Author: Sam Allcock

Global AI device ecosystem brand HONOR has officially opened its ALPHA Global Flagship Store at Shenzhen Bay MixC, positioning it as an “AI Smart Living Innovation Hub” — a place where advanced technology meets cultural creativity. HONOR ALPHA PLAN: Turning Vision into Reality Following the unveiling of the ALPHA PLAN at MWC Barcelona 2025, which highlighted HONOR’s transformation from a smartphone manufacturer to a global leader in AI device ecosystems, the launch of the Shenzhen Bay flagship store marks a defining milestone in bringing that vision to fruition. The store reflects HONOR’s dedication to an open, collaborative, and value-sharing AI…

The vibrant soul of Havana is set to light up Dubai as Estrellas de Buena Vista y Más, featuring original members of the legendary Buena Vista Social Club, perform live at the Dubai World Trade Centre on 22 October 2025. Audiences can look forward to an evening steeped in the golden era of Cuban music, with 14 world-class musicians led by maestro Pancho Amat, widely regarded as one of the world’s finest tres players. Blending traditional son Cubano with a contemporary flair, the ensemble unites original Buena Vista Social Club members – including Carlos Calunga, Lázaro Villa, Ángel Terry, and…

Advanced control electronics platform accelerates progress towards practical quantum computing The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has unveiled a breakthrough in high-speed electronics for quantum computing with the launch of Manarat. This newly developed custom control electronics platform represents a vital step towards building the powerful quantum machines of the future – systems with the potential to transform industries ranging from healthcare to energy. Quantum computers are widely regarded as one of the most revolutionary technologies of the coming decades, anticipated to solve problems that remain beyond the reach…

For decades, property investment in Saudi Arabia meant substantial capital, complex transactions, and barriers that kept most retail investors firmly on the sidelines. That model faces its first serious digital challenge. Ghanem has gone live with fractional real estate ownership. The platform launched under the Real Estate General Authority’s regulatory sandbox this week, allowing eligible Saudi investors to purchase registered shares in income-generating properties through an entirely digital process. It’s the first initiative of its kind operating within REGA’s controlled testing environment—a framework designed to balance innovation against the strict governance standards that define the Kingdom’s property sector. The mechanics…

Ramadan doesn’t arrive until late February, but the retail countdown has already begun. This week, Max Fashion pushed its seasonal collection into stores across the Middle East, aiming to capture families early with a proposition that’s become increasingly popular in the region: coordinated outfits for every member of the household, from newborns to grandparents. The Landmark Group brand is leading with two distinct aesthetic directions this year. Both revolve around the same core idea—getting the entire family dressed in complementary pieces that work together without looking overly uniform. First comes what the retailer calls its spring-inspired story. Think daytime elegance…

The timing tells you everything. After years of aggressive expansion funded by venture capital heavyweights like SoftBank, Kitopi finally hit profitability—and immediately went looking for growth capital. Not equity. Debt. That distinction matters. On Tuesday, the Dubai-based food and beverage technology company announced it had raised $50 million in a funding round led by EvolutionX, the growth-stage private credit platform jointly established by Temasek and DBS Bank. For EvolutionX, the investment marks its first venture into the Gulf Cooperation Council region. For Kitopi, it represents validation that the business model works. The company now operates more than 200 locations across…

The workforce burnout gripping the UAE has become impossible to ignore. Across industries, from gleaming Dubai towers to expanding free zones, employees report mounting stress and exhaustion. Yet while most conversations circle around traditional wellness perks—meditation apps, gym memberships, flexible Fridays—one company argues the real solution lies somewhere unexpected: in how workplaces treat neurodivergent professionals. That’s the message Mohammed Husary delivered to hundreds of senior leaders gathered in Dubai this week. As founder and chief executive of VIWELL, a workplace wellbeing platform, Husary has spent years observing what actually moves the needle on employee burnout versus what simply looks good…

For most buyers in the UAE, a home symbolises stability, security, and comfort, with many prepared to make short-term sacrifices for long-term benefits. Emiratis dominate home ownership, with 75% owning their properties, while almost 90% of expatriates remain renters. First-time buyers account for 75% of the current rental market preparing for their first purchase, while 25% are existing homeowners aiming to expand their portfolios. ORA Developers has unveiled new research highlighting evolving trends among home buyers in the UAE, shedding light on differences in budgets, motivations, and decision-making drivers across various nationalities. The study reveals that Emiratis and Western buyers…

Zelo, a leading digital financing platform, has partnered with Watermelon Ecosystem, the UAE’s foremost F&B platform, to transform cash flow management for food and beverage suppliers. The collaboration introduces instant liquidity by enabling invoice financing within 24–48 hours, eliminating the conventional 60–90-day payment delays that often limit supplier growth. Addressing Critical Cash Flow Challenges This partnership directly tackles one of the F&B industry’s most enduring pain points: suppliers facing lengthy waits for payment while needing immediate access to funds for operations, inventory, and expansion. By leveraging Zelo’s automated invoice financing technology, suppliers within Watermelon’s network of more than 1,000 F&B…

Saudi Arabia’s hospitality industry is entering a new era of growth under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which is unlocking opportunities for tourism, business and investment. Responding to the surge in corporate travel, Hospitality Management Holding (HMH) has announced the expansion of its Corp Hotels brand across the Kingdom. This growth is guided by HMH’s innovative Business Leisure concept, designed to unite the efficiency of business travel with the comfort and enrichment of leisure hospitality. “Saudi Arabia is at the heart of one of the world’s most exciting growth stories, and hospitality is central to this momentum,” said Mr. Haytham, COO…