Saudi VC Impact46 expands gaming portfolio with multi-studio investments
Studios span mobile, PC, console, VR, and hybrid-casual game development, with culturally localised and globally appealing content.
This investment builds on earlier 2025 investments in Spoilz and Spekter Games, expanding Impact46's gaming portfolio to seven active companies.
Investment aligns with Saudi Arabia's National Gaming and Esports Strategy and Vision 2030, positioning the Kingdom as a global gaming hub.
Press release:
Impact46 has announced investments exceeding SAR 25 million in five gaming studios—Fahy, NJD, Game Cooks, Starvania, and Alpaka—as part of its SAR 150 million Gaming Fund, launched in March 2024. The fund reflects Impact46's long-term commitment to backing high-potential founders shaping the future of digital content and gaming experiences in the region.
The studios span a diverse slate of gaming innovation, from culturally grounded mobile gameplay to immersive console/PC experiences and next-generation hybrid-casual action games, highlighting the creative and technical depth emerging from MENA's game development ecosystem.
'We see gaming as more than a sector; it's a language of youth, culture, and creation,' said Basmah Alsinaidi, Managing Partner at Impact46. 'Through these investments, we're backing builders who aren't just launching games but creating the infrastructure, stories, and platforms that define the next era of content in the region.'
This announcement builds on Impact46's growing portfolio in gaming, following earlier 2025 investments in Spoilz, a mobile game studio developing engaging IPs, and Spekter Games, a next-gen studio bringing mobile games to chat-based super apps, seamlessly blending traditional gameplay with Web3 incentive layers. Together, these nine companies represent a new wave of MENA gaming ventures redefining how content is created, distributed, and experienced across the region.
This momentum aligns with the Kingdom's rise as a global leader in gaming and interactive entertainment, in step with the National Gaming and Esports Strategy and Vision 2030's push to diversify the economy and enable homegrown innovation. From national enabler programs such as the National Development Fund, Social Development Fund, CODE by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, and Saudi Esports Federation, to global initiatives by the Esports World Cup Foundation and Savvy Games Group, Saudi Arabia is positioned to become a launchpad for the region's gaming ecosystem.
About the startups:
Fahy – A Saudi-based mobile game development studio crafting experiences that are instantly fun yet endlessly rewarding.
NJD Games – A Saudi mobile game studio that creates joy and lasting memories through mobile gaming.
Game Cooks – A dynamic game development and publishing studio specialising in Virtual Reality (VR), Mobile, and PC video games. With a signature blend of action, adventure, and puzzle elements, the studio has released over 22 original titles and earned numerous international awards for its creativity and innovation. Now proudly establishing its base in Riyadh, Game Cooks is entering a new chapter—focused on delivering localised, culturally tailored, and globally engaging gaming experiences.
Starvania – A Saudi indie game studio dedicated to creating fantasy universes from fresh perspectives, where worlds are rich with thoughtfulness and inspiring concepts. Specialises in PC and console games.
Alpaka – A mobile gaming studio producing and developing next-generation hybrid-casual games in the action genre.
Spoilz (earlier investment) – Games that spark joy and connect cultures everywhere.
Spekter Games (earlier investment) – A next-gen game publisher blending Web2 and Web3 to supercharge games at scale.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Bawaba
an hour ago
- Al Bawaba
Alibaba Cloud Collaborates with University of Birmingham Dubai to Enhance Digital Skills Across the MEA Region
Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, today announced a collaboration with the University of Birmingham Dubai through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The partnership will introduce advanced curriculum in cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) for students and educators at the University of Birmingham Dubai campus. As part of this initiative, Alibaba Cloud also launched its first internship programme in the UAE region, with the University of Birmingham in Dubai being the pioneer university for the this collaboration, students and faculty from the University of Birmingham Dubai will gain deeper insights into cloud and AI technologies by participating in advanced technology workshops, extensive training sessions available both online and offline, and various certification courses provided by Alibaba Alibaba Cloud introduced its "Future Star" internship initiative in the United Arab Emirates, with the University of Birmingham Dubai as its inaugural academic partner. This programme offers a vibrant platform for talent development, delivering interns comprehensive training, hands-on experience, and exclusive mentorship spanning three to six months. Designed to provide a thorough understanding of multiple roles within Alibaba Cloud, "Future Star" ensures that interns are well-equipped to contribute effectively to the cloud computing industry in the digital age."We are thrilled to partner with the University of Birmingham Dubai to nurture the next-generation digital skills in the region. The University of Birmingham Dubai, renowned for its dedication to research and education in technology and digital fields, brings a wealth of expertise and visionary thinking to the collaboration. Through this partnership, we are committed to equipping their students and faculties to acquire crucial digital insights, allowing them to engage more deeply with cutting-edge technologies and methodologies. Together, we are poised to unlock numerous opportunities in our rapidly digitalizing world, ensuring that students, educators, and industry professionals alike can thrive in the evolving digital landscape.' said Eric Wan, General Manager of the Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Alibaba Cloud Yusra Mouzughi, Provost of the University of Birmingham Dubai, said: 'We are proud to partner with Alibaba