News

Dubai-Based Angel Investor Fuels Growth For GameCentric

The platform aims to triple its user base across the MENA region, a market projected to reach 88 million gamers by 2026.

Published

1 year ago

February 23, 2024

Joanna Melki

dubai-based angel investor fuels growth for gamecentric

GameCentric, a leading gaming platform in the MENA region, has secured a substantial USD 1.5 million (AED 6 million) investment from a Dubai-based Angel Investor, Bilal Merchant. The platform went live on December 1st, 2023, immediately following the funding round.

The infusion of capital strategically positions GameCentric to expand its platform and features beyond the GCC & MENA region, promising to redefine the gaming landscape for players worldwide.

Saad Khan, CEO of GameCentric, emphasized, “Crafting a robust vision for our platform, supported by a sound business model and a seasoned management team, resonated with the angel investor, like Bilal Merchant, who recognized the immense potential within GameCentric, which drove his decision to invest. Our aspiration is not just to be a gaming platform but a cultural phenomenon transcending borders. Collaboration with industry leaders, community-driven programs and an unwavering commitment to having the best user experience drives our future initiatives”.

GameCentric plans to integrate cutting-edge technologies to stay competitive and offer compelling propositions for brands and game publishers. By 2025, the company aims to become a web3 native platform, introducing digital assets such as cryptocurrencies.

Also Read: Top 10 Best Video Games Set In The Middle East

Supporting its ambitious expansion plans, GameCentric has gathered support from industry heavyweights, including LIV, the UAE’s first digital bank powered by Emirates NBD, and Saudi eSports organization POWReSports.

The platform is now poised for aggressive growth and market expansion over the next two years. The company aims to triple its user base across the MENA region and double its array of game titles, catering to both web2 and web3 genres. This initiative not only enhances the gaming experience but also offers innovative customer engagement opportunities for brands.

News

Yango Enhances Yasmina AI For Improved Conversations

The tech company has upgraded its AI assistant to deliver enhanced creativity, deeper conversations, and advanced bilingual translation.

Published

3 days ago

June 12, 2025

Nour Nasir

Yango

Global technology company Yango Group has announced a significant upgrade to the large language model (LLM) powering its AI assistant, Yasmina. This enhancement allows Yasmina to deliver more accurate, nuanced, and context-aware responses in Arabic and English, improving interactions and user experience across the Middle East region.

The upgrade is part of a phased rollout of YangoAI, the company’s suite of advanced AI technologies specifically adapted to regional needs. As a result, Yasmina now offers 38% more accurate and timely responses in Arabic, made possible by an enhanced ability to analyze web documents. Additionally, unnecessary answer refusals have been reduced by almost 50%, ensuring smoother and more engaging conversational experiences.

One of the most notable new capabilities of Yasmina is its expanded bilingual translation skill. The improved assistant empowers bilingual users, educators, language learners, and content creators to seamlessly translate conversations between Arabic and English, facilitating better communication and understanding.

Beyond translation, Yasmina can now provide highly contextual recommendations for everyday activities and lifestyle choices. Users seeking personalized suggestions — for instance, how to spend a day in Dubai exploring both modern and traditional attractions — will experience enhanced clarity and precision from the assistant.

The assistant’s upgraded functionality also aids users with tasks such as real-time currency conversion, homework support that encourages independent thinking, creative brainstorming, poetry and storytelling, and even providing riddles suitable for children.

Also Read: ALJ & Joby Aviation To Bring Electric Air Taxis To Saudi Arabia

“With more precise and culturally aware responses, along with additional skills, Yasmina’s latest upgrade positions it as a trusted everyday companion,” said Rami Abu Arja, Senior Innovation Marketing Manager at Yasmina, Yango Middle East. “From creative storytelling to translation, we are enriching lives with human-centered AI and making innovation more accessible to all. As the region embraces digital transformation, we continue to enhance our AI assistant, aiming to make it even more helpful, versatile, and relevant”.

YangoAI’s continuous training on region-specific data ensures that Yasmina and other Yango services authentically reflect local culture and user expectations across the Middle East.