News
Yela Secures Over $2M To Connect Fans & Celebrities Via Video Messages
Yela gives you access to personalized video messages from your favorite A-list celebrities from around the MENA region.

Yela, a platform that aims to connect fans and celebrities via personalized video messages, has secured $2.2 million from global investors to support its launch in its first pre-seed round of funding.
The list of investors includes Justin Mateen (co-founder of Tinder), Sean Rad (co-founder of Tinder), and Razmig Hovaghimian (a board member at Rakuten). The creators of the platform, Alex Eid and Marc Dakroub, claim that they’ve been able to secure the backing of such high-profile investors by offering exclusive access to A-list celebrities, including Amr Diab, Haifa Wehbe, Youssra, Ahmed El Sakka, Mohamed Henedy, Chico, Ghada Addel, Amr Youssef, and Mostafa Shaban, just to give a few examples.
Yela differs from its main competition, American video-sharing website Cameo, by targeting the MENA and South Asia market, whose population is relatively young and tech savvy.
“We’re differentiated in the region we cover, the type of creators we are onboarding, and the audience we are targeting,” said Yela CEO Alex Eid. “Also, the team is made up of second- and third-time venture backed entrepreneurs, with a passion for the product.”
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Because Yela is currently in private beta, users are required to join a waiting list to get early access and unlock rewards. The first 5,000 users were able to secure priority access to the platform and get $100 worth of credits as a bonus. Now, up to 10,000 users can get only $40 worth of bonus credits. Supported payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and PayPal.
Platforms like Yela can be seen as products of the ongoing monetization of human interactions, which has been made possible by the internet and online payment methods. Their usage has increased significantly during lockdowns, likely as a result of people craving social interactions and being more willing to pay for them.
News
Yango Ride Expands Corporate Transport Service In Abu Dhabi
Known as Yango Rides for Business, the solution aims to simplify business travel management for companies operating across Emirates.

Yango Ride, a global ride-hailing service under the Yango Group, has extended its corporate transport solution, Yango Rides for Business, to Abu Dhabi. Initially launched in Dubai in 2024, the company is now expanding in a bid to simplify business travel for companies operating between both Emirates.
Yango Rides for Business offers a streamlined way to handle employee transportation through a single platform. Instead of dealing with the hassle of prepayments or reimbursement claims, businesses will be able to consolidate all ride expenses under a single corporate account that’s billed monthly. The setup makes it easier to track spending while ensuring expenses remain fully tax-deductible.
A key advantage of the service is its flexibility, allowing managers to set ride permissions and budget limits for employees and clients. Businesses can tailor transport solutions based on team needs — whether for daily commutes or specific travel requirements. Additionally, a dedicated account management system provides real-time analytics, enabling firms to monitor usage patterns and optimize costs.
Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head of Yango Middle East, highlighted the importance of this expansion, explaining: “Abu Dhabi’s 4.5% economic growth in Q3 2024 reflects a thriving business environment where seamless mobility is essential for productivity. Yango Rides for Business simplifies corporate transportation, reducing administrative tasks and optimizing costs. By providing a centralized solution, we help companies ensure smooth employee travel experiences, supporting efficiency and growth in this dynamic market”.
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Meanwhile, Ivan Kaplunovich, Head of Yango Rides for Business, emphasized the benefits of the service, adding: “Today’s businesses need to balance cost efficiency with flexibility in a fast-changing environment. Yango Rides for Business gives companies a seamless way to manage corporate transportation — from controlling expenses and booking rides to simplifying billing and generating custom reports. With this level of flexibility, businesses can stay focused on growth, innovation, and delivering value”.
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