It's Week 15 in the IFL, and the Green Bay Blizzard are back on top. But the focus is on the team they knocked down, the Vegas Knight Hawks, and their marquee matchup against the San Diego Strike Force on Friday night (10 p.m. ET on Yahoo Sports).

Vegas is coming off a rare loss to the NAZ Wranglers last week, while San Diego is riding a four-game win streak entering this major Western Conference clash, looking to overtake the conference’s first-place team.

"When I crack jokes about the other two (Vegas and Arizona), I'm just basically using that as motivation that they're just assuming that their organizations are better than our football team," Strike Force head coach Taylor Genuser said, via goIFL.com. "We're here to show you that we're ready to play ball and we're ready to win the West."

"Whatever you need to do to motivate your team is fine by me," Knight Hawks head coach Mike Davis. "If they really think that they were overlooked, okay that's up to them. There's nobody overlooking them. Nobody. Not us. Not Arizona. Not Tucson. At the end of the day, they put together a good football team that plays well and they're exciting to watch and they come to work. They don't get too rattled."

Who will end the week atop the Western Conference? Tune into Yahoo Sports to find out.

Players of the week

Offensive: Zach Calzada, QB, San Antonio Gunslingers (8 total TDs, 186 passing yards, 36 rushing yards)

Defensive: Herman Smith, DB, San Diego Strike Force (3 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 pass breakup)

Special teams: Aaron Jackson, KR, Tucson Sugar Skulls (4 returns for 105 yards, 1 TD)

IFL Coaches Poll

(from IFL.com)

1. Green Bay Blizzard 

2. Vegas Knight Hawks 

3. Jacksonville Sharks 

4. San Diego Strike Force 

5. Arizona Rattlers

6. Tulsa Oilers

7. Orlando Pirates

8. Fishers Freight

9. Tucson Sugar Skulls

10. Quad City Steamwheelers 

11. San Antonio Gunslingers 

12. NAZ Wranglers 

13. New Mexico Chupacabras

14. Iowa Barnstormers

Week 15 schedule, how to watch

(Yahoo Sports Network is streaming 64 IFL games this season. Here's everything you need to know on how to watch.)

Friday, June 19

10 p.m. ET: Vegas Knight Hawks vs. San Diego Strike Force (Yahoo Sports)

Saturday, June 20

7 p.m. ET: Iowa Barnstormers vs. Fishers Freight (Yahoo Sports)

8 p.m. ET: San Antonio Gunslingers vs. Tulsa Oilers (Overnght)

10 p.m. ET: Arizona Rattlers vs. Tucson Sugar Skulls (Overnght)

Sunday, June 21

4 p.m. ET: NAZ Wranglers vs. New Mexico Chupacabras (Yahoo Sports)

7:30 p.m. ET: Jacksonville Sharks vs. Orlando Pirates (Yahoo Sports)

2026 Indoor Football League standings

Eastern Conference

Team	Overall	Conference
Green Bay Blizzard	10-2	8-2
Jacksonville Sharks	9-2	7-1
Orlando Pirates	6-5	6-3
Tulsa Oilers	6-5	3-4
Fishers Freight	6-6	4-6
Quad City Steamwheelers	5-7	4-5
Iowa Barnstormers	1-10	1-9

Western Conference

Team	Overall	Conference
Vegas Knight Hawks	9-2	6-1
San Diego Strike Force	8-2	7-1
Arizona Rattlers	7-4	6-2
Tucson Sugar Skulls	5-6	4-5
San Antonio Gunslingers	4-7	4-3
NAZ Wranglers	1-10	0-9
New Mexico Chupacabras	1-10	1-10

Oppo is gearing up to launch the Reno 16 series in multiple markets. Among these, Indonesia and Malaysia have already confirmed the launch dates. While the lineup will be announced on July 8 in Malaysia, it will launch earlier on July 3 in Indonesia. Ahead of the launch, regional listings have revealed key details about the upcoming Oppo devices.

Oppo Reno 16 series incoming

The Reno 16 series landing page available on Oppo Malaysia’s website reveals that it is now up for pre-orders. The microsite also reveals that the brand will unveil other devices, such as the Oppo Bubble, a display that can be attached to the back of the Reno 16 series, and earbuds such as the Enco Air 5 and Enco Air 5s.

