Majlis Crunch
Welcome to Majlis Crunch — a business and innovation podcast from the heart of the UAE. In each short, insight-packed episode, we break down the latest trends in tech, startups, policy, and digital transformation across MENA and beyond. Whether you’re a founder, policymaker, or just curious about what’s next, this show delivers crisp, culture-aware commentary with global perspective.
Episodes
AlphaEvolve and the Future of UAE Supply Chains
In this episode, we unpack Google DeepMind’s AlphaEvolve — a pioneering AI agent that autonomously designs and refines algorithms — and explore its real-world impact on procurement, logistics and supply-chain management in the UAE.
Learn how AI-powered digital twins and edge computing enable companies like ADNOC, Emirates and DP World to:
- Optimise supplier selection by evolving contrac...
the strategic partnership between CNTXT AI and Beam AI to address the Gulf's AI agent market opportunity. Dated 26-Oct-23 and based on the press release “BEAM x CNTXT AI\_MOU PRL\_ Final\_may2025.pdf”, the partnership aims to deliver secure, scalable, and localized AI agents for mission-critical workflows across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), including the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The collaboration leverages CNTXT AI's sovereign...
Tune in as we unpack the dramatic rise and fall of Builder.ai, once hailed as a revolutionary AI-powered software startup. Promising to make app-building as easy as ordering pizza, the company raised over $500 million from major investors like Microsoft and Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund.
But the dream collapsed into insolvency after internal audits slashed 2024 revenue estimates from $220 million to $55 million, and 2023 from $180 m...
In this episode, we unravel why the Honor 400 Pro is stirring up the UAE smartphone market in 2025. Is it just another midrange device, or has Honor truly launched a flagship killer? We break down the specs, benchmark scores, pricing strategy (AED 2,499 / USD 680), and six-year update commitment that set it apart from the crowd.
We pit the Honor 400 Pro against this year’s heavyweights: Honor Magic 7 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, i...
Dubai is reshaping global aviation with a bold $35 billion investment to transform Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) into the world’s largest and most advanced airport. In this episode, we explore the strategic drivers behind this massive infrastructure project, including Dubai International Airport (DXB) reaching full capacity, and the emergence of the Dubai South aerotropolis as a new economic and logistics hub.
We break down...
Summary:
Zaid S. Al Khayyat, Managing Director of Al Khayyat Investments (AKI) since January 2016, has led a transformative era for the family-owned conglomerate. Under his leadership, AKI ascended from rank #66 to #28 in Forbes Middle East’s 2025 list of Top 100 Arab Family Businesses. His leadership philosophy blends family-rooted values with modern strategic execution, focusing on agility, talent cultivation, and long-term invest...
Dubai’s Department of Finance formalised a Memorandum of Understanding with Crypto.com—the first sovereign government to enable direct payment of service fees in cryptocurrencies. We cover the key terms of the MoU, how VARA’s new licence and AML/CFT rules underpin the rollout, the technical flow from wallet to AED settlement, and the government’s phased launch plan. Tune in for the dates, players and next steps that make this a glo...
A sweeping roundup of procurement developments across the GCC. We cover the UAE’s digital leap with MoHAP’s paperless system and the Ministry of Finance’s “Punch Out” integration with Lulu Retail. In Saudi Arabia, a major water network tender signals progress on national infrastructure goals. Oman reports significant savings through framework contracts, while Kuwait eyes export upgrades via a key EPC deal. No noise—just the region’...
This episode highlights MENA’s $180M startup funding spike, featuring standout rounds from Dubai’s Fuze, Saudi fintech Erad, and healthtech Tuba. We also cover mergers in Riyadh, property tokenization in Qatar, and new luxury commerce models from the UAE.
This episode features Saudi Arabia’s startup surge, with Tuba raising $8M and iMENA securing $135M in pre-IPO funding. In the UAE, iACCEL GBI and Ignyte launch a strategic collaboration to boost global startup growth. We also cover MENA’s $228M April funding boom and Mira Murati’s new AI venture seeking $2B globally. No notable news from Jordan or other GCC states in the past 48 hours.
This roundup highlights OpenAI’s GPT-5 launch, UAE’s new AI Nexus Hub in partnership with IBM and MBZUAI, and Saudi Arabia’s national AI safety forum. Also covered: Qatar’s AI-powered sports analytics, Jordan’s AI school curriculum pilot, Egypt’s new startup fund, and Europe’s AI Act progression. Curated for leaders in AI, policy, and innovation across MENA and beyond.
This episode covers the Riyadh Influencer Marketing Summit, spotlighting Saudi Arabia’s rise as a regional influencer hub. Globally, TikTok revamps its Creator Rewards to favor long-form content, while Meta launches a new tool to protect brand IP across influencer campaigns. No major updates in the UAE, Jordan, or other GCC states this week.
The latest in influencer marketing includes major developments from the UAE and global markets:
- Dubai expands its SME-focused influencer partnership program, supporting over 200 creators and small businesses
- SwayHub launches a new AI tool to identify high-performing micro-influencers across the UAE
- Instagram begins beta testing affiliate tagging tools for Reels, shifting influencer compensation toward revenue-share
- Open ...
Today’s Procurement Management News Roundup spotlights a major UAE development:
- The Ministry of Finance partners with Lulu Retail to launch a “Punch Out” integration, allowing federal buyers to access Lulu’s catalog directly within the government’s e-procurement platform
- The new system reduces low-value purchase cycles from 60 days to minutes, boosting efficiency, transparency, and supplier access
No notable procurement ...
Your Startup News Roundup for 05-May-25 spans major updates from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, MENA, and global markets:
- Hub71 launches a new initiative to support high-growth startups in Abu Dhabi
- ADIO and AWS partner to help UAE startups scale on cloud-native platforms
- Saudi fintech Erad raises $16M to fuel SME financing
- MENA startups collect $180M in a week, led by iMENA Group’s $135M round
- UK’s Awen raises $25M for AI-p...
Catch the latest AI developments across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, GCC, Jordan, MENA, and globally:
- UAE launches an AI ethics research lab backed by MBZUAI and MoIAT
- Saudi Arabia signs a $200M deal with Cerebras to power NEOM’s AI projects
- Qatar and Bahrain roll out AI in education and fintech
- Jordan opens its first AI-focused vocational center
- Egypt approves a national AI strategy through 2030
- DeepMind debuts AlphaFo...
Catch today’s top AI headlines in this special regional-to-global roundup. From the UAE’s mandatory AI school curriculum and Saudi Arabia’s draft AI hub law to Qatar Airways' Arabic-speaking AI crew and Algeria’s new data center, this episode delivers the latest in artificial intelligence policy, innovation, and public-private action across the Middle East—and beyond.
Gauri Sarma transforms unused fabric into sustainable athleisure with her brand BeAthletica, tackling fashion waste head-on. Her ‘deadstock’ sourcing model marries environmental responsibility with high-performance design, positioning Dubai at the forefront of ethical innovation.
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