Investor AMA: "When it comes to platforms, we think that mobile is the way to go"

The Dubai Game Expo Summit powered by Pocket Gamer Connects returns on May 7th to 8th 2025, offering a chance to gain insights into the world’s fastest-growing games market, MENA.

Check out more stories from PocketGamer.biz's MENA Month special, where we interview the top companies and delve into the investment landscape, right here.

"We look at publishers, game developers, game tech or adjacent sectors. But when it comes to platforms, we think that mobile is the way to go," says Merak Capital VP of innovation platform Faisal Sedrani.

"It is more than 50% of the market right now and is growing a lot. We think that the accessibility of mobile games is huge."

Sedrani shared his views on games industry investments from the perspective of an investment firm on a panel at Pocket Gamer Connects Jordan 2024. He was joined by Tamatem managing director Faisal Bitar in an investor AMA, moderated by Walking Squid Advisory founder Kay Gruenwoldt.

"Obviously we’re in the mobile gaming business, so we definitely believe in mobile gaming and we’re doubling down on it," echoed Bitar.

"But I think what’s also interesting, and where we’re heading as well, is the intersection of bringing gaming to other sectors."

Gruenwoldt agreed: "Mobile is the majority of the entire market right now. I don’t think that’s going to change."

Grants, investments and crowdfunding

Discussing strategies to find funding as an early-stage startup, Sedrani suggested that earning investor support as someone with no track record in the industry is likely to be challenging. But "there are lots of grants and incentive programmes" including government grants. He noted that government support is "especially" accessible in Saudi Arabia.

"To be honest, it’s quite difficult to get the attention of investors if you don’t have any track record of previous startups or games that you’ve developed," Sedrani explained.

"But there are ways you can get at least some initial attention by coming to events, showcasing the passion that you have, getting warm introductions from people who trust you - introducing you to investors."

Bitar agreed: "It’s like a marriage. You need to build that relationship, so part of not having that track record is going out and building that relationship.

"At the end of the day, as much as they’re interested in a game, they’re interested in how much the game will make and how that revenue will continue to grow over time."

Gruenwoldt commented: "We’re looking for a company, a corporation, a venture that can create success in one game, but then replicate that over and over again, because that’s your 20 or 50 times multiple instead of a single-digit one."

The panel also discussed when to consider crowdfunding, which may be "a good validation" but is "not so great for specifically making your game happen".

During the Dubai GameExpo Summit powered by PGC 2025 we'll be hosting The Investment Summit, welcoming a host of expert speakers to discuss the funding landscape in MENA, as well as connecting developers, publishers and investors together for potential deal-making.