Emergent, one of the world’s fastest-growing AI startups, has announced $30m in total funding, including a $23m Series A led by Lightspeed. This follows a $7m seed round earlier this year. Founded in 2025 in San Francisco, the company has already achieved $15m in annual recurring revenue (ARR) within just 90 days of launch, underscoring its rapid trajectory.

With MENA fast becoming a hub for software innovation and SME digital transformation, Emergent’s entry into the region will empower entrepreneurs and small businesses to build and scale applications without coding. Participation in the funding round also included YC, Together, Prosus, and leading angel investors such as Jeff Dean (Google), Devendra Chaplot (Thinking Machines), Siqi Chen (Runway), Srinivasan Venkatachary (Google DeepMind), Prasanna (Rippling), and Balaji Srinivasan.

Emergent’s agentic vibe-coding platform enables anyone—from solo founders to SMEs—to build full-stack, production-grade applications powered by autonomous AI agents. Unlike existing tools, Emergent provides a ready-to-use app from day one, managing everything from user interfaces to servers, logins, payments, and scalability. Its specialised AI agents code, test, and launch applications, offering the equivalent of a cloud-based development team that can identify and fix issues, sustain long sessions, and retain context. Built entirely in-house, the platform’s coding agent and infrastructure are designed for speed, reliability, and security.

“My brother and I built Emergent to equip anyone with an idea and a phone with the tools to create software affordably,” shared Mukund Jha, co-founder and CEO. “For decades, the biggest barrier to innovation has been access to technical talent and capital. We designed Emergent to remove those barriers so that anyone, from a shopkeeper to a startup founder, can bring their vision to life at a fraction of the time and cost. In regions like MENA, where governments are driving digital-first economies and SMEs form the backbone of growth, we see a tremendous opportunity. Our platform ensures that innovation is no longer limited to software engineers, it belongs to everyone.”

Globally, small businesses and individuals are already deploying Emergent to solve real problems. Examples include a jewelry store owner who streamlined pricing across 50 outlets and now sells her app to others; a healthcare provider digitising wheelchair inventory with photo-based onboarding; and an EV marketplace app in the UK. In Dubai, a professional attending an AI course used Emergent to build a voice-powered productivity app in a week, which he is now developing into a full-scale tool for creators, professionals, and researchers.

“Remember when photography demanded understanding lenses, aperture, lighting, film development, and more? Then the iPhone compressed all of it into a single button for billions of people. Emergent collapses the complexity of software into a single button anyone can press to ship, scale, and earn, and Lightspeed is proud to back them on this exciting journey,” said Hemant Mohapatra, partner at Lightspeed.

The new funding will fuel Emergent’s expansion into high-growth regions including the Middle East, where governments are driving digital transformation and SME empowerment under initiatives such as UAE Vision 2030 and Saudi Vision 2030. Every spreadsheet hack, manual workflow, or “there should be an app for that” idea can now be turned into software with Emergent’s platform.

To date, Emergent has enabled over 1 million users to create more than 1.5 million apps across industries from retail and healthcare to logistics and personal productivity.

Beacon Media, co-founded by wellness pioneer Dr Deepak Chopra, has partnered with MovieVerse Studios, the mainstream content arm of Anand Mahindra’s IN10 Media Network, to create a global content alliance that aims to amplify stories from the Global South.

The alliance will focus on building a borderless content ecosystem connecting Hollywood, India, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, reaching over 3 billion viewers worldwide.

As part of the collaboration, Neil Cabral has been appointed as an advisory board member for Beacon Media. Cabral brings more than three decades of experience across strategy, finance, wellness, pharmaceuticals, and banking. He has held senior leadership roles at global corporations including Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Standard Chartered, Credit Agricole, Citibank, HSBC, and ICICI Bank.

He previously served as executive director and board member of Himalaya Wellness Worldwide, overseeing its global expansion to over 90 countries, and currently serves as the Global CEO of a multi-billion dollar single family office. Cabral’s diverse career spans multiple regions and industries, making him a key figure in bridging markets from the Middle East to Asia and beyond.

“I’m humbled to be appointed as an advisory board member, super excited with this partnership and to be working closely with visionaries and skilled entrepreneurs like Manoj Narender Madnani, who conceptualised Beacon Media, and industry stalwarts Aditya Pittie, Vivek Krishnani, and Simon Cowell,” Cabral said.

