Suzanne Code Jewelry Opens New Flagship Store In Dubai Mall

Suzanne Code, one of the world’s most innovative and contemporary high jewelry brands, is opening its first Dubai store. The sophisticated boutique at Dubai Mall offers discerning clients the opportunity to experience exquisite stones, skilled craftsmanship and timeless design.

Suzanne Code’s luxury Dubai store follows on from the successful opening of the Europe boutique in 2020. Loved by celebrities including Rihanna, Heidi Klum and Amanda Seyfried, and supermodels Valery Kaufman and Shanina Shaik, Suzanne Code now takes an exciting step into a new region.

Global entrepreneur, brand founder, and Chief Designer Suzanne Voit says, “I am thrilled to open our new store in the Dubai Mall and present customers in the UAE with our latest collections that show our unique approach to jewelry. I’ve always believed that jewelry shouldn’t just be about the big moments in life but that it should make you feel special every single day. We take great care in designing and crafting each piece to transcend trends, giving a sense of individuality that helps customers stand out from the crowd. My team and I greatly respect tradition and heritage, but by using the best lab-grown diamonds in the world we are also merging modern technology to create truly exceptional pieces that embrace the future of the jewelry industry.”

Global entrepreneur, brand founder, and Chief Designer Suzanne Voit. Source: Suzanne Code

One of the first high jewelry brands to use lab-grown diamonds, Suzanne Code is disrupting the market with its bold and creative approach that uses an artful blend of human touch and cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional pieces.

Using sustainable, lab-grown diamonds set in white, rose and yellow gold, Suzanne Code is renowned for producing pieces that allow the stone to look wonderfully open. Minimal use of metal gives each piece a seamless quality that enables them to be worn for a variety of special occasions but also for everyday, as well as being easily transferrable from day to night. Insisting on making jewelry in a single piece or strictly limited editions adds exclusivity and individuality to Suzanne Code collections, all of which are made in Europe by specialist teams of skilled artisans.

Source: Suzanne Code

As well as lab-grown diamonds, Suzanne Code jewelers also craft beautiful pieces using natural unique stones and diamonds in shades such as rare pink and vibrant yellow plus emeralds, rubies and magnificent paraiba tourmalines. By using lab-grown diamonds that are chemically, physically and optically identical to natural diamonds, Suzanne Code is not only embracing the future of jewelry creation but also reducing its environmental footprint.

The Walk with Raffa: Ashiss Kumar Dash, EVP and Global Segment Head, Infosys

As the energy sector navigates the twin challenges of scaling up renewable and non-carbon sources while addressing energy demand growth, security and reliability, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a game-changer. From reshaping the generation, transport and end use of low-carbon energy through intelligent, adaptive networks, AI is enabling the next phase of the energy transition.

AI is tackling the complex demands of the new energy landscape – optimizing energy flows, managing remote and distributed assets, developing simpler energy solutions and driving energy and operational efficiency. With real-world examples and transformative insights, AI is not just supporting but accelerating the journey toward a resilient, carbon-neutral energy future.

Infosys, a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, is helping navigate the digital future for leading Fortune 500 and Global 2000 enterprises. Ashiss Kumar Dash (“Dash”), EVP & Global Head – Services, Utilities, Resources, Energy and Enterprise Sustainability at Infosys, is focused on driving Infosys’ transformation strategies for industries.

He actively contributes to global conversations on energy transition and sustainable development through prestigious forums like the World Economic Forum and the UN’s Global Investors for Sustainable Development Alliance. He represented Infosys at the B20 Summit 2023, the official G20 forum representing the global business community.

So what is his take on the key issues facing us? Here are his insights.

Is AI’s role is evolving beyond a technological innovation, into becoming a critical enabler in achieving a sustainable energy future?

AI and Energy Transition are two global megatrends around the world that are very intertwined:

The new energy network represents an exponential growth in scale. It is also about the complexity that comes from a very high share of intermittent generation, millions on distributed actors generating, storing and trading electricity and smart cities and buildings and vehicles interacting autonomously.

