Latest news with #LEAP2025TechConference
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ENGAGE XR Holdings And 2 Other Promising Penny Stocks On The UK Exchange
The UK market has been experiencing some turbulence, with the FTSE 100 closing lower due to weak trade data from China, highlighting ongoing global economic challenges. Despite these broader market conditions, there remains interest in niche investment areas like penny stocks, which can offer unique opportunities for those willing to explore beyond established names. Penny stocks, often representing smaller or newer companies, may still present value and growth potential when backed by solid financials; this article will explore a selection of such stocks that stand out for their resilience and promise. Name Share Price Market Cap Financial Health Rating Begbies Traynor Group (AIM:BEG) £0.938 £149.49M ★★★★★★ Polar Capital Holdings (AIM:POLR) £4.995 £481.5M ★★★★★★ Warpaint London (AIM:W7L) £4.10 £330.8M ★★★★★★ Foresight Group Holdings (LSE:FSG) £3.97 £451.13M ★★★★★★ ME Group International (LSE:MEGP) £2.28 £859.14M ★★★★★★ Helios Underwriting (AIM:HUW) £2.23 £159.09M ★★★★★☆ Secure Trust Bank (LSE:STB) £4.67 £89.06M ★★★★☆☆ Next 15 Group (AIM:NFG) £3.315 £329.7M ★★★★☆☆ Van Elle Holdings (AIM:VANL) £0.38 £41.12M ★★★★★★ QinetiQ Group (LSE:QQ.) £3.696 £2.06B ★★★★★☆ Click here to see the full list of 443 stocks from our UK Penny Stocks screener. We'll examine a selection from our screener results. Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★★★ Overview: ENGAGE XR Holdings plc is a virtual reality software company focused on the education and corporate training sectors globally, with a market cap of £6.56 million. Operations: The company's revenue is derived entirely from its Internet Information Providers segment, amounting to €3.82 million. Market Cap: £6.56M ENGAGE XR Holdings, with a market cap of £6.56 million, is showcasing its ENGAGE platform at the LEAP 2025 Tech Conference in Riyadh alongside PwC Middle East, highlighting strategic regional growth opportunities. Although unprofitable with a negative return on equity and declining earnings over five years, it remains debt-free and has sufficient cash runway for over a year. The company expects €3.4 million in revenue for 2024 with increased recurring revenues. Despite high volatility and lack of meaningful revenue, its seasoned management team provides stability amid challenges in the competitive VR/AR training sector. Take a closer look at ENGAGE XR Holdings' potential here in our financial health report. Explore historical data to track ENGAGE XR Holdings' performance over time in our past results report. Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★★☆ Overview: IG Design Group plc is involved in the design, production, and distribution of celebrations, craft and creative play, stationery, gifting, and not for resale consumable products across the Americas, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, and internationally with a market cap of £55.74 million. Operations: The company generates revenue from DG Americas, contributing $459.68 million, and DG International, which accounts for $289.39 million. Market Cap: £55.74M IG Design Group, with a market cap of £55.74 million, faces challenges typical of penny stocks, including high volatility and declining earnings over the past five years. Recent guidance indicates expected revenue declines for both DG Americas and DG International divisions. Despite a large one-off loss impacting recent financials, the company has become profitable this year and maintains a strong balance sheet with short-term assets exceeding liabilities. IG Design's debt is well covered by operating cash flow, showing financial resilience despite earnings pressure. Leadership changes aim to bolster strategic direction amid ongoing market complexities. Jump into the full analysis health report here for a deeper understanding of IG Design Group. Learn about IG Design Group's future growth trajectory here. Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★★☆ Overview: Aseana Properties Limited is an investment holding company engaged in property development activities in Malaysia, with a market cap of $10.39 million. Operations: Aseana Properties Limited does not have any reported revenue segments. Market Cap: $10.39M Aseana Properties, with a market cap of US$10.39 million, is navigating the challenges of being pre-revenue while focusing on property development in Malaysia. The company recently appointed Leong Kheng Cheong as CEO and board director, bringing extensive financial leadership experience to guide strategic growth. Aseana's short-term assets significantly exceed its liabilities, providing some financial stability despite having a high net debt to equity ratio of 56.3%. The company has undertaken a follow-on equity offering worth US$5.45 million to bolster its capital position amid ongoing efforts to reduce losses by 15.7% annually over the past five years. Get an in-depth perspective on Aseana Properties' performance by reading our balance sheet health report here. Review our historical performance report to gain insights into Aseana Properties' track record. Discover the full array of 443 UK Penny Stocks right here. Invested in any of these stocks? Simplify your portfolio management with Simply Wall St and stay ahead with our alerts for any critical updates on your stocks. Unlock the power of informed investing with Simply Wall St, your free guide to navigating stock markets worldwide. Explore high-performing small cap companies that haven't yet garnered significant analyst attention. Jump on the AI train with fast growing tech companies forging a new era of innovation. Find companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include AIM:EXR AIM:IGR and LSE:ASPL. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Arab News