“The blessings and support of world-class founders Anand Mahindra and Dr Deepak Chopra on this partnership is not only a testament to its potential, but a powerful catalyst for growth, credibility, and meaningful impact across multiple levels.

He added: “I believe the future of storytelling is built on powerful collaborations that blend creativity, technology, and global reach. By bringing together diverse voices and innovative tools, this alliance is shaping a more inclusive content ecosystem — one that connects with global audiences.”

Leaders on the partnership

Aditya Pittie, managing director of IN10 Media Network, said: “In today’s connected world, the future of storytelling depends on meaningful collaborations that bring together creativity, technology, and reach. This partnership encourages the industry to work more closely, fostering a diverse and inclusive content ecosystem that resonates with global audiences.”

Manoj Narender Madnani, chairman and co-founder of Beacon Media, added: “This alliance is about reshaping the global entertainment landscape. It’s 1+1=11 in action, where strategic partnerships, such as this one with IN10 Media, backed by entrepreneurs like Aditya Pittie and Anand Mahindra, multiply impact. Since the very inception of Beacon Media, Neil Cabral has been an integral part of our journey, offering unwavering guidance and strategic insights that have shaped our path.”

Vivek Krishnani, CEO of MovieVerse Studios, highlighted the role of the Global South: “The Global South is home to some of the most dynamic and culturally rich stories waiting to be told. With this partnership, we are ensuring these culturally rooted narratives reach the global stage in the most impactful way possible.”

A network of influence

IN10 Media, previously co-owned by Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries and media veteran Mahesh Samat, is now led by Pittie following Mahindra’s acquisition of Ambani and Samat’s stakes.

Beacon Media also distributes content through Lounges.TV, which counts British music executive Simon Cowell among its backers.

Cabral additionally serves on several prominent boards, including the Indian Super League, co-promoted by Reliance Industries and Star India, and is a member of the UAE-India Technical Council under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

The 24th edition of Ru’ya Careers UAE Redefined concluded on September 25 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), marking a record-breaking year for Emirati employment opportunities.

Over three days, thousands of jobseekers engaged with recruiters, while employers conducted on-site interviews at scale, highlighting Ru’ya’s growing influence as the UAE’s leading employment and skills platform.

Read more-UAE is using AI to hire: What skills do you need to land a job?

Key sectors including aviation, healthcare, retail, insurance, digital services, and logistics were represented. The Get Hired! initiative played a pivotal role in accelerating interview processes and driving instant placements, a WAM report said.

Spotlight on innovation and skills of the future

This year’s edition placed strong emphasis on innovation and future-ready industries. Dubai Municipality launched the region’s first Virtual Reality Food Safety Inspector programme, while also collaborating with Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai to introduce a Professional Certificate in Data Analytics, aimed at boosting youth digital capabilities.

Dubai Police’s Air Wing opened up pilot vacancies, and Dubai Customs showcased its Masar 33 programme, highlighting roles in advanced customs operations.

Shamsa Al Falasi, UAE Citi Country Officer and CEO of Citibank N.A., UAE, noted high youth engagement through programmes like Mehnaty, while Asma Alsharif, AVP, Sustainable Development, Exhibitions, DWTC, emphasised the platform’s ability to bridge Emirati talent with both traditional and future industries.

Competitions added dynamic energy: Etihad Private School won the “Game Out to Mars” challenge; Deira International School took top spot in “FutureFit by DIDI”; Al Ittihad Private School Jumeirah won “The Next Founder”; and Al Mawakeb, Garhoud, topped “The Hackathon”.

Empowering entrepreneurs and advancing Emiratisation

In a first, the Ru’ya Concept Store showcased products from nine Emirati entrepreneurs. The event, supported by DP World, ADIB and ENOC, also featured PwC Middle East’s Watani programme, which has successfully onboarded over 250 Emiratis to date.

With unprecedented participation and measurable impact, Ru’ya further cemented its role in the UAE’s Emiratisation strategy. The next edition is scheduled for September 28–30, 2026 at DWTC.

WhatsApp, the messaging giant with more than 3 billion users in over 180 countries, is expanding its efforts to make global communication seamless by introducing message translations. Announced in a recent WhatsApp blog post, this feature enables users to translate messages in real-time, breaking down language barriers that often hinder clear communication.

