logo
Gaming adtech company Napptix acquires Yazle's MENA business

Gaming adtech company Napptix acquires Yazle's MENA business

Campaign ME2 days ago

Napptix, a Dubai-based ad-tech company behind the Gaming 360° advertising platform, has completed its acquisition of Yazle Marketing Management's Middle-East & North-Africa (MENA) business.
The agreement covers Yazle's commercial activities, client portfolio and team across the Gulf and North Africa, Yazle's businesses in Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Americas continue under existing ownership.
Bringing Yazle's regional client portfolio and experienced team into Napptix aims to strengthen its ability to deliver culturally relevant, measurable gaming-media solutions across the GCC.
'This isn't just an acquisition – it's an alignment of vision,' said Saurabh Mehta, Co-Founder and General Manager of Napptix. 'We're building a future where advertising is seamlessly embedded into our region's gaming culture. With Yazle MENA's expertise and Napptix's proprietary technology, we're creating the most emotionally intelligent, context-aware and brand-safe media offering in the MENA region.'
Mehta further explained the move is a result of the prevalence of gaming as an advertising channel.
'As mobile gaming continues to outpace other digital channels in user engagement and mood-positive environments, this acquisition positions Napptix as the go-to GamingTech platform for brands seeking meaningful, measurable impact through innovative, playable, immersive gaming advertisements in the MENA market,' Mehta said.
For Yazle, the sale allows focus on its other international hubs and product innovation roadmap.
'Yazle has evolved into a multi-region organisation,' said Gaurav Aidasani, Co-Founder of Yazle. 'As we sharpen our focus on international growth, we're confident our MENA clients and team will thrive within Napptix's gaming-first ecosystem – built from the ground up to deliver brand-safe, immersive media experiences.'
Jamie Atherton will continue to lead the regional business as Managing Director, Yazle Middle East & North Africa. He deemed the acquisition as 'a major leap forward' and a 'strategic consolidation of strengths'.
'Yazle MENA has always stood for innovation and excellence in gaming and digital advertising,' Atherton said. 'Partnering with Napptix – whose tech-first approach and gamer-centric ecosystem are unmatched – opens new possibilities for our clients to connect with Gen Z and gaming-heavy audiences in the GCC and beyond in smarter, more immersive ways.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

How to declutter your home with this Dubai-based professional organiser
How to declutter your home with this Dubai-based professional organiser

Emirates Woman

time39 minutes ago

  • Emirates Woman

How to declutter your home with this Dubai-based professional organiser

Salam Shaban, professional Dubai-based organizer and founder of Tidymess, discusses how you can reset your space for a successful 2023. What inspired you to enter the organisational space? I always loved organising, so it was something I was eager to learn more about. After seeing the amazing work of Marie Kondo I felt inspired to pursue it more seriously. Once I created a system that worked so well for myself and my family, I felt it was important to share it with others. You launched Tidymess a few years back. What was the initial response to the concept? At the time, it was a very new concept. I found myself having to explain it to most people I knew. Once people started to see my work they thought it was a great idea and encouraged me to pursue it. How have things evolved since you launched? I've been so lucky to have received such a phenomenal response from my clients and social media. This has really helped me grow my business. Every day people hire me and my team to help organize their spaces. We immerse ourselves in their homes and move through their spaces tailoring a highly-functional system. In the beginning, it was difficult to take on large projects, but as my team grew, we are now capable of really helping our clients organise as many spaces in their homes as they need. For those who are having a refresh for a new year, what are your top tips to start organising your space and life? Before buying anything new, take a minute or two to think about where it is going to live in your home and life. Think about how long you will need this item and what will happen to it in the future when you no longer do it. If it is something that you feel will add no real value to your space, then you most probably don't need it. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tidymess (@tidymess_dxb) A particular place where clutter can build is your wardrobe. What is the best way to approach decluttering this space? Ask yourselves questions such as: When was the last time you wore it?; Is it in good condition?; Does it have sentimental value?; Have you worn it in the past year?; Does it fit you properly? Your answers will help you decide whether you want to keep, donate or store away your item. Over the years, what have been the hurdles you've experienced when building the Tidymess concept? Starting any business from scratch is a challenge. In my case, I was starting a business from scratch about a new concept that few people had heard of. I would say bringing my vision to life was a great challenge because it took a while for people to realize the necessity of adopting a new lifestyle for their homes as opposed to seeing my work as simply 'cleaning up' the house. What have been the key milestones? I would say my first milestone was when I was able to bring in a team to help me serve my clients better. Building a team gave me a sense of accomplishment that something I had started on my own was now growing into something more. My second milestone was after having my third child and realizing that I did not need to stop working. It took a lot of mental and emotional energy to see that it was okay for me to keep doing what I loved. Once I started taking on new projects again, I was so proud of myself and happy that I had not just let it go because of my new responsibilities and busy life. What does the future hold for Tidymess? Continue to grow and reach more people. Everyone can be a part of this concept. Whether they want to hire our services, buy our favourite products online or simply gain a few ideas from our social media page. I hope my team and I can help more people organize their spaces and love their homes. What will you be doing to reset your mindset and body for 2023? Keep finding that balance. As a mum of three and founder of a female-owned business, I find myself wearing many hats at once and that can quickly become overwhelming. I just need to keep finding that balance between my home life, work life and also those moments that are just for me. January's – The Reset Issue – Download Now – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Unsplash @hutomo-abrianto

