initiative reflects DHA’s commitment to supporting Dubai’s annual strategy to accelerate the adoption of AI and to building a future-ready, innovation-driven health system.

DHA is also encouraging private healthcare facilities across Dubai to participate in the initiative as strategic partners in achieving the emirate’s future health vision. The aim is to build a skilled workforce capable of leading innovation and pioneering the use of advanced technologies in line with Dubai’s smart health objectives.

Source: DHA

The five-day long event also saw the launch of innovative solutions and platforms from the UAE’s startup ecosystem.

Dubai-based proptech startup Huspy launched what it said to be the GCC’s first AI-powered mortgage chatbot on WhatsApp during Dubai AI Week 2025. “This is more than just a technological milestone — it is a step toward a fully digital and frictionless home financing experience, in line with the UAE’s vision for AI and innovation,” said Jad Antoun, founder and CEO of Huspy, following the announcement.

Dubai-based startup The Game Company (TGC) launched its AI-powered cloud gaming platform that aligns with the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033—a national strategy to establish the emirate as a global leader in gaming and emerging tech.

TGC’s platform brings over 1,300 AAA titles directly from the cloud, making high-performance gaming accessible to anyone, on any device, without the need for costly consoles or downloads. Built on custom AI architecture, the platform features optimised GPU utilization for maximum visual performance, predictive forward buffering for ultra-smooth gameplay, and cloud-agnostic integration that ensures seamless, low-latency experiences across devices.

Osman Masud, founder and CEO of The Game Company, said, “Gaming is not just entertainment. It is culture, economy, and infrastructure. We have built the foundation for a new generation of gaming and we are proud to launch it here in Dubai. Dubai gave us the platform and belief. We are proud to showcase a homegrown product that is setting a new global benchmark.”

The platform has already seen strong traction during its alpha phase, with over 43,000 registrations and 10,000 gamers onboarded. TGC is backed by key partners including Tencent Cloud, BytePlus (TikTok), Immutable and Fetch.ai.

Dubai AI Week’s startegic partners included Digital Dubai, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, and the UAE AI Office. It also brought together local collaborators such as, Dubai Health Authority, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai), Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai Police, DAMAC and du.

The event’s global tech partnets and leading AI pioneers included the likes of Google Cloud, Microsoft, Meta, IBM, NVIDIA, as well as OpenAI, Palantir Technologies, Eleven Labs, Cohere, Swift, Accenture, HP and Yango. PwC, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), QuantumBlack AI by McKinsey have joined as Knowledge Partner.

in5 Spotlights the Role of Capacity-Building in AI as Strategic Partner of Dubai AI Festival

In line with its goal of empowering innovators to harness the transformative power of AI, Dubai-based entrepreneurship incubator in5 is offering networking and educational opportunities at Dubai AI Festival, taking place on April 23-24, at Madinat Jumeirah.

“Nurturing a thriving tech ecosystem is crucial to unlock exponential economic growth,” said Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President at TECOM Group PJSC, on behalf of in5. “Our Strategic Partner-ship with Dubai AI Festival is aimed at solidifying Dubai’s position at the forefront of the digital econ-omy, and we will continue to empower the next generation of AI experts, innovators, and technologists, in line with Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’ and UAE Digital Economy Strategy.”

At Dubai AI Festival, in5 will spotlight the region’s leading innovators and entrepreneurs that have un-locked business success from its ecosystem, including KinesteX, an AI-powered fitness trainer and Viewit, a proptech startup specializing in video listings.

To further support startup success, in5 is hosting a five-day bootcamp to help entrepreneurs unlock the practical applications of AI. Titled ‘Build Your AI Team in5 Days’, the bootcamp April 21-25, 2025, at in5 Tech empowers entrepreneurs to scale their businesses by leveraging AI for tasks such as building automated teams and creating data dashboards that enable smarter decision-making.

