An update on the VC scene in Saudi Arabia with Eyad Albayouk, Saudis in space, Newcastle United rises and much more...

The 966

Episode 88! Venture capitalist Eyad Albayouk returns to The 966 to talk about the latest developments in the VC sector in Saudi Arabia as well as the closing of his new startup seed fund with Flat6Labs in Saudi Arabia. The hosts discuss with Eyad the rocky start for new funding rounds in the Kingdom after a red hot 2022. Before that conversation, the host discuss Richard's one big thing - a new report from the Saudi consultancy Mukatafa and Kearney on e-commerce in Saudi Arabia. Then the hosts talk about Lucien's one big thing - the recent space mission that saw two Saudis, including the first female Saudi, and two Americans head to the International Space Station. Lucien noted that the new US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Michael Ratney, released a well-produced and meaningful congratulatory video to coincide with the launch, a refreshing move by a veteran communicator. The hosts conclude as they always do with Yallah! 6 top storylines to keep you updated headed into the weekend.

7:19 - A new report by Saudi Arabia-based consultancy Mukatafa and Kearney found that 74% of online shoppers in Saudi Arabia expect to increase their purchases from the kingdom’s ecommerce platforms compared to their purchases from China, GCC, Europe and US. However, further support will be needed to ensure a level playing field for all ecommerce players, thereby protecting consumer interests, and promoting local investments, the report said.

20:51 - SpaceX delivered another quartet of astronauts to the International Space Station on Monday - two Americans and two Saudis as part of the Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) launch to the International Space Station at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. To coincide with the launch, U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney released a positive video congratulating the astronauts and the people of both the US and KSA.

34:47 - Venture capitalist Eyad Albayouk returns to The 966 to talk about the latest developments in the VC sector in Saudi Arabia as well as the closing of his new startup seed fund with Flat6Labs in Saudi Arabia. Eyad joins The 966 from Riyadh. The hosts discuss with Eyad the rocky start for new funding rounds in the Kingdom after a red hot 2022.

1:12:51 - Yallah! 6 top storylines to get you up to date headed into the weekend.

Saudi Arabia's Neom Green Hydrogen Company has signed deals worth $8.4 billion with financial institutions for the plant it is building at Oxagon in the kingdom's $500 billion futuristic city Neom.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has recently introduced a new work visa, known as the "Temporary Work Visa", which replaces the previous "Work Visit Visa".

A goalless draw against Leicester City on Monday secured Newcastle United’s spot in next season’s Champions League for the first time in 20 years, a sensational rise for a team on course to be relegated from the English Premier League 18 months ago.

A major entertainment calendar is due to kick off this week in Saudi Arabia, covering 16 cities across the kingdom where the entertainment industry is experiencing an unprecedented boom.

IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies with more than 6,000 hotels, across 18 distinct brands, has signed a Master Development Agreement (MDA) with Tashyid for Hotel Operations, which will see the development of 12 hotels and 2,500 keys under the Holiday Inn Express brand across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi science and engineering team arrived back in the Kingdom on Sunday after winning 27 awards, including 23 major and four special prizes, at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.