Happy Wednesday everyone!

U.S. President Donald Trump is heading to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE for a pivotal visit, accompanied by influential tech leaders like Larry Fink of BlackRock, Jane Fraser of Citigroup, and Ruth Porat of Alphabet, among others. They are set to attend the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh on May 13. Meanwhile, in Dubai, Chef Izu Ani is making waves with his renowned restaurants Gaia, Carine, and Alaya, while Nqoodlet, a Saudi-based fintech platform, secures $3 million in seed funding to revolutionize SME finance in the GCC. From diplomacy to culinary excellence and financial innovation, these developments are shaping the future of the region.

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Trump to Visit Gulf With Wall Street and Tech Leaders in Bid to Unlock Trillions

📰 What is it about?

• U.S. President Donald Trump is heading to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE from May 13 to 16, in his first overseas trip since returning to office.

• According to Bloomberg, he’ll be joined by top U.S. business leaders including:

  • Larry Fink (BlackRock)

  • Jane Fraser (Citigroup)

  • Ruth Porat (Alphabet)

  • Steve Schwarzman (Blackstone)

  • Arvind Krishna (IBM)

  • Cristiano Amon (Qualcomm)

• They are scheduled to attend the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh on May 13, the same day Trump arrives.

💡 Why it matters

• The Gulf’s sovereign wealth funds control nearly $4 trillion:

  • Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF): over $900 billion

  • UAE’s ADIA, Mubadala, and ICD: around $1.7 trillion

  • Qatar Investment Authority: more than $500 billion

• Saudi Arabia has already pledged $600 billion in U.S. investments, while the UAE plans to deploy $1.4 trillion over the next decade.

• The visit comes amid efforts to deepen U.S.-Gulf economic and defense ties, with Washington reportedly preparing a $100 billion arms deal for Saudi Arabia.

• With oil prices down and domestic spending high, Gulf states are accelerating efforts to attract foreign capital.

🔮 What’s Next

• Trump’s itinerary:

  • May 13: Riyadh

  • May 14: Doha

  • May 15: Abu Dhabi

• The Saudi-US Investment Forum will cover energy, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and finance.

• Saudi Arabia is targeting $100 billion in annual FDI by 2030 — five times what it attracted last year.

• Big announcements are expected around joint ventures, tech partnerships, and strategic investment pledges.

ODEUM – A Cutting-Edge Content Studio for All Your Production and Social Media Management Needs

📰 What is it about?

• Odeum, the content studio built for modern media consumption, partnering with brands to deliver tailored content services while also creating original productions under the Augustus Media network.

💡 Why Choose ODEUM?

At ODEUM, we provide end-to-end media solutions to elevate your brand across multiple platforms.

• Video: Distribution, post-production, production, live streaming, series and show creation, animation, branded content, AI-powered video creation, CGI video creation.

• Social Media: Account takeovers, strategic posts, tactical competitions.

• Copywriting: Branded content hubs, sponsored articles.

• Events: Media partnerships, co-branding, guest list curation, ticket commerce.

• Audio: Podcast production, hosting, voiceovers, audio ads.

• Online Advertising: Programmatic, display, paid social, affiliate marketing.

🔜What’s next?

• Have a project in mind? Let's make it happen!

• Book a studio or discuss your next big idea with us today.

Follow ODEUM on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.

Markets

Nqoodlet Secures $3M to Revolutionize SME Finance in the GCC

📰 What is it about?

• Saudi-based FinTech platform Nqoodlet has raised $3 million in seed funding to transform SME finance across the GCC.

• The round was led by Waad Investments, with support from OmanTel, 500 Sanabil Investment, Oqal, Seed Holding, and other strategic FinTech investors.

• Co-founded by Mohamed Milyani and Yara Ghouth, Nqoodlet is building an end-to-end Financial Operating System designed specifically for SMEs.

• Its platform includes smart corporate cards, automated VAT filing, open banking integrations, and strategic financial tools.

💡 Why it matters

• SMEs are often underserved by traditional financial systems — Nqoodlet is stepping in to close that gap.

• The platform has already improved financial efficiency by 80% for over 600 SMEs, helping them collectively save around 80 million SAR.

• By combining banking infrastructure, automation, and data-driven insights, Nqoodlet empowers businesses to gain financial clarity and control.

• It aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, supporting the digitalization of the SME sector and fostering economic growth.

🚀 What’s next

• The seed funding will help Nqoodlet strengthen AI capabilities, grow banking partnerships, and scale its tech and customer success teams.

• The company plans to accelerate the development of its platform to meet the evolving needs of SMEs across the GCC.

• With strong early traction and investor confidence, Nqoodlet is ready to become a regional leader in SME-focused FinTech solutions.

The Story Behind Gaia, Carine and Alaya: Chef Izu Ani’s Rise to Culinary Fame in the UAE

📰 What is it about?

• Chef Izu Ani, originally from Nigeria and raised in London, has become one of the leading figures in Dubai's culinary scene.

• His rise to fame began in the UK, where he honed his skills at prestigious establishments like Le Gavroche, one of London's Michelin-starred restaurants.

• Chef Izu’s culinary journey wasn’t just about food; it was about creating experiences. As he explained to Gulf News, “When I opened Gaia, I wanted it to be something that represented me. I wanted it to have soul.”

• After his success in London, Izu moved to the UAE, where he introduced the region to high-end Mediterranean dining at Gaia, followed by the stylish Carine and the luxurious Alaya.

💡 Why It Matters

• Chef Izu Ani’s restaurants have transformed Dubai’s dining landscape, offering a mix of sophistication and emotional depth.

• At Gaia, Chef Izu set out to create not just a restaurant but a place that felt personal. “I wanted to be part of something that had a heartbeat, not just something that looked good,” he shared with Gulf News.

• Chef Izu's emotional connection to food is what sets him apart. “I don’t cook for a living, I live for cooking,” he told Gulf News. His focus is on crafting experiences that are deeply rooted in his emotions, making each meal more than just a plate of food.

• His restaurants, which also include Alaya and Carine, feature a Mediterranean-inspired menu with strong emphasis on fresh, sustainable ingredients. The dishes reflect both his British training and African roots.

• “It’s not just about the food. It’s about how food makes you feel,” Izu says.

⏭️What’s Next

• As Chef Izu continues to expand his culinary empire, he remains focused on creating dishes that bring people together.

• "The future is looking exciting, but I don’t want to be remembered for opening lots of restaurants," he remarked. "I want to be remembered for creating something that really touched people’s hearts."

• Chef Izu's story is a testament to following your passion, no matter where it leads. He once shared, "I didn’t plan to be where I am today, but I’ve always just followed my heart.”

• His ambition is not just about success in the kitchen—it’s about making people’s lives better through food. “Food is just my tool to reach people,” he said. “I want to make a difference with every meal.”

🔍From Smashi Business’ Desk

• Saudi Founder Tells Hilarious Cairo iPad Story to Prove Why Cross-Border Leaders Must Ditch Copy-Paste Thinking.

• Prince Alwaleed thanks Warren Buffett for 60 Years of work, Recalls Wallet Gift.

• Gymshark Billionaire Ben Francis Brings Epic Pop-Up to Kuwait’s 360 Mall.

🔍In other news…

• DoorDash agrees to buy Deliveroo in $3.9b deal.

• Trump’s Middle East trip has Qatar lining up major Boeing order.

• Uber partners with China's Pony AI to deploy self-driving taxis in key Middle East market.

• BNPL firm Tabby’s IPO could be as soon as 12 months away - CEO.

• Oman sovereign wealth fund in preliminary pact with Algeria for investment fund.

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