This scale and complexity will need advanced digital platforms and artificial intelligence models to ensure safe, reliable, resilient delivery of carbon-free electricity and the acceleration of energy transition.

We are seeing utilization of AI in areas like forecasting production of renewable energy, identification of problem trees that could result cause wildfires, site selection of carbon capture / storage sites etc.

Given the concentration of data centers is some regions and the unprecedented load growth rates (15-40%) that local utilities are seeing, it also poses some near-term challenges. In the medium to long term, it could also provide the impetus to rapidly mature technologies like long term storage and small modular reactors.

The energy industry is a complex network of distributed assets- What is the role of AI?

Energy industry in general, and utilities in particular, must orchestrate a complex, geographically distributed set of assets to deliver services to end-customers.

We rely on millions of sensors from smart meters and other sensors that monitor the health of our assets as well as extensive communication networks to understand the health of the system.

Given this scenario, the opportunities for AI are very significant:

We are seeing the application of AI to enable call center agents to be more productive through use of semantic search to synthesize large sets of policy documents to actionable information for the call center agent on a live call. AI is also finding adoption in behind the meter load dis-aggregation. Using this technology, energy companies and their customers can identify appliances that are energy inefficient or provide insight on likely high energy usage and recommendations on how to address it.

What are the barriers to achieving a seamless energy transition, and how can AI help overcome these obstacles to accelerate progress?

Energy transition is a relatively new journey and faces many barriers to adoption and acceleration. Common barriers across energy transition are:

This tends to be different for technologies at different ends of the spectrum. More mature Energy Transition technologies like Renewable generation from Solar and Onshore Wind are already cost competitive and have seen strong early adoption and growth. As these technologies push through the next phase of growth, they are dependent on other factors like the improved grid capabilities and advancements in long-term storage which will improve renewable energy penetration.

How do you see the evolution of the Path to Net Zero within the main GCC countries?

As a leading global energy producer, Saudi Arabia is committed to climate change initiatives. In 2021, His Royal Highness, Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, announced the Kingdom’s plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2060 through the Circular Carbon Economy approach. Saudi Arabia has pledged to reduce its carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 278 million tons per year by 2030 in line with the Paris Agreement. This will contribute significantly to achieving global climate targets while protecting international energy security. Kingdom will plant 450 million trees and rehabilitate 8 million hectares of degraded lands by 2030, reducing 200 million tons of carbon emissions with additional initiatives to be announced in the years to come. To further amplify its protection of terrestrial, marine and coastal environments, HRH the Crown Prince announced that Saudi Arabia is joining the Global Ocean Alliance, establishing the Ocean Exploration Foundation and announcing several initiatives – including a Global Center for Tourism Sustainability. HRH the Crown Prince added that this first set of initiatives represents over 700 billion Saudi riyals contributing to the growth of the green economy.

The UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative is a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, making the Emirates the first Middle East and North Africa (MENA) nation to act on climate change threats. The country began financing clean energy projects more than 15 years ago, and has invested over 40 billion USD in the sector to date. Current trends predict the production capacity of clean energy, including solar and nuclear, to reach 14 GW by 2030, up from about 100 MW in 2015 and 2.4 GW in 2020. The UAE supports green infrastructure and clean energy projects worldwide and has invested in renewable energy ventures worth around 16.8 billion USD in 70 countries with a focus on developing nations. It has also provided more than 400 million USD in aid and soft loans for clean energy projects.

UK-Based Pinewood.AI’s US$46.2 Million Acquisition of UAE-Based Seez Aims to Revolutionize Global Automotive Solutions

Seez, a UAE-based automotive technology company that offers artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solutions, has announced its proposed acquisition by Pinewood Technologies Group PLC (Pinewood.AI). Seez has been acquired for an equity value of US$46.2 million in a combination of cash and shares with the share component expected to double in the next three years.

