News

Spotify Rumored To Be Taking Over Rival Anghami

The Abu Dhabi-based music streaming service was listed on the Nasdaq back in February of this year.

Published

2 years ago

November 4, 2022

spotify rumored to be taking over rival anghami

Music streaming giant Spotify is believed to be gearing up for a potential takeover of Abu Dhabi-based Anghami, which went public on the Nasdaq stock market in February, according to undisclosed sources.

Rumor has it that Anghami went public knowing that Spotify had shown interest in acquiring them. However, a Spotify spokesperson insisted there was no news to report on the matter, and Anghami representatives have also been tight-lipped.

Anghami, was the first Arab tech company to list on the Nasdaq, and recently moved its headquarters from Beirut to Abu Dhabi, after entering into the Abu Dhabi Investment Office’s Innovation Programme, to the tune of $545 million.

Also Read: The Technology Powering Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022

So why would a takeover make sense for Spotify? Well, for one, Anghami has a vast library of Arabic music and has signed deals with Egyptian star Amr Diab, and Saudi Arabia’s Rotana record label, the largest in the Middle East. The Abu Dhabi-based streaming service also has nearly 60% of the Middle Eastern market share, with 1.28 million paying subscribers and almost 20 million active users.

As Anghami continues to expand its reach, including a recent acquisition of Spotlight Events, a company that specializes in live events and concerts in the MENA region, interest from tech giants like Spotify will surely continue over the coming years.

News

Mamo Completes $3.4M Funding Round To Enhance Fintech Services

The startup will use the influx of cash to expand into Saudi Arabia and across the wider GCC while improving its product offering.

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Nour Nasir

Mamo

UAE-based fintech Mamo has announced the completion of a $3.4 million funding round that will help the startup extend its market presence and improve its product offering. Investors included 4DX Ventures, the Dubai Future District Fund and Cyfr Capital.

Mamo’s platform offers “payment collection, corporate cards and expense management” to help small and medium-sized businesses consolidate and streamline their operations. With the latest influx of capital, Mamo will further develop its comprehensive suite of services and begin testing its product lines in Saudi Arabia, further extending its footprint across the GCC.

Imad Gharazeddine, co-founder and CEO of Mamo, stated: “We’ve been in the market for a while now and are incredibly proud of what our team has achieved. The holistic and expansive nature of our product offering has helped us continue to grow sustainably. This additional funding will allow us to reach our medium-term goals even faster. The support from new and existing investors is a testament to our strong expertise and the ability to deliver on our customer promise”.

Daniel Marlo, General Partner of lead investor 4DX Ventures, added: “We have immense trust in Imad’s vision, leadership and Mamo’s innovative approach to provide a user-friendly and comprehensive financial solution for SMEs that makes financial management more accessible and efficient. We are proud to partner with them and support their mission”.

Also Read: A Guide To Digital Payment Methods In The Middle East

Amer Fatayer, Managing Director of Dubai Future District Fund’s investment team, also commented: “Mamo’s localized product lines serve as an infrastructure for SME payments and spend management in UAE, a segment that is underserved by the country’s current banking infrastructure. The team has taken a product-first approach to consolidating SMEs’ financial journeys and building a fintech solution deeply embedded in a business’s core operations”.

To date, Mamo has raised around $13 million in investment funding and now boasts a team of 30 people. The company’s intuitive financial services platform has allowed over 1,000 businesses to consolidate their financial operations and significantly reduce payment fees.