Ahead of the event, in5 hosted an academic hackathon at in5 Tech in Dubai Internet City alongside startups ABCurr Entrepreneurial Institute and Pupilar, with students participating from UAE-based universities to deliver real-world AI solutions for three key economic sectors – mobility, proptech, and healthcare and life sciences. The hackathon’s winners will participate in a competition at Dubai AI Festival, with in5 supporting cash prizes on the closing day.

in5 has nurtured more than 1,000 startups that have raised AED7.8 billion in funding since its inception. A facilitator of partnerships, mentoring, and advisory opportunities, in5 offers a platform for international entrepreneurs and talent interested in exploring regional opportunities from Dubai.

in5 is part of TECOM Group, which has contributed to Dubai’s economic ambitions for more than two decades through sector-focused districts including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, Dubai Production City, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Science Park, Dubai Design District (d3) and Dubai Industrial City.

Related: in5 Dubai Collaborates With Dubai Science Park To Launch Science-Centric Vertical, in5 Science

Saudi Arabia’s AI Moment Driving a Regional Tech Revolution

Driven by Vision 2030 and an ambitious national strategy to diversify its economy, the Kingdom is witnessing a remarkable surge in AI adoption across a wide range of sectors—from energy and healthcare to finance, education, and smart cities. As both public and private entities ramp up investments in AI technologies, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a regional leader in innovation, aiming to harness the full potential of AI to drive economic growth, improve public services, and foster a knowledge-based society.

Rising Demand Across Industries
Saudi Arabia has seen a marked rise in AI adoption across both the public and private sectors. Government entities are leveraging AI to enhance service delivery and improve urban planning, while corporations are deploying machine learning and predictive analytics to boost efficiency and decision-making. Healthcare providers are integrating AI-powered diagnostics and telemedicine solutions. Financial institutions leverage the technology for fraud detection and customer personalization, and Energy & Utilities companies are actively implementing AI for predictive maintenance, energy forecasting, and industrial automation.

The Kingdom’s Bold AI Vision
At the heart of this transfor- mation is the Kingdom’s bold national strategy for data and AI. The Saudi Data and AI Authority has been instrumental in driving this agenda forward, setting ambitious goals including positioning Saudi Arabia among the top 15 nations in AI by 2030. Significant investments are being funneled into AI infrastructure, research, education, and international partnerships. With its strategic geo- graphic location, robust infrastructure investments, forward-thinking regulation, and the advantage of building without legacy system constraints, Saudi Arabia is poised to become the Middle East’s AI epicenter. It is building the “power grid” for AI— through cloud-native infrastructure, national cloud strategies, and investments in high-performance computing. Giga- projects like NEOM are not only incorporating AI but are also serving as testbeds for its application in urban living, mobility, and sustainability. This AI-first environment is also guided by responsible governance. Saudi Arabia is actively shaping ethical AI policies, data protection regulations, and compliance frameworks, creating a stable and secure landscape that invites global collaboration. This makes it an attractive destination for startups and tech giants alike. By offering both the capital and the ecosystem, Saudi Arabia is setting the stage for long-term AI leadership in the region.

AI’s Role in the Future of Work
The rise of AI naturally raises questions about its impact on employment. While automation may streamline or even replace certain repetitive and routine tasks, it also opens doors for value creation, innovation and career growth. In Saudi Arabia, the focus is not on job loss but on job evolution. The Kingdom is proactively embracing this shift by investing in large-scale reskilling and upskilling initiatives. Universities are integrating AI, machine learning, and data science into their curricula, while new vocational programs are emerging to train workers in applied AI skills, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. These efforts are designed not only to future-proof the Saudi workforce, but to make it one of the most competitive and digitally fluent in the region. Saudi Arabia sees AI not as a replacement, but as a catalyst for human advancement—enabling smarter work, better decisions, and new opportunities in a digital economy.

Publicis Sapient: Partnering for Progress
Publicis Sapient, a leading global digital business transformation company that helps enterprises like Marriott, Diriyah Gate (DGDA), Omantel, SCAI ,Miral transform digitally is at the forefront of AI-driven transformation in the Middle East. With an increasing footprint in the region, including a Riyadh-based team and local leadership, Publicis Sapient is working hand-in-hand with its clients to turn Vision 2030 into a reality.