Founded in 2016 by Tarek Kabrit and Andrew Kabrit, Seez’s initial vision was to build an app that identifies any vehicle—from a single picture (dubbed at the time as the “Shazam for cars”). This vision quickly attracted nearly three million users.

However, upon recognizing the evolving needs of both consumers and dealerships, Seez pivoted from a mobile app into an auto AI company.

Today, having expanded globally to 16 markets ranging from Mexico to Australia, Seez offers a complete AI and machine learning (ML)-powered software as a service (SaaS) platform built on proprietary technology. Their products include an AI virtual assistant, e-commerce and omnichannel modules, and AI-powered digital marketing services.

Seez serves a growing roster of clients, including leading automotive dealer groups, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and online classifieds, and has secured key partnerships with top finance, insurance, and SaaS providers globally. As of December 2024, the company recorded an annual recurring revenue (ARR) of $4.4 million- this marked a 5x increase compared to the previous year’s ARR, with projections expecting the number to triple by December 2025.

Pinewood.AI’s proposed acquisition of Seez is expected to deliver a combination of advanced AI capabilities, a loyal customer base, and a strong financial foundation, all while capitalizing on the growing importance of AI in automotive retail. This strategic move is also supported by Lithia Motors Inc. -Pinewood’s parent company and one of the largest dealer groups globally- who plans to integrate Seez’s AI Virtual Assistant, Seezar, across its global network of dealerships.

Seez co-founder Kabrit emphasized that the acquisition accelerates Pinewood’s expansion into the North American market while allowing both companies to redefine how dealers interact with technology, streamline operations, and enhance customer experiences. “By combining our advanced AI-driven solutions with Pinewood’s proprietary data and deep dealer integrations, we are creating a next-generation platform that will empower dealerships with smarter, more efficient tools to drive growth,” he added. “The future of automotive retail is intelligent, autonomous, and data-driven—and we couldn’t have asked for a better partner to make that future a reality,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pinewood.AI CEO Bill Burman reflected on the strategic importance of the proposed acquisition, noting that the partnership builds on their strong progress since Pinewood.AI’s initial investment in Seez in September 2024. “Seez is an outstanding company that has developed highly sophisticated AI and machine learning products that are increasingly critical tools for the automotive retail market, and they are highly complementary to our own Automotive Intelligence Platform,” Burman added.

With this proposed acquisition, Seez and Pinewood aim to position themselves as trailblazers in the automotive sector. Together, they aim to provide smarter, more efficient industry solutions that help their customers unlock value, drive performance and profitability. This is particularly set to come to fruition through Pinewood.AI + Seez, an AI-powered secure end-to-end fully cloud-based ecosystem designed “by car people for car people.”

UAE-Based Phoenix Group to Attend Cantor Fitzgerald Global Technology Conference in New York

Phoenix Group PLC, a UAE-based tech company that offers Bitcoin mining, blockchain, and next-generation digital and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, is all set to participate in the Cantor Global Technology Conference in New York City, USA, from March 11-12, 2025. The company’s delegation will be led by its co-founder and CEO Munaf Ali.

As the first digital assets company from the MENA region to attend the event, Phoenix Group will join a distinguished group of global technology leaders. The conference brings together industry experts, investors, and innovators to discuss the latest trends and opportunities in technology.

Topics covered at Cantor Global Technology Conference will include the institutionalization of cryptocurrency, the intersection of Bitcoin mining and AI/data centers, and the future of digital assets. Phoenix Group is expected to leverage its position as a leading Bitcoin miner to share insights and expertise with attendees.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with leading investors and industry experts. It’s also an opportunity for us to meet with our ever-growing US investors and institutional client base,” Ali said in a statement. “Since our founding in 2017, Phoenix Group has been at the forefront of the digital asset revolution. We’re proud of our achievements and excited about the future. By attending the Cantor Global Technology Conference, we aim to showcase our leadership in scalable infrastructure, proprietary technology, and sustainable digital innovation.”

The first crypto and blockchain conglomerate in the region to be listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, Phoenix Group operates multiple mining facilities in the US, Canada, Oman, Ethiopia, and the UAE, with a total mining capacity of 451 megawatts (MW). It also operates the largest mining farm in the MENA region.