On the other hand, Oppo Indonesia is also accepting pre-orders for the Reno 16 series and has dedicated landing pages for each of the three phones. The Reno 16F, which will be an entry-level offering in the lineup, will have two variants: 8GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB. It will come in color options such as Dream Purple, Pop White, and Twilight Violet.

The Reno 16 is listed in two colors: Pop White and Twilight Violet. It will be available in two variants: 8GB+256GB and 12GB+256GB.

The Oppo Reno 16 Pro will come in a single 12GB+256GB version. Buyers will have the option to choose from Pop White and Starlight Black

.

Oppo hasn’t confirmed the other specifications of these smartphones. However, recent Geekbench sightings have revealed that the Reno 16F, Reno 16, and Reno 16 Pro will be powered by the Dimensity 7300, Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, and Dimensity 8500 (or 8550) chipsets, respectively. Hopefully, upcoming reports will reveal more details about the Reno 16 trio.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

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This is the best way to see one of the Pacific's most enchanting islands.

© <p>KiwiRail</p>

Here's everything you need to know to plan your trip to Sunriver, Oregon.

© <p>Sunriver Resort</p>

A short drive from Lisbon, this seaside escape boasts spectacular views.

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There's history, culture, and delicious food—without the crowds.

© <p>simonmayer/Getty Images</p>

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore has sea caves, hiking trails, lighthouses, and historic boutique hotels.

© <p>Sigrid Knutson/Bayfield Chamber &amp; Visitor Bureau</p>

It's just one of those experiences that stay with you.

© <p>Shilo Urban</p>

Here's everything to know about the island's natural wonder, from its history and geography to the best way to get there.

© <p>Maria Ligaya/Travel &#43; Leisure</p>

The Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) has announced a series of senior appointments and promotions within its case management leadership team today. The appointments include the promotion of Katy Hacking and the appointment of Markel Eguiluz Parte to the role of deputy registrar, following the departure of Christoffer Coello Hedberg, who has returned to Sweden and private practice after three years as the Center’s first deputy registrar. 

Further appointments include the promotion of Laura Roberts and the appointment of Anna Boer to the role of senior counsel. 

Dr Tariq Humaid Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said: “DIAC’s continued progress is built on institutional trust, experienced people and a clear commitment to serving the needs of parties, counsel and tribunals. These recent appointments strengthen the case management team at an important stage of its development and reinforce the Centre’s role in supporting Dubai’s position as a global hub for dispute resolution”. 

Michael Pryles AO PBM, President of the Arbitration Court, said: “Christoffer’s departure was a great loss to the Centre and particularly to our case management team. As deputy registrar, he carefully discussed challenging questions which arose from time to time and provided helpful oversight and support to the Arbitration Court. He did so as a person who has considerable knowledge of arbitration and sound judgment. Whilst sad to bid farewell to Christoffer, I am delighted to welcome Markel Eguiluz Parte and Anna Boer and to celebrate the promotion of Katy Hacking and Laura Roberts at a time when the Centre is going from strength to strength. Markel and Katy will be excellent additions to the leadership of the case management team, with their broad experience of international arbitration, having worked in private practice and at other leading institutions. I look forward to working closely with them. The recruitment of Anna demonstrates the Centre’s commitment to its Russian speaking users and the promotion of Laura is a testament to her careful work and dedication over the past two years. I wish them all the best”. 

Robert Stephen, Registrar, said: “The case management team is central to the quality and reliability of institutional arbitration. Katy, Markel, Laura and Anna all bring strong experience across institutional practice, private practice, international arbitration and complex disputes. Together, they further strengthen our ability to administer cases with the professionalism, responsiveness and procedural rigour expected by the international arbitration community. It was a career pleasure working with Christoffer, and a personal disappointment to see him leave the Centre and Dubai. We have all benefitted from his thoughtful leadership, and careful, considered approach. We wish him all success in his return to Sweden and private practice.” 

Katy Hacking, who has been promoted to Deputy Registrar, joined DIAC as Senior Counsel in August 2023. She is qualified in England and Wales and has over 11 years’ experience in the UAE, with prior experience at the former DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre and in private practice with Simmons & Simmons and Pinsent Masons in London and Dubai. 

Markel Eguiluz Parte, joining DIAC as Deputy Registrar, is qualified in Spain and brings extensive institutional experience from The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, where he served for almost seven years as Legal Counsel. His experience includes investor-State and State-related disputes, as well as procedural issues concerning the constitution of tribunals and the appointment and challenge of arbitrators. 

