- Smashi Business
- Posts
- $300M Flow Deal in KSA; Salt Heading to Egypt? & Airbus Wins Big from Saudi's AviLease at Paris Air Show
$300M Flow Deal in KSA; Salt Heading to Egypt? & Airbus Wins Big from Saudi's AviLease at Paris Air Show
In partnership with
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Happy Tuesday everyone!
Adam Neumann, best known for founding WeWork, secured $300 million from Saudi investors to grow his new venture, Flow, in the Kingdom. Meanwhile, Dubai’s cult food brand Salt is teasing its highly anticipated entry into Egypt’s North Coast just in time for summer. And at the Paris Air Show, Airbus kicked things off with an $8 billion order from Saudi aircraft lessor AviLease, signaling the region’s growing influence in shaping global business and consumer trends.
But before that: For quick daily updates, follow us on Instagram, and you can watch our Smashi Business Show live every weekday from 10AM onwards (UAE time). Also, you can join our Whatsapp channel to receive updates from the business world.
Adam Neumann Tapped Saudi Investors For $300M Flow Expansion In Kingdom
What is it about?
Adam Neumann, the Israeli-American founder of Flow and former WeWork CEO, revealed he raised the full $300 million for Flow’s Saudi expansion exclusively from local investors.
In an interview with The Ben & Marc Show, Neumann said 33 Saudi investors and local banks backed the acquisition of five buildings in the Kingdom.
Flow’s first international project, Flow Narjis, soft launched in August 2024 in Riyadh’s Al Narjis district, with support from Sico Capital and Safa Investment.
Why it matters
Neumann’s bet on Saudi Arabia reflects growing global investor interest in the Kingdom’s real estate market amid Vision 2030’s transformation push.
Flow turned a positive net operating income within six months—an early signal of the Saudi venture’s commercial viability.
The deal also marks a local validation of Neumann’s post-WeWork comeback, following his dramatic ouster and WeWork’s fall from a $47B valuation.
What’s next
With three properties already opened and two pre-leased for five years, Flow is poised for deeper expansion in the Kingdom.
Local financial partners and strong market reception may encourage Flow to further scale its residential real estate footprint across Saudi Arabia.
The move may also inspire other U.S. startups and VCs to look beyond traditional markets and tap into Saudi Arabia’s growing appetite for innovation and real estate reform.
Run ads IRL with AdQuick
With AdQuick, you can now easily plan, deploy and measure campaigns just as easily as digital ads, making them a no-brainer to add to your team’s toolbox.
You can learn more at www.AdQuick.com
Markets
EGX 30 | 31,042.36 | +0.09% |
DFMGI | 5,407 | +0.789% |
ADX | 9,584.85 | +0.218% |
Tadawul | 10,883.90 | +1.42% |
Dubai’s Salt is Heading to Egypt’s North Coast?
What is it about?
Dubai’s cult-favorite food brand Salt is officially expanding to Egypt, dropping a teaser campaign that hints at a summer pop-up on the country’s North Coast.
The announcement came via a cryptic social media launch of the #SALT_فأجازة (Salt on Vacation) campaign, inviting followers to guess the destination in Egypt through beach-themed visuals and travel emojis.
The campaign includes a “blind vacation” giveaway offering fans a chance to win a trip for two.
Why it matters
Salt’s arrival in Egypt will mark a major step in the brand’s regional expansion, following successful pop-ups in Dubai, Riyadh, and Kuwait.
With its signature sliders, minimalist aesthetic, and viral community-driven campaigns, Salt has built a devoted following across the GCC.
The move will tap into Egypt’s North Coast summer boom, where global and regional brands are racing to meet rising demand from affluent locals and tourists.
What’s next
While the exact location hasn’t been confirmed, the North Coast is expected to welcome Salt’s signature beachside experience in time for peak summer.
Fans are closely watching the brand’s social media channels for clues, as the campaign builds hype and engagement ahead of the launch.
Salt’s expansion may signal a broader wave of GCC lifestyle brands targeting Egypt’s growing tourism and F&B scene.
MENA Startups: Who Got Funded?
🇦🇪 UAE
SANTECHTURE – Strategic growth investment (CorroHealth)
Qanooni – $2M Pre-seed round (Parkpine Capital, angel investors)
Hoko Agency – Acquired Everdome (Metaverse/AI integration venture)
XFOLIO – $2M Seed round (Middle East Venture Partners)
AngelSpark – Investment round (Inovat – travel tax refunds platform)
`🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
Meeda – Undisclosed Seed round (Consortium of angel investors)
🇶🇦 Qatar
Nova – $3.6M Pre-seed round (Doha Tech Angels)
🇪🇬 Egypt
Winich Farms – Undisclosed Bridge round (DisrupTech Ventures)
🇦🇪 / 🌍 UAE / MENA
Lottery.com – Acquired 90% stake in Nook Holdings for $2.5M (Digital asset tech, MENA expansion)
Airbus Lands $8 Billion Saudi Aircraft Lessor AviLease Deal At Paris Air Show Amid Boeing Setback
What is it about?
Airbus SE kicked off the Paris Air Show with a major order from Saudi Arabian aircraft lessor AviLease, a company backed by the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund.
The order includes 30 A321neo jets with options for 25 more, and 10 A350 freighters with an additional 12 options.
The total value of the deal, after standard industry discounts, could approach $8 billion, according to consultancy Ishka.
Why it matters
This deal signals a significant win for Airbus over Boeing, especially after AviLease chose the A350 freighter over Boeing’s 777 in a “hard-fought battle,” according to CEO Edward O’Byrne.
It marks a shift from recent momentum enjoyed by Boeing, which secured orders during Donald Trump’s Gulf tour last month.
The order boosts Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to become a global aviation, logistics, and tourism hub as part of its Vision 2030 economic transformation.
What’s next
AviLease, which acquired Standard Chartered’s aviation leasing arm in 2023, now manages a fleet of 200 aircraft leased to 48 airlines worldwide.
With Boeing executives absent from the Paris Air Show following a fatal Air India crash involving a 787, Airbus is expected to dominate the event.
Indian authorities have ordered inspections of Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet as investigations continue, potentially impacting future Boeing orders.
🔍From Smashi Business’ Desk
Emirati billionaire Khalaf Al Habtoor calls for peace as tensions escalate between Iran and Israel.
Following backlash, Modrić’s Skillset deal vanishes from the web.
“Israel is the single most destabilizing force in the world,” says Jordanian-American Replit founder and CEO Amjad Masad.
Dreamers: From selling lashes with her sisters to building a million-dollar fragrance empire—*Mona Kattan* is reshaping what modern luxury smells like.
🔍In other news…
$7 Billion Hedge Fund Pharo Plans Abu Dhabi Hub For Africa Team
Saudi Electricity Seeks $1 Billion Loan Amid New Projects
World’s largest 3D printed construction project commences in Qatar
Adnoc-led group submits $19bn bid for Australia’s Santos
Israel furious as France shuts four weapons stands at Paris Airshow