UAE-Born Epik Foods Acquires 1762 from Yolk Brands

UAE-born F&B brand Epik Foods has acquired 1762, a gourmet deli previously under the Yolk Brands umbrella.

The acquisition follows Epik Foods securing of US$15.5 million in private capital funding from Ruya Private Capital I, LP, a fund managed by Ruya Partners. This investment has provided the financial backing for Epik Foods to scale its operations, enhance its existing brands, and pursue strategic growth opportunities.

With over 60 brands across 50 locations, the group continues to establish itself as a dominant player in the region’s food and beverage industry.

As part of its regional expansion strategy, Epik Foods has already secured a first location for 1762 in Saudi Arabia.

While 1762 will retain its existing branding, Epik Foods will provide operational and strategic support to enhance efficiencies and streamline logistics. The leadership teams of both groups will work closely together to ensure a seamless integration, maintaining the brand’s high standards and ensuring a smooth transition for both customers and employees.

Khaled Fadly, co-founder and CEO, Epik Foods, said, “1762 is a brand with a rich legacy and enormous potential, recognized for its deep connection with customers and lasting impact in the F&B landscape. Its strong reputation for quality food, exceptional service, and a gourmet deli dining experience make it a perfect addition to our portfolio. By acquiring 1762, we can expand our reach in gourmet dining and catering sectors, diversify our offerings, and fuel the brand’s potential to enter new markets, starting with Saudi Arabia and extending across the wider region. We’re excited to build on the success of 1762 and leverage our operational expertise to streamline efficiencies and improve the overall experience.”

Steve Flawith, founder and CEO, Yolk Brands, said, “The acquisition of 1762 is a testament to the brand’s strength and the loyal following we built over the years. The team at Epik Foods have the vision and expertise to expand 1762 into new markets while preserving the core identity and values we’ve worked hard to establish. I believe that the true center of any brand lies in its people, and I’m confident that Khaled and Ranya are the right leaders to take this one to even greater heights. I’m excited to see how this transition will unlock new growth opportunities, and I look forward to watching 1762 continue to thrive under their leadership.”

Egypt-Based MNT-Halan’s Expansion Into the UAE Marks a New Phase of Growth for the Unicorn

In the plethora of entrepreneurial success stories that have come out of the MENA in the past decade, few have demonstrated the power of pivoting efficiently the way Egypt-based fintech platform MNT-Halan has. You see, when the startup was launched in 2018 -then named just ‘Halan’- it was a ride-hailing platform. But a few keen market observations and one merger (with Netherlands-headquartered financial holding company MNT Investments B.V.) later, it was re-introduced to the market as MNT-Halan- a financial super app that has achieved unicorn status in 2023, and is currently the seventh-largest financial institution in Egypt.

“In 2017, I visited Indonesia and met the founder of Gojek [a super app that offers a number of services including ride-hailing, food delivery, digital payments, and financial services], which was an eye-opening moment,” recalls Mounir Nakhla, co-founder and CEO of MNT-Halan. “It showed me how technology could scale operations and create financial opportunities for millions. Inspired by this, I partnered with Ahmed Mohsen, and in 2018, we launched Halan—initially as a ride-hailing platform for two- and three-wheelers, serving those excluded from traditional transport networks. As we grew, it became clear that mobility wasn’t the biggest gap—financial access was. Many of our drivers and customers struggled to get credit, make digital payments, or access financial services altogether. That realization led us to pivot and evolve into what MNT-Halan is today: a full-scale financial super app, revolutionizing access to finance through technology.”

Indeed, MNT-Halan is today a financial super app that provides seamless access to lending, payments, e-commerce, and financial services—all in one ecosystem. Operational across Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey, and, now, the UAE, the startup essentially aims to serve the unbanked and underbanked populations.

