Success Stories of Entrepreneurs in the UAE

Yalla is a social networking and entertainment platform that provides users with superior online social experiences. Founded in 2016, the group quickly saw growth in subscribers and went on to become the first UAE-based technology company to list on the New York Stock Exchange in 2020.

“From Dubai Internet City, the social networking platform ‘Yalla Group’ is the first unicorn UAE-based technology company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, tweeted during the listing. “Our digital economy is growing and will remain an integral part of our exports globally.”

The leading voice-centric platform in the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) is specifically tailored for the people and local cultures of the region. Its flagship mobile application primarily features Yalla rooms - a reimagined online version of the majlis or cafés where people spend their leisure time in casual chats. The company also operates Yalla Ludo, a mobile application featuring online versions of board games that are popular in the region. They include in-game real-time chats and Ludo chat room functions.