Laura Roberts, who has been promoted to Senior Counsel, joined DIAC as Counsel in 2024. She has 14 years of private practice experience with Magic Circle and US law firms in London and Dubai, with specialist expertise in advanced technologies in arbitration and experience representing clients before international tribunals and courts under major institutional rules. 

Anna Boer, joining DIAC as Senior Counsel, is qualified in England and Wales and New York and has extensive experience in commercial and investment arbitration. Before joining DIAC, she practised at White & Case in Moscow and Dubai, advising governments, financial institutions and multinational corporations on complex cross-border matters. 

The case management team is responsible for the day-to-day administration of all disputes referred to the Centre. These appointments reinforce the Centre’s capacity to manage a growing and increasingly complex international caseload.

 

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Tally Solutions has announced the launch of the sixth edition of Tally MSME Honours. With an aim to recognize and celebrate emerging entrepreneurs, the initiative builds on the momentum of five successful years and continues to champion the future of the UAE’s MSME ecosystem by spotlighting innovation, resilience, and meaningful impact.

Over the last five editions, Tally MSME Honours has received more than 70,000 nominations globally, with over 20% of entries from women-led ventures, making it one of the biggest global platforms to celebrate MSMEs. This year, Tally expects 20,000 nominations across categories. The honours will also showcase MSME success stories from across India, Africa, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Middle East. The entries can be submitted by interested businesses or people who know such businesses via this link.

As part of this year’s edition, participants can submit video entries, ensuring representation from different emirates across the UAE. To further strengthen the evaluation process, Tally is also deploying an AI-led shortlisting framework that will help validate and assess entries more comprehensively by analyzing publicly available business information, ensuring deserving businesses receive due recognition for their impact and growth.

Speaking about the initiative, Vikas Panchal, General Manager – MENA, Tally Solutions, said, “MSME Honours is not just an award platform; it is a celebration of the resilience, ambition, and entrepreneurial spirit that drives small businesses forward every day. Across the UAE and the wider MENA region, we continue to witness inspiring MSMEs building innovative businesses, creating employment, and contributing meaningfully to economic growth. This becomes even more relevant as the UAE continues to place strong focus on strengthening its SME ecosystem as a key pillar of the country’s long-term economic vision. Through MSME Honours, we aim to spotlight these stories of determination and impact, while encouraging more entrepreneurs to share and celebrate their journeys.”

With a strong focus on enabling long-term growth and visibility, Tally MSME Honours extends beyond recognition to create a platform that continuously supports entrepreneurial journeys. Over the years, past winners have become part of a growing network of business leaders and changemakers, gaining opportunities to participate in industry discussions, ecosystem forums, and business-led conversations. These engagements help entrepreneurs showcase their journeys, build meaningful collaborations, exchange insights, and further strengthen their impact within the broader MSME ecosystem.

Tally MSME Honours 2026 will feature the following award categories:

• Business Maestro: Established businesses that have mastered the art of thriving and sustaining success.
• Wonder Woman: Outstanding women-led businesses making a remarkable impact.
• NewGen Icon: A new generation of business owners innovating and paving the way for exponential growth.
• Tech Transformer: Businesses leveraging new technology to drive efficiency and scale.
• E-preneur Icon: Purpose-driven businesses contributing meaningfully to society and the environment

The entries will be judged by an esteemed panel comprising experts from the field of technology, the MSME domain, and the media.

 

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du today announced the launch of du Ventures, a $50 million corporate venture fund developed in partnership with Shorooq and designed to accelerate the next wave of digital innovations across the UAE and the broader region. The initiative marks a significant milestone in du’s evolution beyond traditional telecom services into a comprehensive digital ecosystem player.

du Ventures will partner with promising startups and founders transforming emerging technologies into real-world solutions, focusing on companies in fintech, AI, cybersecurity, cloud, loyalty, gaming, enterprise solutions, and customer experience technologies.

Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO at du, said: “du Ventures represents our commitment to driving meaningful digital transformation while contributing to the UAE’s ambitions to build a globally competitive digital economy. Through this platform, we are investing in technologies and founders that align closely with our strategic priorities. Leveraging du’s scale, infrastructure, and enterprise reach with startup innovation, we aim to accelerate the commercialization of emerging technologies and create long term value for our customers, shareholders, and the wider economy.”