Source: MNT-Halan

The platform offers a three-pronged suite of services across lending, digital payments, and e-commerce. Within its business and consumer lending vertical, a key highlight is its microfinancing options wherein loans of up to 200,000 EGP (approximately US$3,950) can be applied for and received in three working days. Its endeavors in this space have earned it a 25+% share of Egypt’s microfinance market. MNT-Halan’s other lending options include buy-now-pay-later (BNPL), payroll lending and small and medium enterprise (SME) lending, among others. Within digital payments, it offers services such as disbursement and collection via the Halan cash wallet and peer-to-peer transfers, whereas its e-commerce platform caters to home appliances and fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs) serving both merchants and consumers.

“Businesses can access credit to grow, while individuals can borrow, pay, and invest with ease,” explains Nakhla. “Built on our proprietary core banking technology, MNT-Halan scales financial inclusion at speed, unlocking economic potential across emerging markets. We operate across multiple markets offering tailored financial solutions. In August 2024, we acquired Tam Finans in Turkey, a leading factoring company disbursing over US$150 million monthly to more than 50,000 businesses. In Pakistan, we’re focused on microfinance for small business owners, salaried individuals, and women entrepreneurs. To date, we’ve disbursed over $11 billion, with an outstanding loan book of $1.2 billion, which we’re targeting to grow by 50% annually in US Dollars over the next three years. We serve more than 2.3 million people quarterly, with 1.1 million active borrowers. While we’ve achieved unicorn status and scaled rapidly, our mission remains the same: to improve livelihoods, empower individuals, and create real economic impact through innovation.”

Related: How Naser Taher Transformed MultiBank Group into a Global Financial Powerhouse

The magnitude of the results MNT-Halan has achieved is not lost on Nakhla. “The scale of what we’ve built is significant- but we’re just getting started!” he adds.

Indeed, with the impressive wealth of experience -and, well, success- Nakhla and his co-founder Mohsen have amassed over the years, the duo decided to launch in the UAE in December 2024 as Halan UAE. Its key offering in this new market is Halan Advance, a salary financing solution that provides employees with early access to their salaries. “We’ve already issued over 100,000 earned wage access loans, and thus addressed a critical gap, in just under six months since moving into the market, with plans to expand our offerings further!” reveals Nakhla. “You see, across Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, and the UAE, financial challenges for the unbanked have been shaped by high inflation, economic volatility, cash dependency, and limited access to credit. But in the UAE in particular, a large underbanked expat workforce faces barriers to accessing traditional financial services. Of course, there is no doubt that the UAE has a well-developed fintech sector. But a large segment of blue- and pink-collars remains underbanked, struggling to access affordable, flexible credit solutions.”

Munir Nakhla, and Ahmed Mohsen, co-founders of MNT-Halan. Source: MNT-Halan

Now, Nakhla’s observations about the UAE come as a response to being asked how the fintech startup assesses a given market’s needs and shortcomings. To explain how MNT-Halan addresses each of the four markets it operates in, Nakhla offers a brief overview of the unique challenges faced by them. “In, Turkey, while most people are banked, businesses struggle with long lead times and extremely high interest rates for credit- here, we leveraged our proprietary technology and advanced risk assessment models to make financing more efficient and accessible,” he explains. “On the other hand, in Egypt, the challenge is that most people are unbanked. We addressed this with a digital-first model, using mobile-based lending, microfinance, and digital wallets to bridge the financial access gap at scale. Whereas in Pakistan, with one of the lowest household debt-to-GDP ratios globally, many lack access to structured credit. We entered that market post-COVID-19 and post-floods, when financial providers were struggling, confident that our core banking technology and market expertise could unlock this opportunity.”

