Happy Wednesday everyone!

Welcome to this week’s Business Insights, where we highlight key developments shaping the MENA region’s market landscape🌍✈️💻

A wave of Gulf capital, political influence, and global tech ambition defines today’s top stories. Paramount’s $108B bid for Warner Bros. Discovery is accelerating with backing from Gulf sovereign funds and key figures like Jared Kushner as Donald Trump signals deeper scrutiny of Hollywood’s mega-mergers. Meanwhile, Apple cements its long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia with a flagship Diriyah Square store, arriving as the $63.2B cultural megaproject gains serious momentum. And in the Kingdom’s fast-maturing gaming economy, Saudi startup Qwacks secures new funding to build the core technologies powering the next generation of regional game developers. Here’s what’s driving these moves and what they signal for the industries they aim to transform.

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Markets

Gulf Wealth, Kushner, and Trump Orbit Fuel Paramount’s $108B Push for Warner Bros. Discovery

What’s it About?

Paramount’s surprise $108 billion hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery is now backed by a high-powered group of financiers, including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Abu Dhabi’s L’imad Holding, Qatar Investment Authority, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, according to new disclosures. The financing is structured as non-voting equity to avoid national-security scrutiny. Kushner’s involvement follows his recent role in the $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts, in partnership with Silver Lake and Saudi’s PIF.

Why it Matters?

The convergence of Gulf sovereign wealth funds, U.S. private equity, and political influence underscores a new era of globalized Hollywood dealmaking, one occurring as Washington sharpens oversight of foreign capital. Trump’s public comments warning that a potential Netflix–WBD agreement “could be a problem” add political heat to an already contentious media consolidation battle.

What’s Next?

Analysts expect a regulatory showdown, with antitrust and national-security reviews likely to shape the outcome. Market observers are watching whether Netflix counters, how Warner Bros. Discovery responds, and how political pressure might influence the final deal structure.

Apple to Open Flagship Store in Diriyah Square as $63.2B Megaproject Gains Momentum

What’s it About?

Apple has signed a lease to open a major flagship store in Diriyah Square, marking a milestone for the $63.2 billion heritage-focused development outside Riyadh. The store will follow Apple’s recently announced rollout of multiple flagship locations across Saudi Arabia starting in 2026. Diriyah Square part of the Kingdom’s vast urban redevelopment has now awarded more than $27 billion in construction contracts.

Why it Matters?

The partnership signals growing global confidence in Saudi retail and lifestyle sectors while anchoring Diriyah’s ambition to become a world-leading cultural and commercial hub. Apple’s presence supports the project’s expected $18.6 billion GDP contribution, 180,000 new jobs, and its positioning as a magnet for international brands amid the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 diversification drive.

What’s Next?

Attention now turns to the broader opening timeline for Diriyah’s retail, cultural, and hospitality districts, including museums, a university, the Royal Opera House, Diriyah Arena, and nearly 40 luxury hotels. Analysts expect Apple’s launch to accelerate brand inflows and consumer footfall as the district approaches full activation.

Saudi Gametech Startup Qwacks Raises $480K to Build Core Tools for Game Developers

What’s it About?

Saudi Arabia–based Qwacks, founded in 2024, has raised $480,000 in pre-seed funding from Merak Capital to build next-generation infrastructure supporting the full lifecycle of game development. Its unified tech layer includes Flock (scalable backend), Protokite (AI-powered playtesting), and DataDuck (market intelligence). The startup is among the first in the Kingdom focused on deep gaming infrastructure rather than consumer entertainment.

Why it Matters?

As Saudi Arabia moves from gaming consumption to game production, demand for developer tools is rising sharply. Qwacks fills a critical gap in the Kingdom’s vision to become a top global gaming hub, complementing major government-backed investments in studios, esports, and talent development.

What’s Next?

With new capital, Qwacks will expand its tech stack, strengthen product integrations, and support more studios across Saudi Arabia and the region. Analysts say the company is well-positioned to become a foundational platform for the emerging MENA game development ecosystem.

🦄 World of Startups

• MoneyHash and WalaOne Partner to Streamline Loyalty Integration in Saudi Arabia

• MASAHA Raises $1.5M to Revolutionise Traditional Tailoring with AI Automation

• Beyon Money and SwiftX Launch Stablecoin-Powered Remittances in Bahrain

• Botim and Binance Collaborate to Unlock Crypto Access for UAE Users

• PRYPCO and Journify Join Forces to Revolutionise PropTech with AI Insights

• Fawry Launches Holding Company to Power Expansion in Egypt’s Fintech Sector

• HSBC and Presight Forge AI Partnership to Revolutionise Banking in UAE

👨‍💻From Smashi Business’ Desk

• Saudi Arabia and Qatar Agree to Build First Riyadh–Doha High-Speed Rail Link

• Richmind Breaks Ground on OYSTRA: Zaha Hadid–Designed Waterfront Community Set to Transform Al Marjan Island

• Augustus Media Acquires UP10 Media to Boost ODEUM Content Studio Across MENA

🔍In other news…

• Dubai robot deliveries: Noon and Yango launch AI-powered autonomous service

• Dubai pushes to become top four global financial centre as DIFC expands

• Ras Al Khaimah real estate surges as Mondrian Al Marjan Island hits $192m sales in two hours

• Lucid’s move into Alkhobar marks a new phase in Saudi Arabia’s EV transition

• Over 150 Chinese investors seek Saudi partnerships in petrochemicals, plastics, and printing

• Brookfield and Qatar’s Qai set up $20bn AI joint venture

• Qatar to invest $30bn to build Egyptian beach resort

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