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Arab News
15 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
How AI and microtools are empowering the next generation of Saudi entrepreneurs
JEDDAH: Digitalization has reshaped how entrepreneurs get started — particularly in the early stages. Increasingly, small businesses are launching via platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp, bypassing the traditional route of setting up a dedicated website. These social-first entrepreneurs are meeting customers where they already spend time, turning social media from a communication tool into a sales platform. 'Generative AI is reshaping the future of business, and when combined with digital marketing, the results are transformative,' Selina Bieber, vice president for international markets at the US-based web hosting company GoDaddy, told Arab News. According to the GoDaddy 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Survey, 22 percent of small business owners in the Middle East and North Africa now run their businesses primarily on social media. This trend highlights the rising importance of social commerce, especially for solo founders and part-time business operators. However, running a business solely on social platforms comes with risks. Visibility may be high, but ownership and control are limited. Algorithm changes or policy shifts can dramatically affect a business's ability to reach customers or generate income. Shoppers also tend to look for additional signals of trust before making a purchase. A professional website, for example, often strengthens a business's credibility. According to The State of Digital Commerce in MENA 2024 report by Checkout, 73 percent of online shoppers in the region are more confident buying from businesses that have a website, rather than relying exclusively on social media accounts. In response to this shift, new digital tools have emerged to support social-first entrepreneurs. Features such as branded microsites, product catalogues, and smart links — often packaged into accessible platforms — help founders establish a more centralized and professional presence online without needing advanced technical knowledge. Artificial intelligence is also playing a growing role in this transition, helping entrepreneurs move more quickly from concept to launch. It can assist in writing product descriptions, developing pricing strategies, and automating customer engagement. Internal data suggests AI-powered tools can save small business owners up to 10 hours a week — a meaningful benefit for entrepreneurs managing limited time and resources. Beyond time savings, AI helps to level the playing field by making it easier for people to launch and scale businesses with minimal upfront investment. Saudi Arabia has emerged as a particularly dynamic arena for these digital shifts. In 2023, GoDaddy signed a partnership agreement with the Kingdom's General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises — Monsha'at — to equip Saudi entrepreneurs with the digital tools and training needed to build their online presence. The agreement, signed during the Biban 23 entrepreneurship forum in Riyadh, aimed to empower aspiring business owners through workshops, seminars, and a planned business accelerator. It also included support for Monsha'at Academy and content initiatives to share local success stories. 'We're inspired to see Saudi entrepreneurs and small business owners feel confident in embracing technology and in their approach to entrepreneurship,' said Bieber. While social media remains a powerful tool for customer engagement, long-term growth often requires a more permanent digital footprint. A dedicated website, complemented by tools like GoDaddy's Show in Bio, can provide an added layer of credibility and security — something that social media accounts alone may not guarantee. With the rise of impersonation and questionable accounts online, many customers check whether a business has a standalone website before making a purchase. The latest generation of entrepreneurs is pragmatic and digitally fluent. While they may start on social media, many are increasingly looking for tools that offer more autonomy, control, and brand distinction. Combining a social-first approach with a professional online presence can offer the credibility and resilience needed for sustainable growth. 'GoDaddy continues to level the playing field by offering powerful, affordable tools that allow small businesses to elevate their marketing and achieve real success,' said Bieber. With the right mix of AI and easy-to-use tools, turning a side project into a long-term venture is more achievable than ever. Social media may be where the journey starts — but building lasting value depends on owning and shaping your own digital presence.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Weightless Shopping, Quite Literally: Enhancing Virtual Try-ons with Smart- Search and Style Recommendations by 'AI-Mode'.