It is with this approach that Nakhla and his team have moved into the UAE as well. “At MNT-Halan, adaptability is about focus—we don’t launch every service in every market,” he adds. “Instead, we align our solutions with market demand, ensuring strong unit economics, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth. By combining scalable technology with local expertise, we elevate businesses and individuals while building a resilient and profitable model. Since launching in the UAE, Halan UAE has rapidly expanded through strategic partnerships with leading employers, payroll solutions, and exchange houses. We have already acquired over 100,000 customers and are on track to reach 250,000 customers and disburse more than AED350 million in loans by the end of 2025. As we expand, we’ll continue to leverage our tech-driven infrastructure to introduce more customized credit and financial services that fit the real needs of this workforce segment. By bringing scalable, AI-driven credit solutions to an underserved yet essential workforce, MNT-Halan enhances financial inclusion, boosts economic participation, and strengthens overall economic resilience in the UAE. As such, our goal is clear: to redefine financial access for millions in the UAE, delivering innovative, technology-driven solutions that empower individuals and businesses alike.”

To achieve this end-target, Halan UAE has set three objectives in place: scaling salary financing and micro-loans for the underbanked; expanding innovative financial products; and achieving scale through partnerships. “In the first objective, with millions of blue- and pink-collar expats in the UAE lacking access to affordable credit, our salary financing solutions and robust credit engine for microloans provide instant liquidity with flexible repayment options, addressing a critical financial gap,” reiterates Nakhla. “To achieve our second objective, we are soon launching a relatively novel service- Send Now, Pay Later, a remittance service that allows users to send money home instantly and repay in installments, easing financial strain. Additional services from our financial ecosystem will follow, ensuring greater access to credit, payments, and financial tools for underserved populations. Finally, we aim to fulfil our third objective by integrating with leading payroll providers and exchange houses, through which we can reach over 20% of the UAE’s population.This strategic distribution model enables us to scale rapidly while maintaining strong unit economics.”

Mounir Nakhla is the co-founder and CEO of MNT-Halan. Source: MNT-Halan

As the Halan UAE team sets its sights on carving a competitive niche for itself within the country’s fintech market, Nakhla notes that while the end-goal will always be to aid the financially underserved people, the startup will also not shy away from setting bigger business milestones for itself. “Our most important milestone was developing the ability to provide credit at low risk—a result of building our digital infrastructure, our core banking software (Neuron), credit model, and Halan, our consumer-facing super app,” he declares. “Expanding beyond Egypt into Turkey, Pakistan, and the UAE marked another key milestone, proving the scalability of our technology and business model across diverse markets. Look, unicorn status was never the goal—it was simply a byproduct of being laser-focused on sustainable growth. But now that we’ve made it here, it only feels right to go after a decacorn. After all, 10 is a much nicer number than one.”

Mounir Nakhla, Founder and CEO of MNT-Halan, shares tips on how to pivot and innovate successfully

Don’t chase short-term wins—build a real business. “Growth is important, but if you’re only focused on valuation milestones, you’re thinking too small. Solve a fundamental problem profitably, and scale will follow.”

Think global, but act hyper-local, and execute with hyper personalization. “Fintech can scale across borders, but consumer behavior, regulations, and financial habits are deeply local. A great tech stack means nothing if it’s not solving a real, market-specific problem.”

Your team is your greatest leverage. “A strong business needs people who think, challenge, and solve—not just execute. The right team will push boundaries, adapt fast, and turn strategy into results.”

Don’t adapt—create. “Having attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, one thing is clear to me: the world is changing at breakneck speed. Artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, digital contracts, and crypto are reshaping industries. What works today may be obsolete tomorrow. The winners aren’t reacting; they’re setting the trend. Leverage new tools, disrupt the status quo, and build something that transcends time and space.”

Related: Innovator’s Edge: How Silicon Valley-Based Sakuu Created The World’s First Platform That Prints Battery Electrodes

Ramadan Expected to Start Saturday; UAE Announces Reduced Working Hours

Ramadan is expected to begin in the UAE on Saturday (March 1, 2025). In line with this, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources has issued a circular outlining the official working hours for employees of federal authorities during Ramadan 2025.

According to the circular, ministries and federal authorities will operate from 9:00am to 2:30Ppm from Monday to Thursday, and from 9:00am to 12:00pm on Friday.

The authority stated that ministries and federal authorities may implement flexible working or remote work schedules during Ramadan, based on their requirements and within the approved daily working hours.