The fund will be managed by Shorooq, a leading multi-strategy investment firm that will prioritize investments that fit du’s corporate strategy, with a significant share of investments dedicated specifically to UAE-based ventures.

Mahmoud Adi, founding partner at Shorooq said: “Partnering with du on this initiative is a natural fit for Shorooq. We share a common belief that the region’s most promising startups deserve access to both capital and the strategic infrastructure that du can offer. du Ventures will enable us to bridge the gap between innovation and scale, empowering founders to bring transformative solutions to market faster.”

 

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Dubai-based real estate firm Sweid & Sweid has partnered with The Executive Centre (TEC) to operate more than 53,000 sq. ft. of premium flexible workspace at Sweid One, bringing its serviced office offering to Dubai’s Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) and marking its entry into the DMCC business district.

The move expands TEC’s UAE footprint, which already includes approximately 9,000 sq. m. at Dubai World Trade Centre, 3,000 sq. m. at One Za’abeel, and 5,000 sq. m. at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).

At Sweid One, TEC will occupy two full floors, offering private offices, collaborative workspaces, executive meeting suites, boardrooms, and event facilities supported by dedicated on-site teams and enterprise-grade infrastructure. Designed for both immediate occupancy and future growth, the workspace aims to provide businesses with the flexibility to scale without the limitations of traditional leases.

Located in the heart of JLT within the DMCC free zone, Sweid One spans approximately 1 million sq. ft. of built-up area, including 500,000 sq. ft. of Grade A office space. The development features large floor plates, four-metre floor-to-floor heights, energy-efficient HVAC systems, premium solar-efficient glazing, and sustainability-focused design standards. Amenities include Boon Coffee, The Kitchen by Spinneys Food Hall, and a premium restaurant with an outdoor terrace set to be announced.

The development is positioned within one of Dubai’s most active business hubs, offering access to more than 600 cafés and restaurants and over 300 retail and convenience outlets. It also provides connectivity to Sheikh Zayed Road, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, and two metro stations, while benefiting from DMCC’s ecosystem of more than 25,000 registered companies.

Maher Sweid, Managing Partner of Sweid & Sweid, said the addition of TEC enhances Sweid One’s appeal by giving occupiers access to a wider range of workplace solutions alongside Grade A office space and fully fitted units.

Ketan Trehan, Regional Director – Middle East at TEC, described the expansion as one of the company’s most significant commitments to the UAE market, reflecting its confidence in DMCC as a destination for ambitious organisations. He added that the partnership aligns with both companies’ shared focus on design, quality, and creating workspaces that enhance the employee experience.

TEC currently operates across 38 cities in 15 markets worldwide, serving multinational corporations and high-growth enterprises with premium flexible workspace solutions.

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Ansarada has released its latest Middle East M&A Market Analysis Q1 2026 report, finding that the UAE’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market continues to demonstrate resilience, retaining long-term investor confidence despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty across the region.

According to the report, the Middle East recorded sustained M&A activity in Q1 2026, with 196 announced deals valued at US$23.3 billion, compared with 207 deals valued at US$31.3 billion in the same period in 2025.

The UAE accounted for 33 deals valued at US$2.2 billion during the quarter, down from 52 deals in Q1 2025, representing a 37% decline in deal volume. However, the report found that this reflects a recalibration of capital deployment strategies rather than a weakening of investor confidence.

“The conflict may be reshaping deal timelines, but it’s not reshaping the region’s thirst for ongoing M&A activity. We remain confident in the long-term health of deal activity in the UAE, which we view as an enduring and critical hub for M&A in the region and beyond,” said Justin Smith, Managing Director, Ansarada.

Smith continued, “While volatility continues, there’s a lot of dry powder out there waiting for the right time, while deals already in motion continue to progress with more rigorous diligence. The fundamental strategic drivers for M&A in the UAE remain strong, and dealmakers have to become more accustomed to operating in a new normal of volatility.”

Across the broader Gulf, deal activity has also remained relatively stable. KSA recorded 24 announced deals, up slightly from 23 in Q1 2025. Oman recorded seven deals valued at US$535 million, while Qatar recorded four transactions and Kuwait recorded three deals worth US$24 million.

Collectively, Gulf deal flow continues to be underpinned by sovereign-backed investment strategies, national transformation agendas and long-term infrastructure priorities rather than short-term market sentiment. The GCC’s track record of economic resilience, seen particularly during COVID-19, continues to provide a strong basis for investor confidence.