AI‑Powered Phage Therapy Set to Tackle Antibiotic Resistance
AI‑Powered Phage Therapy Set to Tackle Antibiotic Resistance

Arabian Post

timean hour ago

  • Arabian Post

AI‑Powered Phage Therapy Set to Tackle Antibiotic Resistance

Phagos, a Paris‑based biotech startup, is deploying an artificial‑intelligence model built on Amazon Web Services to accurately match bacteriophages with antibiotic‑resistant bacterial strains. This development marks a pivotal shift from arbitrary trial‑and‑error methods to precision medicine in combating infections that claim an estimated one million lives annually. The challenge of antibiotic resistance has spurred Phagos, co‑founded by microbiologist Adèle James and economist Alexandros Pantalis, to pursue alternative therapies. Phages are viruses that specifically infect bacteria, a property that enables targeted treatment without disrupting beneficial microorganisms. But identifying the right phage for a given pathogen has traditionally required labour‑intensive screening of millions of combinations. Phagos is leveraging AWS's Generative AI Accelerator Programme, which has provided them with cloud credits, embedded AWS architects and machine‑learning engineers, and dedicated mentorship, to build a generative AI platform capable of predicting effective pairings between phages and bacterial strains. The AI model has been trained on datasets from public repositories and proprietary lab results. ADVERTISEMENT 'We can now read into the DNA and see if there's going to be an interaction between a phage and a bacterium,' Pantalis explained. This capability bypasses exhaustive wet‑lab testing and accelerates the discovery pipeline. Phagos's strategy involves initial trials in animal health—shrimp, chicken, bovine, swine—with phages administered through water systems to curb infections in farm environments. James noted that reducing antibiotic use in livestock is critical, as drug‑resistant bacteria generated in farms can transfer to humans via environmental pathways. The startup's first validation came from a collaboration with an oyster farmer in France, where AI‑matched phages slashed mortality by 40 per cent. Technical infrastructure from AWS played a crucial role, with cloud experts helping to refine the system and scale it efficiently. 'We became much faster, and spent way less time figuring out how to set up our infrastructure,' James said. Globally, the antibiotic resistance crisis is projected to cause more deaths than cancer by mid‑century, with economic impacts exceeding US$1.5 trillion. By automating phage matching, Phagos aims to create personalised and adaptive therapies that evolve in tandem with bacterial mutations. Participation in AWS's 2024 accelerator—which selected just 80 startups from over 4,700 applicants—has provided Phagos not only with technical and financial support, but also exposure to industry networks and potential funding sources. The platform-as‑a‑service model being developed by Phagos positions the company as a pioneer in AI‑driven microbiological model building. One quarter of its team now focuses exclusively on data and machine learning, a rarity in biotech. Expansion plans are underway: the company intends to move into human therapeutic applications by 2030, while continuing its work in agriculture. It is also advancing bespoke phage therapies, distinguishing itself from generic phage cocktails pursued by competitors. While obstacles remain—such as regulatory pathways for phage-based treatments and the complexity of bacterial ecosystems—Phagos believes its AI model and cloud infrastructure provide a scalable solution. Each new phage cocktail generates data that feeds into the platform, enhancing future predictions.