The private sector is expected to follow similar reduced working hours, with an announcement expected this week.

The holy month of fasting will last between 29-30 days.

The Best Man for the Job: Ryan Adams, Founder, Professional.me

If Ryan Adams didn’t have a job, it probably wouldn’t take long for him to find one. Not just because he is an accomplished founder, investor, and senior technology executive with over 20 years of experience driving leading innovations. But his latest venture, Professional.me is on track to revolutionize the global recruitment market. You want to hire someone good, and find that perfect candidate in just seconds – you better call Adams.

“Imagine a world where hiring was as effortless as ordering a ride or getting dinner delivered—where finding the right job, or the right candidate, took seconds, not weeks. Every other industry has figured this out. Recruitment hasn’t,” he says, adding: “Why? Because those seamless experiences we take for granted—your car showing up in minutes, your groceries arriving on time—aren’t just magic. They stand on the shoulders of standardized ecosystems: mobile networks, digital payments, GPS, and mapping technology. Without them, none of it would work.”

Source: Professional.me

Enter Professional.me, delivering a Google Maps-like experience to talent acquisition. After two and a half years of R&D and analysing hundreds of millions of data points, Adams and his team have built a breakthrough platform that eliminates inefficiencies, streamlines hiring, and delivers faster, more precise matches than ever before.

Though founded in the U.S., Professional.me is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, with a global team of nearly 20 experts from 13 countries, speaking 14 languages. With a 55% female workforce, it is also as diverse and inclusive as the hiring ecosystem it is building.

Source: Professional.me

Since the public launch in October 2024, the company has partnered with leading employers across banking, technology, real estate, retail, hospitality, and construction throughout the UK, EU, and MENA regions.

It also helps that investors love what Adams is doing: Backed by Raha Beach Ventures, it secured a US$1.5 million pre-seed round in 2024.

Adams adds, “We have nearly closed out another US$4 million seed round shortly thereafter. What we are creating, in terms of result, is simple: At just one click away—you define any role needed immediately, unlike others who merely refine existing job postings based solely off outdated criteria alone without considering nuanced requirements specific organizations may need when recruiting talent effectively moving forward.”

The Professional.me team. Source: Professional.me

And he isn’t short on ambition either: “Our goal is to disrupt a US$268 billion industry dominated by middlemen making connections between employers and candidates alike. We do this by offering direct services, providing better matches tailored precisely according to needs expressed rather than relying solely upon superficial metrics.”

He adds, “What we have built is a standardized, AI-powered hiring language that cuts through the noise, bringing clarity, structure, and intelligence to an industry stuck in the past. We’ve reimagined how employers define roles, how professionals showcase value, and how both sides connect. Real-time insights. Bias-free scoring. Precision matching. This isn’t an upgrade. This is a new beginning. And for the first time, hiring is finally as simple as pressing a button.”

Equally impressive is how quickly Adams has brought big name clients on board. After a seven-month pilot with mega real estate broker REMAX, the company has signed up to be Adams’ biggest client so far, with Professional.me working with the group’s 140,000 staff.

Source: Professional.me

He says: “In real estate specifically, many newcomers typically enter without prior experience directly relevant to this field; thus, traditional keyword-based systems fall short. Our strength lies in understanding context from previous work experiences and transferable skills—like viewing flight attendants’ abilities to deal with high-net-worth individuals or resolve conflicts under pressure—as indicators that they might be good fits for roles at REMAX.”

He adds, “We can create predictive success profiles for opportunities by replacing traditional resumes with insights into each professional’s unique value proposition. Since everything operates on the same platform with a shared hiring language, we can create matches that none of our competitors even come close to achieving in terms of accuracy, speed, and efficiency.”

Professional.me, judging by the success of its early funding rounds and the quality of clients already on board, appears very much to be on a fast track to success. But it won’t be the first time for Adams. A visionary in AI, cybersecurity, and software engineering, he specializes in defining technology strategies that drive commercial success. With two successful exits and a track record of scaling startups to achieve hundreds of millions in revenue, he knows what it takes to build and grow game-changing businesses.