While prolonged tensions may slow the pace of dealmaking over the short to medium term, they are unlikely to dent the region’s broader long-term trajectory.

The report also highlighted that sovereign wealth funds continue to act as a major stabilising force for regional dealmaking, while economic reform programmes and diversification agendas are sustaining cross-border investment momentum. It further noted that Middle Eastern acquirers continue pursuing international partnerships and outbound acquisitions, reflecting sustained confidence in the region’s capital strength, strategic positioning and long-term growth outlook.

Sector performance across the Middle East remained robust during the quarter. Technology emerged as the leading sector by volume with 68 deals worth US$7.3 billion, driven by continued investment into AI, fintech and enterprise technology.

Transportation led by value with US$8.2 billion across nine transactions, highlighting sustained investment into strategic infrastructure. Energy and natural resources contributed US$2.2 billion across 18 deals, while healthcare recorded US$1.9 billion across 19 transactions as governments continue to expand medical and life sciences capabilities. Industrials generated US$1.6 billion across 23 deals, driven by national ambitions to strengthen domestic manufacturing and industrial capacity.

Smith also noted that technology is becoming increasingly critical as buyers and investors seek greater transparency and faster access to information in uncertain market conditions. “Periods of uncertainty place enormous pressure on execution certainty. Companies and investors require real-time visibility into risk, compliance and diligence readiness. Virtual data room platforms such as Ansarada are helping dealmakers manage complexity, maintain momentum and execute transactions with greater confidence and efficiency.”

 

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Zoom has expanded the capabilities of its Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server, extending Zoom conversation intelligence, agentic search, and platform capabilities to select third-party AI tools and workflows. With these updates, organizations can securely access Zoom AI Companion insights on platforms such as OpenAI’s Codex, Anthropic’s Claude, and others, bringing trusted organizational context into the AI systems teams rely on.

“AI workflows become significantly more powerful when they can operate on real organizational context,” said Brendan Ittelson, chief ecosystem officer at Zoom. “Our expanded MCP capabilities make Zoom’s conversation intelligence, collaboration history, and AI platform features accessible across AI ecosystems, enabling developers and organizations to build more context-aware workflows and experiences.”

Zoom expanded MCP capabilities

• Conversation intelligence across AI tools: Access Zoom meeting summaries, transcripts, recordings, notes, action items, and collaboration history directly within supported AI environments.
• Agentic search across enterprise systems: Enable AI tools to reason across organizational context spanning Zoom Meetings, Chat, Phone, and Canvas, as well as Salesforce, Workday, ServiceNow, and more than 10 connected third-party platforms.
• OpenAI Codex plugin for developer workflows: Bring meeting intelligence into coding environments to support documentation, task tracking, automation, and development workflows grounded in real meeting context.
• My Notes intelligence across AI workflows: Surface notes, summaries, and action items across third-party AI platforms, helping personal collaboration context persist across tools and workflows.
• Cross-platform organizational context: Combine conversation intelligence with enterprise systems and operational data to reduce fragmented searches across disconnected tools.

Meeting intelligence powers developer workflows in OpenAI Codex
Zoom introduced a new plugin for OpenAI Codex, bringing meeting intelligence into one of the most widely used AI-powered coding environments. Leveraging Zoom AI Companion, the plugin enables developers to securely access Zoom meeting summaries, call and meeting transcripts, recordings, notes, and agentic search directly within their workflows.

This access allows developers to bring meeting insights directly into their documentation, task tracking, and automation workflows, making it easier to generate updates and create automations based on what was actually discussed and decided in the meeting.

By making meeting intelligence available where work happens, Zoom and Codex help teams spend less time reconstructing conversations after the fact and more time turning decisions into action.

Connecting conversations, systems, and organizational context
Zoom is expanding access to its agentic search capabilities, enabling Zoom AI Companion and connected third-party AI tools to reason across an organization’s full context — from conversations to systems of record — through the Zoom MCP Server.

New agentic search capabilities allow AI tools to reason across organizational context spanning conversations and enterprise systems, including Salesforce account information, Workday employee records and time-off balances, ServiceNow tickets and incident data, and more. At launch, agentic search supports 10 connected third-party platforms, with additional integrations planned to roll out in the coming months.

Instead of manually piecing together information across disconnected systems, customers can now use their preferred AI system to surface accurate answers and insights based on organizational context spanning conversations, collaboration history, systems of record, and operational data, all in one place.

