- Smashi Business
- Posts
- MrBeast Builds in Riyadh; Emirates NBD Goes Hybrid; IHC Holds Aldar Stake
MrBeast Builds in Riyadh; Emirates NBD Goes Hybrid; IHC Holds Aldar Stake
Sunday, November 9, 2025
Happy Sunday everyone!
MrBeast is launching his first pop-up theme park, Beast Land, at Riyadh Season from November 13 to December 27 — featuring real-life versions of his viral YouTube challenges and aimed at his growing Middle East fan base. Emirates NBD has signed a 12-month deal with coworking startup Letswork, giving employees access to 4,000 flexible workspaces across the UAE and beyond in a shift toward hybrid work. Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company says it has no plans to sell its 31.63% stake in Aldar Properties, calling it a long-term strategic investment despite recent market speculation.
But before that: For quick daily updates, follow us on Instagram, and you can watch our Smashi Business Show live every weekday from 10AM onwards (UAE time). Also, you can join our Whatsapp channel to receive updates from the business world.
Markets
EGX 30 | 39,949.66 | Closed |
DFMGI | 6,021.76 | 0.49% |
ADX | 10,075.12 | 0.514% |
Tadawul | 11,302.35 | Closed |
MrBeast to Launch ‘Beast Land’ Theme Park at Riyadh Season in Saudi Arabia
What It’s About?
YouTube superstar MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) is opening “Beast Land”, his first-ever pop-up theme park, at Riyadh Season in Saudi Arabia. Running from November 13 to December 27, the park features original games inspired by his viral videos — including “Tower Siege,” “Airmail,” and “Drop Zone.” MrBeast said he chose Saudi Arabia because “a majority of the audience is outside America and there’s a big Middle Eastern fan base.”
Why It Matters?
This marks a major moment in the intersection of global creator economies and state-backed entertainment. For Saudi Arabia, it supports Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 strategy — attracting tourism, diversifying revenue, and positioning Riyadh as a hub for digital culture and live entertainment. For MrBeast, it’s a leap from online content into physical entertainment infrastructure, backed by one of the fastest-growing entertainment markets.
What’s Next?
If successful, Beast Land could become a recurring global franchise or expand into permanent locations. It also signals Saudi Arabia’s increasing ability to attract Western creators, brands, and influencers. Analysts will be watching attendance figures, sponsorship deals, and whether this sets a precedent for similar creator-led ventures in the region.
MWC25 Doha – Innovation. Impact. Legacy.
MWC25 Doha arrives 25 - 26 November at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center – the first global MWC conference and exhibition for tech and telco thought leaders in MENA.
Join our stellar speaker lineup on a journey of discovery into the most talked-about technologies lifting off in the MENA region. Hundreds of chief executives, investors and founders from around the world are ready to lead high-impact conversations on the AI Nexus, Connected Industries and Intelligent Economies. Hear powerful insights from the podium as senior government policy makers and industry experts share real-world stories. Keynote speakers include H.E. Mr. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, H.E Deemah Al Yahya, Secretary General of the Digital Cooperation Organization and Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo, Group CEO of Ooredoo.
MWC Doha is the gold-standard event to forge your next partnerships in transformative technology with networking events, a dedicated startup-investor platform, roundtables, digital leader programmes and our switched-on showfloor.
Sign up today and secure a 50% off pass – special offer is limited and passes are available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Emirates NBD Partners with Letswork to Offer Hybrid Work Across 4,000 Locations
What It’s About?
Emirates NBD has launched a 12-month partnership with Dubai startup Letswork, allowing its employees to work from more than 4,000 coworking desks, offices and meeting rooms across the UAE and internationally. The collaboration offers staff secure, bookable spaces closer to home, reflecting the bank’s shift toward hybrid work.
Why It Matters?
For Letswork co-founder Omar Al Mheiri, the deal is personal. He shared on LinkedIn: “When I was in high school, I used to queue at Emirates NBD ATMs to pay our Etisalat and DEWA bills for my family. Twenty years later, we’re signing a partnership with the bank itself… a full-circle moment.”
Founded in 2019 by Al Mheiri and Hamza Khan, Letswork was built to provide flexible workspaces to freelancers and startups. Today, it is powering workplace innovation for one of the region’s largest banks — a notable signal of how local startups are influencing corporate infrastructure.
What’s Next?
If the pilot succeeds, Emirates NBD could extend the model across regional offices. For Letswork, this partnership opens the door to more enterprise clients, GCC expansion, and positions the company as a key player in the future of work in the Middle East.
Abu Dhabi's IHC has no plans to sell Aldar stake, CEO says
What It’s About?
Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company (IHC) has confirmed it has no plans to sell its stake in Aldar Properties, countering recent media speculation. IHC — through Alpha Dhabi Holding — owns 31.63% of Aldar, making it the largest shareholder. The company said Aldar remains a “strategic long-term investment”, especially as the UAE experiences a strong real estate boom.
Why It Matters?
Market speculation intensified after IHC announced plans to divest from Modon Holding to avoid over-concentration in any sector. Bloomberg later reported that IHC might reduce its Aldar holdings as part of broader portfolio optimisation. However, IHC CEO Syed Shueb said the group remains confident in Abu Dhabi’s resilient property market, signalling continued backing for Aldar — a developer central to the emirate’s real estate growth. This reinforces investor confidence at a time of rising demand, government-led visa reforms, and economic diversification.
What’s Next?
IHC is pursuing a wider strategy of optimisation and selective divestments, but Aldar appears excluded from this. Analysts will watch whether IHC increases involvement in Aldar’s $1 billion expansion projects in Yas Island and Al Shamkha. IHC, which aims to double assets to $218 billion by 2030, continues to explore growth in India, Central Asia, and the US.
🦄 World of Startups
Zid, Saudi e-commerce enablement platform, expands into Egypt through a partnership with digital store provider Zammit.
Bahrain launches $185mln fund to support SMEs
Deplike, Turkey-based AI music learning platform, raised undisclosed seed funding from 216 Capital to grow its Chordie AI app with 250K active users.
Chari, Morocco-based fintech and e-commerce platform, raised undisclosed Series A extension funding from Egypt’s DisrupTech Ventures to expand its embedded financial services for retailers.
Arab Therapy, Jordan-based online mental health platform, secured a strategic investment from Value Makers Studio (VMS) to grow its licensed telemedicine and corporate wellness services.
First Circle Capital, a female-led VC in Uganda and Morocco, raised $6M from IFC for its $25M pan-African fintech fund targeting pre-seed and seed-stage startups in fintech, insurtech, and climate tech.
👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
Replit founder Amjad Masad congratulates Zohran Mamdani after historic win.
All aboard Saudi Arabia’s “Dream of the Desert” — the Kingdom’s first ultra-luxury train unveiled at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh.
Saudi delivery app Shgardi has shut down after five years in operation — a sign of how fierce the Kingdom’s delivery wars have become.
🔍In other news…
Space42 Profit Falls to $56 Million in First Nine Months of 2025
ADNOC Still Pursuing Stake in Australia’s Santos Despite Market Shifts
Bahrain Overhauls Investment Trust Rules to Become Global Wealth Hub
UAE Pushes AI Strategy with $148 Billion in Local and Overseas Investments
Mona Kattan’s Kayali Fragrance Brand Crosses $100 Million in US Sales
