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Abu Dhabi is consolidating its sovereign investments, merging ADQ’s assets under L’IMAD Holding to create a more diversified and globally competitive fund. The move strengthens the emirate’s strategy to back national champions across energy, transport, healthcare, finance, and technology. Meanwhile, beauty entrepreneur Mona Kattan is urging her followers to support trusted charities providing aid in Iran, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian needs in the region. In tech, Upscrolled has surpassed one million users, reflecting rapid adoption and growth. Its founder shares insights on scaling the platform and what’s next for the social engagement app.

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Abu Dhabi To Merge ADQ Assets Under L’IMAD In Major Sovereign Fund Shake-Up

What’s it About?

Abu Dhabi’s Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs has ordered the consolidation of ADQ’s assets and investments under L’IMAD Holding, creating a larger sovereign investment platform. The move brings dozens of companies and hundreds of subsidiaries into one structure spanning energy, transport, healthcare, real estate, finance and technology, reinforcing the emirate’s long-term investment strategy at home and abroad.

Why it Matters?

The resolution strengthens Abu Dhabi’s sovereign investment ecosystem and advances President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s vision to build globally competitive funds while protecting decades-old investment policy. By combining industrial operators with financial platforms, L’IMAD gains greater scale and flexibility, potentially sharpening capital deployment, supporting national champions and boosting the UAE’s influence across strategic global markets.

What’s Next?

Led by CEO Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi and chaired by Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, L’IMAD will expand internationally through direct investments and partnerships. Its portfolio—spanning TAQA, Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi Ports, McLaren and Louis Dreyfus—will be used to develop priority sectors and deepen Abu Dhabi’s role as a global investment hub.

Sharjah Entreprenuership Festival 2026 Starts Today

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2025 kicks off today, bringing together innovators, business leaders, and aspiring entrepreneurs for one of the region's premier startup events. Hosted in the UAE's cultural capital, the festival features keynote speakers, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to empower the next generation of business creators. Attendees can expect insights on funding strategies, digital transformation, and sustainable business practices. The multi-day event also includes pitch competitions where startups can showcase their ideas to potential investors. Whether you're launching your first venture or scaling an existing business, the festival offers valuable resources and connections to accelerate your entrepreneurial journey. Book your pass now!

Mona Kattan Calls On Followers To Share Trusted Charities Supporting Iran

What’s it About?

Beauty entrepreneur Mona Kattan is mobilizing her millions of followers to identify trusted charitable organizations helping Iranian people. Through Kayali and Kayali Cares' Instagram accounts, she's crowdsourcing vetted charities, asking her community to share recommendations in the comments to create an accessible resource for donations.

Why it Matters?

Rather than just expressing solidarity, Kattan is facilitating direct humanitarian action by leveraging her influential platform. The initiative transforms social media engagement into practical support, ensuring donations reach Iranians facing hardship. Her message emphasizes dignity, safety, and the universal right to live freely without fear.

What’s Next?

The comments section is filling with charity suggestions, creating a community-driven resource for those seeking meaningful ways to help. This campaign demonstrates how Kayali Cares mobilizes its audience for social impact, turning awareness into tangible humanitarian assistance for the Iranian people.

The Founder Behind Upscrolled — And the Surge That Took It Past One Million Users

A fast-growing social media platform called Upscrolled has vaulted into the spotlight after surpassing one million users, according to its founder Issam Hijazi — a milestone he says came in a matter of days as users sought alternatives to major tech platforms.

In a video posted to Instagram, Hijazi thanked supporters and traced the personal and political experiences that led him to launch the app. Born in Jordan to a Palestinian family originally from Safad, he said his grandparents were displaced in 1948 before settling in Amman. Hijazi later lived in several countries and eventually became an Australian citizen.

He said the idea for Upscrolled crystallised in late 2023 after leaving what he described as “Big Tech,” arguing that important stories were being suppressed while misinformation spread online. In November that year, he began building what he calls an alternative social platform focused on free expression, privacy and reduced data tracking.

Upscrolled officially launched in June and initially expanded through word of mouth. But growth accelerated sharply in recent weeks, Hijazi said, with user numbers jumping from about 150,000 to more than one million amid uncertainty around TikTok’s future in several markets.

The company did not rely on paid advertising or influencer campaigns, he added, crediting organic sharing by users instead.

Hijazi acknowledged that Upscrolled remains a small operation, but said the team plans to roll out new features in 2026 and involve its community in shaping the platform’s direction — focusing on transparency, customer support and technical improvements.

“We’re just getting started,” he told followers. “The platform belongs to the people — we’re just building it.”

🦄 World of Startups

• Notion Expands into Middle East with Launch of Arabic Support

• Wio Bank Partners with Pine Labs to Revolutionise UAE Payment Processing

• Vennre Secures $9.6M to Democratise Wealth-Building in Saudi Arabia

• Jeel and Ripple Join Forces to Revolutionise Saudi Payments with Blockchain

• AI Integration Gains Momentum in UAE as Firms Reap Early Rewards

• Argentum AI Taps Saudi Golf Leader Majed Al Sorour for Global Expansion Drive

• SIRBAI and EDGE Forge Strategic UAE Alliance to Elevate Drone Autonomy

👨‍💻From Smashi Business’ Desk

• Binghatti Holding Puts IPO on Hold, Focuses on Expansion with Strong Cash Reserves

• Dubai’s Eat App Secures $10M to Expand Global Restaurant Booking Platform, Enters India via Swiggy Partnership

• Egypt’s Zeal Raises $4M, Eyes F1 Star Lando Norris as Angel Investor to Boost AI-Powered Retail Platform

• Trump Taps Israeli Billionaire Yakir Gabay for Controversial Gaza “Board of Peace”

• Damac Founder Hussain Sajwani Sparks Viral Debate at Davos: “There’s No Such Thing as 9 to 5 in Business”

🔍In other news…

• LIV Golf Plans to Sell Stakes in Franchises for First Time: Bloomberg

• Porsche’s regional chief says shortcomings in charging infrastructure have held back electric vehicle sales across the Middle East, Africa, the Levant and India

• Syria needs $100B in investment to rebuild tourism sector, minister says

• Oil demand to hold through to 2040, says Adnoc CEO

🗓️ Plan Your Events (Jan-Feb 2026)

UAE

• 31 January-February 1: Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (Media Partners)

• 3-5 February: The World Governments Summit, Dubai.

• 9-12 February: World Health Expo (WHX), Dubai.

• 11-12 February: STEP Dubai Conference, Dubai Internet City. (Media Partners)

Saudi Arabia

• 28-30 January: Jeddah International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (JTTX), Jeddah.

• 2-4 February: Saudi Media Forum, Riyadh.

• 2-4 February: Women Leaders Summit and Awards KSA, Riyadh.

• 8-12 February: World Defense Show, Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, Riyadh.

Egypt

• 5-7 February: RiseUp Summit, Cairo. (Media Partners)

• 11-12 February: Ai Everything Egypt (Organized by GITEX Global), Cairo. (Media Partners)

Qatar

• 1-4 February: Web Summit Qatar, Doha. (Media Partners)

• 2-5 February: 21st International Conference & Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG2026)

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