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.

Published

3 years ago

August 14, 2021

Joanna Melki

Yela

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.”

Also Read: Anghami Lab Venue To Bridge Digital And Traditional Entertainment

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

NEOM Announces Breathtaking Luxury Waterfront Development

The residential community will offer a wealth of living, dining, and entertainment options, along with a stunning marina and international school.

Published

5 days ago

May 10, 2024

Nour Nasir

NEOM

The board of Saudi Arabia’s special economic zone, NEOM, has revealed plans for a new development named Jaumur. The project will see the creation of a “cosmopolitan luxury community” nestled on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba.

According to a recent press release, the luxury residential community will “serve the highest standards of future livability and active lifestyle [offering] a unique blend of experiences on both land and sea, complementing NEOM’s evolving regional development in northwest Saudi Arabia”.

Jaumur will include 500 apartments and 700 luxury villas clustered around a marina that will become home to 6,000 lucky residents. The location will offer private moorings and easy waterfront access, along with a selection of upscale hotels with a combined capacity of 350 suites.

neom jaumur project

The marina itself is a dramatic focal point of the development, featuring a colossal 1.5km covered mooring area in the shape of an aerofoil. The cantilevered structure not only forms a breathtaking landmark but will also be able to shelter the world’s largest superyachts.

The marina promenade promises to be a lively, vibrant area featuring a host of entertainment, leisure, and cultural experiences, along with upscale retail stores and world-class restaurants.

Also Read: Dubai Gives Go Ahead For $35 Billion Al Maktoum Airport Expansion

Although Jaumur is very much a place for sophisticated living and relaxation, the development will also incorporate a “state-of-the-art deep-sea research center and top-tier international boarding school”. Planners hope to attract world-leading oceanographic researchers as well as elite students to this unique location.

We’ll leave the final words about this exciting development to NEOM’s press department: “Jaumur’s unique architectural design integrates water where golden sands meet the deep blue of the Gulf of Aqaba. It is a luxury destination to visit, explore, live, and prosper: an opportunity to become part of a dynamic community”.