Read more-New WhatsApp features updates: What’s changing in your app

The new translation feature is accessible by simply long-pressing a message and tapping ‘Translate.’ Users can select the language they want to translate from or to, and save these preferences for future use. This functionality works across 1:1 chats, group conversations, and Channel updates, ensuring comprehensive usability for all types of interactions on the platform.

Android users receive an additional convenience: the ability to activate automatic translation for entire chat threads. This means all future incoming messages in that conversation will be translated automatically, removing the need to translate each message individually. This feature is initially rolling out in six languages on Android, English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic, while iPhone users will have access to the feature in 19+ languages from the start.

WhatsApp emphasized that privacy is at the core of this feature. All message translations happen directly on the user’s device, meaning that WhatsApp servers do not see the content of the translated messages, preserving end-to-end encryption and user confidentiality.

“We hope this feature helps break down language barriers and allows users to connect more deeply with loved ones and communities around the globe,” the company stated, signaling its commitment to fostering global connection through technology.

Enhancing communication with private AI-powered writing help

Just a month later, on August 27, 2025, WhatsApp unveiled another AI-powered innovation: Private Writing Help. This tool aims to assist users in crafting the perfect message tone, whether professional, funny, or supportive, while maintaining strict privacy safeguards.

Sometimes, users know exactly what they want to say but struggle with the right tone or phrasing. WhatsApp’s Writing Help addresses this challenge by offering AI-generated style suggestions in real time. To use the feature, users simply start drafting a message in a 1:1 or group chat and tap the new pencil icon to receive suggestions.

Crucially, Writing Help operates on Private Processing technology, which means that AI-generated suggestions are created locally on the user’s device. Neither Meta nor WhatsApp reads the message content or the AI’s re-writes, ensuring complete privacy and security for users. For those interested in the underlying technology, WhatsApp has provided detailed explanations through their engineering blog and technical white paper.

Independent security researchers from NCC Group and Trail of Bits have audited the Private Processing architecture, confirming its robustness and privacy guarantees. This external validation highlights WhatsApp’s commitment to transparent, privacy-first AI innovation.

As with other Private Processing features, Writing Help is optional and disabled by default, empowering users to choose their level of AI assistance.

Initially, the feature is available in English for users in the United States and several other countries, with plans to expand to more languages and regions later this year.

WhatsApp’s strategic vision: Empowering users through privacy and innovation

These two feature launches, message translations and Private Writing Help, underscore WhatsApp’s strategic priority to enhance user communication while respecting privacy. The company continues to leverage advanced AI technologies that operate locally on devices to deliver powerful, personalized experiences without compromising data security.

By enabling users to communicate effortlessly across language divides and craft messages that hit the right tone, WhatsApp strengthens its position as the world’s most widely used messaging platform. As the digital world becomes more interconnected, these AI-driven tools offer users unprecedented control and convenience, helping them stay connected authentically and securely.

In a decisive move to address soaring real estate prices and improve housing accessibility, Saudi Arabia has enacted a five-year rent freeze across Riyadh’s residential and commercial properties, effective September 25, 2025. This sweeping reform, enforced via royal decree, aims to bring stability to the rental market, ensure equitable relations between landlords and tenants, and support the Kingdom’s broader urban development goals.

The landmark policy follows an earlier directive by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, who in March 2025 ordered a comprehensive strategy to stabilise land and rental prices in the capital after sharp market hikes raised concerns about affordability and sustainable growth, a Saudi Gazette report said.

The new regulations, approved by the Council of Ministers, prohibit any increase in rental value, regardless of whether the contract is new or existing, for a period of five years within Riyadh’s urban boundary. This rule applies to all residential and commercial properties, and is viewed as a critical step to improve affordability, rein in inflationary pressures, and offer tenants long-term financial stability.

Read more-Foreigners owning property in Saudi: The rules you need to know

Importantly, the framework may be extended to other cities and governorates, subject to assessment by the Real Estate General Authority and approval from the Council of Economic and Development Affairs.

In addition, vacant rental units will be priced at the most recent registered rent. For properties that have never been rented before, landlords and tenants are free to mutually agree on the initial rent. This gives flexibility for new property entries while ensuring price controls for existing stock.

To improve transparency, the reform mandates that all rental contracts be registered via the Ejar platform, a government-run digital system, either by the landlord or tenant. A 60-day window is provided for either party to file objections or amendments. If no dispute is raised within that period, the recorded contract data becomes final and enforceable.