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia to host historic first Olympic Esports Games in 2027
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is set to make history by hosting the first-ever Olympic Esports Games in 2027, a landmark achievement in the country's ambitious quest to become a global leader in gaming and esports. This announcement, made by the International Olympic Committee, coincided with the ongoing LEAP 2025 Tech Conference in Riyadh. It follows a 12-year agreement with Saudi Arabia aimed at engaging younger audiences, with a six-member committee tasked with selecting the games to be featured as part of the effort to integrate esports into the Olympic framework. Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, shared his thoughts during a panel discussion titled 'Gaming Beyond Entertainment: Reimagining Society and Shaping the Future of Saudi Arabia.' He stated: 'We anticipate hosting multiple editions in the future.' Driven by the Kingdom's Vision 2030 initiative, which focuses on economic and technological transformation, gaming and esports have become vital sectors. Prince Faisal reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to becoming a global gaming hub by the end of the decade. 'We will become a global hub for gaming and esports by 2030,' he declared. Highlighting the Kingdom's increasing influence in the industry, Prince Faisal emphasized Saudi Arabia's ambition to lead in gaming career opportunities. 'We want Saudi to be a natural part of that conversation. When someone thinks about a career in gaming and esports, we want them to consider Saudi Arabia just as quickly as any other major gaming hub,' he said. Prince Faisal also emphasized the immersive nature of gaming, noting that it is the only medium where individuals actively engage with content rather than merely consuming it. 'Gaming allows people to experience a day in someone else's life, to walk a mile in their shoes in a way never before possible,' he noted. Saudi Arabia's thriving gaming culture reinforces its aspirations. 'Our last study, conducted a few years ago, revealed that 67 percent of our population considers themselves gamers,' Prince Faisal shared. He also highlighted the inclusivity of the gaming community, with 48 percent of Saudi gamers being women and 52 percent men. Encouraging young talent to pursue opportunities in the gaming industry, Prince Faisal stressed the sector's vast career potential. 'Whatever it is that you do, there is a career path for you within this industry, and it's available now—not just in the future,' he asserted. The panel discussion also featured insights from industry leaders, including Danny Tang, co-founder and CEO of Hero Esports, who stressed the intrinsic link between gaming and esports. 'A well-developed esports ecosystem extends the life cycle of a game, ensuring sustained engagement and innovation,' Tang said. Khizer Khaderi, founding director of the Stanford Human Perception Lab and faculty member at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI, highlighted gaming's transformative role in human-technology interaction. 'Over the last 40 years, we've made it easier for humans to connect with technology. Gaming is now the perfect platform for machines to connect back with humans,' he said. Khaderi also emphasized the sector's vast potential for innovation. 'The ability to innovate is here, and it's happening through gaming.' Looking ahead, Prince Faisal called on industry professionals and aspiring gamers to seize the moment. The tools and opportunities are available now, he said. 'You are the most important part of what we do—so just do something.'
Arab News
11-02-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia unveils $1.78bn investments to advance AI, digital talent
RIYADH: Investments totaling $1.78 billion marked the third day of the LEAP 2025 Tech Conference in Riyadh, aimed at accelerating artificial intelligence and digital talent development. Industry leaders, investors, and policymakers have launched several initiatives to drive digital transformation in Saudi Arabia, aligning with Vision 2030 to position the Kingdom at the forefront of the digital age. Among these, Equinix, a global leader in digital infrastructure, announced a $1 billion investment in data centers nationwide, starting with a 100-megawatt facility to serve hyperscale and retail customers in the region. 'Equinix has been at the center of technological advancements for 26 years. Our global interconnection hubs allow data to move seamlessly worldwide, and now, we are expanding further into Saudi Arabia,' said Judith Gardner, vice president of growth and emerging markets at Equinix. Saudi Arabia's Communications, Space, and Technology Commission has launched Cohort 3 of its innovative regulatory sandbox program, aimed at empowering innovators and startups to test new technologies. Abdulaziz Al-Batli, general manager of technology enablement at CST, emphasized the commission's approach, which balances ample space for innovation with necessary regulatory oversight. To further solidify Saudi Arabia's position as a regional technology and innovation hub, DAMAC's EDGNEX unveiled plans to expand its investments in data centers for cloud computing and AI across the Kingdom. The company aims to develop a 500-megawatt capacity by 2030, aligning with the country's broader digital transformation goals. This initiative complements the wave of investments announced at LEAP 2025, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's commitment to enhancing its digital infrastructure and fostering an AI-driven economy. Strengthening AI, startups, and emerging technologies Several investment funds have pledged a total of $695 million to support startups specializing in AI, gaming, and innovative tech solutions, including: These investments bring the Kingdom's total venture capital commitments announced at LEAP to nearly $700 million, with close to $100 million dedicated to startup investments. AI innovations and talent development WhiteHelmet introduced ASIF, the first AI-powered construction agent designed to revolutionize the building industry by optimizing speed and efficiency. Additionally, Microsoft announced the establishment of the Kingdom's first Data Center Academy in partnership with the National IT Academy. 