Live Events Google heard the tired, exhausted groans of people waiting in long, seemingly never-ending lines in front of the trial rooms in clothing outlets. Google heard and understood the assignment, for the newly unveiled AI mode enhances every part of the shopping experience. From finding inspiration to buying at the right moment, plus the virtual try-on tool now works with the user's own pictures, allowing users to visualize how an outfit would look on them prior to making the AI mode offers shoppers a virtual dressing room combined with an intuitive, agent-assisted checkout experience, making it easier to purchase the right item at the right time and price. Beyond enhancing the overall shopping experience, AI mode also refines search results based on users' style, color, and pattern preferences, eliminating the need to repeatedly enter the same together Gemini capabilities with the shopping graph, AI mode can help the user browse for inspiration, think through considerations, and narrow down products. For instance, upon feeding the AI mode with a prompt such as 'I am looking for a cute travel bag,' it shall present to you a large variety of bags 'considered' cute on the internet in a way that is browsable and personalized to the user's the question is to be a bit more particular, 'I am looking for a bag suitable for Portland, Oregon, in May,' the system will begin a query fan-out, thereby running multiple searches to figure out the optimum answer to the question, further making personalized mode shall also simplify the purchasing process amidst the other features by means of the 'Agentic Checkout.' The Agentic Checkout enables the users to track the price of their desired products, deduce their preferred size, and, most importantly in this case, the budget, and receive notifications when the prices drop. Once confirmed by the user, Google shall add the item to the user's cart on the seller's site and complete the purchasing process for the user via Google these AI-powered advancements, Google positions itself on the pedestal of transformation, where it reshapes the online shopping experience as a whole. By offering customized suggestions, virtual, near-to-natural try-ons, and an assisted checkout process, Google aims to address the evolving needs of modern customers by merging the gap between online shopping and in-store shopping.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Stake transforms payout experience with Checkout.com pay to card integration
Dubai, UAE: Stake, one of the leading digital and global real estate investment platforms, has launched Pay to Card, a breakthrough withdrawal feature powered by global digital payments company, The new solution enables investors to receive their dividends and returns directly to their bank cards, often in just minutes, marking a major step forward in delivering faster, frictionless investing experiences. The rollout follows a successful pilot phase in May, during which more than 200 investors used the feature. Some users reported receiving payouts in under 10 minutes, a significant improvement over traditional multi-day withdrawal cycles. 'Speed and trust are core to everything we do at Stake. With Pay to Card, we're eliminating unnecessary delays and putting returns in our investors' hands almost instantly,' said Ricardo Brizido, CPTO and Co-Founder of Stake. 'This feature was built to directly solve one of the most common pain points in real estate investing, and it's already driving strong results.' The launch comes at a time when the MENA region is seeing unprecedented acceleration in digital finance adoption. According to latest report, 'The State of Digital Commerce in MENA 2025', Account Funding Transactions (AFTs), a core enabler of Pay to Card have surged 388% year-on-year in the UAE, highlighting rising demand for real-time payout infrastructure. also recorded a 176% increase in Total Processing Volume (TPV) in the UAE from 2023 to 2024, while daily online shopping has jumped 320% since 2020. As of June 2025, Stake surpassed AED 1 billion in property transactions since its launch in 2021, with the company's mission to democratise access to real estate investment across high-growth markets. 'Stake has always been ahead of the curve in delivering customer-first financial experiences,' said Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA at 'Together, we're meeting the expectations of a region that's no longer just digital-first, but real-time-first. Pay to Card is a perfect example of infrastructure innovation solving real user needs.' Pay to Card is now live for all Stake investors across the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, bringing faster, simpler access to returns while reinforcing the platform's commitment to innovation and transparency. About processes payments for thousands of companies that shape the digital economy. Our global digital payments network supports over 145 currencies and delivers high-performance payment solutions across the world, processing billions of transactions annually. We help enterprise merchants boost acceptance rates, reduce processing costs, combat fraud, and turn payments into a major revenue driver. Headquartered in London and with 19 offices worldwide, is trusted by leading brands such as Alshaya Group, Botim, eBay, Dyson, Hunger Station, Instashop, Qlub, Majid Al Futtaim, Netflix, SHEIN, Sony and Tamara. About Stake Stake is a global real estate investment platform that enables anyone the ability to access unique, exclusive or premium investment opportunities from anywhere in the world. Launched in 2021, Stake has built an international base of over 1 million users from 205 nationalities and 170 countries with over 1 billion dirhams worth of transactions. While property investing typically involves large amounts of upfront capital and an antiquated buying process , investors globally can access real estate from only AED 500 (US$136). Co-founders Rami Tabbara, a veteran of the real estate industry, Manar Mahmassani, an experienced investment banker, and Ricardo Brizido, a seasoned CTO, combined their 50+ years' of expertise to democratize and digitize property investment in, to and from the MENA region.