UAE real estate: 6 major hotspots to invest in right now, delivering 9% returns
UAE real estate: 6 major hotspots to invest in right now, delivering 9% returns

Arabian Business

time4 hours ago

  • Arabian Business

UAE real estate: 6 major hotspots to invest in right now, delivering 9% returns

The UAE's real estate sector recorded transactions worth over AED 239 billion (approximately $65 billion) in the first quarter of 2024, according to official figures. Property consultancy Whitewill has identified six locations drawing investor attention during the summer period. According to the analysis, the market favours projects combining lifestyle, location, and financial returns. 1. Dubai Creek Harbour Dubai Creek Harbour continues to generate demand from buyers seeking waterfront properties with access to Downtown Dubai. The development features master-planned waterfront living with green spaces and views of the Dubai Creek Tower. Waterfront apartments in the area start at AED1.45 million, whilst luxury villas exceed AED5 million. The location delivers rental yields between 6 per cent and 6.8 per cent with consistent appreciation rates. The Albero at Green Gate development by AHAD represents a low-rise project within the high-rise zone, offering landscaped privacy and smart layouts designed for end-users. 2. Al Marjan Island Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah has experienced increased demand, particularly ahead of the upcoming Wynn Resort development. The resort will transform the area into a hospitality hub with gaming and entertainment facilities. Property prices begin at AED585,000 for apartments, with ultra-luxury homes reaching AED30 million and above. The location provides rental yields of 8 per cent to 9 per cent and above, with some areas recording over 20 per cent year-on-year appreciation. SORA by AARK exemplifies current developments with hotel-style amenities, sea views, and curated interiors. 3. Business Bay Business Bay continues attracting buyers focused on income-generating assets in central Dubai. The area combines proximity to the Dubai International Financial Centre and Downtown Dubai with access to the Dubai Canal. Studios and one to two-bedroom apartments average AED1.4 million, delivering yields between 6 per cent and 7 per cent with strong resale demand. The Waldorf Astoria Residences provides a branded address combining high-end services with practical living standards. 4. Abu Dhabi Yas Island Yas Island in Abu Dhabi draws buyers seeking leisure amenities alongside family appeal and short-stay rental opportunities. The island features theme parks, golf courses, marinas, and cultural attractions within a planned residential setting. Villas average AED 4.5 million, with apartments priced between AED1.2 million and AED3.8 million. Yields remain steady at 6.5 per cent to 7 per cent. The Waldorf Astoria Yas Island offers waterfront living backed by a hospitality brand. 5. Dubai South Dubai South attracts investors seeking affordability aligned with UAE infrastructure development. The location sits near the planned Al Maktoum Airport International Airport expansion, logistics hubs, and Expo 2020 legacy infrastructure. Off-plan units start at AED 800,000, with projected value growth of 15 per cent to 25 per cent by 2030 and rental returns between 6 per cent and 8 per cent. Al Waha in Expo City features a wellness-focused, car-free community design in the innovation hub. 6. Jumeirah Village Circle Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) remains popular with buyers seeking strong yields without compromising lifestyle elements. The area provides rental income and resident satisfaction. Apartments begin at AED 650,000 and entry-level villas at AED 1.6 million, offering yields between 7 per cent and 8.6 per cent. Consistent rental demand makes the district suitable for first-time investors. Havelock Heights by HMB delivers boutique living with rooftop amenities and rental potential. 'While each area is unique, Al Marjan Island and Dubai South hold exceptional long-term promise. The former is becoming the UAE's entertainment capital with hospitality-led growth, while the latter is powered by airport expansion, creating a foundation for sustained capital growth and end-user migration. Both represent early-stage opportunities in rapidly maturing ecosystems—a perfect fit for investors with vision. While Dubai Creek Harbour and Yas Island remain strong lifestyle markets, the real long-term multiplier effect will come from assets in these high-conviction, underpenetrated districts where supply is still limited and strategic government investment is ongoing,' Whitewill said in a statement.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store