- Smashi Business
- Posts
- DWTC-Informa Events Listing; ADNOC Eyes Venezuela; Replit Nears $9B Funding
DWTC-Informa Events Listing; ADNOC Eyes Venezuela; Replit Nears $9B Funding
In partnership with
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Happy Saturday everyone!
Dubai World Trade Centre and UK’s Informa are considering an initial public offering of their joint events business, reflecting Dubai’s ambition to deepen its role as a global hub for exhibitions and conferences. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company is exploring entry into Venezuela’s gas sector through its international arm XRG, a move that could open new energy opportunities amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. In tech, AI coding platform Replit is nearing a major funding round that could value the startup at about $9 billion, underscoring strong investor demand for AI-driven developer tools.
Dubai’s DWTC And Informa Explore Listing Of Joint Global Events Business
What’s it About?
Dubai World Trade Centre and UK-based Informa Group are exploring a potential IPO of their joint events venture, which would combine some of Dubai’s flagship exhibitions and conferences. Rothschild & Co. is advising on the possible Dubai listing, according to sources quoted by Bloomberg. The discussions are at an early stage and may not result in a transaction.
Why it Matters?
The move would underscore Dubai’s push to cement its status as a global hub for conferences and exhibitions. The DWTC–Informa partnership was forecast to generate more than $700 million in revenue and includes major events such as the Dubai Airshow and Gulfood. A listing would also bolster the UAE’s capital markets pipeline amid a regional revival in IPO activity.
What’s Next?
If pursued, the IPO could take place as soon as this year, though timing and structure remain uncertain. The plan comes as regional competition intensifies, with Riyadh, Doha and Abu Dhabi expanding their events sectors. A successful listing would add momentum to Dubai’s ambition to triple the events industry’s GDP contribution to 54 billion dirhams by 2033.
Turning Fans into Stakeholders: Dsquares Forging the Future of Loyalty in Entertainment & Sports
Dsquares is revolutionizing how businesses connect with their audiences across entertainment, sports, and culture. Since 2012, this pioneering loyalty platform has been delivering end-to-end rewards solutions that go far beyond traditional points systems, transforming loyalty into meaningful, emotional engagement.
In an exclusive interview with Amr Henna, Managing Partner and Co-Founder on the Smashi Business Show, discover how Dsquares is redefining fan engagement in the UAE and across the region. At the heart of this evolution is a deep understanding of fan passion—the emotional investment that drives loyalty, advocacy, and long-term value. Through D’vote, Dsquares’ innovative fan engagement product, every interaction becomes a moment of participation, where everyone’s a winner. Fans are empowered to vote, engage, and feel heard, turning passive audiences into active contributors to the experience itself.
By capturing what fans care about most and rewarding engagement beyond transactions, Dsquares creates immersive, community-centric ecosystems powered by AI, analytics, and gamification—where loyalty is earned through emotion, not just incentives.
With a proven track record of helping brands boost engagement and retention through data-driven, personalized programs, Dsquares is expanding from the MEA region to serve clients worldwide.
Join us in exploring the future of fan engagement—and how platforms like D’vote are turning passion into participation.
Markets
EGX 30 | 42,895.41 | Closed |
DFMGI | 6,316.14 | 0.866% |
ADX | 10,123.26 | 0.663% |
Tadawul | 10,609.76 | Closed |
ADNOC Said To Weigh Entry Into Venezuela Gas Sector
What’s it About?
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company is reportedly evaluating a potential entry into Venezuela’s energy market with a focus on natural gas projects, according to people familiar with the situation quoted by Bloomberg. Any move would be preliminary and hinge on establishing clear legal and financial frameworks. The initiative would likely be pursued through ADNOC’s international investment arm, XRG, and might involve partnering with other global energy producers.
Why it Matters?
A Venezuelan expansion would signal a significant step in ADNOC’s international growth strategy as global energy markets reopen following recent geopolitical shifts. Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves and substantial gas resources, making it a potentially lucrative but complex opportunity. Coordination with U.S. authorities could be necessary given current sanctions and political dynamics.
What’s Next?
Discussions are still in early stages, and ADNOC has not publicly commented. The company’s interest depends on legal clarity and financial viability amid evolving conditions in Venezuela and broader energy markets. Any investment decision could take time as regulatory, political and commercial factors are assessed.
Introducing the first AI-native CRM
Connect your email, and you’ll instantly get a CRM with enriched customer insights and a platform that grows with your business.
With AI at the core, Attio lets you:
Prospect and route leads with research agents
Get real-time insights during customer calls
Build powerful automations for your complex workflows
Join industry leaders like Granola, Taskrabbit, Flatfile and more.
Jordanian-American Founder Amjad Masad’s Replit Nears Funding At $9 Billion Valuation
What’s it About?
AI coding startup Replit is in advanced talks to raise about $400 million in new funding at a valuation of roughly $9 billion, including the capital raised, according to people familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg. Toronto-based growth investor Georgian is expected to lead the round. Discussions are ongoing and terms could still change.
Why it Matters?
The deal would nearly triple Replit’s valuation from its last funding round in September, underscoring strong investor appetite for AI-powered software development tools. Founded by Jordanian-American entrepreneur Amjad Masad, Replit has positioned itself as a leader in “vibecoding,” enabling users to build and deploy software with minimal technical expertise amid intensifying competition in AI coding.
What’s Next?
Replit is accelerating product development as rivals crowd the space. The company recently launched an AI agent that allows users to build and publish Android and iOS apps by simply describing their idea. As competition from OpenAI, Microsoft, Anthropic and fast-growing startups like Cursor intensifies, continued innovation and scale will be critical to justifying its rising valuation.
🦄 World of Startups
NVSSoft’s Tarasol Joins Elite Group with Saudi Accreditation Success
Halo AI Boosts Brand-Creator Collaborations, 118% Spike in Sales After Major Update
Oman’s eMushrif Secures $7.5M to Expand Smart Transport into Saudi and UAE
NEOM’s Level Up Backs Five Saudi Startups in Gaming Expansion Push
Wadi Jeddah and Pure Advance Join Forces to Boost Saudi Innovation Ecosystem
HSBC and Presight Forge AI Partnership to Revolutionise Banking in UAE
👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
Mona Kattan has shared a message of solidarity with the people of Iran
Egypt’s $35B Gas Deal with Israel Faces Uncertainty as New Clauses Favor Israeli Supply
Uber’s Khosrowshahi: Major Companies Will Invest Aggressively in Iran After Regime Change
Tunisian Filmmaker Zoubeir Jlassi Wins $1M AI Film Award at 1 Billion Followers Summit
Rio Ferdinand Urges Fearless Reinvention at 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai
🔍In other news…
US gets first $500 million Venezuelan oil deal, holding some proceeds in Qatar
IMF praises Oman but urges faster diversification
Altérra and Spanish lender to launch $1.2bn climate fund
World Governments Summit 2026 to feature gathering of Nobel winners to discuss global scientific challenges
Dubai air taxis, driverless vehicles official launch timelines unveiled by RTA chief