Publicis Sapient harnesses its SPEED – Strategy, Product, Experience, Engineering and Data and AI – capabilities and offers a comprehen- sive range of AI-driven solutions to help enterprises across industries transform. For example, its proprietary AI platform, Sapient Slingshot is designed to enhance every stage of the software development lifecycle. In the context of a Digital Factory, Publicis Sapient has enabled the “Slingshot” approach within several enterprise and government entities in Saudi Arabia to accelerate innovation, transformation, and delivery of digital products. It’s like a focused, high-impact boost that gets a product or solution rapidly off the ground— just like a slingshot launches an object forward quickly and powerfully.

A Defining Moment
AI is no longer about distant potential—it’s about immediate, measurable impact. In Saudi Arabia, the building blocks of this new reality are already in place: visionary leadership, strategic investment, technological infrastructure, and an ecosystem eager to innovate. The message is clear. The future belongs to those who move now, and Saudi Arabia is moving fast.

The Harsh Truth: Not Every Founder Should Be CEO

Let’s get one thing straight: being a CEO doesn’t make you an entrepreneur. And being a successful entrepreneur doesn’t automatically make you fit to be CEO. These two titles—often used interchangeably—are not the same. In fact, they’re rarely embodied by the same person.

Why? Because starting a company and scaling one are two entirely different skill sets.

The myth of the “founder-CEO” is a glorified narrative: genius founder builds company in a garage, becomes a unicorn, takes it public, and rings the bell at the NYSE. But reality isn’t quite so romantic. In practice, most entrepreneurs eventually hit a ceiling. They build something disruptive, but when it’s time to operationalize that vision—when you’re managing teams, scaling processes, dealing with profit and loss, board expectations, and public shareholders—they often flounder.

On the other side, we have the seasoned executive: the operations expert. This is the person who can manage 30,000 employees across continents, turn around loss-making divisions, and deliver consistent returns to shareholders quarter after quarter. This person might not have had the big idea, but they know how to turn one into a sustainable business. That’s your CEO.

I’ve been lucky to have lived both sides of this equation. I spent decades in the corporate world—climbing from managing a country, to a region, to a continent, and eventually running global operations for a massive organization. I learned to lead big teams, successfully run a P&L, and keep shareholders happy. But I also went on to set up a company, raise capital, merge operations, and build a company employing 7,000 people across 15 countries. So, while I brought my executional expertise with me, I also had to rely on gut instinct, vision, and creative risk. It was a different muscle to flex. Founding something is emotional. Operationalizing it is surgical.

That’s where most founders get stuck. They have the vision, but not the discipline. They can grow revenue but forget the bottom line. They chase scale without thinking about profitability. In tech especially, this happens all the time—skyrocketing valuations based on top-line growth, only for investors to later realize there’s no sustainable business model behind the hype.

And the difference between private and public only widens the gap. Once you’re public, you’re not just running a company, you’re doing earnings calls, quarterly reports, appeasing analysts, and defending your stock price. That’s CEO territory. Not founder territory.

Some entrepreneurs can cross that chasm, sure. They’re rare, but they exist. The unicorns among unicorns—those who can innovate and execute. But most successful companies, at some point, make the transition. The founder becomes chairman or chief visionary, and a professional CEO is brought in to run the machine.

And here’s where it gets interesting. As someone who straddles both worlds, I now find myself betting on entrepreneurs. We’ve invested in seven startups with fantastic tech and bold founders.

When we consider investing, two things matter most: the leader and the technical lead. Do they have the common sense and the capability to grow? Do they understand the leap from startup to scale-up? If the answer’s no, we step in and provide the platform. Because you can’t fake operational excellence. And no amount of disruption will save a company that doesn’t know how to deliver.

Take industrial engineering as an example. You might have the most innovative idea in the world, but without the ability to execute in that space—to compete on quality, cost, and consistency—you won’t make it. You’re going up against big players with deep roots, tight margins, and mature operations. Good luck breaking through if you don’t have the infrastructure.