'This initiative aligns with Microsoft's mission to provide cutting-edge digital skills and training, ensuring Saudi Arabia's workforce is ready for the AI-driven future,' said Zainab Al-Amein, vice president of national digital transformation at Microsoft. Similarly, Huawei, in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, unveiled plans for a Future Skills Center to enhance AI expertise in the region. Accenture and Atomcamp also launched the first AI Academy in Saudi Arabia, aiming to train 20,000 Saudi professionals by 2030. Expanding space and digital economy CST Gov. Mohammed Al-Tamimi, highlighted key themes shaping LEAP 2025, including AI, cloud computing, quantum technologies, and the intersection of space and the digital economy. 'We are witnessing the second phase of our space track, with over 20 events dedicated to discussions on space competition and the connection between space and the digital economy,' said Al-Tamimi. Gaming industry The gaming industry also saw significant investments, with HGM announcing a $300 million commitment to bring top gaming titles to Riyadh. The Kingdom's first major military shooter game is set to launch in October, developed by a team with experience in franchises like Call of Duty. With these major announcements, LEAP 2025 continues to reinforce Saudi Arabia's position as a global technology and innovation hub. The ongoing event is underscoring the country's efforts to drive digital transformation, AI advancements, and economic diversification in line with Vision 2030.
Zawya
11-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Equinix launches $1bln cloud computing data centre in Saudi Arabia
DUBAI: Equinix launched a $1 billion cloud computing data centre in Saudi Arabia, it said on Tuesday on the sidelines of LEAP2025 Tech Conference held in Riyadh, Saudi state TV reported. (Reporting by Nayera Abdallah and Jana Choukeir, Editing by Louise Heavens)
Gulf Insider
11-02-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
MENA Tech Startup Launches First AI-Powered Arabic Phone Bot
Saudi-based tech company Maqsam has unveiled the region's first phone bot powered by artificial intelligence capable of handling customer service calls entirely in Arabic and English, including several dialects. Speaking to Arab News at LEAP 2025 Tech Conference, Fouad Jeryes, cofounder and chief business officer of Maqsam, said the innovation tackles a central challenge businesses face when trying to provide a seamless Arabic-language customer service. 'Most global AI solutions do not support Arabic well,' Jeryes said. 'There aren't solutions that actually speak Arabic, so it's a big gap here.' The smartphone bot developed by Maqsam transcribes speech, understands intent, and responds fluently in Arabic, offering 24/7 automated support. Unlike existing machine-learning solutions, which are predominantly optimized for English, the bot handles linguistic variations across the Arab world, ensuring a more natural and effective customer experience. Despite Arabic being one of the world's most widely spoken languages, businesses have struggled to implement tech-powered customer service solutions that accurately process different dialects. The bot's ability to recognize and adapt to different Arabic dialects makes it particularly valuable for businesses operating in several markets in the MENA region. 'Good customer service is crucial for customer retention and trust, as it takes many positive experiences to offset one negative one. Better service leads to happier customers, reducing time wasted and improving overall customer experience,' Jeryes said. Maqsam's bot has the potential to transform customer interactions, making services faster and more accessible, while reducing operational costs. 'If you can get to someone where you don't have to be on hold, where they pick up every single time and service you immediately, it's going to be easier — less time wasted, more efficiency, and better service overall, which keeps you happy as a customer,' Jeryes added. The bot also acts as a co-pilot for human agents, reducing their workload and improving efficiency. 'The agent speaking to the customer doesn't have to know all the information or handle every process. The bot listens in real time and translates that information into necessary actions,' Jeryes said. However, automation will not completely replace human agents. 'There will be fewer human agents and more bots in the future,' he said. 'But the human element needs to be there, because the bots will not be able to service all the scenarios.' While the technology presents significant advances, risks and regulatory concerns surrounding AI-powered customer services remain. 'There's a lot that's going to come into the realm of regulation in this space in particular,' Jeryes said. 'In general, humans will remain a very integral part of this community.' As Saudi Arabia continues to advance its digital economy under Vision 2030, such innovations contribute to the development of a more tech-driven business landscape, enhancing efficiency and supporting the Kingdom's push for digital transformation.
