SCALING UP

Saudi startups attracted the most venture capital in the Gulf last year, raising more than doublethe funding of their Emirati counterparts. Yet in AI, the UAE leads, accounting for 60% of regional AI funding, while Saudi Arabia captured just 29%, according to research from Magnitt. The difference reflects the kingdom’s slower adoption, despite investing in foundational infrastructure. “On a high level, the UAE and KSA have differentiated strategies when it comes to developing their AI ecosystems,” Sam Marchant, founder of Dubai-based VC Forward Pursuit, told Arabian Gulf Business Insights. The gap, however, may narrow as Saudi Arabia ramps up 2.2 gigawatts of AI compute capacity. Meanwhile, the UAE’s earlier infrastructure build-out and rapid adoption has made it easier for entrepreneurs to ideate, validate and scale AI startups in the country.

PIXEL DEAL

Saudi-owned U.S. gaming studio Scopely has made a $1 billion deal to buy Turkish studio Loom Games, the maker of hit mobile puzzle “Pixel Flow!” Loom founders Kübra Gündoğan and Emre Çelik will stay on and continue to run the studio from Turkey, Bloomberg reports. California-based Scopely, which owns mobile titles including “Monopoly Go!” and “Pokémon Go,” is owned by Savvy Games Group, the gaming investment subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, and is central to the kingdom’s plans to become a video gaming hub. The PIF has moved to consolidate its gaming assets in recent months, most recently transferring its $3 billion stake in Take-Two Interactive to Savvy ahead of the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI under the Rockstar Games label later this year.

Mubadala: Mubadala Energy acquired 15% in Egypt’s Nargis Offshore Area concession from Eni. 

Mubadala: A joint venture between Mubadala and Kimmeridge Energy Management will buy SM Energy Co.’s Galvan Ranch LNG assets in South Texas for $950 million.

Public Investment Fund: ROSHN Group, the real estate developer owned by the PIF, signed a series of land sale and development agreements valued at more than $570 million during the Restated Real Estate Exhibition in Riyadh.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: Singapore’s Temasek Holdings and ADIA plan to participate as cornerstone investors in Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions’ $341 million IPO in India.

🤝 Strategic Deal: UAE developer Arada plans to bring its recently acquired Australian contracting company Roberts Co. to the UAE to support its projects in the region and the U.K., Arabian Gulf Business Insight reports.

🛰️ Space Deal: San Diego-based Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has been selected by Airbus Defense and Space to provide an integrated ground system for Oman’s first national communications satellite, OmanSat-1.

🏘️ Home Run: The total value of Abu Dhabi real estate transactions hit a record $38.7 billion in 2025, up 44% on annual basis, The National reports. 

🏢 Billion Banked: Abu Dhabi’s Aldar Properties issued $1 billion in hybrid notes to Apollo Global Management via private placement.

✈️ Fighter Jets: The U.K. is intensifying efforts to bring Saudi Arabia into its Global Combat Air Programme alongside Italy and Japan, with senior figures including Prince William and Defense Secretary John Healey lobbying Riyadh.

🧈 Testing Metal: Gold climbed above $5,000 an ounce for a third day amid heightened U.S.-Iran tensions, after President Donald Trump set a 10-15-day window for nuclear talks.

✈️ Plane Delivery: Airbus Middle East revenue more than doubled to $7.8 billion, despite  record backlog caused by manufacturing issues.

🏫 Postcode Premium: Proximity to leading international schools is a key reason for price increase in established Dubai villa communities, according to global property advisory firm BlackBrick.

UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed was seen breaking his fast with citizens and residents of Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, met with Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of Sri Lanka on the sidelines of India’s AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on Thursday. Sheikh Khaled also met withGuy Parmelin, President of Switzerland.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham in Riyadh on Thursday.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that the UAE would provide an additional $1.2 billion in support for Gaza as part of the U.S.-led Board of Peace initiative.

Sheikh Abdullah met with U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent during his visit to Washington on Thursday. He also met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss ongoing ties. 

Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan, UAE Minister of State, took part in a Quad meeting in New York along with representatives from the European Union and the U.K.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, attended the signing of the Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Foundation pledge of AED100 million to support Edge of Life campaign against childhood hunger.

Prince Khalid bin Salman, Saudi Minister of Defense, bestowed on Thursday the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class upon retired General Michael Kurilla, the former Commander of the U.S. Central Command.

Omar Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, participated in a panel titled “The Global Vision for Artificial Intelligence” at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. 

Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, participated in a high-level UAE business delegation to Namibia as part of the UAE Trade and Investment Days.

Khaled Al Shamlan Al Marri, CEO of Real Assets at Mubadala, appeared on  the fund’s podcast, sharing insights into what he calls the “risk castle” framework for structuring investments.

Stephan Ribouleau was appointed Regional Sales Manager in the Far East for Oman Air Cargo. 

Mazen Adnan Dohaji was appointed Senior Vice President and General Manager for India, the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at Exabeam

🤡 Sideshow Hustle: One of the U.K.’s most recognized cultural attractions, Brighton Pier, could soon be in Gulf hands, as the owners look east for a potential buyer. With its fairground rides and vintage amusement arcades, the 19th-century pier on the south coast of England is one of the world’s best examples of Victorian-era pleasure piers. A property downturn has raised the attractiveness of British heritage assets for foreign buyers, particularly from Gulf buyers seeking prestige assets. The Brighton Pier Group is aiming to net $24.4 million in a sale.

March 25-27, Miami. FII Miami 2026. A summit on disruptive technology and investment trends hosted by the Public Investment Fund’s Future Investment Initiative Institute. Faena Hotel, Miami Beach.

March 31-April 2, Dubai. Arab Media Summit. The annual gathering brings together Arab media personnel, influencers and organizations. DWTC. 

April 6-13, Dubai. Quantum Innovation Summit. Part of Global Quantum Week, focusing on quantum technology and applications. Grand Hyatt.

April 6-7, Riyadh. Real Estate Supply Chain Forum. Transforming the real estate supply chain landscape. Mandarin Oriental. 

April 7-9, Dubai. Middle East Energy. Discover what’s new in energy. Dubai World Trade Centre. 

April 7-9, Abu Dhabi. Future Health. Bringing together global leaders in government, science, technology and investment. ADNEC.

April 11-20, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. Fostering collaboration between regional publishing sectors and creative industries. ADNEC.

April 20-22, Riyadh. Future Aviation Forum. Exploring the future of air transport, sustainability, advanced air mobility, and artificial intelligence. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

April 13-16, Riyadh. LEAP 2026. Global tech event covering AI, 5G and startups. RECC Malham.

April 21-23, Dubai. UITP Summit 2026. A high-level event for the public transport sector looking at the future of urban mobility. Dubai World Trade Centre

April 24-26, Abu Dhabi. Middle East Film & Comic Con. Featuring some of the world’s biggest brands in film, TV, sci-fi, animation, manga, comics and collectibles.

April 29-30, Dubai. TOKEN2049 Dubai. A global gathering for the crypto ecosystem. Madinat Jumeirah.

Mubadala: Mubadala Energy and Harbour Energy have been awarded a license by Indonesia’s oil and gas regulator for their joint exploration venture in the central Andaman Sea.

Qatar Investment Authority: QIA-backed Canary Wharf Group’s credit rating has been lowered by Fitch from from BB to B or “highly speculative,” while the London-based real estate developer’s senior secured debt was lowered from BB+ to BB-.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: Cinven, a London-based private equity firm, has agreed to acquire a 50% stake in ADIA-owned motor insurance provider Policy Expert.