This is why I emphasize corporate experience. It’s not just about process—it’s about mindset. Running a company isn’t glamorous. It’s hard. It’s managing budgets, logistics, culture, and performance—all at once. You need a deep understanding of systems, people, and outcomes. The entrepreneurs who succeed long-term either learn this quickly—or surround themselves with people who already know it.

So, back to the original question: Can the CEO and the entrepreneur be the same person?

Sometimes. But not often. Most of the time, the founder is the spark, and the CEO is the engine. And when you find someone who can be both? That’s gold. That’s rare. That’s your Bezos, your Jobs, your Musk. But for the rest, it’s about knowing your lane—and surrounding yourself with complementary talent.

At the end of the day, building a company takes vision. But running one takes discipline. The sweet spot? Marrying the two. That’s where the real magic happens.

Related: You Only Live Twice: Sherif Foda, CEO and Chairman, NESR

Retail Innovation in the GCC: A Five-Year Evolution

Over the past five years, retail in the GCC region has evolved, and two distinct phases can be identified. The first – driven by COVID-19 and lockdowns – saw an unprecedented surge in e-commerce, with digital platforms thriving and traditional retailers rapidly expanding online platforms. As restrictions lifted, retail entered a second phase of evolution, marked by the rise of so-called ‘phygital’ experience; where retailers blend digital innovation with a rise in demand for a return to traditional shopping habits, creating a more futuristic shopping experience in line with the exponential growth in technology. The region’s retail market remains full of opportunity, if somewhat fragmented, and success will hinge on the leveraging of emerging technologies, strategic partnerships and operational excellence.

In 2020 at the height of the pandemic, the UAE e-commerce market grew by 53% year-on-year, with the country witnessing the tremendous growth of digitally native market players such as Noon, the-ecommerce platform launched by Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). Meanwhile, traditional market leaders such as Carrefour and Lulu in UAE expanded their online platform. Panda in Saudi Arabia scaled up its e-commerce platform, Pandaclick, a strategic move that contributed to the growth of revenue growth by 23% for the company in the first quarter of 2020, despite the reduction in selling space compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

Although the release of lockdown meant business gradually resuming some semblance of normality, e-commerce had already become the new norm, leading to the evolution of retail into its second phase to encompass two contradictory trends. The first, phygital retail – often associated with luxury shopping – resonated with a consumer need to go back to their previous shopping habits, yet in a more futuristic setting in line with the significant advancements in technology. A case in point would be THAT concept store by Majid Al-Futtaim, which provides a ‘store of the future’ experience through digital display screens that create an immersive atmosphere. Using AI and facial analytics the screens, can provide a unique discovery journey for each type of customer based on gender and age group.

Related: Dubai-Based Arabic.AI Built an Arabic-First Autonomous AI Platform that Outperforms ChatGPT-4

The second trend is value-led/discounter retailers that aim to provide competitive pricing for products through strong private label presence, cost-efficient operations and limited assortments. In the UAE, cooperative societies in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah collectively constitute around 12% market share in terms of revenue from the UAE’s overall grocery retail industry. Meanwhile, discounters in UAE are challenged by traditional grocery stores, known as baqalas, that account for 83% of fast-moving consumer goods in UAE, and by the higher consumer appetite – an 89% majority of which are expatriates – for convenience and speed over price.

This situation is not necessarily replicated across the rest of the GCC, with other markets, including Saudi Arabia, noting differences. Saudi consumers are showing a growing appetite for budget-conscious shopping, driven by a growing middle-class segment. This is manifested by the growth of Al Othaim Markets, achieving around 20% market share of the modern trade market and around 5% of the total market share of grocery retail in Saudi Arabia. Other pan-GCC retailers such as Lulu Group and Carrefour, that are not strictly discounters, are able to gain major traction by offering regular promotions and discount campaigns and accordingly appealing to value-conscious consumers.