This centralised registration system is expected to significantly reduce informal agreements, close loopholes, and support data-driven policymaking through accurate tracking of market dynamics.

Automatic lease renewals and tenant protection rules

A key aspect of the reform package is the introduction of standardized automatic renewal protocols across the Kingdom. Unless one party notifies the other at least 60 days before lease expiration, the contract will automatically renew under the same terms.

However, Riyadh introduces stricter tenant protections: landlords in the capital cannot deny renewal requests unless in the following cases:

• Tenant fails to pay rent
• The property has structural or safety defects
• The landlord or their first-degree relative intends to personally use the property

These provisions are designed to strengthen tenant rights and reduce forced evictions, especially in a market where rents have spiked in recent years.

Appeals and penalties for violations

Landlords may appeal fixed rents only in limited, defined scenarios, such as:

• Significant structural renovations
• Contracts signed before 2024

Violations of the rent control rules will carry fines of up to the equivalent of 12 months’ rent, with affected tenants also entitled to compensation. In a move to incentivise compliance, the government will award up to 20 per cent of any fine collected to whistleblowers who report illegal practices.

The Real Estate General Authority, in cooperation with other agencies, is tasked with enforcement and monitoring. It will also submit regular updates to the Crown Prince, tracking rent levels, regulatory compliance, and overall impact on the housing market.

Public awareness and policy alignment

Officials emphasised that the changes are part of a larger, long-term strategy to bring balance, transparency, and fairness to Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving real estate sector. The Crown Prince’s directives also stress the need for regular reporting and public awareness campaigns, ensuring that citizens and market participants understand their rights and responsibilities under the new regulations.

The goal, authorities said, is to safeguard the rights of both landlords and tenants, maintain market stability, and create a predictable regulatory environment that fosters sustainable urban development.

Foundations laid in March 2025: Land development and supply reforms

The five-year rent freeze is the latest in a series of reforms that began earlier this year. In March 2025, the Crown Prince issued wide-ranging directives following an in-depth market study by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the Council of Economic and Development Affairs. These early measures were designed to:

• Curb surging land and rental prices
• Expand land availability
• Increase access to affordable housing

The reforms targeted two major undeveloped northern areas of Riyadh, lifting restrictions on land sales, purchases, subdivisions, and construction permits.

New development zones opened

The first newly opened zone spans 17 square kilometers, bordered by:

• King Khalid Road and Prince Mohammed bin Saad Road (West)
• Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi Road (South)
• Asmaa bint Malik Street (North)
• Al-Arid District (East)

The second covers 16.2 square kilometers north of King Salman Road, between:

• Abi Bakr Al-Siddiq Road and Al-Arid District (East)
• Prince Khalid bin Bandar Road (North)
• Al-Qirawan District (West)

With these additions, total area released for development now stands at 81.48 square kilometres, including previously freed land totaling 48.28 square kilometres.

10,000–40,000 plots annually to boost supply

To further address housing demand, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City has been tasked with providing between 10,000 and 40,000 fully planned and developed residential plots annually over the next five years, based on actual market needs.

These plots will be offered to eligible Saudi citizens, specifically married individuals or those aged 25 and above with no previous property ownership, at prices not exceeding SAR1,500 per square metre.

Key conditions include:

• A 10-year restriction on selling, renting, or mortgaging the property (except for construction loans)
• If the buyer fails to construct a home within 10 years, the land will be reclaimed, and the purchase amount refunded

This measure is designed to ensure that land goes to end-users, not speculators, and is developed into actual housing stock within a reasonable timeframe.

Tax and regulatory reforms to follow

The March reform package also included fast-track deadlines for:

• Amending the White Land Tax Law within 60 days to encourage development
• Introducing regulations governing landlord-tenant relationships within 90 days to ensure fairness

Both the General Real Estate Authority and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City will oversee implementation and submit recurring progress reports, ensuring the market remains transparent and in alignment with national housing goals.

Paving the way for Vision 2030 housing goals

Combined, these measures mark one of the most aggressive and coordinated housing reform strategies in the Kingdom’s history. With a focus on:

• Price stability
• Increased housing supply
• Stronger tenant protections
• Transparent regulatory frameworks

Saudi Arabia is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and sustainable real estate market, especially in Riyadh, which continues to play a central role in Vision 2030 and the country’s drive toward economic diversification.