Through the Zoom MCP Server, these capabilities are now accessible within OpenAI’s Codex and Anthropic’s Claude, extending Zoom’s open ecosystem approach and enabling developers and organizations to bring critical enterprise context into their AI environments.

Bringing personal context across AI ecosystems
As part of Zoom’s broader My Notes expansion, personal meeting intelligence is also now accessible through the Zoom MCP Server, enabling users to surface notes, summaries, and action items across third-party AI platforms such as Claude and ChatGPT.

My Notes is Zoom’s AI-first personal notetaker designed to work across Zoom Meetings, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and even in-person conversations. Rather than simply transcribing meetings, My Notes captures, organizes, and turns conversations into actionable next steps while helping users stay focused on the discussion itself.

By extending My Notes intelligence through MCP, Zoom enables personal collaboration context to persist across AI systems and workflows, so notes, action items, and decisions remain accessible across tools and environments. Whether they’re capturing insights during a meeting or revisiting them later, users can bring their context with them wherever their work continues.

Building connected AI workflows with trusted organizational context
Through expanded MCP server capabilities, Zoom is strengthening its open ecosystem, helping move conversation intelligence, agentic search, My Notes intelligence, and platform capabilities securely across AI platforms and workflows.

Organizations can bring trusted organizational context into the AI systems where work happens without moving or duplicating customer information. All meeting data remains governed by the same enterprise-grade security, privacy, and access controls applied across the Zoom platform.

This reflects Zoom’s broader vision for a system of action where conversations don’t remain trapped inside meetings, but instead become actionable context that moves seamlessly across AI-powered environments. By making this context accessible beyond Zoom’s native environment, Zoom is helping organizations reduce fragmentation and move work forward more consistently across all the systems they use.

 

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Dubai Future District Fund (DFDF) has announced a commitment to Camber Creek, a specialist venture capital fund focused on PropTech with nearly $1 billion in assets under management. The investment reflects DFDF’s continued strategy of backing high-conviction, sector-specialist fund managers that consistently generate returns and deliver long-term value to their portfolio companies.

Founded in 2011, Camber Creek is an institutional venture capital firm investing in and scaling companies that are transforming the real estate industry. The firm focuses on businesses developing solutions that enhance efficiency, streamline operations, and introduce new capabilities across the real estate lifecycle, from property management and investment to tenant services and digital transaction platforms. Operating a concentrated, high-conviction portfolio model of 15 to 20 companies per fund, Camber Creek prioritises depth of engagement over breadth, targeting predominantly Series A and above opportunities where portfolio companies are ready to scale.

“Camber Creek exemplifies the kind of fund manager we seek to back at DFDF,” said Nader Albastaki, Managing Director of Dubai Future District Fund. “Their disciplined, high-conviction approach, running concentrated portfolios and following on with their best companies, is a model that consistently generates value and delivers real distributions back to investors. This aligns directly with our mandate to back sector-focused funds that align with Dubai’s D33 Agenda, while ensuring strong portfolio construction and LP returns for the Dubai ecosystem.”

Camber Creek’s partner team brings over 60 years of real estate industry experience and over 30 years of venture investing experience. The firm’s disciplined process for analysing, beta-testing, and scaling great companies in partnership with its network provides a meaningful advantage in the market. A distinctive feature of Camber Creek’s model is its Beta Labs program, a proprietary validation mechanism whereby prospective portfolio companies are introduced to strategic LP partners prior to investment, who provide direct commercial feedback. This process allows Camber Creek to rigorously assess the potential of a product and business before committing capital, ensuring investment decisions are grounded in real market insight rather than assumption alone.

Managing Partner at Camber Creek, Jake Fingert, commented: “Our limited partners are an exceptional group of institutional and strategic investors from around the world. We are honoured to work with them in identifying and supporting category-defining companies. DFDF’s commitment furthers our ability to continue backing the most promising companies, while deepening our presence and relationships across the Middle East. DFDF’s focus on strengthening Dubai’s future economy through thoughtful investment in innovation aligns well with our work supporting technology companies transforming areas like real estate and construction. Their commitment to expanding opportunity and fostering long-term regional growth makes them a strong partner as we continue to engage more deeply in the Middle East and the UAE.”

