Happy Tuesday everyone!

National economic stability, active football club management, and global artificial intelligence infrastructure funding are shaping regional business activities. Emirati businessman Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor publicly commended UAE President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, emphasizing that institutional trust and political security form the foundation for long-term economic growth. In Saudi Arabia, Al-Kholood owner Ben Harburg personally delivered official team jerseys to fans in Riyadh through courier service Jahez. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Capital participated in a $3 billion funding round for US data center operator Crusoe, which pushed the company's valuation to roughly $30 billion.

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Khalaf Al Habtoor Highlights UAE Institutional Stability as Economic Foundation

🔹 What Is It About

Emirati businessman Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor commended UAE President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, stating that political security and strong national leadership remain central to the country's economic expansion. Responding to social media messages shared by Dubai Ruler HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Al Habtoor noted that sustained financial growth relies on public trust, institutional strength, and stable governance rather than capital assets alone.

• Emphasizing Governance: Al Habtoor highlighted institutional stability as the primary driver behind UAE commercial growth.

• Building Investor Confidence: Strong legal and regulatory frameworks provide predictable environments for private enterprise.

• Sustaining Prosperity: Trusted leadership structures protect long-term capital investments for future generations.

🔹 Why It Matters

Public endorsements from prominent industrial leaders reinforce confidence among local and foreign investors operating across the UAE. Prioritizing stable governance and institutional trust helps protect private enterprise from broader international economic fluctuations. Maintaining a secure environment encourages long-term capital retention across real estate, hospitality, and commercial trading sectors.

• Retaining Foreign Capital: Predictable regulatory systems encourage international firms to establish regional headquarters.

• Supporting Commercial Growth: Deep investor trust helps regional business groups plan long-term infrastructure projects.

🔹 What’s Next

Public institutions and private enterprises will continue aligning operations with national economic programs under the UAE's long-term development framework. Market analysts expect steady private capital commitments across manufacturing, technology, and real estate.

• Tracking Foreign Direct Investment: Economic agencies will monitor international capital inflows following ongoing business environment updates.

• Executing Long-Term Projects: Major commercial developers will proceed with multi-year construction and infrastructure schedules.

Al-Kholood Owner Ben Harburg Personally Delivers Club Shirts to Riyadh Fans

🔹 What Is It About

American investor Ben Harburg, the first foreign owner of a Saudi football club, personally hand-delivered Al-Kholood team shirts to supporters across Riyadh. Partnering with local delivery application Jahez, Harburg wore delivery gear to drop off orders for fans purchasing the club's "Sunday today or Monday tomorrow" promotional merchandise. The initiative follows Harburg's hands-on approach since acquiring the Qassim-based club in 2025.

🔹 Why It Matters

Direct fan interaction by foreign team owners illustrates changing commercial strategies inside the Saudi Pro League following club privatization programs. Building personal connections with local supporters helps smaller clubs expand their brand presence outside their home cities. Using creative promotional campaigns and local tech partnerships boosts merchandise sales and fan engagement without relying solely on high-profile player signings.

• Expanding Regional Fanbases: Hands-on promotions help smaller clubs attract supporters across major metropolitan markets like Riyadh.

• Testing Privatization Models: Active ownership approaches provide alternative commercial blueprints for newly privatized sports franchises.

🔹 What’s Next

Al-Kholood management will introduce further community engagement initiatives and brand partnerships throughout the current football season. Sports marketing analysts will track merchandise revenue growth and stadium attendance metrics across regional fixtures.

Mubadala Capital Joins 3 Billion Dollar Funding Round for AI Infrastructure Firm Crusoe

🔹 What Is It About

Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Capital participated in a $3 billion equity funding round for artificial intelligence infrastructure firm Crusoe, raising the company's valuation to $30 billion. Co-led by Atreides Management and Valor Equity Partners, the investment follows Crusoe securing a 5-year, $13 billion cloud computing contract with quantitative trading firm Jane Street. Founded in 2018 to power crypto mining with flared natural gas, Crusoe transitioned into building large-scale data center campuses for technology firms including Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI.

• Raising Capital at $30 Billion Valuation: Crusoe secured over $3 billion in new equity funding from global institutional investors.

• Securing Multi-Billion Enterprise Deals: The company finalized a $13 billion, 5-year AI cloud capacity agreement with Jane Street.

• Participating Sovereign Wealth: Mubadala Capital joined international funds to back expanding computing infrastructure.

🔹 Why It Matters

Investing in Crusoe allows Mubadala Capital to back high-growth data center infrastructure supporting global artificial intelligence workloads. Demand for specialized high-performance computing campuses has accelerated as technology companies expand large-scale language models. Connecting Gulf sovereign capital with leading hyperscale data center operators strengthens regional access to global computing supply chains.

🔹 What’s Next

Crusoe will deploy the $3 billion capital injection to build additional hyperscale data centers, including flagship sites for OpenAI and Oracle. Company executives are also holding preliminary discussions with investment banks regarding a potential initial public offering.

• Expanding Texas Data Campuses: Construction teams will advance major computing facilities for hyperscale enterprise clients.

👨‍💻From Smashi Business’ Desk

• Huda Kattan and Dubai’s DIME burger teamed up to launch the “Huda Meal”

• Dubai's Original Ravi Restaurant has Distanced Itself From Other "Ravi" Eateries

• A commercial tanker was struck by an unknown projectile in the Red Sea, 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia

• Dubai-born premium activewear brand SQUATWOLF has officially entered the Saudi Arabian retail market

• Ryanair had something to say about Emirates’ new headrests… and the internet was ready

🔍In other news…

• Abu Dhabi’s G42 Weighs US Ownership to Safeguard AI Chip Access

• China’s WeRide plans 10,000 robotaxis in Saudi Arabia by 2030

• As Wynn in RAK nears opening, a Bulgaria-based supplier of slot machines and electronic table games, has been granted a gaming-related vendor licence in the UAE, the firm said in a Wednesday press release.

• Middle East’s Data Center Push Endures Under the Cloud of War

• US-Israel-Iran War insurance adds $8 to a barrel of oil

• Saudi Grain Giant Shifts Away From Black Sea as War Roils Supply

🦄 World of Startups

• ChatFeatured, Canada-based AI startup, raised $2M in a pre-seed funding round from BY Venture Partners (UAE/Lebanon) and other global investors

• Doctorbook, Syria-based healthtech platform, raised $16K in a pre-seed funding round from a group of angel investors, valuing the startup at $200K

• Carbar, Australia-based car subscription platform, is merging with Carasti, UAE-based car subscription business operating across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Singapore, at a combined pre-raise valuation of $74M

• Fincart, Egypt-based eCommerce enablement platform, raised $2.8M in a seed funding round

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