- Smashi Business
- Posts
- PIF Eyes Another Gaming Giant; Healthcare One Reason to Move to Dubai; UAE Pushes Parent-Friendly Workplaces
PIF Eyes Another Gaming Giant; Healthcare One Reason to Move to Dubai; UAE Pushes Parent-Friendly Workplaces
Friday, November 28, 2025
Happy Friday everyone!
ByteDance has reopened talks to sell gaming studio Moonton to PIF-owned Savvy Games Group, signaling Saudi Arabia’s accelerating push to dominate global gaming. Meanwhile, a growing number of British families are relocating to Dubai, with former NHS officials citing healthcare quality as a driving factor. And in Abu Dhabi, the Early Childhood Authority’s latest Parent-friendly Label Impact Report shows 71% of employees say supportive policies boost productivity—underscoring the UAE’s broader shift toward family-centric, globally competitive workplaces.
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 | 40,039.24 | 1.27% |
DFMGI | 5,815.24 | 0.112% |
ADX | 9,705.03 | 0.315% |
Tadawul | 10,640.65 | 0.05% |
PIF-Owned Savvy Games In Talks To Acquire Game Developer Moonton From Tiktok owner ByteDance
What’s it About?
PIF-owned Savvy Games Group is in discussions to acquire Shanghai Moonton Technology from ByteDance, reviving a deal shelved last year. Moonton, the studio behind Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, was bought by ByteDance in 2021 for about $4 billion.
Why it Matters?
A Moonton acquisition would strengthen Saudi Arabia’s expanding gaming ambitions, following Savvy’s role in the landmark $55 billion EA deal. It also comes as ByteDance retreats from gaming amid falling valuations and stiff competition from Tencent.
What’s Next?
Talks are ongoing and may not lead to a transaction, Bloomberg clarified in their report. A successful deal would boost this year’s 34% surge in Chinese M&A activity and further advance Saudi Arabia’s goal of becoming a global gaming hub.
British Families Are Leaving The UK For Dubai — And A Former NHS Chief Says Healthcare Is Now A Prime Reason
What’s it About?
A growing number of British families are relocating to the UAE, driven not only by tax advantages but increasingly by access to reliable, high-quality healthcare. Former NHS England chairman Sir Malcolm Grant told Gulf News that a decade of underinvestment has pushed the UK’s health system into crisis, making the UAE’s modern, well-staffed medical sector a key factor in the migration wave.
Why it Matters?
Grant warns that chronic NHS delays and long waiting lists are prompting UK residents—especially high-net-worth individuals—to seek care abroad. Many now view the UAE as a practical alternative, offering world-class treatment, shorter waits, and greater affordability than UK private hospitals. This shift is accelerating Britain’s millionaire outflow while strengthening the UAE’s position as a global medical and lifestyle hub.
What’s Next?
With nearly 10,000 millionaires expected to move to the UAE in 2025, Grant predicts more families will choose Dubai and Abu Dhabi as long-term homes. As the UAE expands into medical tourism, AI-driven diagnostics, and preventive health technologies, its appeal is set to grow—while the UK faces mounting pressure to fix its struggling health system.
71% Of YAE Employees Say Parent-Friendly Policies Boost Productivity: Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority’s Report
What’s it About?
Seventy-one percent of employees reported higher daily productivity thanks to parent-friendly workplace policies, according to the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority’s newly released second Parent-friendly Label (PFL) Impact Report. Launched under the patronage of Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed, the report highlights the nationwide push to embed family-centric practices across UAE organisations.
“The Parent-friendly Label program bridges national vision and employer leadership, turning intention into impact-driven actions that create measurable change. In Cycle 3 alone, the initiative positively impacted over 163,00 employees including 105,000 working parents and 2,250 parents of children of determination have been positively impacted across the UAE. This milestone reflects a profound cultural shift, positioning the UAE as a global benchmark for harmonizing family, work and wellbeing,” Fatmah Alkaabi, Senior Programs Manager - Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, told Smashi Business exclusively.
Why it Matters?
The findings show measurable impact: 68% of employees said supportive policies encouraged them to stay at least two more years, while 82% of mothers felt empowered to fully utilise maternity leave. With 163,000 employees benefiting in the latest cycle—a 57% increase—the programme is reshaping workforce dynamics, enhancing gender equality, and strengthening the UAE’s talent competitiveness.
What’s Next?
As the UAE designates 2026 the Year of the Family, the PFL programme is set to expand with more organisations expected to adopt extended parental leave, flexible work models, and childcare support. Policymakers say these measures will further drive family stability, boost birthrates—particularly among Emiratis—and align workplaces with the UAE’s long-term national family growth agenda.
🦄 World of Startups
Kingpin, a UAE-based startup, has raised $3.5M to accelerate the rollout of its AI-powered retail and distribution tools across GCC, Europe, and North America.
Secure.com (UAE) – Raised $4.5M from Disrupt.com and launched Digital Security Teammate, an AI-native cybersecurity agent platform.
Shatib (Saudi) – Secured $750K pre-seed from a strategic angel investor for its B2B group purchasing marketplace for construction materials.
SahmAlgo (Saudi) – Raised $1M seed led by Gharesah Investment to expand AI-driven financial analytics for traders and enterprises.
Takadao (Saudi) – Raised $1.5M seed from multiple investors to offer Sharia-compliant DeFi solutions via its community-owned LifeDAO.
FAST Ventures rolls out $3 million venture studio to back MENA startups.
bluworks lands $1 million seed investment to accelerate MENA expansion