Over the past decade, Camber Creek has invested early and supported the growth of over 47 proptech companies, with a high rate of companies achieving successful exits. The firm has had several successful exits for its Limited Partners, including the sale of TaskEasy to WorkWave and Building Engines to JLL. Its active portfolio includes category leaders such as Bilt Rewards, VTS, Flex, Measurabl, and Notarize.

The partnership also provides portfolio companies access to DFDF’s network of regional stakeholders and operators, creating meaningful pathways for US-based proptech innovators to enter and scale across the Middle East

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Dubai-based AI‑driven real estate startup Rechitta has unveiled an AI‑powered communication platform designed to transform how Dubai’s rapidly expanding property market manages global demand. Built specifically for developers, brokers, and buyers, the platform aims to bring greater speed, consistency, transparency, and accuracy to real estate engagement—an area long constrained by fragmented communication and manual follow‑ups.

The startup’s system delivers real‑time responses on pricing, inventory, payment plans, amenities, and project updates, while also giving developers visibility into engagement trends, investor interests, and emerging demand patterns. By centralizing verified developer data and distributing it instantly across broker networks, Rechitta enables faster transaction workflows and more consistent communication throughout the sales cycle.

“Dubai’s real estate market continues to grow at a rapid pace, but the systems supporting developer and broker engagement have remained largely fragmented and manual,” said Ashirwad Somani, Co‑Founder of Rechitta. “We saw how AI can help build infrastructure that supports global demand more efficiently while improving transparency, responsiveness, and consistency across markets. We expect developers using Rechitta to reach up to 20x more brokers and respond far more effectively without compromising accuracy.”

Co‑Founder Aryaman Maheshwari emphasized that Rechitta converts communication into actionable intelligence. “Every interaction helps developers and brokers understand what the market is looking for in real time—from pricing expectations to investment preferences and demand trends. Combining instant response capability with verified data creates a more transparent, responsive, and scalable sales ecosystem.”

For brokers, Rechitta serves as a real‑time intelligence platform, providing teams with instant access to accurate information and enabling them to manage international enquiries more efficiently. Rather than replacing traditional broker relationships, the startup enhances efficiency, accelerates response times, and improves conversion potential through faster, more reliable communication.

“For developers, the challenge today is not demand—it’s managing demand accurately and efficiently across markets,” said Co‑Founder Atiksh Mittal. “Rechitta provides a controlled, intelligent communication layer where verified information can be distributed instantly and consistently worldwide. Removing human error and subjective interpretation ensures complete accuracy and message control at scale.”

The launch event marked Rechitta’s transition into an always‑on AI system designed to operate continuously across markets and time zones. As Dubai strengthens its position as a global real estate hub, the startup aims to redefine international engagement by making communication faster, smarter, and more scalable. Rechitta plans to expand beyond Dubai, building broader AI infrastructure for real estate markets worldwide.

 

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Akamai Technologies announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire LayerX, a fast‑growing cybersecurity startup founded in 2021 and recognized for pioneering browser‑based AI usage control and secure enterprise browser (SEB) technology. The acquisition, valued at approximately $205 million, underscores Akamai’s strategy to accelerate innovation by integrating cutting‑edge startup capabilities into its expanding Zero Trust security portfolio.

Founded just five years ago, LayerX quickly emerged as one of the most technically advanced startups in the browser security space. Its platform extends enterprise protection directly into the browser—now the primary workspace for employees and a critical control point for generative AI tools, SaaS AI applications, and agentic AI systems. LayerX’s technology gives security teams real‑time visibility and control over how users interact with web content, prompts, file uploads, and AI‑driven workflows.

Unlike proprietary enterprise browsers that require organizations to switch environments, LayerX supports all major browsers and even the new generation of agentic browsers such as Atlas and Comet. This allows enterprises to adopt AI safely without disrupting user experience or modifying infrastructure.

“Our customers are adopting AI at record speed, and they’re telling us the same thing: Their existing controls cannot see how employees are interacting with AI tools and sharing with large language models,” said Mani Sundaram, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Security Technology Group, Akamai. “LayerX gives us a control layer at the point of use, enabling enterprises to move at AI speed without compromising safety or compliance.”

LayerX’s capabilities will integrate with Akamai’s Zero Trust offerings—including ZTNA, runtime protection for AI applications, and workload‑level segmentation—to deliver AI usage control that spans users, applications, and infrastructure.

“Securing human and agentic AI usage has become one of the defining challenges in enterprise security,” said Or Eshed, CEO and Co‑Founder of LayerX. “Joining Akamai allows us to scale our vision globally and accelerate innovation.”