Despite the high growth recorded in the GCC retail market in the past 5 years, it cannot yet be considered saturated – rather more fragmented – and much room still exists for new market entrants, especially those that can showcase a clearly targeted unique selling point using emerging technologies. Such technologies can either feed price optimization by utilizing data analytics to predict consumer demand and streamline operations, appealing to the ever-growing regional segment of value-conscious consumers, or make use of new technology to enable experiential retail and unique customer experience as demanded by the growing young population. In both cases innovation, effective partnerships and operational excellence are the key success factors.

Retail: From Bootstrapping to Billion-Dollar Valuation: Lessons From Infobip

From Bootstrapping to Billion-Dollar Valuation: Lessons From Infobip

In a rapidly evolving landscape of global communication, businesses have to adapt and innovate constantly to stay ahead. At Infobip, our journey from a small town in Croatia to a global leader in conversational customer experience exemplifies the transformative power of embracing change and leveraging technology. As the CEO of Infobip, I am honored to share insights from our experience, offering actionable strategies for entrepreneurs navigating the dynamic world of modern communication.

Over the past two decades, we’ve witnessed a seismic shift in how people connect—from landlines and letters to emails, mobile phones, and now, messaging-first interactions. Platforms like WhatsApp, RCS, and Apple Messages for Business have redefined engagement, making instant, personalized communication the norm. Customers now expect businesses to be available on their preferred channels, seeking interactions that are effortless and intuitive.

The Infobip journey: From local beginnings to global impact

Our story began in Vodnjan, a small town with a population of just over 3,000. In 2006, driven by a passion for technology and a vision to democratize interactions between businesses and people, we founded Infobip. Today, we have grown to over 3,500 employees, representing approximately 70 nationalities, with offices spanning the globe. This growth was not fueled by external funding but by a relentless commitment to innovation and understanding the evolving needs of our clients.

From the very beginning, we made a conscious decision to bootstrap our operations. The choice to reinvest profits instead of seeking venture capital taught us discipline and forced us to focus on delivering real value. In a world where the norm is to chase large funding rounds, bootstrapping may seem like a disadvantage, but it provided us with a freedom that external funding could never have granted. This approach compelled us to be innovative, resourceful, and relentlessly customer-focused.

Key strategies for entrepreneurial success

1. Embrace bootstrapping as a strength Instead of viewing the absence of external funding as a limitation, see it as a chance to build a lean, efficient, and focused business model. Reinvent your mindset to appreciate every resource at your disposal. Reinvest your earnings wisely and prioritize initiatives that directly enhance customer value.

2. Prioritize innovation and adaptability The technology landscape is in constant flux. To stay ahead, it’s crucial to foster a culture of innovation within your organization. Encourage your team to explore new ideas, experiment with emerging technologies, and remain adaptable to change. At Infobip, our engineering-driven approach has been central to our ability to anticipate market shifts and deliver cutting-edge solutions.

3. Focus on personalized customer experiences Our customers have always been at the heart of everything we do. In today’s digital age, consumers demand seamless, engaging interactions with the brands they trust. They no longer want to navigate multiple platforms or deal with fragmented communication channels. Utilizing data analytics and AI-driven tools can help tailor your communication strategies, ensuring that each customer feels valued and understood. This approach not only enhances customer satisfaction but also fosters loyalty and long-term engagement.

4. Leverage strategic partnerships Collaborations can significantly amplify your reach and capabilities. One of the most rewarding aspects of our journey has been watching our innovations translate into tangible benefits for our clients. Our collaboration with Uber, for instance, was born out of a shared commitment to secure, efficient communication. By providing technologies that enhanced customer safety and engagement, we not only supported Uber’s growth but also set new standards in the industry. This experience reinforced the idea that true value lies in solving real-world problems and delivering measurable improvements in customer interactions. Since 2019, we have enabled Uber to communicate securely with over 110 million users across APAC, EMEA, and LATAM. By implementing number masking technology and integrating various messaging channels, we helped Uber achieve a 90% global call anonymization rate—enhancing user safety and trust.