Mid East Info
02-06-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
From Social First to Self-Owned: How AI and Microtools Empower the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Digitalisation has transformed entrepreneurship—especially at its inception. An increasing number of small businesses are launching via platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or WhatsApp, bypassing traditional websites. These social-first entrepreneurs meet customers where they already are, turning social media from a mere communication tool into a business. According to the GoDaddy 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Survey, over one in five (22%) of small business owners in MENA primarily run their business on social media. This shift underscores the growing significance of social commerce, particularly for solo entrepreneurs and part-time founders. However, building a business solely on social platforms has its limitations. While visibility is high, ownership and control are minimal. Algorithm changes or platform policies can disrupt a business's presence and income overnight. Moreover, consumers often seek additional verification before making a purchase. In Germany, where trust is paramount, having a professional website can significantly enhance a business's credibility. The State of Digital Commerce in MENA 2024 Report by Checkout highlighted that 73% of online shoppers in MENA are confident in making purchases from businesses with professional websites, rather than relying solely on social media.[1] Microtools Bridge the Gap The market responded with lightweight tools tailored for social-first founders. Solutions like GoDaddy's Show In Bio enable entrepreneurs to build branded micro-sites, digital product catalogs, and smart links that centralize their business presence without requiring advanced technical skills. These tools integrate seamlessly with social platforms while granting founders greater control. AI Fuels Smarter, Faster Entrepreneurship Artificial intelligence empowers founders to transition from idea to execution swiftly, helping craft product descriptions, developing pricing models, and automating customer interactions. GoDaddy data indicates that AI-supported tools can save entrepreneurs up to 10 hours per week—a substantial benefit for time-constrained small business owners. Beyond time savings, AI democratizes access, enabling anyone to present a professional front, experiment with new ideas, and scale efficiently. And while social platforms are powerful launchpads for connecting with customers, true staying power comes from owning your presence online. Having a dedicated website paired with smart, social-integrated tools like Show in Bio not only reinforces credibility but also provides a layer of trust and permanence that social channels alone can't deliver. In an environment where impersonations and questionable accounts are not uncommon, especially on social media, customers often double-check whether a business has a website before deciding to buy. Conclusion: Social-First, but Not Platform-Dependent The new generation of entrepreneurs is pragmatic, digitally native, and driven by independence. They initiate their ventures where their audiences are—on social media—but increasingly seek tools that provide control, flexibility, and a distinct identity beyond the scroll. Combining social-first strategies with a professional website not only enhances credibility but also ensures long-term viability. With the right mix of AI and accessible microtools, transitioning from a side hustle to a sustainable business is more attainable than ever. Social-first may be the entry point—but ownership and your own digital presence is the future. [1] The State of Digital Commerce in MENA 2024 Report
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Starmer's Britain is good at only one thing: driving out the wealthy and ambitious
It doesn't lead the world in developing new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence. It isn't breaking new ground in science, technology, or even in music, literature or fashion. Still, Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Britain is at least leading the world in one respect. It has become better than anywhere else at driving out the wealthy, the young, and the ambitious. There is just one catch. The Government doesn't appear to have any ideas on how to stem the exodus, nor how to replace all the tax revenues that will leave with them. The evidence that money and talent is fleeing Britain is becoming more alarming all the time. Guillaume Pousaz, Swiss-born billionaire founder of fintech giant Checkout, has become the latest to leave. We learned this week that he has shifted his tax residency from Britain to Monaco, following the decision by the Chancellor Rachel Reeve to abolish the non-dom rule that allowed wealthy foreigners to limit their tax bills in the UK. He joins the likes of the billionaire steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal and the senior Goldman Sachs banker Richard Goode in getting out of the country. Over the last year, an estimated 10,000 millionaires have left the UK, according to Henley & Partners, second only to Russia, and the real total may be even higher. But it is not just a handful of the super-rich who are getting out. The young and ambitious are increasingly leaving for the Gulf States such as Dubai or Qatar, for Australia, where the youth mobility scheme allows them to live or work, or for the United States, if they can get a visa. Likewise, the 'Henrys', or 'High Earners, Not Yet Rich' are fleeing as well. It is not hard to understand why. The non-dom crackdown has created one of the most punitive tax regimes in the world for foreigners. They are now subject not just to our income taxes, but to inheritance tax at 40 per cent on their global assets, as well as capital gains tax if they sell their company. Many simply have to leave or face financial ruin. Likewise, frozen thresholds and tapered personal allowances now mean many successful self-employed or young professionals face marginal tax rates of 70 per cent or more on their earnings (and even more if they are crazy enough to live in Scotland). Perhaps worse of all, the dire state of the public finances means that everyone knows there is far worse to come over the next two or three years, with taxes rising relentlessly to pay for soaring welfare bills and public sector wages. The only rational decision is to get out while you still can. A desperate Labour Chancellor – perhaps an Angela Rayner-type – may even impose an exit tax, as other countries have tried to. It is catastrophic for any country to lose its wealthiest, most energetic, talented, ambitious, and hardest-working people. They drive investment, innovation, and entrepreneurship. More than any other group, they create the wealth that allows the country to flourish. But it is especially catastrophic for Britain. The reason is simple. Over the last thirty years, we have narrowed our tax base, so that the Government is very dependent on a small group of people. The top 1 per cent now pay 28 per cent of the total for income tax, and the top 10 per cent pay 60 per cent of the total. For capital gains tax, dividend taxes, and corporation tax the percentage will be even higher. As they leave, the revenue collected will collapse. Even worse, as the exodus gathers steam, the Government is doing precisely nothing to stop it. Any rational government, faced with losing 30 per cent of its tax revenue, would be frantically finding ways of persuading them to stay. Instead, Labour is complacently watching them leave, as if it makes no difference. It is going to prove a very expensive mistake – because the UK will find it very hard to get all those people back once they have left. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