Beyond his work as a hands-on technical leader, he’s an active startup mentor, public speaker, and panellist. He served on Abu Dhabi’s Economic Collaboration Committee – SME Workgroup and is a graduate of MIT’s Chief Technology Officer program. He was also selected to present at MIT’s Innovation Spotlight to an audience of global CXOs and represented the UAE as a speaker at the G20 Digital Innovation Alliance Summit in India.

Most recently, Adams led the company to a major win at the AI Everything Global Supernova pitch competition in Dubai, securing the GITEX Europe award—its first-ever entry into a pitch competition.

“This is about disruption. The recruitment industry is massive, but nobody has really cracked it so far,” he says.

It’s clear that if anyone can, it will be Adams.

Related: Mistakes To Avoid When Planning a North American Expansion

Kris Fade Hosts Star-Studded Birthday Bash at Aretha Dubai

Radio host and TV personality Kris Fade celebrated his birthday day with an unforgettable birthday bash at Aretha Dubai, surrounded by family, friends, and a host of celebrities. His wife, Brianna Fade, who co-starred with him in the hit series “Dubai Bling,” was by his side, adding to the celebratory spirit of the evening.

The glamorous event attracted over 100 of Kris’s closest friends, showcasing a dazzling guest list that included notable figures from the entertainment industry. Among the attendees were Safa Siddiqui and her husband Fahad Siddiqui, as well as Farhana, all stars of “Dubai Bling.” Other notable guests included boxing legend Amir Khan, social media sensation Supercar Blondie, and “Real Housewives of Dubai” stars Nina Ali and Taleen Marie.

The festivities kicked off with a sumptuous dinner, accompanied by live performances that delighted guests throughout the evening. As the night progressed, the atmosphere reached new heights with a surprise DJ set from Kris Fade himself, along with his DJ duo “Cancelled Music,” featuring Dean Curtis. The celebration was a vibrant blend of joy, laughter, and music, perfectly reflecting the charisma and charm of Kris Fade.

Hotdesk and Virtuzone Launch Coworking All-Access Pass for UAE

Global co-working space booking platform Hotdesk and UAE-based company formation specialist and corporate service provider Virtuzone have launched a new co-working space and office product: the UAE All-Access Pass.

The UAE All-Access pass is an all-in-one subscription that gives users access to 100+ premium office spaces across the Emirates, ensuring that businesses, entrepreneurs, hybrid workers, remote workers, freelancers, nomads, and business travelers can find and use the best place to work with maximum flexibility and efficiency with a single subscription.

Subscription packages start at just AED299 per person per month, with an unlimited access option at AED999 per month, which can be purchased from Hotdesk’s mobile application.

Mohamed Khaled, founder and CEO of Hotdesk, said, “We are incredibly proud to be witnessing the UAE flourishing as a global business hub. With Abu Dhabi pushing the front of being the ‘Capital-of-Capital’, and Dubai being the world’s melting pot for business travelers and companies from all around the world, we’re excited to launch this product to allow people working in or flying into the Emirates to be able to access on-demand workspaces, whenever and wherever they need them. A network of diverse co-working spaces across prime locations, all accessible with a single subscription. “Office-as-a-Service” – or OaaS as we like to call it – is how we see the future of office lease management, similar to how Netflix moved us from renting movies into a single bundled subscription.”

Paul Bryson, Managing Director of Virtuzone, added, “We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Hotdesk to introduce their new subscription package to our clients. Like Virtuzone, Hotdesk has been instrumental in transforming a traditional industry, and this innovative solution caters to both startup entrepreneurs and established businesses looking to embrace a modern hybrid work model. We’re proud to be the first to offer this service to our clients and partners, empowering them with greater flexibility and efficiency.”

Related: Gamechangers: UAE Company Formation Specialist Virtuzone On 10 Years Of Supporting Entrepreneurs