Related: Rebuilding Brand Trust in a Distracted Economy

5. Maintain a global-local perspective While global expansion offers vast opportunities, it’s essential to remain attuned to local markets’ unique cultural and economic contexts. Establishing a presence in diverse regions enables a deeper understanding of local customer behaviors and preferences, allowing for more effective and relevant solutions. Our offices worldwide operate with a global vision while respecting and integrating local nuances.

6. Invest in talent and diversity A diverse team brings a wealth of perspectives, fostering creativity and innovation. By investing in talent from various backgrounds, you not only enhance your problem-solving capabilities but also create an inclusive culture that attracts top performers. At Infobip, our multicultural workforce has been instrumental in driving our global success.

7. Harness the power of emerging technologies Staying abreast of technological advancements is vital. The integration of AI, machine learning, and data analytics can revolutionize how businesses operate and interact with customers. For example, AI-driven chatbots can provide personalized customer support, while data analytics can offer insights into customer behavior, informing strategic decisions. Embracing these technologies can lead to more efficient operations and enhanced customer experiences.

For every entrepreneur reading this, I offer a heartfelt piece of advice: do not be deterred by the conventional wisdom that success requires massive external funding. The true measure of success is not the amount of capital you can raise, but the value you create through innovation and perseverance. Trust in your vision, be resourceful, and remember that every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Looking ahead: The future of communication

As we advance further into the era of Economy 4.0, characterized by the fusion of physical, digital, and biological worlds, the pace of change will only accelerate. Businesses must remain vigilant, constantly reassessing and evolving their communication strategies to meet emerging customer expectations. By embracing innovation, fostering personalized interactions, and maintaining a global-local perspective, entrepreneurs can navigate this complex landscape successfully.

At Infobip, our mission remains committed: to democratize the future of digital interactions between businesses and people, making communication as seamless and intuitive as possible. We are committed to empowering businesses worldwide to connect with their customers in meaningful ways, driving growth and fostering lasting relationships.

The journey of transforming communication is ongoing and requires a proactive, customer-centric approach. By implementing these strategies, entrepreneurs can position themselves at the forefront of this exciting evolution, leading their businesses to new heights in the digital age.

Related: When Resilience Creates Innovation: Lessons for Entrepreneurs

Dubai-Based Arabic.AI Built an Arabic-First Autonomous AI Platform that Outperforms ChatGPT-4

Dubai-based Arabic.AI unveiled an agentic AI platform specifically engineered for Arabic language.

Founded by serial entrepreneur Nour Al Hassan who was recognized for building language technology provider Tarjama, Arabic.AI has developed Pronoia, a proprietary large language model that benchmarks show outperforming GPT-4, Deepseek and Cohere and other leading systems on Arabic language tasks.

“For too long, Arabic has remained an afterthought in the global AI landscape,” Al Hassan told reporters during the launch event. “We’ve built something fundamentally different—an autonomous system that actually understands the nuances of Arabic across multiple dialects and contexts.”

The company’s agentic platform allows AI systems to execute complex tasks independently, orchestrating multi-step workflows without continuous human guidance. Early enterprise adopters have deployed the technology across financial services, healthcare, legal, and media operations.

Arabic.AI offers enterprises three distinct ways to leverage its powerful Pronoia engine and platform, tailored to meet different business needs:

This flexible model allows organizations across industries to tap into cutting-edge Arabic AI—whether through plug-and-play tools, enterprise integration, or fully tailored deployments.

Several Fortune 500 companies are testing Arabic.AI in production environments after participating in pilot programs, according to company officials.

The technology builds on a massive dataset compiled over 16 years, giving it contextual understanding that generic models lack when processing Arabic content. The company offers flexible deployment options including cloud-based, on-premises, and API access.

Virgio Announces Collaboration with ‘Miss UAE’ Dr. Mahra Lutfi to Drive Sustainable Fashion Movement

Virgio, a India-headquartered sustainable fashion brand with operations in the UAE, has announced Dr. Mahra Lutfi -Miss UAE and Miss Planet International- as its Sustainable Fashion Ambassador. The collaboration was announced during a media event that had industry leaders and key stakeholders in attendance at the Paramount Hotel in Dubai, underscoring Virgio’s commitment to making ethical fashion mainstream and promoting eco-friendly style choices throughout the region and beyond.