LayerX’s team, including founders Or Eshed and David Vaisbrud, will join Akamai’s Zero Trust organization. This marks Akamai’s fourth cybersecurity acquisition in Tel Aviv in five years, strengthening its regional innovation hub.

The transaction is expected to close in Q3 2026, subject to customary conditions. LayerX is projected to reach approximately $10 million in ARR by year‑end.

 

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Saudi Arabia has reached a defining moment in its digital evolution, according to Deloitte’s Digital Consumer Trends 2026 Report—KSA Edition, with generative AI rapidly shifting from a curiosity to an everyday utility, reshaping how people search, work, and make decisions.

Based on a nationally representative survey of 1,000 consumers aged 18–50, the report captures a market moving at pace: more connected, more digitally fluent, and increasingly intentional in how it engages with technology.

At the center of this shift is the rapid rise of generative AI. As highlighted by the report, two-thirds of consumers in Saudi Arabia (66%) now actively use AI tools. This represents a 17-percentage-point increase from 49% last year, signaling a clear tipping point: what was once experimental is now embedded and used habitually.

From experimentation to everyday habit
Nowhere is this more visible than in the workplace. AI usage for work-related tasks has climbed to 45%, with consumers increasingly turning to it as a starting point for productivity. The most common use cases, searching for information (51%), generating ideas (44%), and language translation (42%), highlight a fundamental behavioral shift, with AI becoming the first step in how people access knowledge and solve problems.

While adoption is accelerating, maturity is still catching up. Much of this usage remains informal, with consumers relying heavily on free tools and limited organizational support. At the same time, more advanced use cases such as content creation and coding have stabilized, suggesting a move toward more practical, outcome-driven applications rather than experimentation for its own sake.

A more conscious digital consumer emerges
Alongside this surge in adoption, a more discerning and self-aware digital consumer is beginning to take shape, particularly when it comes to social media and online safety.

In Saudi Arabia, 41% of consumers believe social media access should be restricted to those aged 16 and above, reflecting growing concern around the impact of digital platforms on younger users. In a notable shift, Gen Z is leading this conversation, with 66% supporting stricter controls, challenging long-held assumptions about younger generations’ attitudes toward unrestricted digital access.

The trend also signals a broader recalibration. As digital engagement deepens, so too does scrutiny around its impact. Issues such as online harm, misinformation, and digital wellbeing are no longer peripheral; they are becoming central to how consumers evaluate their digital environments.

Connectivity becomes a non-negotiable
As digital behaviors evolve, so do expectations around the infrastructure that supports them. The report highlights a strong shift toward performance-led connectivity, with 65% of consumers bundling services with their broadband.

Unlike markets where entertainment drives bundling, Saudi consumers are prioritizing reliability and network performance. The most common additions, which are Wi-Fi boosters (29%), landline services (21%), and mobile connections (15%), point to a clear trend that connectivity has become a critical foundation for daily life.

From remote work to streaming and smart devices, the demand for seamless, high-quality digital experiences is reshaping how consumers choose and value their service providers.

A market at an inflection point
Taken together, the findings point to a market at an inflection point. Saudi consumers are not just adopting technology, they are integrating it and redefining its role in their lives.

The rise of AI, the growing focus on digital wellbeing, and performance expectations on connectivity all signal a more mature, intentional digital ecosystem, where expectations are rising as quickly as adoption.

Emmanuel Durou, Partner and Technology, Media & Telecommunications Leader at Deloitte Middle East,said: “Saudi Arabia is entering a new phase of digital adoption that is defined not just by scale, but by depth and intent. The speed at which generative AI has moved into everyday use is striking, and it is fundamentally changing how consumers interact with technology across both personal and professional contexts.

At the same time, we are seeing a more balanced and thoughtful approach to digital engagement emerge. Consumers are embracing innovation, but they are also more aware of its implications, particularly when it comes to online safety and wellbeing.

For organizations, this presents a clear opportunity. Success will depend not only on how quickly they innovate, but on how effectively they build trust, deliver value, and respond to a more informed and discerning consumer.”

The 2026 Digital Consumer Trends Report—KSA Edition highlights the pace and direction of change across Saudi Arabia’s digital landscape. As AI becomes embedded, expectations rise, and behaviors shift. Organizations must adapt quickly, placing equal emphasis on innovation, trust, and meaningful engagement.

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