News

SRMG Ventures Invests $5 Million To Boost Anghami’s Growth

As part of the agreement, the Riyadh venture capital firm will also have the option to increase its investment in the future.

Published

1 year ago

August 22, 2023

Nour Nasir

srmg ventures invests $5 million to boost anghami's growth

With 120 million registered listeners and a catalog of over 100 million songs, streaming platform Anghami has become the go-to destination for Arabic and international music, podcasts, and entertainment in the MENA region.

Now, the venture capital arm of the Saudi Research and Media Group, SRMG Ventures, has invested $5 million in the Arab world’s Spotify equivalent, giving a further boost to the company’s growth.

SRMG Ventures announced that it will offer its “extensive media reach, content library, and portfolio of leading assets in audio/podcasts,” enabling Anghami to grab a larger share of a fast-growing music streaming sector predicted to “reach $700 million in the Middle East and North Africa in 2026”.

Last year, the market size for audio in the MENA region increased by 35%, primarily due to the popularity of cloud-based music streaming services.

“This demand coupled with the commercial opportunity […] makes digital audio and media one of the investment priorities for SRMG Ventures. These opportunities are also demonstrative of our strategy and commitment to support and develop the media ecosystem,” explained Jomana Al-Rashid, chief executive of SRMG.

Also Read: Dubai Community Launches AI-Powered Pedestrian Crossings

According to Grand View Research, global music streaming is projected to hit a value of $103 billion by 2030, growing at a yearly rate of 15%. Anghami is a key player in that growth, becoming the first technology company from the Arab world to be listed on New York’s Nasdaq stock exchange in February 2023.

SRMG Ventures explained that its investment in Anghami aligns with its strategy of backing businesses showing strong commercial growth. The venture capital company is also focused on media creators and immersive, interactive entertainment, with initial investments including Telfaz11, a Saudi media studio, and Vuz, a VR social media application.

Related Topics:Anghami Saudi Arabia SRMG Ventures

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1,000 Drones Light The Dubai Sky For AC Milan Celebration

Cyberdrone’s groundbreaking display marked 125 years of AC Milan football club and the 1st-year anniversary of Casa Milan Dubai.

Published

21 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Nour Nasir

Cyberdrone, a leading UAV display company based in Dubai, put on a breathtaking drone light show on Monday to honor two significant football milestones: AC Milan’s 125th anniversary and the one-year anniversary of Casa Milan Dubai.

The spectacle involved 1,000 drones working in perfect harmony to project AC Milan’s iconic imagery against the city’s night sky. Highlights included the UAVs synchronizing to form the club’s iconic crest, the signature red and black jersey, and a special emblem marking its 125th year. The intricate performance demanded meticulous planning, not just in terms of choreography, but also in dealing with the necessary permits and logistics.

cyberdrone ac milan dubai

“Our goal was to spotlight AC Milan’s legacy through a stunning visual narrative,” explained Mohamed Munjed Abdulla, Director of Sales at Cyberdrone. “We celebrated the club’s history, its Dubai milestone, and the universal love for football. The show also enhanced AC Milan’s regional presence, growing its fanbase through a cutting-edge, memorable experience. Drone shows are unparalleled in leaving lasting impressions, making them perfect for driving partnerships and growth”.

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Greta Nardeschi, AC Milan’s Regional Director for MENA, echoed the sentiment, adding: “Collaborating with Cyberdrone for this 1,000-drone performance allowed us to connect with our fans in innovative ways. It gave us a unique opportunity to surprise and inspire audiences while elevating our Club’s visibility and that of our partners. Cyberdrone truly helped us take AC Milan to new heights”.

This groundbreaking drone display sets a new benchmark for the Middle East’s sports sector, which already contributes around $2.4 billion annually to Dubai’s GDP alone. Sporting events also generate $1.76 billion in revenues across the region, while the MENA’s entertainment sector, valued at $41.13 billion, is growing at 9.41% annually, driven by rapid technological advancements.