Cloud to provide our students with direct access to real-world learning experiences and cutting-edge technologies in cloud computing and AI. This collaboration reflects our commitment to equipping future graduates with the digital skills and global industry exposure needed to thrive in an increasingly data-driven world. The internship and academic enrichment opportunities offered through this partnership will play a pivotal role in shaping industry-ready talent from our campus here in Dubai to join leading institutions globally." The freshly inked partnership is yet another demonstration of Alibaba Cloud's long-term commitment to creating a sustainable pool of digital talent for the Middle East region. Alibaba Cloud has been a leading provider of cloud services to local private companies and public institutions in the UAE and the wider Middle East region since 2016. It has a robust local ecosystem in the MEA region with partners covering banking, financial services and insurance, media, public sectors, and customers locally across different sectors. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Al Bawaba
4 hours ago
- Al Bawaba
Igniting Young Minds: ExxonMobil, Abu Dhabi University and Knowledge Group Conclude the ExxonMobil Future STEM Leaders Summer Camp on a High Note
Abu Dhabi University (ADU) and Knowledge Group concluded the ExxonMobil Future STEM Leaders Summer Camp, a two-week immersive program designed to inspire the UAE's next generation of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) recently at ADU's Abu Dhabi campus, the camp brought together over 35 high-achieving Emirati high school students for an intensive learning journey that blended technical skill-building with industry exposure. The program delivered hands-on workshops in high-demand and future-focused topics including Drone Engineering, Data Analytics and Visualization, Robotics, Structural Engineering, Water Treatment, and Plastic Waste Recycling, alongside career-focused sessions and life-skills Alamin, President of ExxonMobil UAE, said: "It was truly inspiring to witness the energy, curiosity, and ambition of the students at the ExxonMobil Future STEM Leaders Summer Camp. This program has been a resounding success in sparking a passion for STEM among young Emirati minds, and we are proud to have played a role in shaping their journey toward future careers in science and technology. This program would not have been possible without our long-standing collaboration with Abu Dhabi University and the outstanding support from Knowledge Group in delivering such a meaningful and impactful experience."Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, said: "STEM careers are among the fastest-growing fields worldwide, driven by rapid technological change and the UAE's ambition to be a leading hub for innovation. At ADU, we are committed to bridging the gap between academic knowledge and industry needs through future-focused learning experiences. The Future STEM Leaders Summer Camp is more than a program, it is a launchpad that equips Emirati youth with the skills, creativity, and adaptability to excel in tomorrow's high-impact industries. Through strategic collaborations with industry leaders like ExxonMobil and Knowledge Group, we are inspiring and empowering a generation ready to lead, innovate, and transform the future of the UAE and beyond."Dr. Ahmad Badr, CEO of Knowledge Group, said: "We are proud to collaborate with Abu Dhabi University and ExxonMobil to deliver an immersive STEM experience that truly inspires and equips young Emirati talent. This summer camp goes beyond traditional learning by engaging students in practical, real-world projects that ignite their passion and build essential skills for tomorrow's challenges. Programs like this are vital to nurturing a new generation of innovators who will contribute meaningfully to the UAE's community and economy, reinforcing our collective vision for a knowledge-driven future." Building on the strong foundation of collaboration established under the MoU between Exxon Al Khalij Inc. (ExxonMobil) and Abu Dhabi University, the relationship has evolved to include impactful initiatives beyond scholarships, all aimed at supporting the development of the UAE's future leaders. These efforts reflect a shared commitment to advancing STEM education and nurturing Emirati youth in alignment with the nation's strategic vision.
Al Bawaba
5 hours ago
- Al Bawaba
Ooredoo and Tamimah Telecom Launch ERSAL to Power Smarter Enterprise Communication
Ooredoo, in strategic partnership with Tamimah Telecom, has launched ERSAL, a next-generation unified communication platform designed to transform how businesses connect, engage, and scale.'The launch of ERSAL reflects our commitment to accelerating Oman's digital transformation by equipping businesses with future-ready platforms. In a market where speed, intelligence, and scale define success, ERSAL empowers organisations to lead with confidence, delivering secure, integrated communication at every touchpoint.' said Saied Sadiq Al-Lawati, Acting Chief Business and Wholesale Officer, at brings SMS, WhatsApp, push notifications, voice, email, and video into a single platform, accessible via one powerful API. With flexible deployment models including Cloud (SaaS), on-premises, or hybrid, it supports businesses of all sizes, from agile startups to large telecom operators.'Our partnership with Ooredoo for launching ERSAL is built on a shared vision: to simplify enterprise communication while enabling intelligence-driven engagement,' added O.K Ravi, Chief Executive Officer, Tamimah Telecom. ERSAL is built for real-time, multi-channel engagement. It combines campaign automation, AI-powered features, and behavioural analytics into a single, modular system. Businesses can personalise communications at scale, manage bulk campaigns with confidence, and access insights through real-time dashboards. As a future-ready platform, ERSAL will continue to evolve, with upcoming releases introducing voice analytics, customer journey orchestration, and industry-specific modules. This launch marks a significant milestone in Ooredoo's commitment to delivering intelligent, secure, and scalable digital solutions, helping enterprises across the region stay connected, competitive, and ready for what's next.