Founded in 2023, Virgio has established itself as a pioneer in sustainable fashion, blending contemporary design with eco-conscious practices. The brand’s approach combines natural, biodegradable fabrics with transparent, ethical manufacturing. The brand’s collections are crafted in Sedex-certified factories, are PETA-certified cruelty-free, and use innovative packaging to reduce environmental impact. With a presence both online and in stores, Virgio has seen rapid growth in India, driven by a new generation of consumers seeking style without compromise on responsibility.

Celebrated for her advocacy and achievements on global platforms, Dr. Lutfi will work closely with Virgio to promote conscious fashion choices. Her role will focus on raising awareness about the importance of sustainability in the fashion industry and encouraging consumers to make informed, mindful decisions.

Image source: Virgio

“Fashion should reflect both our individuality and our values,” Dr. Lutfi said during the launch. “True style is more than just how we look and appear; it should also showcase care for our world and each other. With Virgio, I see a genuine effort to create clothing that respects both people and the planet. I am proud to collaborate with them and play a part in sharing their story. Together, we can help people see that ethical fashion can be both accessible and stylish.”

On his part, Amar Nagaram, CEO and Co-Founder of Virgio, added: “At Virgio, we believe that true change in fashion starts with transparency and a commitment to the environment. Dr. Mahra Lutfi’s passion for sustainability and her influence as a role model make her the perfect ambassador for our brand. By joining forces, we aim to inspire a movement towards fashion that is not just about looking good but also about doing good.”

Virgio’s collaboration with Dr. Lutfi signals a step forward for the industry, as it seeks to bridge the gap between fast fashion and conscious living. The partnership highlights the brand’s ongoing mission to offer high-quality, trend-driven clothing that supports a more sustainable future. At a time when consumers are demanding greater honesty and environmental care from brands, Virgio is not just sparking meaningful conversations but also pioneering change in the competitive fashion industry.

Game On: Powering the Next Evolution in iGaming

David Natroshvili built SPRIBE by outpacing the competition with bold decisions, sharp strategy, and a relentless focus on the long game. With the recent launch of SPRIBE’s Broadway Platform, the company continues to disrupt the industry, all while staying true to the values that have guided its growth.

A leadership built on integrity and adaptability
For Natroshvili, the entrepreneurial journey has been defined by three core values. “Integrity, adaptability, and long-term thinking have been central to my journey,” he says. These principles are not just abstract ideals; they are embedded in the leadership culture at SPRIBE. “I believe in building with purpose, not just speed,” he adds, explaining that the company values sustainable innovation over short-term wins. The team at SPRIBE is encouraged to take ownership at every level, fostering an environment where fast-paced growth doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or cutting corners. This culture of empowerment has become a defining feature at SPRIBE, allowing the company to navigate the complexities of the ever-evolving iGaming industry.

Image courtesy of SPRIBE

Broadway: Reimagining the iGaming platform
The most recent manifestation of SPRIBE’s innovative spirit is the Broadway Platform. The platform offers a comprehensive sportsbook and casino suite that Natroshvili believes sets a new benchmark in the industry. “Broadway is a response to a market that’s grown in complexity but lacks streamlined solutions,” he notes. At its core, the platform is designed to unify premium casino content with a fully integrated sportsbook, delivered through a modular system that prioritises speed and efficiency. “We’ve engineered it for performance, scalability, and real-time insights – something the market desperately needed,” Natroshvili explains.

But Broadway is more than just a product. “Our goal is to redefine what operators expect from aggregation: not just access to content, but actionable data, flexibility, and operational efficiency,” he adds. This vision for the platform is grounded in the company’s long-term focus and commitment to sustainable innovation – principles that have been consistent throughout its journey. Broadway exemplifies Natroshvili’s belief that innovation must solve real-world problems and provide scalable solutions. “Broadway isn’t just a product – it’s a future-ready infrastructure for the next wave of iGaming growth,” he states.

Innovation: Driven by data and collaborative input
At SPRIBE, Natroshvili drives innovation by empowering teams from the ground up. “Innovation at SPRIBE is bottom-up and data-informed,” he explains. The company listens closely to its partners and closely analyses player behavior, using data to guide the development of new products. This creates an environment where creativity and practicality work in tandem. “We encourage our team to test bold ideas without fear of failure. But we always stay grounded,” Natroshvili emphasises. Every new feature or product must solve a tangible problem and be deployable at scale – ensuring that each iteration of SPRIBE’s offerings maintains both its originality and its performance edge.

The development of products like Aviator and Broadway reflects this philosophy. Both products have been designed to meet the changing demands of the market while remaining aligned with SPRIBE’s vision for the future of iGaming. “Balancing creativity with practicality comes down to timing,” says Natroshvili. “We give space for experimentation, but we’re ruthless about focus when it’s time to deliver.”

Image courtesy of SPRIBE

Fragmentation: The industry’s biggest challenge
As the global iGaming industry continues to evolve, one of its most significant challenges is fragmentation – across regulations, technologies, and player expectations. Natroshvili recognises this barrier as a key obstacle for operators seeking to scale and maintain agility. “Fragmentation – across regulations, technologies, and player expectations – is the biggest challenge,” he asserts. In the face of this complexity, SPRIBE has remained focused on building adaptable, compliance-ready technology that allows operators to navigate this fragmented landscape without becoming bloated. “Broadway, for example, is built to support rapid configuration and localization, which allows operators to stay agile, no matter the market,” he adds.

This focus on agility and adaptability is at the core of SPRIBE’s growth strategy. As the company scales, it continues to refine its product offering to ensure that it remains relevant across diverse markets with varying regulatory environments. This adaptability is one of the reasons SPRIBE has managed to stay ahead of industry trends while also maintaining a streamlined, efficient approach to innovation.

Scaling SPRIBE: Relentless focus and clarity
For any entrepreneur, scaling a business in a competitive market is no small feat. When asked about the most critical factor behind SPRIBE’s successful scaling, Natroshvili emphasizes the importance of a relentless focus on product. “Relentless product focus. From day one, we’ve chosen to excel in a few things rather than chase everything,” he explains. This has been the secret behind the success of both Aviator and Broadway.

He advises entrepreneurs looking to expand in a competitive market to “know your edge, and double down on it.” By maintaining a sharp focus on their core strengths, SPRIBE has been able to scale its operations and product offerings without compromising on quality or vision. “In competitive markets, clarity beats complexity,” Natroshvili adds. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: focus on what makes you unique, and build a team that shares your vision. This clarity and alignment within the team are what make scaling sustainable.

Building resilience: Adaptability and strategy
As SPRIBE continues to grow, Natroshvili stresses that building resilience is about more than just having a great product. “The biggest misconception? That the product is everything,” he says. “It’s not. Distribution, user acquisition, and long-term engagement are just as critical. A great product with no strategy behind it won’t survive.”

To build a robust business, Natroshvili advises entrepreneurs to create systems and teams that can adapt. “Markets shift, tech evolves, competitors emerge. Resilience comes from designing systems – and teams – that can pivot when needed, without losing momentum,” he explains. For SPRIBE, this adaptability is key to maintaining growth and navigating the complexities of the gaming industry.

Embracing the uncomfortable
Finally, Natroshvili shares the most important piece of advice he’s received as an entrepreneur: “Stay uncomfortable.” Growth, he explains, rarely happens in comfort zones. The best decisions he’s made, both personally and for SPRIBE, have come from moments of uncertainty and pressure. “Learning to embrace that space – not fear it – has been key to pushing boundaries at SPRIBE and beyond,” Natroshvili concludes.

This mindset of embracing discomfort and continuously challenging the status quo has been the cornerstone of SPRIBE’s entrepreneurial journey. It is a philosophy that continues to propel the company forward, driving both its innovation and its success in a fiercely competitive industry. SPRIBE isn’t just responding to the future of iGaming – it’s shaping it.